If you wish to explore a new career, learning how to become a SoulCycle instructor offers an exciting prospect that will allow you to teach one of the most innovative fitness classes available today.
To ensure that you have all the necessary tools and information required to become a SoulCycle instructor this article will cover the following topics:
- Step 1: Get The Right Qualifications Before Your SoulCycle Instructor Training
- Step 2: Gain Practical Experience Before Becoming a SoulCycle Instructor
- Step 3: Become a SoulCycle Instructor By Completing The Application Process
- Step 4: Undergo Your Offical SoulCycle Instructor Training
- Step 5: Secure Your Dream Job As a SoulCycle Instructor
Earning a Diploma in personal training can help kickstart your career, providing vital skills and knowledge that will inform the way in which you lead these cycling classes, to ensure you flourish within the SoulCycle organisation.
Alternatively, download OriGym’s FREE prospectus for further information about our courses!
Step 1: Get The Right Qualifications Before Your SoulCycle Instructor Training
The first step in learning how to become a SoulCycle instructor is earning the right qualifications. This cannot be skipped, as without these certifications you will not be considered for employment opportunities.
With this in mind, let’s discuss what qualifications you need to become a SoulCycle instructor.
Complete A Level 2 Gym Instructor Course Before You Become a SoulCycle Instructor
If you’re looking to become a SoulCycle instructor, you’ll first need to complete a Level 2 Fitness Instructor Course. This is an entry level qualification, meaning that no previous experience is required.
The Level 2 certificate is the basic qualification needed to work in a gym or fitness centre. Check out the example job advertisement below, which asks all applicants to hold a Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification:
A Level 2 fitness instructor course will teach you the fundamentals of leading fitness classes, such as techniques for motivating your class members, as well as how best to make a fitness class successful.
You’ll also learn the basics of human anatomy and physiology. This will help you to curate class plans that are both safe and effective in pushing customers towards their fitness goals.
In fact, this is something that SoulCycle stresses the importance of on their “Qualifications” page:
By achieving this certificate, and becoming a fitness instructor, you will have explicit proof that you’re well versed in anatomy and physiology.
In short, if you wish to audition for the SoulCycle instructor training process, then you need this qualification. Without it, you won’t meet the job requirements, and won’t be considered for employment.
Level 3 Personal Training Course Can Be Beneficial For Aspiring SoulCycle Instructors
If you want to learn how to become a SoulCycle instructor, you should also consider enrolling on a Level 3 Personal Training course. In doing so, you can build upon the knowledge acquired at Level 2.
Whilst obtaining this qualification isn’t a necessity, it can still provide valuable skills that are beneficial when looking to become a SoulCycle instructor, and may even set you apart from other candidates.
This isn’t just applicable to SoulCycle either, as many prominent gyms and fitness centres throughout the world will prioritise candidates who hold this qualification.
This can be seen in the following advertisement for a Lifestyle Fitness gym, where the certification is marked as ‘preferred’:
By becoming a qualified personal trainer, you can hone and develop beneficial skills, as well as significantly boosting your earning potential. This is evident from the example above, which highlights how successful applicants can earn up to £35,608 per year.
In addition to these benefits, completing the qualification essentially shows employers that you’re willing to learn and develop within the industry.
This is a key attribute that SoulCycle look out for during their audition process, as evident from the screenshot provided below. For this reason, you should make reference to your Level 3 personal training qualification during this process, specifically highlighting what it taught you and how it helped you progress within your professional career:
Essentially, a Level 3 PT qualification will show to employers that you took the initiative to build upon your initial training, and can now provide customers with a unique fitness experience.
Step 2: Gain Practical Experience Before Looking To Become A SoulCycle Instructor
Before completing the training for SoulCycle instructors, you should look for practical experience working in the fitness industry. Specifically, aim to get experience teaching general indoor cycling classes at a local gym or fitness centre.
These roles will provide you valuable experience in areas such as learning how to lead fitness classes, which will help you stand out from other applicants applying for a SoulCycle role.
In addition to this, gaining practical experience can boost your general confidence. Think of it this way, when it comes to learning how to become a SoulCycle instructor, you will already know how to:
- Operate stationary exercise bikes
- Provide instructions and demonstrations to classes of varying sizes
- Offer bespoke amendments for customers who may struggle to keep up with the rest of the class
This leaves little room for any unpleasant surprises that may arise during the application process. You will then be able to enter a job interview at SoulCycle fully confident that you’re highlighting your best self.
SoulCycle also personally stresses the importance of having prior experience on their website. From the screenshot provided below, you can see that they prioritise applicants who have 1-2 years worth of professional teaching experience:
Another benefit of working in a fitness instructor role prior to pursuing training for soulcycle instructors is that you can cultivate a loyal customer base.
This is something you can mention in the job interview, stating that your most loyal students have agreed to follow you to SoulCycle should you get the role.
The ability to fill a studio is crucial, and employers may view you as a valuable commodity should you share this during the interview.
To gain this experience, you should look out for relevant job postings in your local area that mention or indoor cycling classes, such as this example from Virgin Active:
With that being said, don’t discount jobs that are listed as holistic ‘Fitness Instructor’ roles. These positions could still list cycling or Spin classes as one of the core responsibilities, as evident from this example:
This is all applicable if you’ve yet to become employed, but if you currently work at a gym or fitness centre then you could offer to lead Spin/indoor cycling classes in addition to your other responsibilities.
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Those who are interested in learning how to become a SoulCycle instructor should also check out these OriGym articles:
- Spin Instructor Salary Explained
- How To Become A Peloton Instructor in the UK
- How To Become a Group Fitness Instructor
Step 3: Become A Soulcycle Instructor By Completing The Application Process
Those who are interested in learning how to become a soulcycle instructor will likely have clicked onto this article for this section alone. This application process is entirely unique, and it’s therefore important you know what to expect.
First and foremost, be aware that SoulCycle does not offer a continuous or rolling application process.
Instead, you will only be able to apply for a position at various points throughout the year, and even then you will still have to audition.
In addition to this, SoulCycle only allows applicants to apply twice every year, meaning if you are not accepted during this time you will need to re-apply during the next calendar year.
To apply for an audition, you’ll need to write your fitness instructor CV and cover letter explaining why you want the role and what Soulcycle means to you (just like any other job).
You will then need to send the documents to soulcycleauditions@soul-cycle.com
If your application is successful, you’ll then be invited to audition for the SoulCycle Instructor training programme.
Note this will not be a standard solo job interview – other aspiring instructors will also be in attendance.
To prepare for this you should try to attend as many SoulCycle classes as possible. This will give you a feel for the studios teaching style, which you can then seek to mimic during your audition.
You will also be asked to prepare 2 routines to 2 different songs that you feel comfortable cycling to. These should demonstrate two different rhythms such as a gentle jog, or hill song.
The audition to become a SoulCycle instructor will typically follow a structure such as:
- You will be assigned a bike among the rest of the group – Your bike number correlates to your audition number e.g. if you’re bike 1, you’ll be auditioning first.
- When it’s your turn, you will leave your bike and stand on a podium in front of the class. The interviewers will then ask you several different questions, such as what SoulCycle means to you, and whether you’d be willing to relocate for a position.
- You will then have to lead the class in the 2 routines you choreographed. Be aware that employers can stop you at any point, and this is not an indication of your performance.
- When it’s not your turn, you will be part of ‘the class’ following the routines of the other auditionees. Be aware that interviews will still be watching your form so put in the same amount of effort and dedication.
The entire audition process will require a lot of dedication and effort on your part, meaning that it’s not something you enter lightly. According to their website, if you’re looking to become a SoulCycle instructor you will have to dedicate 3-4 weeks to the process alone:
Successful applicants will then move on to take part in their official SoulCycle Instructor training. Here’s what you can do to ensure that you’re a part of this select group:
- Be Confident – Confidence is the belief that you can succeed, so even if you feel unsure, trust in your abilities and try to go into the audition with a positive mental attitude. In a piece he wrote for SoulCycle, instructor Kellen Townsend cites this as one of the key attributes that got him hired.
- Be Yourself – According to the SoulCycle FAQ section, the assessors are looking to see your personality shine through during your audition. This above everything (including technique and choreography) can get you hired!
- Practice As Much As Possible – Practice makes perfect, so put in the time before your audition to work with different groups of people. Again, this is where previous professional experience can be beneficial, as once it’s under your belt you will become more comfortable working with crowds of differing needs and sizes.
One last thing to be aware of is that you might not pass the audition the first time – and that’s okay. It’s more common than you think, so don’t be ashamed or worried if it takes you a couple of attempts to move on to the training for SoulCycle instructors.
Should this happen, try not to dwell on the negatives. Instead, reflect on your performance in order to determine what you can do to better your chances of becoming a SoulCycle instructor in the near future.
Step 4: Undergo SoulCycle Instructor Training
SoulCycle is a competitive industry, and relatively few proceed through to the training process. If you’re one of the lucky few, the hard work won’t end at the audition!
Whilst information on the exact process of learning how to become a SoulCycle instructor is scarce, there are a few online resources that provide insight into what hopefuls can expect from the training process.
For example, the SoulCycle website claims that the training process takes 8 weeks, and includes a in-depth schedule:
During the SoulCycle instructor training process, you will learn everything that you need to succeed within the organisation. For example, you will cover topics such as:
- How to select music for your classes
- Ways to motivate class attendees
- SoulCycle’s method of leading classes
In order to ensure you get the most of this training for SoulCycle instructors, we’d recommend adhering to the following advice:
- Ask Questions – If you’re ever unsure about anything that is covered, don’t be afraid to ask questions. This will not only make a good impression, but it will ensure that you don’t make any unnecessary mistakes.
- Make The Most Of Every Opportunity – You want to make the best possible impression during this process, so don’t be afraid to perform any task that’s asked of you. Remember this is only training, and every opportunity that comes your way is a chance to learn and grow!
- Ask For Feedback – If you want to learn how to become a SoulCycle instructor there are no better individuals to ask than active instructors. Through asking questions you can gain insight into what is expected of you in the role and how you can perform at optimal levels.
To summarise, you should approach training for SoulCycle instructors with the same thought and dedication as any other qualification. In doing so, you will be able to find future success in the role.
Step 5: Secure A Job As A SoulCycle Instructor
After passing the training for SoulCycle instructors, you’re finally ready to begin your new career teaching in-door cycling classes. One thing to keep in mind is that the completion of training doesn’t guarantee employment within the organisation:
If you wish to find employment within SoulCycle specifically, the best place to look is the careers section of the company site. Here you will be able to apply for instructor roles, as well as other vacant positions:
SoulCycle instructor jobs are typically posted from a variety of different locations, with the most popular sites being located in America.
Keep in mind that many applicants are willing to relocate to work with the company, a factor which makes the positions so competitive. This is the reality of seeking employment in SoulCycle, with opportunities being so sought after that positions are often filled as soon as they’re listed.
Despite the competitve nature of the role, this doesn’t mean all your skills and knowledge have to go to waste.
In the meantime, one way to keep your skills sharp is to work in a similar role. For example, leading general in-door cycling classes can help to ensure you maintain your form and stamina.
There are plenty of opportunities across the UK for cycling instructors, so you should regularly check employment sites such as Indeed and Glassdoor for opportunities such as the following example:
Alternatively, you could also seek to remain part of the SoulCycle community through working at other locations.
For example, if you hold a Level 3 PT qualification, you could apply for personal training jobs within organisations such as Equinox (a sister company to SoulCycle).
Working with Equinox helps you maintain a presence within the overarching SoulCycle community.
When in this role you can make valuable industry connections, which could lead to referrals should a position in SoulCycle become available.
You may also decide to pursue training with other popular in-door cycling brands to gain further experience. For example, you could learn how to become a Spin instructor in order to broaden your horizons even further.
As you can see, even if there aren’t any SoulCyle employment opportunities available, that doesn’t mean you have to remain unemployed. There are still a range of professional opportunities available to you, so don’t waste them!
Before You Go!
Now that you know how to become a SoulCycle instructor you can begin to take the necessary steps to ensure you’re suitable for the position. Remember, the best thing you can do is gain experience that helps you stand out from the competitors.
One of the best ways to do this is through earning a Personal Training Diploma. In doing so, you can develop specialist knowledge in areas such as anatomy and physiology, which can help to inform your teaching style at SoulCycle.
You can also download our FREE course prospectus to learn more about every OriGym qualification.
