Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc Irvine.
Hi Marc, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My love for fitness started with playing hockey at a young age. Of course, I enjoyed the game and time on the ice but I also fell in love with the off-ice training. I always loved the challenge of pushing myself physically in different ways. Flash forward 20 years and I’m still playing hockey and staying in the gym but I hadn’t tried something new in a while. Enter indoor cycling. My wife Rebekah invited me to my first indoor cycling class. I had no idea what I was doing but I immediately fell in love with the loud music and the chance to really push myself physically. It is the perfect mix of music and movement along with an intense cardio workout. I was hooked. So much so that we had one of our favorite cycling instructors officiate our wedding!
After being self-employed in the construction industry laying concrete curbing out in the Texas heat, I was looking for something new. Something that combined business with passion and an indoor cycling studio was the perfect fit. We researched ways to open our own and ended up aligning with StarCycle. It was the same style of riding we first fell in love with and had all of the elements we wanted in a cycling studio. One thing we didn’t have right was our timing as we opened our doors in January 2020! Opened in January and closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic serving us by far the biggest challenge we have ever faced as business owners.
We found ways to get creative; renting out our bikes, teaching virtual classes, offering online retail, and anything we could to somehow survive the pandemic. We re-opened in Late May and have since been continuing to fight our way back to pre-pandemic times. The most important thing is the community we have created around the studio and the relationships with those people we see walking through our doors. We cannot thank them enough because our business is really built around human connection and community. Without them, we simply would not have made it through.
Being up on that podium teaches classes is a true passion of mine. Helping people through music and movement is something I never take for granted. If you don’t challenge yourself, have fun or laugh during my class I’m not doing my job. My goal is to make you forget about the outside world for those 45 minutes we share in that dark room on a bike.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Opening an indoor cycling studio in 2020 has been anything but smooth! Trying to navigate the pandemic was something no one could really prepare for. All we could do is act and react to the changes that came to us throughout this past year. The hard part was being so limited in the opportunities we could create. Staying positive and always looking for ways to stay connected with our clients was the only way. My wife who is an absolute rockstar actually expanded her salon business during the pandemic. I’m always inspired by her ability to create opportunities and take risks even during a pandemic.
We continued to teach live virtual classes 7 days a week to give our clients the closest thing to an in-person experience. The at-home workout became a staple and is still something we are seeing affect our business. We believe as time goes on, that in person experience and group atmosphere will be a way to fill the important need for human connection.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about StarCycle Cedar Park?
We are an indoor cycling studio located in Cedar Park, TX. We specialize in 45-minute beat-driven cycling classes. No numbers, no competition. Just you, your bike and the music. We are known for teaching high-intensity classes that you can also take at your own pace. StarCycle is for everybody and every body. Our in-studio experience is second to none as we take several months to train our instructor team. We will motivate and inspire you to be your best self on and off the bike.
We also offer on-site childcare which is very unique to our industry. Our StarKids Lounge gives parents the opportunity to ride while they play! We have classes seven days a week from 5:30 AM to 6:30 PM. There is a class that fits anyone’s unique schedule. We have several membership options to choose from including a 4 class, 8 class or unlimited monthly membership plan. First Class is always FREE!
CLIP IN, CHECK OUT, LET’S RIDE!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As mentioned before our industry went through some changes during the pandemic. Not by choice. People were forced into their homes stuck in quarantine still looking for ways to move and stay healthy. Thus, the at-home workout industry thrived. I strongly believe that although at-home workouts are convenient, they often lose their luster over time. The need for human connection is very real and the feeling you get in a room full of people moving together is so incredible! That is why we always focus on the human side of our business. What makes people feel good and feel connected to the community when they come to our studio. That is something that will never go away. Although technology created different ways to connect with others, nothing can compare to a genuine in person experience.
That is why we made the conscious decision to remove technology in our studio and encourage the opportunity for human connection.
Pricing:
- 4 class membership – $69
- 8 class membership – $99
- Unlimited membership – 119
Contact Info:
- Email: cedarpark@starcycleride.com
- Website: https://starcycleride.com/studios/cedar-park/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starcyclecedarpark/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starcyclecedarpark/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/starcycle-cedar-park-cedar-park
Image Credits
Katia Forero Photography Mic Mauer
