OLD TOWN — Oprah rode one to celebrate her birthday. So did "Girls" star Lena Dunham back in 2012.
Now, the SoulCycle stationary cycling studio that gained a cult following in New York is preparing to open its first Chicago location in Old Town.
Other devotees include Madonna, Lady Gaga, Olivia Wilde and Bradley Cooper.
Chicago celebs take note, the New York-based chain of gyms is preparing to open in early 2015 in the 1225 Old Town building, located at 1225 N. Wells St.
SoulCycle co-founders Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice opened the first studio in 2006 with the idea of creating a workout that combines high-energy pedaling with an upper body workout.
The workouts are held in dark, candle-lit rooms and focus on high-energy music and inspirational coaching to benefit the mind and body.
"The dark room allows riders to take a journey and lose themselves in the workout," according to SoulCycle.
The Chicago studio will accommodate 51 bikes.
"Truth be told we have been very excited to open in Chicago for sometime — we were just looking for the perfect space," said Gabby Etrog Cogen, a spokeswoman for the company. "We can't wait to finally open in the Midwest."
Cohen said the company already has plans for a second studio in Chicago in 2015.
The group classes in New York often sell out within seconds of becoming available through an online schedule.
Most classes are 45 minutes, but the company also features longer rides up to 90 minutes as well as other workouts that include resistance bands that hang from the ceiling.
There are currently 30 locations nationwide, but the Chicago location will be the first in the Midwest. The majority of the current locations are on the East Coast and in California.
The company plans to open 50 to 60 studios worldwide by 2015.
The latest addition to the Old Town 1225 development follows the addition of Plum Market grocery store and Intelligentsia coffee shop.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
