Harlem Cycle: May’s Black Owned Business of The Month & My Harlem Cycle At Home Review

It’s been a minute since we last chatted, so I’m SUPER excited to bring back the Black Owned Business of the Month! Each month, I’m going to share a favorite Black-owned business for ya’ll to check out, and this month, I want to spotlight Harlem Cycle.

Since we relocated to El Paso, I’ve slowly begun to work a fitness routine into my self-care. But, as a mom of five, making time to get dressed and head to a gym a few times a week is pretty hard. So, I hopped online to see if I could find a Black-owned virtual gym.

Turns out, there aren’t many Black-owned virtual fitness programs out there, so it didn’t take me very long to come across Harlem Cycle. I’ll get to my Harlem Cycle At Home review in just a minute, but first, here’s a little background on how they started!

Tammeca Rochester’s Vision & Inspiration For Harlem Cycle

Harlem Cycle is based in, you guessed it, Harlem, New York. Founder, Tammeca Rochester, created her company when she moved to Harlem a few years back and couldn’t find a fitness studio where she could pursue her health goals and also enjoy a sense of community and belonging. So, Tammeca created a brand that infuses the world of fitness with swagger, culture, creativity, and, of course, that community that she initially searched for.

Sounds cool, right? I thought so too!

I was intrigued when I initially came across Harlem Cycle in my search, but what really hooked me was Tammeca’s TEDx Harlem speech that she gave earlier this year. I’ve included it below; it’s most definitely worth a watch when you have a few minutes!

In an Alumni News article for NYU, Tammeca also talks about the challenges she overcame to make her dream a reality, especially in Harlem. Despite having a solid business plan and a well-paying corporate job, banks didn’t feel comfortable funding a startup in “that area”.

But, inspired by those many Summers spent in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica watching her grandmother provide for her community, Tammeca was determined to make it happen. She funded Harlem Cycle entirely with her own savings and, to this day, Tammeca says hers is the only cycling studio North of 92nd Street.

That strong sense of connection and wanting to give back comes through loud and clear in everything about Harlem Cycle. The studio frequently hosts wellness events to give back and raise money for local charities. In-person classes are intentionally small to foster intimacy and community among participants. And the company’s love and respect for its namesake city shines through in everything from studio design and the names of classes to the music they choose for each class.

Bottom line: Tammeca and Harlem Fitness treat everyone with respect and grace no matter where they are in their fitness journey or what their motivation level is.

Get Involved In-Studio

If you’re lucky enough to actually live in Harlem, you can, of course, sign up for in-person classes. Check their community events page to keep up with local events and free classes that will give you a feel for what Harlem Cycle has to offer. There are also Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Vibranium level memberships for every budget and multiple class packs that allow you to try a few classes without committing to a full membership.

You can also check out drop-in rates, perfect if you’re just visiting the area and want to keep up your workout routine.

Harlem Cycle At Home Review: My Thoughts

If you live outside of Harlem (or even if you live closer, but you’re unable to make it in person), there’s a robust virtual program, which is what I went with. I started with the seven-day trial so I could check it out for a few days and try a few different workouts without committing right away. You can pay monthly or yearly. On-demand classes include cycling, strength training, cardio, toning, mobility, and even family-friendly routines so you can get the babies involved!

Harlem Cycle’s virtual platform is available on your computer or smartphone and some smart TVs. My own TV wasn’t compatible with their platform, but I figured out a quick workaround by streaming my workouts from my phone to our Apple TV. If your TV has a browser, you can also use that to navigate to the Harlem Cycle At Home website.

The platform itself is super easy to use and well-organized. After you log in, you can choose a routine ranging from 15 to around 60 minutes long. The classes are divided into categories, so you can choose whatever you’re in the mood for or start a challenge of your choice.

Up until I started my free trial, I wasn’t really working out as often as I should. Plus, with my diastasis recti (thanks very much, beautiful twins!), I have to be careful with certain core exercises. But I’m happy to report, there’s something for everyone no matter what your fitness level is. I was able to complete each virtual class that I tried (and work up a sweat) with small modifications here and there.

I also like that there’s a nutritional section with quick, easy-to-follow recipes, and detailed guides to support you in that arena. For example, trying to quit sugar? There’s a guide for that!

Virtual Support & Motivation

By the way, don’t think that just because you’re a virtual member, you’ll miss out on the community experience! I also joined The Harlem Cycle Community on FB where Tammeca shares inspiration, workout tips, and healthy meal ideas.

According to the American Psychological Association, sharing your progress with others may make you more likely to stay motivated and keep up your routine. So, if you’re serious about getting back into fitness, definitely consider joining and sharing your wins!

Lastly, Harlem Cycle adds new content to their virtual library just about every week, so there’s always something new to check out! Definitely more exciting than doing the same old fitness DVD every week!

My Tips For Working Out At Home With Kids

While working out at home is certainly more convenient (and cheaper!) than joining a gym, it’s not without its challenges. The evenings that I worked out while my husband was home were easier because I just had him entertain them so I could focus. But when I want to work out while he’s at work, I have to get a little creative. Here’s what works for me:

PLAN ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE KIDDOS: Sometimes, I’ll send my oldest three outside in the backyard to play for a bit or I’ll set them up with a craft project. I’ll turn on Ms. Rachel or Ms. Moni for the twins and give them a snack to keep them entertained (and stationary so I don’t have to worry about tripping over them).

WAKE UP EARLY: This works as long as I’ve gotten a full night’s sleep the night before! But when I need that extra hour of sleep I’ll try this instead…

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NAPS & LUNCHTIME: I can usually sneak in one of the quick 15-20 minute workouts while the kids are eating or sleeping.

INVOLVE THE KIDS: I love Harlem Cycle’s family-friendly routines for this! A few times, my older three decided I was having too much fun by myself and decided to join me, so I just let it be. I did have to remind my five-year-old a few times that she couldn’t lay in the middle of the floor during the workout, but, for the most part, it was fine! BONUS: I like setting a good example for my babies by focusing on my self-care and well-being and staying active throughout the week.

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE: Don’t feel like it has to be a 40-minute or hour-long workout to “count”. Some days, you may only have time for 15-20 minutes but that’s better than nothing at all! Plus, those minutes add up throughout the week.

LAY OUT YOUR CLOTHES & EQUIPMENT BEFORE HAND: It already takes a minute to get your babies situated before you can start. So, the last thing you need is to have to hunt down your sports bra or sneakers for 15 minutes before starting. Try to gather those things the night before and set them aside. Or you can make that part of your morning routine if you know you’re going to work out later that day. Luckily, most of the routines on Harlem Cycle At Home are equipment-free, so that’s one less thing to worry about!

CHOOSE A ROUTINE YOU ACTUALLY ENJOY: I get it; working out is not exactly “fun” for a lot of folks. But there are some routines and activities that are more enjoyable than others. Harlem Cycle At Home offers a variety of different routines, so you can try a bunch until you figure out what works for you. Having been out of shape for so long, it was challenging to create a fitness plan and stick to it. However, I have found that it helps to stick with the classes that I enjoy. Once I get the habit down, I’ll add in some of the more hardcore stuff.

PUT IT IN YOUR CALENDAR: Don’t wait until Monday morning to figure out when you can work out on Monday. I try to schedule my workout sessions just like I do date night, working on this blog, or the kid’s activities. This also helps if you plan to hire a sitter, involve your spouse, or enlist help from your village to get the babies while you work out. Always better to ask for help early!

Final Thoughts on Harlem Cycle At Home

Once I finished my free trial, I decided to keep up with my monthly subscription because I enjoy the program and how easy it is. Not going to lie, it’s still challenging making time to work out, but I’ve made a point to prioritize that time in my day. And the virtual option definitely makes that a bit easier! I’ll make sure to come back and update you in a few months, but in the meantime, talk to me! Have you tried Harlem Cycle, either in-person or virtually? If so, share your own Harlem Cycle review below!

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