ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 19, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A week out from Thanksgiving, the USO teamed up with SoulCycle, a New York based fitness company, and brought the nation's premier indoor cycling studio experience to hundreds of soldiers and military families at Fort Hood Nov. 18. As part of the first-ever experience, which featured 100 signature custom bikes, SoulCycle and the USO provided entertainment by DJ Emmie Lichtenberg and three complimentary classes led by SoulCycle instructors Tomas Mikuzis-Boston and Olivia Ward, season eleven winner of NBC's The Biggest Loser. While onsite the instructors guided riders through an inspirational, meditative fitness experience designed to benefit the body, mind and soul. ***USO photo link below*** DETAILS:
- Nearly three hundred military personnel and their families flocked to SoulCycle experience sign up locations around post and participated in three 45-minute group exercise classes. The sessions, which spanned 100 people, kicked off at 6:30 a.m. and wrapped up just before 6:30 pm.
- Committed to expanding its indoor cycling studio to U.S. service members stationed in Texas and helping the USO's mission of strengthening America's service heroes by keeping them connected to family, home and country, SoulCycle and the USO transformed Fort Hood's Abrams Gym. Together, they decked out the venue with custom signage, mood-setting lightening and trademark studio sound.
- Fort Hood is the largest active duty armored post in the U.S. Armed Services and is home to USO Fort Hood and USO Fort Hood North – two USO centers which offer the everyday comforts of home, programs and services to service members and military families stationed locally. On Nov. 23, in alignment with USO Transition 360 Alliance and in partnership with RallyPoint/6 (RP/6), the USO Fort Hood will also become one of three new USO RP/6 transition locations which will serve as a one-stop-shop to connect service members and their families with the organizations and people in their communities that best understand the challenges of transitioning out of the military and reintegration into civilian life.
- A national obsession turned fitness movement, SoulCycle combines a unique mental component of inspirational coaching, with great music, and a full-body workout on a bike. Its classes typically sell out in their 38+ locations around the country in a matter of minutes, if not seconds.
- Co-founded by Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice, SoulCycle opened its first location in 2006 and immediately reinvented indoor-studio cycling. Today, more than 10,000 riders take SoulCycle classes every day to release stress, burn fat, tone muscle and change their bodies and lives.
- Adding to the ambiance was DJ Emmieshouse – aka Emmie Lichtenberg – a New York based DJ and internet/radio personality. Lichtenberg is also the host and creator of 90s themed web smash series Slumber Party @emmieshouse, which featured stars such as Marina & The Diamonds, Charli XCX, Melanie Martinez and Betty Who. A brand new season of Slumber Party @emmieshouse launches this month featuring Icona Pop, Kate Nash, Shamir + more to launch later this month and can be seen on her YouTube channel. You can listen to Emmie on Beats1 radio live in New York City via Apple Music.
QUOTE: Attributed Melanie Whelan, SoulCycle CEO:
"Troops and their families shoulder a lot of important responsibilities and demands on their time. We wanted to do something to say 'thank you,' so we reached out to the USO. And together, we brought our SoulCycle experience directly to them during a time of year our service heroes need America's support the most, the holidays. It is our hope that they loved the classes as much as we enjoyed bringing them to Fort Hood." MULTI-MEDIA: USO Photos: http://bit.ly/1WR3AMQ About the USO
The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President's Circle Partners: AT &T, the BNSF Railway Foundation, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, NFL and Four-Star Partners: BIC, ConAgra Foods, FedEx, GEICO, JCPenney, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, TKS and the Wawa Foundation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org. About SoulCycle
In 2006, SoulCycle introduced the innovative model of boutique cardio fitness to the marketplace and reinvented indoor cycling. Since inception, SoulCycle has attracted riders with an immersive fitness experience that enables them to release stress, burn fat, tone muscle, improve aerobic endurance and change their bodies, fast. SoulCycle combines a mental component of inspirational coaching, with great music and a full-body workout on the bike. Not only do riders burn calories, get an intense 45-minute cardio workout, but with SoulCycle, they simultaneously tone their upper bodies using hand weights and do core exercises. The SoulCycle experience is a high energy, results-oriented, community based workout. Each rider feels important and connected to the brand as a result of the well-trained staff and personal customer attention. The exercise program focuses on the "energy of the pack" and creates a strong community bond between the riders. The rhythm-based rides, in candlelit studios make riders feel like they are partying in a healthy nightclub. And the one-of-a-kind playlists set the tone for an exciting new experience every ride, every time.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=37749
Oname Thompson (703) 908-6471 office
