Is this normal for a first SoulCycle class? Felt super unwelcoming.

I tried my first-ever SoulCycle class today and left feeling really underwhelmed. I’ve done other premium fitness studios like Barry’s and always had a great first-timer experience—tour of the space, help getting set up, someone checking in afterward. This felt completely different.

I told the front desk it was my first class, and they just handed me shoes and a waiver—no welcome, no info on how the class works, no tour. I had to figure out the lockers myself (and ended up locking myself out), then found my way into the dark studio alone.

There was a card on my bike with someone else’s name on it, so I thought I had the wrong one. I left to ask and was told, “Just move it.” Still no offer to help with the bike setup, and no one came over until the second song was already playing and the lights were down.

I also didn’t realize I picked a bike in the very back corner—totally alone with 16+ empty bikes around me. I wish there was an offer to move, especially since the class wasn’t close to full. It felt really isolating, like I was watching a class on TV instead of being part of it.

No one explained the different positions or what to expect during the ride, so I just pedaled and tried to follow along. When the class ended, the person who finally helped me adjust my bike asked how it was. I said, “It was… okay,” hoping to give feedback, but she just said “GREAT!!” and turned away.

Is this typical for SoulCycle first-timers? Or did I just get unlucky?