This document summarizes a study comparing the exercise franchises The Bar Method and SoulCycle. It discusses their histories, similarities, and differences based on surveys of 35 customers. Both franchises emphasize community and motivation. However, The Bar Method caters more toward adults while SoulCycle aims to create a cult-like following through an immersive workout journey. In the end, 83% of respondents were highly likely to return to one of the franchises for their next intense workout.

1. Exercising our Minds:
The Bar Method &
SoulCycle
By Perri Prosky & Amanda Hanowitz

2. To spin or not to spin
● Competition between exercise franchises
● Exercise has become a trend and lifestyle
● Benefits of exercising at either franchise
● What causes people to choose either the
Bar Method or SoulCycle?

3. Goal of Study
So why are people leaving their gyms and
working out at these classes that can range
from $20-$40 a class?

4. The Bar Method
1981: Lotte Burke method takes over
2001: the first Bar Method location opened
in California
Today: 85 locations opened around the
country and Canada

6. A brief description
● Atmosphere/environment
● Perk and reward system
● Class packages
● Catered toward adults
● Class set-up
● Sense of community

7. SoulCycle: Where it all began
● Founded by Elizabeth Cutler & Julie Rice
● “Take a journey.Change your body. Find your soul.”
● History

8. Today: So what’s the fuss
about?
● Cult-like
● 50-60 studios nationwide by 2015
● Launched an apparel line in 2007

10. Results of Survey
● Surveyed sorority sisters – 35 respondents
● Can only take survey if ever attended Bar Method and/or SoulCycle class
● Goal: Find common ground among two organizations
● Utilizing methods for “good workout, fun, motivating”
● Felt “energized, happy, excited” to workout at the organizations
● At end, feel “amazing, accomplished, energized”
● 83% of respondents highly likely to return (scale of 1-10)

11. FIELD NOTES FOR THE BAR
METHOD
● Welcoming atmosphere
● Community
● Safety and efficiency
● Products
● Care packages
● Student prices

13. FIELD NOTES FOR
SOULCYCLE
● Community
● Helpful staff
● Extra expenses
● Motivational journey

15. Similarities
● Community
● Boutique-like fitness
● Empowerment & inspirational
● Packages
● Individualized
● Websites

16. Media Documents
The Bar Method
● Innovative success
● Predicting of future
success
● Age is but a
number
● Increasing studios
● Demonstrations
and proper form
Soul Cycle
● Cult-like
● Personal
experiences
● Success

17. Organizational Documents
The Bar Method
● Why exercise is
important
● Details of the
actual workout
● Celebrity
endorsements
SoulCycle
● Branding efforts
● Blogs on websites
● Soul Story

18. Functionalist Approach: The Bar
Method
● Branding strategies
● Decision-making
● Use of social media

19. Functionalist Approach: Soul
Cycle
● Brand loyalty
● Marketing strategies

20. Differences
● Services
● Prices
● Products
● Gender
● Age
● Culture

21. Raising the bar: strengths
● Reward systems
● Community
● Intense teacher training
● Customer experience
● Current healthy lifestyle trend
● Trusted and safe exercise

22. Raise the bar higher: suggested
improvements
● Kid friendly
● Less expensive prices

23. Soul’s Strengths: Why people
keep coming back
● Engagement with customers
● “Soul family”
● Amazing workout
● Motivational

24. Recommendations to
Stakeholders (SoulCycle)
● Student packages
● Day Care
● Monthly promotions

25. Our Research Goal
Will you leave your gym to try these new
boutique fitness chains?
If so, where do you plan to go for your next
kick-butt workout?

26. References