For years I have been reading about all these cool fusion workouts I could be doing if I lived in New York or L.A. Things like the Skinny Jeans Workout or Body Architect Xpress just don’t seem to be classes offered in the Toronto area. But I thought my luck may have changed when a friend mentioned this place called Spynga to me.

What is Spynga?

According to their website, Spynga is Toronto’s first spinning and cycling studio and is run by two childhood friends (why can’t I ever do something like this with my friends?). Their trademark class is a spinning/yoga combo called Spynga (spinning yoga = spynga). You climb on a spinning bike for 25 minutes and then jump off the bike and start to do yoga for the next 25 minutes. This class was definitely appealing to me. I get to sweat and stretch at the same time. I also was convinced that this workout was as close to L.A. as I was going to get in the next 12 months. I had to try it.

So, one dark and dreary December night after work I made the trek to St.Clair West to try this out. Getting there was, to be honest, kind of scary. Not a big fan of walking down Bathurst in the dark. I arrived at the building and was a bit confused as I wasn’t sure I had the right address. There seemed to be a lot of offices in there dealing with unemployment and career placement. Turned out I was in the right building, so I made my way to the studio (Tip: Don’t try to walk up the stairs to the 3rd floor studio as you can’t seem to get past the 2nd floor. Just take the elevator).

If I didn’t know that I was in the right place I knew that I definitely was when I arrived at the 3rd floor. The music was pounding. Excellent. I love loud and fun music while taking an exercise class. Upon arrival, I signed up for the Spynga flow class. I don’t think I have ever been this excited before taking a class before.

Then the class began and my excitement levels dropped. I don’t know if it was just the class I was taking, but it just didn’t really work for me. Both the spinning and the yoga portions of the class were mediocre. I’ve had better elsewhere. I actually felt like the instructor didn’t really know how to explain yoga. Best part of the experience was the adjustment at the end with some aloe/lavender cream. The other reviews of this place have been great, but I think like me everyone is getting caught up in the novelty of this workout and not the actual specifics of it. I’d be curious to meet someone who is a regular there. To be fair I may have just gotten the wrong instructor.

Spynga is the yoga and cycling studio in Toronto. They have both yoga and spinning classes and they also have classes that are infused with both.

The studio is a little difficult to find the first time you go to it because it's way up on the third floor. After you find it, you'll know that you came to the right place. The entire studio has a very calm, laid back feel to it. The staff are really friendly and nice. I had the chance to speak with one of the co-owners (Casey) and she is extremely down-to-earth and sweet.

I had the pleasure of trying out their signature Spynga Flow class which encompasses 30 minutes of spinning on the stationary bike followed by 30 minutes of yoga. The bikes are set up on one side of the room and there is a large space at the end of the room for the yoga.

I found the class to be really exhilarating especially the transition going straight from spinning to yoga. The instructor was really good in teaching both the spin and the yoga class. I felt like she was effectively able to make modifications for those taking the class who are beginner or who have injuries, but at the same time push those who needed the extra motivation. I would recommend this class to anyone beginner to the more advanced. Even though it was my first time, the class was really easy to follow and it flows with your level of comfort. After I felt tired like I got a good cardio workout, but calm and at ease from the yoga practice.

They also have a diverse range of classes for everyone, including new moms, children and tweens. I would definitely go back if I didn't live so far away.

Spynga is located at 1415 Bathurst Street, south of St Clair Ave W. 416 588 SPYN (7796).