The Wall Cycling Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

Just one year ago, Julie Sabella opened The Wall Indoor Cycling Studio (spinning) in Manayunk.

“I wish I could go back and tell myself how truly happy I’ll be,” Sabella said.  “But this is just a beginning.  I want to put Manayunk on the map as one of the most fit places in Philadelphia.”

Sabella started The Wall after a recuperative dinner with a friend turned into a brainstorming session.

“I was a retail buyer, and I had just been laid off,” Sabella said.  I was having dinner with a friend soon after, and we came up with the idea together.”

The friend got a promotion at work, but she told Sabella to go for it.

“There wasn’t a studio like this in Manayunk, so I just thought, ‘let’s do this,’” Sabella said.

Sabella attributes a lot of the success of the studio to her staff.

“Our staff loves motivating,” Sabella said.  “They are really committed to motivation and a passion for the work.”

Sabella said she also owes a lot to her clients.

“I like to think of this place as a home base for people who are passionate about fitness,” Sabella said.

Sabella added that her studio is friendly and open to anyone, regardless of their fitness level.

“I love beginners,” Sabella said.  “I love to see how far they come in even just the first three days.”

Besides, in a way, Sabella isn’t just the president; she’s also a client.

“I used to weigh close to 200 pounds,” Sabella said.  “But indoor cycling helped me lose between 85-90 pounds.”

“I just want people to come in here and do what makes them comfortable,” Sabella said.  “If you just want to sit on a bike and pedal for 45 minutes that’s fine because that’s 45 minutes of healthy activity.”

Sabella added, “I always say, ‘do what you can, but don’t cheat yourself.’”