Woman says she was shamed at SoulCycle for going too slow

I’m a group fitness devotee — reformer Pilates is my jam — and my trainer is a stickler about arriving on time, especially for new students. The reason: She goes over important form and safety information before class begins.

Any good fitness trainer knows to give new students the low-down, especially for complicated workouts. At least one SoulCycle trainer didn’t follow that protocol, at least according to a lawsuit filed by a California woman who claims she was “catastrophically injured” after being shamed for not going fast enough.

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According to People, Carmen Farias signed up for a class with trainer Angela Davis at the Beverly Hills SoulCycle in 2014, a favorite with celebrities. Farias said that her legs felt weak after about 20 minutes on the bike and attempted to stop, but Davis “barked” at her to keep going, telling the class they can’t take breaks.

“The shame caused Carmen to momentarily attempt to pedal faster,” her lawsuit documents read, adding that she was embarrassed in front of her friends and coworkers. “Her legs were shaking. Carmen had to stop the pedals from turning, but she did not know how to stop the pedals.”

Farias claims that no one at SoulCycle instructed them on how to properly use the bikes.

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“Carmen was in serious peril. Fatigue and disorientation overcame Carmen and she fell to her right and off of the saddle of the spinning cycle” and dislocated her ankle.

And though most people sign waivers in fitness class, Farias claims that the SoulCycle reps never took hers.

Farias’ experience was definitely terrible, but it’s a good reminder that while it’s good to push ourselves during a workout, we shouldn’t do it to the point of injury. Despite what many people assume, working out should be an enjoyable experience, not a no-pain, no-gain situation. There are so many different types of fitness classes and gyms that you’re bound to find something that works for you if you stick with it.

The benefits that come with regular exercise are absolutely worth it.

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