Enrique Rodriguez is building a more inclusive indoor cycling experience, one that celebrates individuality and creates community
Boutique fitness has often faced criticism for being exclusive, offering polished experiences that can feel intimidating to newcomers or those who don’t fit the industry’s perceived mold. Enrique Rodriguez, a CycleBar instructor based in Irvine, California, is working to shift that narrative.
“When I started, I felt that same intimidation,” he told Athletech News. “So I made it a personal goal to create the kind of room I wish I had walked into—where people feel seen, supported, and celebrated.” Greeting every rider by name, Rodriguez leads with an inviting energy.
Rodriguez’s introduction to indoor cycling came through training for the AIDS LifeCycle, a 545-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles supporting HIV and AIDS services. That event not only ignited a love of cycling, it connected him with instructors who reflected his own identity and lived experiences. “They looked like me, loved like me, and led with purpose,” he said. “That changed my life. And it showed me the kind of leader I wanted to be.”
Today, Rodriguez brings that same visibility into every class. He shows up fully: unapologetically gay and always ready with a pop diva playlist. “I don’t tone myself down. That authenticity sets the tone for my room,” he explained.
For Rodriguez, community isn’t a buzzword. “I’ve seen strangers become friends, and people who were hesitant to walk through the door become the heartbeat of the room,” he said.
That sense of belonging is integral from an experience perspective. Rodriguez recalled one rider who approached him after class and said, “This is the first time I didn’t feel like I had to hide any part of myself in a workout.”
For him, moments like that reaffirm the importance of creating fitness spaces where people can show up fully as themselves. “Inclusivity isn’t extra—it’s essential,” he said.
Rodriguez strikes a unique balance in his classes, which he describes as “a mix of sweat, soul, and pop.” His carefully curated playlists push riders when they need it, and each class includes a Connect song designed for deeper reflection. “It’s not about perfection,” He noted. “It’s about feeling something and leaving stronger in more ways than one.”
Growing up in a small farming community, Rodriguez never imagined he’d be leading indoor cycling classes.
“Some people walk into a studio thinking, ‘I don’t belong here,’” he said. “I get that, because I’ve felt that way too. But now, I get to be the voice in the room that says, ‘You do belong here. You can do this.’ And that changes everything.”
