Boutique studio puts its spin on fitness

Describe your business.

Xcycle is an indoor cycling experience that will transform your body and free your mind.

We deliver signature rides in a sensory landscape designed to get your heart pumping the moment you walk through our doors. Pedal to the beat of music in our theater, and enjoy luxurious showers and a spacious social area with complimentary beverages.

What is your business philosophy?

Melien: Xcycle was born from our desire to create a community-focused, positive indoor cycling environment. We tried to think about ways to connect with our neighborhood and give back. We’ll be hosting charity rides regularly, where the proceeds earned during those classes benefit one cause or another.

Indoor cycling has had a profound effect on our lives. So we are really coming at this from the point of view of two passionate women who love to work out this way and want to pay it forward.

What made you believe Las Vegans would embrace an immersive cycling experience?

Melien: I tend to gravitate toward a more intimate and personal workout experience, and I noticed that Las Vegas has tons of small, comfortable yoga or Pilates studios — and some small gyms — but there wasn’t an indoor cycle studio with a boutique feel. We hopefully can be that place where people enter feeling welcomed and taken care of.

What are the benefits of indoor cycling as a type of exercise?

Melien: There’s something really supportive about having 36 people in class together, cheering each other on, in a nonjudgmental but intense atmosphere. The room is dark, so there’s no sense of competition, but the instructor, music and lights are all meant to rev you up and keep you pushing yourself.

Barnet: Not to mention, cycling is a very body-positive style of cardio. Unlike running or even walking, there’s little to no pressure on your joints. It’s extremely safe and tons of fun.

Your fiancé is Larry Rudolph, who manages Britney Spears and others. How did he become involved with Xcycle?

Barnet: Larry has always been supportive of my dream to have this studio. Ginger and I had been working on this idea for months, when Larry had to undergo open-heart surgery. After his procedure, he found his passion for indoor cycling as well, deciding to take his health and fitness much more seriously.

What’s the most important part of your job?

Barnet: Keeping up with the evolution of fitness. The indoor cycling phenomenon that Xcycle is inspired by is a popular trend, but there continually will be movement toward new technology and new styles of riding, which I’ll be keeping a close eye on.

What obstacles will your business have to overcome?

Melien: Awareness. It’s both a blessing and a curse that there aren’t any dedicated indoor cycling studios in this area. On the one hand, it’s an enormous business opportunity, but on the other hand, we will need to educate this market about a product they are fairly unfamiliar with. It’s going to take time and lots of word of mouth.