Mojo opened 10 years ago as Kansas City's first cycling studio and is a truly local, independent boutique fitness center. Located on the Plaza, off Broadway, the studio is tucked between Francesca's and Tumi, and the entrance is up a flight of stairs on the interior of the building. Once inside, one of the most fun and sweaty 45 minutes of your life awaits. Owner Kerri Pomerenke and studio director Katie Phillipps came to Mojo from backgrounds in dance and group fitness and operate the business with a level of excellence that keeps both first timers and life timers coming back for more.
What makes Mojo so unique as a gym?
Katie: We've always been very centered around community. Yes, it is an awesome, challenging workout. But beyond that, it really feels like a second home. We strive to create a space that feels safe and inviting and comfortable, a place that you want to stay longer than just a fitness class. It's very experiential. Something happens in that room that is like magic and hard to explain unless you take a class.
Kerri: You are working your tail off, but the time flies because your brain is so focused on accomplishing that next track, that song, that motion.
What is so powerful about working out/cycling together?
Katie: There's something that bonds people together when you are simply doing the same movement at the same time. I think that is the infectious thing. I feel like I know my neighbor, even though I just sat down on the bike and have never seen them in my life. The second that it clicks, and you hit the pedal stroke on the beat at the same time with the movement, it's like, 'Oh wow, I feel like I can do anything.' We're going to always stay true to having music and rhythm unite us.
Kerri: You come for the workout, but you stay for the community. There’s power in feeding off of that collective energy and having fun because you're sharing that experience with others around you, and not in your basement staring at a screen. You get all the endorphins. You get the workout done. All you need to do is put on whatever makes you feel great, show up, and get on a bike!
What can people expect when walking into Mojo for the first time?
Katie: You're going to expect a really unique, all senses, all consuming experience. Our goal is to prepare people for something they've never done before, and to help them feel comfortable trying something that might be super uncomfortable.
The cycling room is all black. You’re stepping into a cozy, intimate environment with three levels of bikes on risers, and the instructor is up front. We keep the lights low, and use lighting as part of the experience. It feels very safe because you're not in bright light. I used to hide in the corner, and here I am now teaching! I had the confidence to fail in a safe space so I could actually get better.
Kerri: Indoor cycling is a sport. Show up ready to learn. There are teachers and riders who are very practiced at it, and are also welcoming for the new person who needs to learn how to set up their bike, the positions, the instructor’s cues and the terminology. I think this is something Mojo does really well.
Why is cycling such an incredible and beneficial way to work out?
Katie: I love running outside. I was an athlete, but I have a bad back. I was quickly drawn to cycling because it was something I could do that gave me that same feeling as running, while being safe and with low impact. We have riders in their 70s, and I truly think I'm going to be teaching when I'm 85 years old.
It is also challenging mentally. You are getting choreography thrown at you and have a few seconds to register the move and implement it. When that connection starts to become faster, it really increases people's confidence. I've seen it for myself. It’s been beautiful seeing people start in the back row slowly inch their way to the first row.
Kerri: There's the physical workout, the enjoyment, and the experience of knowing others and being known. It's the trifecta. I love going to Mojo because the people are cool, and everyone's there for something in common. It’s an experience that’s even more fulfilling and powerful when shared.
Why is cycling a great workout choice for everybody?
Katie: Cycling sometimes gets a wrap of being intimidating, but what's beautiful about an indoor bike is that it allows for adaptability. If you are new, you do not need to turn it up 20 times for resistance. Your first level is simply catching the rhythm with your legs. When you’re sitting in the saddle and catching the rhythm the whole time, you're going to get a phenomenal, challenging full body workout. Your next level is to maintain the rhythm and get out of the saddle. That third level is dancing on the bike. We do movement, but we try to do it in a way that is anatomically beneficial. It’s movement that is freaking fun, purposeful, and not just cute.
Kerri: It's a great physical workout, great for your brain, and a really fun experience. The people who are teaching the classes love what they do. You're going to experience that, and you can't help but have fun doing it. You're also supporting a small, local business in Kansas City. It's beneficial to you as the person participating, but it's also beneficial to your community.
"There's something that bonds people together when they are doing the same movement at the same time. I think that is the infectious thing."
Mojo has expanded its class schedule with a second room dedicated to off-bike fitness. Compliment a 45-minute cycle with:
Mojo Mat is like the experience on the bike without the bike– a Pilates boot camp with moderate weightlifting.
Mojo Strength is full body strength building, a party with heavy weights.
Mojo Flow is lightweight and restorative with deep stretching and moments of complete relaxation.
Coming early 2026, Mojo is introducing the Pilates Hero Board. It emulates the Pilates Reformer, but much smaller. The class is an intimate size (12 slots) and takes place in a lightly heated studio.