Fluxx patrons ‘spin’ around dance floor for upcoming event
By Alex Owens
Nightclubs commonly spin discs, but Fluxx is attempting to spin in a different way — with a spin class on the dance floor.
On May 16, the Downtown nightclub will host Fluxx Spin between noon – 5 p.m. where instead of dancing, patrons will ride one of 44 spin cycles that will be set up in the space.
Fluxx Spin is being held as a partnership with SparkCycle, a La Jolla-based spin-cycle facility.
SparkCycle owner Stephanie Cochrane believes the event is groundbreaking in many ways.
“I’ve been checking the Internet and I don’t believe there has been an event like this before at a nightclub,” Cochrane said. “To be fair, we have a club-like vibe already so it’s a good fit.”
The event will benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation Operation Rebound, a charity that helps American military personnel, veterans and first responders facing physical challenges to still engage in sports and fitness activities.
The charity is near and dear to Fluxx bar manager JP Rankin, who cooked up the event with Cochrane.
“I was born and raised in Coronado, so the military and the Navy are close to my heart,” Rankin said. “Any opportunity to help them is a no-brainer.”
Patrons have the choice of paying $80 for one of two spin classes that will be held during the event or paying $20 to just enjoy the club-like atmosphere.
“We’re going to use every tool at our disposal,” Rankin promised. “The million-dollar sound system, the lasers and the LED lights.”
Rankin is a regular at SparkCycle, and has been thinking about combining clubbing and spinning for a while.
“The people at SparkCycle do what they can to make you forget you’re exercising,” he said, adding that there are many similarities between the type of music that is good for spinning and the type that is great for clubbing.
“Anything with a high amount of beats-per-minute works,” he said. “When I started, the teacher had us ride to the beat so everyone’s right foot is with the bass.”
It’s like a club in other ways, according to Cochrane.
“People who are spinning like to lose themselves in the moment,” she said. “They’re not focused on miles, calories or RPMs.”
There are big differences, and not just because of the bikes. Although cocktails will be available at the event, people who are planning to spin will be discouraged from drinking booze beforehand and alcoholic beverages won’t be allowed on the SpinCycles.
“They can have a mimosa afterwards,” Cochrane suggested.
Cochrane believes that the people who spin at Fluxx Spin may approach the event differently than they would a normal workout.
“I think the dress will be more risqué,” she said. “You’ll see a lot of booty shorts and sports bras.”
If successful, both Rankin and Cochrane would like to continue putting a new spin on the club experience.
“If it takes off, we’d find a way to make it work in the schedule,” Rankin said. “But, right now, I think the best way to do it is semi-annually and do it for a charity.”
Fluxx is located at 500 Fourth Ave., Downtown. For more information on Fluxx Spin, visit fluxxsd.com/event/2015-05-16/fluxx-spin-w-sparkcycle.
—Alex Owens is a San Diego-based freelance writer. He can be reached at [email protected].
