We have had our Peloton for nearly 3 years. It's the only thing that has ever gotten my husband motivated to exercise. Three years later he is in the best shape of his life and still isn't bored of it. I've always been a cyclist and even after a few years, I still look forward to hopping on the Peloton daily. I got tired of gym memberships and gym cycling schedules. We have paid for our bike nearly 3-fold canceling the gym memberships. Now I can exercise whenever I want. I choose the instructor, music, type of class. It's highly motivating, especially for a competitive person like myself.
As for all of these sort of hoity-toity comments I'm seeming in this thread (seemingly all from outdoor cyclists or those that probably complain about millennials in general), I live in Minnesota where you're not riding a road bike for at least 5 months a year. So please get off your high horses.
And as a physician, I will tell any patient of mine: whatever type of exercises excites you and keeps you motivated, do it!
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@Becca Great comment - you do you!
25
@Becca
But there are other things at the gym than just spin class
13
@Becca This is great for cardio but doesn't replace a gym -- what do you do for strength workouts?
25
I am a long time cyclist and spinner in my late 70's. Several years ago, I relocated to a city with a local gym several blocks from my home. As a life long exerciser, I was thrilled.. until I found it was dirty..did not have morning classes.. and poor instruction. In 2017, I purchased my Peloton, and what a positive change. Working out at home in increment weather, having my own bike, and great instruction has been great. Now I am not drawn by glamour but the serious cycling instructors (too few in my opinion) from who I continue to learn. Spinning, which first became popular in the 1990's continues- I don't know what the future holds-but as long as this older girl can turn those wheels she will continue to do so and considers the cost a bargain.
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I'm in my 50's, and am a life-long runner. I bought a Peloton almost three years ago because my knees finally gave out and running is no longer an option for me. I live in Houston, TX where biking outdoors is a life-threatening endeavor.
While I'm not a social person, I do enjoy riding competitively against others. That is, I think, the thing that gets me on the bike 4-5 days per week.
112
We bought our Peloton cycle almost one year ago. I've cycled/walked/run/meditated/stretched using the bike and/or the app, everyday for 46 weeks. Prior to our purchase we paid about 1100/year at our local mega gym.
Of the Peloton cycle, I can say I'm all in and never going back. I am 54 years old and have lived with health numbers that reflected my age. In June 2018 I was borderline hypertensive, obese by BMI standards and taking a daily dose of Lipitor for high cholesterol. My resting heart rate was about 80.
Fast forward to August 2019. Today I will complete 350th ride. My latest blood work shocked my doctor.
While I'm now only overweight by BMI standards, my blood pressure is 110/70; my cholesterol is 163, and my resting heart rate is 59.
And I got these results with just average metrics in the cycling classes. For anyone who thinks the Peloton is a kind of distracting entertainment, I submit you have based your opinion without actually doing the work.
There is nothing distracting about an instructor like Matt Wilpers or Christine D'Ercole pushing you into anaerobic threshold for 60 seconds, several times (i.e. 5-7 times) in a 45-minute workout. There is nothing entertaining watching my heart rate shoot upwards of 188 beats/minute during these kinds of threshold rides. There is nothing diverting about burning 700+ calories during these rides.
The Peloton quite literally saved my life. I have the numbers to prove it.
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@Paul
It's true. But I had been exercising, or thought I was. I had been gym member for fifteen years, during which time my weight went up, as did my cholesterol and blood pressure. Guess I wasn't really exercising in the right way for fifteen years.
14
The bike didn’t save your life
Exercise did
26
@Paul The bike lowered the barrier to exercise so that this person used it every day. There is tremendous value in that.
102
I'm an avid outdoor road cyclist. We bought the Peloton in 2015 and it's been the best piece of fitness equipment we've ever owned. We replaced our club-quality treadmill with the Peloton treadmill this year and haven't looked back. There is so much more to the experience than you might imagine. Staying on a fitness program takes time, consistency and mental energy. Having a coach design the sessions and guide you through them makes it SO much easier to maintain a consistent routine. It doesn't matter whether it's raining, snowing or bitter cold, we make our workouts. I love my outdoor bike, but the Peloton helps to keep me in top form for my weekend rides. Don't underestimate this company. They've got a great product and content. They keep innovating the platform and adding new content like core strength, yoga, etc. This is not a fad. It's a well thought out strategy to be the go-to company for the home fitness market.
43
@Bob, I couldn’t agree more. Thou I haven’t had my bike as long as you, at 64 yo, I look forward to getting on my Peloton daily. Living in the Northeast, no matter the weather I can get in a good ride whether it be a class or a nice scenic ride of a location I would never be able to see in person.
When people say “That’s an expensive piece of equipment” my response is “All the more reason it won’t be a coat rack” But bottom line, I love the way I feel now that I am exercising more than I have ever before.
23
I am a proud owner of a Peloton for about 2 years.
I tried soul cycle once but it was a waste of time because there is no measure of speed or resistance (both flywheel and Peloton have) so you have no idea what you've done.
I went to flywheel 3x week (for over $30 per class) until I lost patience with the inability book classes with preferred instructors and with the arm candy who took one locker for their clothes and another for their Birkin.
Peloton specific benefits are (1) it is a far superior spin bike - quiet as a mouse and smoother pedaling, (2) Peloton's metrics provide in depth understanding of your performance - speed and resistance and distance of course, but also heart rate and quality of pedal stroke and (3) by limiting their instructors to the best out there, the quality of each class is unparalleled. You can retake specific classes to see improvements in THAT class, not just overall.
Add to that the ability to choose an on-demand class from a library of thousands or a live class on your own schedule, zero commute to and from your own bike and a robust, supportive, community from whom I've made lifelong friends. This bike has been a life changer and, in the long run, CHEAPER than gym membership or studio classes.
It's so much more than just a bike.
77
A 60 year old, I gave up my beloved running routine a few years back to preserve my legs. I love riding outdoors, but with an indoor bike, I can do intervals and control my heart-rate much more easily. It's also a bit more comfortable when it's 10 degrees and icing outside. I bought a gym-quality spin bike from a refurbishing company that I found in Craigslist for $400. It's built like a tank and will outlive me. I have a heart monitor and my workout room has internet TV. GCN is an excellent (and free) channel on YouTube with lots of sweat sessions available. Or, like me, you could make up your own interval program and watch Netflix. I never get bored. Sweaty and uncomfortable for sure, but not bored. Whether you run or ride outdoors, or indoors... on a $2,000 bike or a $400 one, who cares? Get yourself breathing hard and your heart pumping for a little while every day. It will make your life better, guaranteed.
93
As a long term skeptic, I resisted the Peloton hype for two years. The commercials were catchy and inspiring, and the bike itself looked gorgeous. However, I was convinced that it would become an expensive coat rack if I let it into my home. In time, I became frustrated with my lack of motivation to exercise, as well as alarmed at how out of shape I had become. NOTHING was working. I enjoy hiking, but that is a weekend activity due to driving distance. And I was so out of shape I didn't even enjoy it. My gym membership was totally unused due to long work hours. I finally gave in after doing a trial ride at a mall kiosk. Just the warmup had me sweating bullets. Within a month I ordered the bike and I can honestly say it's the best money I have spent this year. My blood pressure and pulse are now back in the low normal range, my knees and back feel better, and I can enjoy a wider range of activities in general. I don't care at all about 'tribes' , followers or high-fives, although I can definitely see where those aspects can be rewarding. Peloton works for me because I am a studio class junkie who has no real access to local classes. Now, I can hop on my bike at 5am, get a killer live workout, and be ready for the work day. Oh, and it's motivated me to finally get my road bike off the garage rack and take it for a spin. ;-)
70
My peloton has changed my life. I used to swim, bike outside, or lift 4 or 5 days a week, usually in the mornings before work. But sometimes I could not exercise, due to having to get the kids up, or drive carpool, or get to work early. Now with the Peloton, I can almost always get up 45 minutes earlier and get in a workout. If you took my bike away from me now, I would pay double what I had paid for it to get it back. I now work out 6 days a week regularly. My road biking has improved. I am a happy member of the cult of peloton. Come in, the water is wonderful.
94
This morning I traveled 15 minutes to my local gym and greeted a room full of folks who had arrived there to work hard during an hour long cycling class.
I was the “leader,” and the class was comprised of folks ranging in age from about 23 to an 86-and 88-year old.
We do this three times a week.
Some of the people are training for various races and work out intensively: others are there for the social aspect as much as the exercise.
It works.
Peloton is great.
So is the ability to go to a gym and work out with a real leader, who cajoles and encourages you to go like the wind.
22
Pelotons probably aren't for hard core outdoor cyclists who live in places with good weather most of the year.
But for the rest of us - especially working parents - it has revolutionized exercise. For a 45 minute spin class, I had to drive 10 minutes each way to the gym, and get there at least 10 minutes early to adjust the bike, change into spin shoes, etc. That's 1.25 hours for a 45 minute ride. A couple times the instructor didn't show up and once there was a (thankfully false) fire alarm at 6 AM and we spent the whole time standing the parking lot. I also had to leave some classes a few minutes early to get back home to get my kids off to school.
With a peloton, it's just going down to the basement in my socks - about 46 minutes for a 45 minute ride, and I can do it any time of day or night - not just when my gym has the spin class. It's been the difference between spinning 1 or 2 times per week and spinning 4 times per week or more. I also use the app for running on a nonPeloton treadmill.
People spend plenty of money on hobbies, cars, trips, etc - I consider our peloton an investment in our health and happiness. In six months my husband and I each have over 100 rides and our 16 year old daughter is getting close to 50. Our 14 year old is also showing some interest. I've lost ten pounds and kept it off. My only regret is not getting it sooner.
167
@Sarah Amen, Sarah. I could not have summed it up any better.
10
"… including a treadmill it began selling in 2018 for $3,995."
For those who can't afford a dog.
20
How can a company with an overpriced product that's a big hit lose money at a 21% NEGATIVE profit margin ($195 million in losses on sales of $915 million)? It seems their objective is to spend money as fast as possible: 74 "showroom" stores in the highest rent spaces in US, UK and Canada. Expanding their Manhattan office space SIXFOLD o 312,000 SF, plus custom-built video production studios in Manhattan and London. This stuff is crazy
36
Cycling is an excellent exrcize, which is why I've been doing it for 35 years. You can even do it outside! Your inspiration will be limited to reality.
18
I just bought one. I have a young child and I wanted to start an exercise program that I can do at home. The Peloton community and live classes are what drew me in. I looked at the competitors, Nordic Track doesn't have live classes, and Echelon doesn't have a dedicated base and looking at reviews online, it doesn't match the quality.
I rode my friend's bike, the resistance is very natural to adjust. Less technology means less to to break.
5
My gig is the recumbent bike for 30 minutes streaming something from N or AP followed by weights and some light yoga. Low impact is the key after 55 and at 64 I'm going strong. I used to run on treadmill and LOVED it but arthritic knees and it was time. Outside running was too much impact on lower body joints; hips, knees, ankles. Be wise all you 40 year olds and up. You want to be able to walk and hike in your 70's and beyond--I know I do.
10
I will continue to run on my treadmill, and listen to music - which not only increases my exercise capacity by up to 20%, but most importantly, totally eliminates the boredom(the music, that is). It also makes me look forward to my workouts - the combined dopamine rush of running and music is addicting. I suspect the Peloton rush is similar in many ways. Why not try the treadmill? Its probably overpriced. Otherwise, why not? Running is much better for the body in many ways - and its propensity to simultaneously cause injuries could be overcome if treadmill makers, and shoe companies, took a hint from hoka one one, who made their own revolution, simply by creating the lowest impact running shoe ever made. About music vs an entertaining coach - whatever turns you on.
8
for 2k I would but a nice road bike and be a human being and go ride it outside, see the world and get some sun.
18
@freddy On my agenda in exactly 3.5 hours. No wifi, no subscription. Just me and my bike.
(Admittedly, there's a few months during the year where that's not a great option)
6
My wife and I have had a peloton for three years and, for us, it has been the smartest exercise equipment purchase we have ever made. We use it religiously, unlike the dreaded Nordic Track we had many years ago that wound up hanging laundry. If you are an outdoor-only biker, fine; do what you do. We use the peloton as part of a diversified exercise regimen. And for spin enthusiasts who cannot always make it to a studio or ride outside, the peloton offers a personal time and workout preference flexibility that is unmatched by any in-home equipment IMHO. Yes it is a significant financial investment, but the monthly subscription more than pays for itself in comparison to Soul Cycle, etc. I cannot speak to the value of an IPO given their challenges on music rights issues, etc. But for us it's a great way to sweat and smile.
16
I've been spinning for about 6 years. First at my university gym, then at a local studio, then at Flywheel, now on a Peloton. Indoor cycling is the only sustainable way I've found to control my weight because I truly love the experience of it, so I do it consistently. The market for brick and mortar studios may be receding but I believe there will always be a demand for this form of exercise because for many people it works, is enjoyable, scalable to any fitness level and sustainable.
Putting the Peloton in the same category as Thighmaster, the ab roller and Tae Bo is laughable. This is truly an incredible product and about so much more than the tech and hardware, although the bike is smooth and UX to die for. The instruction is high quality and varied, so you can find an instructor or class style to fit your mood, fitness needs and time available. The other fitness content is an amazing bonus. Convenience + Choice + Quality is what makes this different from other consumer fitness products.
I loved Flywheel but as my job became more demanding and hectic, I just couldn't make it to class consistently. I was very skeptical that the Peloton could give me the same quality of instruction or be as engaging. I worried it would become a $2500 clothes hanger and I'd be a sucker. But I'm coming up on 300 rides after a little over a year of ownership and the only thing that hangs on my bike is a sweat-drenched towel!
29
I am a Peloton convert. I got my bike last summer and have been pretty consistent on riding getting to the 200th ride shortly.
Yes, the initial outlay is high but, considering how much Soulcycle cost per class, I think I made it up in a year or less.
As an older rider (Kurth510), it has so much fun exploring different types of class - I must admit the live DJ rides are my guilty pleasure. I also mix in low impact - which are a good work out too. I am now exploring using the heart rate monitor and finding it really focuses my spin.
8
Wait a minute...people are paying over 2 grand for a stationary bike whose resistance they have to MANUALLY adjust?!
You could buy a very decent road bike - which could actually be used outdoors - and a stationary trainer, a year's worth of streaming "classes" AND a tablet to stream them on for less than this thing.
There really is a sucker born every minute.
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@RPJ
Harsh, dude. Nobody who is a sucker believes he is a sucker; regardless, I am not a sucker. First, the manually adjustable resistance is intentional and essential to the spin modality in that it gives each rider pure control over workout intensity. This promotes active, organic involvement in the activity and challenges riders to make difficult decisions. Second, your piecemeal alternative. The new "very decent road bike" will cost at least $1000 - probably $1500. Pedals, shoes, at-home maintenance brings it to about $1750. Unless you are a skilled, well-tooled mechanic, yearly tune-ups should run about $250. The cost goes up as you gear up for outdoors. Tangentially, the risk of TBI or death-by-car also goes up from zero (Peloton) to any-number-above-zero-is-too-high (road). A trainer as silent as Peloton with similar functionality and integration will likely cost another $1000. You could probably find a cheap one for $500, so split the difference and say $750 for the trainer. A 22"-inch tablet computer preloaded with Peloton Software...no idea, but I'm going to guess $500, not including hardware to mount the screen at eye-level. Streaming subscription. Daily Burn has one for $19.99 per month, plus $10 for "premium." Classes are NOT live, you CAN'T compete in real time with fellow riders, and the instructors are merely MEH. Grand total: something like $2740-$3860 in the first year. Looks like I can't afford piecemeal; and I already know I can't tolerate MEH.
RIDE ON!
35
Nothing angelic here. To spend that much money to get rid of that much fat when that many people in that many countries are starving is obscene.
13
You can't really compare these things to the Thighmaster. Cycling has been around for more than a century and is very popular all over the world. The question is whether they have a defensible position or if numerous copycats will emerge (and undercut them on price). The hope for Peloton is that the social aspect makes it a natural monopoly like any other social media.
And I still use an ab roller regularly at the gym.
10
I thought this was silly when it first came out (the name is super dorky..."peloton" is a generic cycling term for a pack of riders) but I'm not surprised it took off. Once you have one it's easy to hop on, and I can attest that cycling hard burns a ton of calories. I guess you can see your power output and track your progress, so it makes it easy to access that positive feedback loop that helps people keep exercising. After retiring from road bike racing a few years ago, I'll personally avoid indoor cycling as much as possible, but to each their own. if it works for you, go for it. Not sure how they plan on defending that trademark, though. they may as well have called it "bicycle."
7
I’m a former national class runner. The Peloton also has a (newer product) treadmill. As a competitive athlete who logged 30,000 miles on the roads, I hated treadmills and never used them. Several weeks ago I tried out the Peloton Tread and loved it. Plug in your age and see how you stack up against other people. I chose to do the ‘White Rim Trail’ run, and quickly enjoyed watching myself catch people on the virtual leaderboard. I tried out a class, which was slightly cheesy by my standards, but still a lot fun. Whether Peloton dies, survives or thrives ...the bar has been dramatically and forever raised for solo indoor exercise.
22
Classic short.
8
Kickr/Zwift repeat > Peleton everyday
8
I love Zwift. You can get a good trainer for well under half the price of the uni-dimensional Peloton bike, hook it up to your bike (which you can also unhook and ride outdoors) and the Zwift subscription is CAD18.99/mo.
Variety of circuits, live races and training sessions, great companion apps, etc.
5
Call me boring, but nothing beats a (free) 5-mile run. That said, if this is helping people exercise that's great.
16
Swimming beats a five mile run by 50 laps any day. It's less jarring to one's body, provides excellent cardio and offers great all -over body conditioning (unlike running which does little for upper body). Like running, or any sport, how safe it is depends on where you do it. I guess the same is true for sex.
12
@Mark Shyres As a triathlete, I don't disagree with either of you, as each of those sports have their benefits. I'm also someone who goes all zen in my workouts, loving the unplugged time to let my thoughts just wash in and out of my brain as I swim, bike and run. But there certainly are people who need/want the music, the trainers and the classmates. Whatever works works.
14
I bought a 300.00 spin bike on amazon with a 40lb fly wheel that they delivered for free... then i signed up for the Peloton app and for 18.00 a month I feel like I beat the system and get a great workout
43
Peloton means fearless in Finnish.
5
I am a Peloton convert. I have been a gym person my whole life. Tried some trends but always stuck to the basics, but always dreaded cardio.
We purchased the treadmill back in March, and got the monthly subscription (one covers the whole house).
IT is a big monetary commitment, but for us...it works. The thing I love most about it (that I think this article misses) is the variety of options Peloton offers.
They have their machines, treadmill and bike, but you dont need to use one of their machines for the app. So if you are looking to get a personal trainer experience app you can get the lower priced app and use it at your local gym.
Their are a variety of classes with membership, not just bike and running...they offer yoga, strength, mediation,etc....all at varying lengths. So if I am home and want to jam out a 20 minute arms and shoulders workout I can.
I can also bring the app on my phone when traveling to keep me motivated.
The big difference with purchase of the machine, which is solidly built, is the at home subscription which costs more....is that it tracks your metrics for you. May not sound like much but it keeps me motivated.
They also have enough trainers that you can find one that works for you. My wife has two peloton "boyfriends", I have two Pelton "girlfriends" that motivate me and keep me running. (yay Beccs and Selena!)
Overall, i really think Peloton has the secret sauce that makes this work
15
Here's a thought-not into the idea of a Peloton-then don't buy one. I purchased mine last August after trying a friend's and visiting the showroom. I've used it every single week since, completing 350 rides and about 50 off bike workouts while traveling. I don't want to be a road biker, and there are workouts of all durations and music genres.
To Ms. Logan of NordicTrak- i'd suggest you try a Peloton, one isn't cranking away at the resistance. A bike that self adjusts is actually more likely to be an easier workout. I'm not here for easy.
13
I am 56 years old, never exercised in my life, but knew I should. Discovered Peloton by chance in its new store on London's Kings Road. Knew instantly it was the right exercise solution for me, despite never having done a spin class. Four months later, and spinning every day, can honestly say it was the perfect decision for me.
24
Why would anyone need (to pay) an instructor to pedal?!
And they're not even going anywhere, it's a stationary bike...
21
tech fan here, long term cyclist, after a being knocked off my road bike for a 3rd time, i tried Zwift, back in the early days when in beta. It was interesting but never truly engaged me. It did the job, but i didnt find it fun.
The ease of use was not great relying on making sure all sensors etc picked up and the smart trainer was calibrated correctly. Tried it on both a PC and an Apple TV, the PC worked better than the Apple TV which only supported 2 bluetooth devices. Lost interest.
Fast forward and last year and was brainwashed by the constant TV and internet advertising for Peloton and bought one. 8 months on and i am still hooked. The whole experience is very polished, i just jump on the bike and it "Just works" there are no excuses for missing a workout, and i usually ride 6 days a week and take the other stretching, yoga and weights every couple of days. So far 40+ lbs down.
Working from home i can do a session whenever i get the free time, thus freeing me from the shackles of my desk, if a customer needs me i am back at my desk in minutes if i need to be.
I still ride my MTB offroad, and my cycling has improved massively, as has my general fitness.
I see a lot of cyclists commenting that the Peloton is expensive for what it is, and we should just get out there and ride in the real world, sadly this just isnt an option for me, after being knocked off 3 times, i wonder how long my luck would last.
Just my two penneth.
36
I recently gave up my gym membership for inexpensive, low tech home equipment. So far, I am pleased.
Anything that gets people moving is a good thing. If Peloton is in your budget, why not?
And no, these things don't last forever, although the Nordictrack was around for quite a few years. At 500 dollars, it was the Peloton of its' day, and eventually supplanted by less expensive machines.
8
Thanks, everyone, for the heads up about both the Peloton app and Zwift. I plan to check them out.
I've been intrigued by the idea of Peloton but am not rich enough to risk thousands of dollars and a monthly subscription that costs more than my internet, particularly since I have never taken a spin class in my life.
The app, though...that might be a good gateway experience--low risk and if it turns out that I don't hate chipper people telling me to pedal harder, maybe I would invest in a proper bike.
8
@Spaypets felt the same way. I hate running with a passion. Getting on a tread at the gym was the worst part of my workout. My wife and I looked at Peloton and got eh treadmill in March. The machine is great, and the classes are awesome. I am not exaggerating when I say that my wife and I argue over who gets to go on it when home from work.
The metrics keep me motivated, as does the badge system and running programs they design.
5
America is an overweight, over-worked, under-exercized country that doesn't do universal child care and loves itself suburban sprawl.
Having an exercise machine in your bedroom that connects you to what is, in effect, a personal trainer, a community, and some slammin' soundtracks is a pretty cool thing. At least for those who can afford the price tag.
And to answer the author's question - if I just paid nearly $3,000 for a bike, its going to last because I'm going to ride it until the pedals come off.
41
Nothing really new under the sun, exercise fads come and go and those really interested in fitness rely on the old standards of weight training, cardiovascular exercise like running, and stretching for flexibility. There is a constant barrage of "snake oil" perpetuated by those for whom the progress in fitness and the " runners high" are not enough to stave off their boredom. There exists no "magic bullet" other than hard work.
15
A search of the NY Times web site reveals no articles mentioning Zwift. I suggest you explore this cycling/running based home fitness phenomenon. Basically a massively multi-player on-line video game where your bike on a trainer, or your treadmill, is the controller. World-wide community, 24/7 access to races, workouts, rides, less than half the price for initial equipment or monthly subscription, compared to Peloton. Thousands of riders online at any given time, all visible to each other.
11
@Al Truscott I noticed that omission too. As a road/gravel cyclist who does spin classes in the winter I'm just guessing that Zwift participants are more hard-core cyclists, whereas spin classes attract mostly non-cyclists looking for a good cardio workout. It's a much larger audience, and I don't think a ton of overlap.
7
I'll posit that much of the world's insanity is due to things that "distract people from what they’re doing".
8
@Ann O. Dyne
Agreed, yet to many, this type of exercise isn't considered a type of 'If it feels good, do it' behavior. I've been walking 12-15 miles a day, outdoors, regardless of the weather, without anything other than my two feet and believe it has contributed to my better health of body and mind.
12
I am a committed self motivated outdoor cyclist who rides year round, some 8000 miles. And while I would never sign up for peloton, I applaud all those they do and stick with it. If it gets people to exercise more, applause, applause. Each to his/her own.
31
Just another company that loses money and will likely never profit looking to IPO so early investors can cash out and dump all the risk on the clueless.
20
Until this bike cleans, cooks and and performs my orders then I might decide on paying for this overpriced equipment.
9
Peloton exists( and will make it's investors a fortune) because there will always be people who need to be taken by the hand and given a pat on the back to keep them motivated. Self-starters don't need that.
19
@Rufus I'm confused by your comment. I live rurally -- there are two spin classes per week at a local gym, both run by non-professional instructors who are very nice but not the elite level of instructor offered by Peloton, and they may play pop or "oldies" music or whatever they feel is best. I invested in a fabulous Peloton bike and the monthly subscription for Peloton classes because I can choose the instructor, the time of day, the frequency or days of the week, and especially the music genre that suits me best. It's AMAZING. It has brought me NYC-level classes right into my home. I am so grateful that it exists! I am a self-starter -- that's why I'm part of Peloton.
28
@Rufus
Except, Peloton is the opposite of that. It exists for the self starters not the ones that need a pat on the back. Working out in your own requires a ton of motivation.
5
Another option is the on-line cycling game program called "Zwift". Rather than watching and listening to an instructor on your screen, you see a virtual reality roadway, with you being there as an avatar on a bicycle. Instead of having to buy an entire dedicated bicycle apparatus with no other use, you only purchase a "smart trainer", a device just like the old "wind trainers", except it generates resistance electronically instead of using a noisy fan. You save money by mounting your own bike onto it. They cost $600 and up, much less than Peloton. The monthly fee is about $15, which you can start and stop as needed. You control the speed of your avatar solely by how hard you pedal your bike, with the resistance changing as you encounter VR hills.
The road is populated with numerous other cyclist avatars controlled by other cyclists who can see your avatar. Each avatar has a bubble over them telling their country, user name and current energy output. The riders are from all around the globe, and you can draft, pass, and race them, or send one a brief message or wave. Its even possible to make a date with a fellow Zwifter friend anywhere and meet their avatar in the game and ride together. Some bike teams train in a virtual group.
I can't compare the Zwift experience to Peloton since I haven't used that, but I find Zwift completely engaging. You can listen to music, news or a podcast rather than the exhortations of a leader. A powerful fan and a towel is a must.
27
Spin cycling has been going strong for more than 20 years. Biking is also one of the oldest human activities, both for transport, leisure and exercise. It is not a fad like Tae Bo or the Thighmaster.
The at-home cycling apps are a godsend for people who deal with long days at work, bad weather, crowded gyms, bad neighborhoods, or disabilities that make outdoor exercise risky.
Peloton and similar technologies make it so you can exercise alone and yet not in isolation. They also make it much harder to come up with excuses.
You can also use the Peloton app to take classes on any spin-type bike at home. I have a Keiser. Fantastic. Peloton and others like it are a great advancement in exercise.
23
what's the customer churn rate? it's going to increase through customer fatigue ('here I am, sitting in my den, biking inside alone on a beautiful day') and competition but are they covering the acquisition cost for each account? doesn't sound like it...
2
2 grand is too much. Bought my trainer for under 1 grand and it does pretty much everything you would want. Not sure that this company has a good plan.
7
I just used my time machine to visit the year 2025 and conduct a survey of Peloton buyers, and I have returned with some good news and bad news. The bad news is that you do not seem to be that interested in Peloton any longer. The good news is that you have found an even more amazing product/service to motivate you to workout.
13
My wife (who has passed on) and I brought a treadmill, I think it was about $500 or so, from a company that had a grand opening price, who open up about 4 blocks from where we lived. they delivered it and assembled it, gave us a booklet on use, we used it every day for about a year or so...my wife got bored...and I started doing something else, which I can't remember and soon it turned into a clothing rack...my wife had relatives who were looking to buy a used one...we shipped it to them free.
11
@william munoz
I'm sorry about your wife. But if you both used the treadmill for a year, it sounds as though you got your money's worth out of it, and then helped somebody else.
6
I ride a recumbent bike several times a week at my local gym. I use an amazing and completely free app for entertaiment and motivation while I ride. It's called . . . A library book.
30
@Aging NYT reader And I watch TV while I work out on my elliptical. Much more fun than watching some sculpted "coach." Can't read on my elliptical, alas. Of course, the most fun is exercising outside, accompanied by an audiobook, podcast, or music.
6
Many kinds of good exercise are not economical. Some of these disapproving folks in re the cost are no doubt skiers, divers, horseback riders, have expensive golf memberships, own a pool, surf, hike in exotic locales, sail...I only have one friend with a Peloton. She loves it So what's wrong with that ?
I am shocked to read that they are losing money hand over fist. Is the newest business model ? Lose hundreds of millions of $ ? I absolutely cannot understand how this works. Could the Times explain it to us ?
19
My son and his wife just signed on after the birth of their new baby. Great way to exercise when you have little time. They are loving it and it meets their needs. The baby is so enthralled watching them.
11
Hey if this thing gets you exercising I am all for it. However I go to some gyms and every cardio machine has a screen 12 inches from you face with no choice to not have a screen. Yes, screens for some, and some with no screens too please. Some of us like to look out the window instead.
11
Exercise that is fun is what will win out. Zwift is pretty close (and for my money, more fun and cheaper than Peloton), but they seem to think everyone is training for the Tour de France. When somebody combines a real workout with a genuinely fun game to play, that will be the big winner.
9
If every fitness fad of the past three decades has gone the way of the dinosaurs then basic inductive reasoning would suggest that....
9
This article made me think of the Nordic Track ski machine my family had growing up. It was a big enough phenomenon at the time Tom Hanks used one in “Turner & Hooch”. We did use the thing for several years, not religiously, but eventually it was a clothes hanger. Good machine though for it’s time.
6
I've tried the spin classes and the Peloton.
Both are worthless, so I went back to riding my road bike out in the world.
If you ride outside, in the weather and with the automobiles, you get fit and hard as steel.
Indoor cycling should only be used in the winter to prepare for outside riding the other three seasons.
10
@Western Rider. You must live in a small town with no traffic and polite drivers. We can’t all be safe riding outdoors. After spin classes for many years I now ride the Peloton in the comfort of my home. For over 3 years and 500 plus rides, I love this bike. Don’t miss the people, the drive and finding a parking spot. I am in my 70’s and wish they built this years ago. They are always improving the experience. Never a problem with the bike. I can choose the music I like, the duration ,etc. I miss my summer rides to the beach, but I am safe and happy.
45
It is a fad, pure and simple. Anybody investing in it will see their money worth as much as those who invested in Nordic Trak, Bowflex or any other fitness fad.
7
This article is a funny coincidence, because yesterday I saw a very cool Peloton commercial, after which I said to my wife "I once bought an expensive NordicTrack." I'll stick with my gym membership to use expensive equipment. At least that way when I get tired of it I'm not faced with something taking up space.
9
But, where will you hang your clothes?
4
Yes, I get it, outdoor cyclists, especially the ones without young children - this isn't the product for you. But, for a lot of us in that phase of our lives where time is at a premium, can't you understand that it makes perfect sense? We just got a Peloton this week (yes, expensive), but it is an incredible product. The user interface is amazing, the tracking, the social element... they really hit the nail on the head. Is it a substitute for outdoors, no, but it works for a broad audience who might otherwise not exercise at all. I give it the thumbs up!
35
Reading these comments from people who don't own or have not used Peloton is like comments on the movies or theater reviews where the commenters have not seen the work in question.
Nobody asked your opinion.
27
@DD, ....oh but I think we HAVE seen this movie before! Also, I think NYT is interested in all respectfully-stated opinions.
3
FYI, you do not need to purchase a Peloton bike or treadmill to be a Peloton devotee. There is also a digital app available for $19.95/month which I use to bike (not on a Peloton), run outside & inside, walking, yoga, stretching, strength-training, bootcamp, etc. The only thing you don't get are the metrics on the Peloton bike or treadmill *but* you still can download classes on demand *or* stream the classes live. You get everything the $$$ folks do but the metrics visible on the handlebars tablet.
23
I have been using the same recumbent exercise bike nightly in my t.v. room for over 20 years. Before that, I owned an exercycle--Peloton is a grandchild of the exercycle, though they want you to think they're unique. I don't have a spin class app. I watch t.v. or Netflix and they've suited me just fine. I am skinny af!
7
The singularity of Peloton is the biggest drawback, so one would need to pair it with other types of work, strength, rowing, cross country, yoga, dance, etc., and that lack of variety would be my biggest concern. For Peloton, it will need to expand, either internationally or via a broader range of products.
The biggest issue for me has always been motivation, so I always needed to rotate into something else after a peak or after getting bored, and even nowadays where I intentionally rotate through several different activities a week. Over the past 30+ years, I've exercised in numerous ways, did some competitive work in running, orienteering, and rowing, taken a semester of ballet, lifted, hiked and biked. That said, the assumption that Peloton is the only thing one does is limiting, as the people that spend $3K for a bike have other options.
We live in a nice-sized one BR in Manhattan, and I have 2 gym memberships, giving me both access to high-quality equipment via Equinox, as well as when I travel to major cities, but also have a backup membership with our condo for those days when we are snowed in. If we had more space, living in the suburbs, I would set up a special room - I have done so in the past - with weights, a rowing machine, and a bike, like the Peloton, or a mag trainer. Nowadays, I would add a cross-country ski machine.
4
I am sure glad that there are so many folks willing to shell out for a service that they can jerry'rig in their own living rooms.
A bicycle with a 65 inch LG screen - a few feet away, watching Eminem or some hip hop. As it is, you are already paying for that cable service. And if you want a community feeling - use SKYPE or something.
I graduated from Caltech in the wrong decade of a wrong century - some 5 decades back. And what did I do? Join the oil patch as we did not havethis tech scam. Sure, we had oil patch scams - but they fail in comparison.
Today - I would be peddling some IPO - especially when this sentence caught my attention:
"...accusing it of violating patents it holds for technology on its bike...."
Really, technologyon a stationary bike ??
Which patent office approved these patents ??
If fastening a big screen monitor to a bike - so it does not fall off - if that's the patented technology.
I want to hire that patent lawyer - for a stationary canoe I am about to launch. All patented of course.
It will have a bigger screen - great videos of nature - and music you would kill to row.
9
@Neil,,, I'd like to put my order in please. But do you have anything for white water rafting? I prefer to do that from the comfort of my living room and not get wet.
1
Peleton represents everything that is bad about venture capital and our idiotic infatuation with "unicorns".
When VCs all decided that monthly recurring revenue had to be applied to literally every consumer product, the fundamental relationship between industry and consumers changed for the worse. Where once we used to own a hardware device, we now have "machines as a service". Consumers own less and less of what they purchase - especially when every consumer product, it seems, has some stupid subscription hook.
Tax laws have recently, and drastically changed to keep capital leases off the balance sheet - a huge detriment to many companies - see Delta. But surprise, surprise, VC backed companies, like Carbon 3D, who now own all the hard assets they lease to customer companies, get a massive gift in the form of tax shield from capital assets. Whereas a few years ago those numbers would only have hit the revenue and COGs lines of their balance sheet.
All so a bunch of rich guys can rake in more money they will never spend.
15
I rather subscribe to the New York Times. And ride my bicycle outside (weather permitting).
12
Let’s see...bleeding a lot of money, it’s two top executives pulling down $21.5 million a piece...NO
15
The 2 Peloton's we have at the YMCA broke within 6 weeks , took forever to get repaired.
Now 5 months later every adjustment lever is broken off or stripped , water bottle holders broken & gone , and monitors are becoming hinky....
Went back to the other stationary bikes...they consistently work.
These bikes are junk for the price.
I also wonder about the numbers ....when I first started out 5 months ago there was about 15,000+ people online working out , now it's only 5000+ ....
Their IPO sounds like a last bid pump & dump .
12
@Chris
Could be the clientele using the bike? I had a YMCA membership for several years and bought a Peloton to take it's place a year or so ago. My bike is never occupied when I want to use it, it never is misused and broken and bonus, my stuff doesn't get stolen when I work out.
7
Lots of really positive reviews here. Exuberant! Enthusiastic! Devoted!
Please tell me this is not a cult.
7
Sean G, it is a cult. But one I’m happy I found.
I’m pushing 60 and this is the first and only exercise I’ve ever actually looked forward to - and stuck with!
It may not be for everyone, but I love it. As does my wife. As do my adult children. We’re hooked.
11
If you're interested in Peloton bikes, this is worth your time.
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/01/peloton-bike-ads-twitter-thread
6
@Richard
Thanks Richard, loved it. My Mom used to say "don't forget to ride your Peloton today, remember all the children in war-torn Iraq who go without one."
1
Sitting on my butt, spinning my feet in a tiny circle is literally the most boring form of exercise I can imagine. I'm glad some people like it, but I would rather go for a brisk walk outside than sit and spin.
11
@Frank. A brisk walk is nice....I do that too. But you cannot burn the calories or exercise your heart and lungs in same capacity. I burned 500 calories yesterday in a 45 minute class on peloton. That would take more than two hours of walking. And i do at my convenience....
10
@Sharon,, How about getting a regular bike( NO E-BIKE!) and going out on the roads for a few hours. And throw a few hills in there to really get the heart rate going
2
@Rufus. I live in la. Id prob be dead....outdoor riding not for me. And not into mountain biking...so, yeah....no.
7
Doing 4 spin/bike classes a week will lead to :
-tight IT bands
-strained and overworked hip flexers
-knee problems worsening
-posture suffering
and brain going from the boredom and lack of focus on complex movements. PLUS it has been shown that listening to music at 80 decibels guarantees hearing loss.
10
@Joan Breibart Running will lead to runner's knee, Achilles Tendonitis, hamstring issues, Plantar Fasciitis, shin splints, ITBS, stress fractures, just to name a few. Injuries come from overuse and repetitive motion but the human body requires exercise. Stretching, changing up the type of exercise, and rest are important. Riding a bike is often recommended to people as it places less pressure on joints that have been injured by running or other sports/activities. Your comment requires some serious qualifications.
12
@Joan Breibart
obviously you know absoulutely nothing about spinning...
I have had my Peloton 4.5 years, rided 4-5 times per week and have ZERO issues... I am 55 years old and never attended a spin class...bought my Peloton sight unseen...
so my question to you is.... what makes you an expert on spinning???
9
When I was a home-schooled kid I used to use an exercise bike while playing racing games. I always wondered why someone didn't put the game console and screen INTO the exercise bike.
Would it really be that difficult to do? These days you could just include some wireless headphones, build the controller into the handlebars, and off you go.
Four billion seems a bit excessive to me.
I am currently embarked on a personal quest of walking the equivalent of the Appalachian Trail at a YMCA near where I live.
The Appalachian Trail is 2200 miles long.
I try to walk 2 miles every day, with an occasional break of a few days to gather the bits and pieces of myself back together again.
No speed demon am I.
It takes me about 50 minutes each day to accomplish, so Roger Bannister’s record is quite safe from eclipse by me.
Assuming I don’t break down somewhere along the way, I figure I can get the job done in about 3 years.
This costs my family of three just 124 bucks a month, part of which our health insurance reimburses us for, which compared to Peloton seems a bargain.
I can already visualize the Page 1 article in the Times about me.
“80 year old man finishes fake Appalachian Trail walk. Is not attacked by a bear or awarded a trophy. Says he will now try to climb Mt. Everest.”
16
Peleton will eventually fail. People want to be encouraged to exercise by other people around them. Watching a screen in your living room is not gonna do it. You won't be motivated unless other people are joining you.
I take spin classes at the Y. It's much much better.
Short this stock pronto.
3
@Sirlar
For years, I took spin class at the Y. Now I own a Peloton. I MUCH prefer the latter. I can’t say whether Peloton has staying power as a company, but I do know there are an awful of people who feel like me.
9
@Cyclist hear, hear...all these naysayers who have never tried it, let alone spinning!
6
2,300 bucks for a stationary bike? I'll take my $189.95 Walmart model any day. It's whether or not you use the bike that counts, not the way-cool design and digital whistles and bells.
The Peloton will, however, make a sleeker clothes rack than the Nordic Track...
7
I don't see how they can keep talking about variety when all that varies is the speed and entertainment.
5
As someone who wonders when “ride an exercise bike” started to be called “spin” (there was a hot second before I Googled it in which I could not plausibly imagine what middle-aged upper-middle-class white women were doing in these classes), the comments here from Peloton devotees have been convincing as to the motivational and all-around health aspects of the phenomenon. Safely at home, challenged and not bored? I like it.
That said, in a culture where people trash $800 phones every 18 months, and in which various affordable streaming-capable and fitness-tracking devices abound and could be used in tandem with more traditional machines, I wonder about the sustainability of Peloton-esque bikes with proprietary computers and software that figure into their steep price. Are these replaceable/upgradable? How much do we want/need to shell out for more rapidly impending obsolescence?
5
Interesting mention of ThighMaster which sells for $55 -- the Peloton is 40X more expensive! What does that tell us about the size of the market, no matter how aspirational the hype?
3
This is about exercise socially motivated and mediated by a for profit company. I have an biker e on a stand that I rarely use. I have bikes I ride on the street I ride daily. I like riding with my friends, with people I can see and touch. The profit is personal and social. The cost is the risk of death and dismemberment by the motorists and unforced errors of bike handling. Staying inside and riding a machine connected to others has an appeal to me. I am sure I could get engaged and would if I lived in a place where cyclists were another kind of road kill. I like breaking the isolation of modern digital life and being in the world. For Peloton, it is all about profit.
5
Ol let's go over it again imo, what has been known in the modern era for yrs. and in some way shape or form since the Stone Age, moderation is good re exercise.
Too much brings all sorts of injuries, too little brings another version of it, ie couch potato.
Pick the moderate exercise of your choice and stay with it, it is the best way to go.
2
Imagine paying $4,000 + "classes", just to do one exercise? Incredible waste of money. You could buy two 85" 4K television sets, a regular stationary bike, money to spare for internet access and Starbucks afterwards. Lunacy.
11
I strongly disagree. Peloton offers a lot of high-quality coaching, metrics, and motivational tools to get people to develop a sustainable fitness habit and keep it up. Worth every penny.
14
How much for a stationary bike like that without Internet connection?
3
Great option for the heavy wallet brigade.
cost of bike, usage, etc. - I'd rather ride in rain, stand up and crank up real hills or race down fast from the hills I've just climbed.
Virtual doesn't always replace the REAL experience!
9
I invented the red squishy boot at the center of the Thighmaster. My shop, Polaris Plastics, refused the manufacturing contract because the fad-meisters at Thighmaster fit a behavior pattern typical of the hit and run exercise hype that we saw at Gravity Guidance (upside down hanging boots) in the mid 1980s. Production ramps exponentially, credit accounts swell and age, and ultimately business managers evaporate leaving empty facilities and unpaid bills. Steady players like LifeFitness, Paramount, and Stairmaster do much more to maintain steady employment, service regular clients, and provide Americans and the world with great workout equipment. Healthy living - and healthy businesses - benefit more from patience and persistence than fads and short lived hype. Let's see if Peloton lasts - just keep an eye on those payables!
8
@Andy Foster I'm not sure equating Peloton with thighmaster is totally correct. Thighmaster was a gimmicky pushed by celeb device that really didn't work. Peloton merges home stationary bike with studio spin in your home. This is a real fitness product with technology added convenience. Look at all the competitors jumping in the space. Will peloton stay on top remains to be seen but to say its just a hyped gimmick is short sighted
7
Is it merely a sign of the times or is it an indication of what's wrong with modern culture that buying an indoor bike is preferable to buying an actual bike and riding outside?
The only benefit I can see for a machine as expensive as a Peloton is for keeping in biking shape in the winter.
7
Not everyone lives in a place that’s safe for outdoor cycling. Our community lost a 16 year old this summer in a bike accident and a woman I’d been working out with for several years was killed during a charity bike ride last month when she veered across the center line into traffic. There are great places to ride safely outdoors but we don’t all live close enough to them to do so regularly even if we wanted to.
33
@Jim Called me finding a way to measure my workouts in the privacy of my home in a place that distance biking is difficult and dangerous is "what's wrong with modern culture", huh?
3
@Jim Called
My son says the same thing. However, I love spinning and don't own a nice bike (and good ones are not cheap) and I am a bit afraid to clip in and ride on the road alone.
It is so convenient to get up in the morning and finish a spinning workout and also do a weight training workout in my home. I probably would never get the treadmill that they sell because I live in SoCal and it is quite easy to run year around.
Maybe one day I will get a decent bike and join an outside group for fun.......
2
Wow, people sure do have strong feelings about this brand both ways! Maybe that's the secret sauce, people are passionate about it.
I have one and have to say, anyone that took Robin's Lizzo ride would understand after 30 short minutes what the hype is about and would be coming back for more.
32
I am an avid cyclist who will soon have a child and will therefore not be able to pursue cycling avidly. At that point, I fully intend to buy a Peloton and follow in the footsteps of my avid cyclist friends who have young children.
That's what is appealing about Peloton, it provides an entertaining and convenient way to pursue the fitness benefits of outdoor cycling indoors.
Is it better than riding outside? Probably not, but there are many times where outdoor cycling is not possible.
27
Don’t. But a smart trainer for 500 or so, subscribe to Zwift fo 20 month and have an absolute blast racing and riding indoors using your great road bike. Much better and cheaper.
7
@Charles Stone Cool I'll check it out. I was under the impression Zwift is compatible with Peloton bikes, but this doesn't seem to be the case.
1
I know a few Peloton users (5)...and they all like it. But they are long time exercisers and older. Runners by "trade" who find it a nice and effective means to lay off their joints, or fit in a workout when they cant get outside. But most got them as gifts, and would not have laid out the dough on their own. Two have stopped using the Peloton classes and rely on online freebies.
But again, these are people committed to their fitness.
Like most over-hyped, high-priced exercise machines, these rarely serve the novices and/or the on-again, off-again, mostly off-again sorts. As strict aerobic exercise like cycling is not as effective as they would like for weight loss. Its just rare to find large populations of people who drop all the weight they need/want to drop from these strict aerobic regimens. So the machines end up in the garage, or decorated with clothes.
When I was a Personal Trainer, I used to turn a nice side profit by buying on the cheap used treadmills and reselling them to committed exercisers. In fact, there was too much lightly used, good quality models to scoop up. I put out some feelers in the gyms I worked out of...and was inundated.
While the Peloton bike appears to be a decent product (NYT should have looked into the consumer satisfaction factor, and not put out this fluff, PR piece like it was news) I suspect they will hit a wall of market share and not see much growth in about a year.
20
@Boregard If you read the numerous Peloton group FB pages, you would be amazed at how many people are totally new to working out--I've worked out for 50+ years so don't quite fall into that category-- & have stuck with it, based upon the results and virtual community they find
3
I think it is a good idea, but it will keep a core group when others move on. There are a lot of places and times where road cycling is not safe, and stationary bikes without programming are boring. But overtime, the same type of workouts get old. I tend to cycle between trail running, lifting and cross fit and can't imagine just sitting on a bike 6 days a week, for years. Only a small % of people will take to it with that much passion, especially given that the target audience has the money to do whatever.
5
The more you lose, the more you make. It is 1999 all over again. Which is good, because suddenly I feel twenty years younger.
6
What sets Peloton apart are the instructors. Peloton chooses them very carefully. They are incredibly motivational and yet never phony. There are enough types to suit any personality: for racing bikers, for EDM junkies, for classic rock lovers. Robin Arzon, their head of fitness programming, is a star athlete and ex-corporate litigator, a personal coach more than a body on a bike. I swim, run, do CrossFit and just passed 500 Peloton rides, and my interest in Peloton is only deepening over time. You just have to experience it.
58
Couldn't agree more @Hugh Kennedy. I've had my Peloton for almost two years and NO two rides are the same, thanks to all their instructors who teach all different styles with all the different music. For me it's about the music. I could be dragging to get on the bike and by the time the warmup is over, I'm so pumped up and ready to ride. SO worth cancelling my Equinox membership for!
12
@Hugh Kennedy I'm not knocking what works for you, but don't you ever get weary of the non-stop inputs? I did spin regularly for a couple years but grew tired of the noise.
I hike / jog with my dog every day and cherish the time when nothing is being fed into my ears and eyes except silence and the sounds of nature.
10
@Randy That’s why I run and swim for sure. CrossFit and Peloton are my social outlets. And I have three Swiss Mountain Dogs to walk. Or be walked by, more accurately.
7
I ride 75-100 miles a week on my Peloton bike and take advantage of the stretching, strength, and yoga classes on the app as well as the running content when I travel. I’ve lost sixty pounds since buying the bike two years ago and have never felt better. I am convinced that the expense of the bike pales in contrast to the cost of obesity and inactivity. Instructors Matt Wilpers, Denis Morton, and Christine D’Ercole have helped me think of myself as an athlete, and when my husband and I visited NYC last year, I woke before dawn to ride live in the studio with them. I am profoundly grateful to John Foley and his team. #caffeinated
50
@Nancy Agreed! The ab classes are terrific and the yoga classes as well. You wouldn’t catch me dead in a yoga studio but I do it in my basement in front of my three dogs happily.
7
I have used it daily since purchasing almost 2 years ago. I bought/referred 12 more for friends and family members. We all use it daily and agree it’s a game changer. My health metrics next leveled and there’s no going back. The bike is a very good piece of equipment but the professional instructors, programs, classes and community are priceless being more readily and easily accessible and convenient than any other form of fitness I’ve ever attempted to maintain on an ongoing basis – and that’s what it’s really all about.
19
Interesting that all the negative comments are from people who don't use Peloton. There don't seem to be many Peloton owners who say they don't use it much or think it will fizzle out.
I thought Peloton was over-hyped too, until I tried it at a hotel gym while on a business trip. It was so much fun and a far better workout than I would have gotten running on the treadmill on my own!
I work long hours and squeezing in a high-quality workout at home is very appealing. If I had the space I would definitely buy one. My friends on Long Island have it and love it.
29
Would I rather have a bicycle, the Peloton, or Netflix? I would rather have the bicycle.
10
It's a stationary bike. Those have been around for a while.
16
All folks, of all ages, just need to keep up a significant and regular commitment to physical fitness. Whatever it takes...riding indoors in the winter/early spring gets me ready for outdoor riding in summer/early fall. A motivating instructor that gets you into the class or onto the bike helps! Signing on with friends to be on the same 'ride' in your different locations is something current and former members of the Seahawks do in the off season to stay fit. Options - it's just an option! We need more riding and less typing.....
8
The Peloton is an IQ test.
If you buy one you fail.
It is an expensive stationary bike with a subscription video service. You can buy a very nice real bike you can ride for less than that and a stand to use it indoors. Your iPad can stream "classes" online.
The emperor has no clothes.
40
As a long time fitness guy, and someone who has had a Peloton bike for about three years, I can tell you this comment is correct. One could get a cheaper bike and prop-up an iPad (not sure where the content would come from).
However, I cannot beat the convenience, and the class instruction is superb. Even if they produced no new content, I could recycle their 5,000 classes until I can no longer exercise and it would still beat everything else I’ve done in terms of convenience. It’s the quality X convenience equation that makes it work. Not just the quality and not just convenience. Then there is the community. That’s like the tattoo; sticks with you.
33
@Mike
FYI, Peloton has an iPad app. I use it with a non-Peloton bike and it works great. It's currently $20 a month (I subscribed years ago when it was only $12!). Well worth it.
10
@David Gregory Your comment is truly interesting to me. You admonish people who have found a type of exercise that energizes and motivates them due to the expense. Yet you mention an iPad which goes for...what? $1,000? To each his own, brother. So where are your clothes?
23
I have been doing spin classes since 1998 and even taught classes for a while. Its consistently the hardest workout I have ever done. I had stopped for a while because of a lack of decent options after I moved out of NYC. I bought my bike 2 years ago and Peloton has been a game changer. I am pushing 60 years old and was an avid runner through most of my 40s, so to be able to do a challenging work out that is so convenient has allowed me to be more fit and on my own schedule. The variety of classes, instructors and bike technology are second to none. I live outside Philadelphia and I have to say at least 50% of the people I know have a Peloton bike, maybe more. Spin isn't like other fads mentioned in the article here. It has an intensely loyal following which I expect to be a factor over the long term. the community is amazing and I regularly "ride" with 10,000 or more people.
28
$40 a month is expensive, not to mention the cost of the bike. Lots of competition in the app world for about $10 a month. Being able to ride with a friend or family member in a different location looks like the only differentiation to me. I don't think there are enough barriers to entry for this model to work for long.
7
@Working mom - Yes, the extra dough being shelled out is pure profit to line the pockets of executives.
2
@Diane
Why is such a horrendous thing for executives to earn money? I don't think many non-executives understand the amount of work it takes to build or run a company that's worth anything. Further, of all the things one could profit from, this is a company that motivates people to take better care of themselves both physically and mentally.
Impulsive negativity towards people who create products/services/jobs should be a red flag to look in the mirror and figure out what's got you so down... as one of my favorite Peloton instructors says "look good, feel good, do better!".
10
@Diane The company doesnt even come close to making a profit though, and never will. Give them 5 years max. Thats why theyre rushing to an IPO
4
I would have loved on when my children were babies and toddlers, my exercise then was to run in place in my study or ride a really terrible cheap stationary bike. Sometimes I was able to get out for a run but not on a regular basis.
For those who have limited time to exercise the Peloton sounds like a very nice option. Yes it is more expensive than the old cheap stationary bike but it is there in the house/apartment, those who need motivation can get it from the lessons and the online groups. Whatever gets you moving is good.
6
Thanks for the encouragement for X-Biking.
I have two exercise bikes, a sit-down type and a spinner type.
All together, I invested $75 for the two of them.
But, now, I do not do much exercising with either bike
Exercising is essential for health, but it might help with procrastination, by creating a sense of forward movement.
Now, with this inspiring article, I will try to increase my effort.
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3
$2,245.00 for a stationary bike that's unusable beyond your apartment? Why not spend the money on a really good road bike, mount it to a Cycleops trainer or other training device and you're good to go. Indoor training is fine when the weather won't cooperate, but road riding is sooo much more rewarding than repetitive indoor spin classes.
12
@Robert
Sure, riding outside is fun but not necessarily more rewarding than a Peloton. I lost a run-in with a car riding outside. Broke my thumb and my elbow and cracked my mandible. My chin required 18 stitches and I wore a cast for 16 weeks. Never had that problem on a Peloton.
24
I have both a Peloton and an expensive road bike. I ride the Peloton 3 times a week because I love the classes. I haven’t touched my road bike in 2 years. To each his own.
8
@robert if you live alone and like to cycle outdoors that’s great, but Peloton is quieter, lower maintenance, and easy to adjust if you have multiple people using it (which you can do at no additional cost).
7
My wife has a stationary bike sitting idle in the basement. We both have iPads. All someone has to do is make an app to stream classes and undercut Peloton's monthly price, and they'll probably get a ton of people like us to bite.
I don't care about the "gamification" and I don't need kudos from strangers about my workout. I just need something to sufficiently distract me from the fact that I hate working out so that I can put up with it for half an hour.
10
@Ashley the metrics are a big differentiator, being able to see how hard you’re working in the moment and easily measure improvement over time helps with motivation.
2
@Ashley
Alternative options already exist. They're just not trendy. https://medium.com/@beckyjoy/at-home-indoor-cycling-apps-compared-50167de476c5
@Ashley
With a Peloton digital subscription, you can stream spinning classes to your Ipad and take the classes on your existing stationary bike at home.
3
As to spinning bikes be a passing fitness craze I doubt it. I started teaching spinning in the late 1990's when it was first introduced by Madd Dog. Every health club I know of still has spinning classes and they are popular with the members. That being said I do own a Peloton bike but have not used it as much as I thought I would. The instructors chatter away too much for my taste. I don't want to hear about you constantly while I am listening to the music. I prefer to ride outside on my real bike or walk outside when the weather is nice. As hard as I work in a Peloton class nothing compares to actually pedaling up real mountains when it comes to working. And when I treadmill, which I also own, I prefer watching Netfix or such. I am surprised to hear they are losing money though. Just where is the money going if they have sold that many bikes and monthly subscriptions? I know those instructor are not are not pulling in million dollar salaries, so where is the money?
15
@georgiadem psst...Johnny G invented Spinning in CA in the early 90’s. He developed an indoor bike with Schwinn, Then lawyers got involved,lawsuits ensued and the rest is history.
1
There are a limited number of folks who fit the pattern (well-healed, unable to get to affordable exercise local facilities, and enjoy the so called socialization) to sell to, and if these things are well constructed, the pool of folks will definitely dwindle and dry up. Sure, you might pick up one here and there but this is a quick market saturation device.
As far as socialization is concerned other than watching some hot guy or woman pedal and urge you to 'do more, go further, faster!" how about getting together with real people and make friends. Many YMCAs have group activities, as do more and more senior citizen centers.
I'm all for fitness, but the same superiority attitude, swagger and arrogance that these extraordinarily rare folks featured in ads shown so often during sporting events on television is a real play on one's mind, and more harmful than helpful.
And advertising is advertising. Take for example that the re-hydration craze has received a thumbs down from the medical community for anything other than good old water yet millions if not billions of bottles of expensive solutions are sold.
Most will never look like a young ninja competition performer on TV, and to charge what this bike's cost is really is pathetic.
4
In a world where road riding is getting more crowded, noisier and more dangerous every day a Peloton is a good way to get regular exercise if.......like everything else.....you use it regularly.
12
@C Feher - yeah, I agree it can be a good way to get regular exercise, but I feel the whole road-danger thing is oversold...like most other danger memes.
Yeah, you can get hurt. It's getting more dangerous each day? I don't think it's that acute.
2
I promise, you’re wrong. Come to my OR, any day. I’ll show you the cyclists turned to oatmeal by cars. I’ll never get on a bike on a road again.
3
We had a NordicTrack. Eventually, before we got rid of it, I used it as an expensive clothes drying rack. I suspect that Peleton will go the same route.
12
Could someone please tell me how a Peloton bike is different from any other stationary bike? Is it just the people on the screen?
7
@Carole
it is a spin bike.
And they charge you a monthly fee to work out on your expensive bike (2000+) in your own home
Sounds like a scam to me
2
@Carole I think one thing missing from some of these comments is that "spin" bikes are built differently from the more common stationary bikes for sale at most sporting goods stores. They allow a huge range of resistance on the wheel via magnetic resistance and you can stand up and ride as long as you want with adequate resistance. I purchased a high quality spin bike just before the Peloton hit the market. It cost me close to $2000 so the Peloton price didn't surprise me. I used it to rehab from various running injuries but then about a year ago I tried the Peloton digital subscription (for $19.95 a month) and set my ipad up on my bike and it makes it much easier for me to pass the time on the bike when I need some relief for my knees. I use it all the time and I get a great workout. I don't have access to the metrics information that folks with the bike have, but with a heart rate monitor and using the beat of the music and perceived effort I can match what I am doing to the class. It has become incredibly essential to my ability to maintain a large weight loss for almost 2 years.
5
The Peloton is wonderful. You should try one in their store. Make an appointment and come dressed to work out.
Instead of going into all sorts of details, I’ll just say that I was skeptical, but then bought one and loved it. They get you to work out very hard, and every aspect of your workout is tracked, so you can stay within your heart zone, accurately measure your pace and resistance, and you get highly motivated by the instructors and others taking the classes who you can choose to interact with in real time. For me, I learned that if I push too hard and my heart rate gets too high for too long, I feel exhausted after the workout, but if I back off a bit and stay in my Zone 4, I work hard but feel energized all day long. And they have trainings onscreen to show you how to calibrate that.
It’s not gimmicky. It’s very well thought-out and it works very well.
8
Peloton is an example of end stage decadence for people with too much money.
13
Marge, hurry up with that review comment for the Times article...Oh, er, Hi there. I was just riding my Peleton, er, get one today. They are really great. Me and Marge don’t work for Peleton or anything like that. Just average Americans...
3
I have friends that bought Pelotons. Already one isn’t being used...
13
This is just another exercise bike that will populate garage sales of the future, like the Schwinn Airdyne, forward.
More practical, for you and the planet, just ride your bike and enjoy the scenery! But, do look out for idiots on roadways yapping about nothing on their cell phones.
Finally, for you fair weather wuss-types, remember you were born wet and "helmet hair' is not a disease.
7
Hydrow rowing machines are better!
4
Not very thorough reporting. Anyone who is in the know would tell you that the biggest giant killer will be Zwift.
10
@Walker Zwift is great and cheaper on a monthly basis.
3
I have my own measure to determine how successful this company will be. Look on Craigslist any day to see how many Peletons are for sale, used.
People are giving away Nordic trac machines, and various Bowflex machines are selling for 10 cents on the dollar from their original price. In 2 years, I predict, Peloton bikes will be available used, for less than $1,000.00
Today there are 3 or 4 Pelotons for sale, at 25% below the "New" price.
11
My girlfriend moved in and so I sold one of our two Pelotons on Craigslist. OMG!!! I was inundated with so many offers that I raised my asking price by $300... nearly what I paid for it... and still had people fighting to buy it. They are incredibly in demand.
5
I dunno, I think think the saddest thing is that all of these are going to end up in a landfill one day. It's a stationery bike. Glorified and made into an object of fetishistic desire, but in the end you can join a gym and get the same benefit - as well as access to all the other equipment. At least the stationery bike at the gym is serving many people so it's more justifiable as a common resource. But, of course, "many people", so be sure to wipe it down :)
6
One of the main reasons people ride actual bikes is that you're subjected to physical sensations you won't get any other way...it's one of the reasons people started riding bikes in the first place - the miracle of balancing on those two wheels - the delicate oppositional sensations of gravity and centripetal force when turning...the feelings of deceleration and acceleration.
All are ways in which you learn to use the various physical laws and harness them to your own use!
One of the chief attributes of road cycling, especially, is the feeling of speed - the harshness, the focus needed, the sensation of traversing road imperfections, the feel of the wind affecting you more and more as speed rises, the immediacy of the need to concentrate...compared with those vivid forces, any kind of stationary bike is almost a sensation-free zone. The idea that you're going to duplicate the feeling of riding uphill and downhill simply by making it harder or easier to push the pedals...yeah, sure - that's one of many sensations you feel riding hills.
Indoors vs outdoors? Yeah, no doubt - many sensations due to being outdoors, and also the feeling that you have to allow yourself to be at the mercy of the elements, and adapt to them...but that is secondary to the ultra-vivid sensations generated strictly by the act of riding a bike at speed...the feel of the air as you move through it - just the sensation of wind, alone, is so much more rich and subtle than sitting in one spot.
7
@KSA I agree, but I think you are missing the point. Peloton is not trying to replace outdoor cycling or get outdoor enthusiasts to move their fitness indoors. I think the sweet spot is for those who don't have the time to leave the house and need a quick workout in 20-30 min.
8
@Jonathan - respectfully, I MADE a lot of points here, that no one else made, so I don't think I'm missing the point.
I'm not contradicting anyone here - I'm just pointing out that actually riding a bike is a way richer and more complex experience than any stationary bike can be.
Plus, it's actual transportation! Has a function over and above that of just being good exercise.
1
@Jonathan
But why pay a monthly fee?
And why spend 2000+ on a bike that doesn't work unless you give them 50 a month
This is just a stupid thing to do
1
I have no specific thoughts about Peleton other than that their commercials make it look like an obsession. If that’s what it takes to add a few weeks to your life, enjoy—but count me out!
10
Most of these comments are focused on the value of the bike and therefore missing the point: Peloton is really about community and programming. I came in as an outdoor, road-riding skeptic when I bought one for my wife. I had never been a "class" person, and the last thing I wanted was an instructor. Now I'm completely hooked and rarely miss a day of one activity or another. As for fads and whether Peloton will get old: that's like asking if televisions or streaming or mobile phones are going to go out of fashion. As long as there is fresh content, it never gets old. And community? Well, that has a pretty good track record, too.
7
My sister and I live in different states and regularly ride 'together' on our Peloton bikes. She gifted me a Peloton bike after I completed cancer treatment three years ago. I've been able to get back in shape following my diagnosis, have fun and stay motivated to workout. I love my Peloton bike more today than I did when I got it. I love the support the company offers its members. A great brand and awesome product!
33
I sit in front of a screen all day. The last thing I want to do for my exercise is sit in front of another screen...And for the price of a Peloton, you could certainly buy a nice bike with accessories. I also don't need anyone to "lead" me and run their mouth the whole time. And the music...
One thing I never hear about with these is resale value when you get bored with it. I can't imagine anyone paying anymore than half the retail value for a used one.
14
Just get a real bike that you can also ride outdoors and put it on a smart trainer like a Tacx Flux or Wahoo Kickr and you have a far better and more versatile training platform than a Peloton bike. Couple that with 3rd party apps like Zwift or TrainerRoad or similar and you’re all set, without a huge commitment to any particular service or product.
Not seeing the appeal of a dedicated spinning platform in the face of smart trainers and numerous third party apps. The only thing limiting smart trainers is that they’re currently marketed to serious cyclists, but I believe this will change.
13
The experience is amazing. I have been using the peloton since 2015 and I like it just as much today as I did when I first got it. Every ride is different and fun. Live rides allow you to ride with friends- real or virtual. It’s an excellent workout too. Once you buy the bike the monthly cost is affordable. I think peloton has staying power.
15
For this Peleton owner for two years and mother of three tweens/teens who works full time as a lawyer and lives in NYV, Peleton has been a life saver. By dropping our expensive gym membership and buying a Peleton, I have increased my workouts from 1-2 a week to 4-6 times a week and have lost 75 pounds. Before that, I had a ton of trouble managing my schedule. And we have saved money to boot since the whole family uses it.
69
It's phenomenal they could be losing money at those prices. Years of reinforcement have taught that profit comes not through operating profit, by by having shares out there when the stock market as a whole is inflating. I wonder how much they had pay for this spot.
2
For people looking for a cheaper alternative, look up any workout on Youtube. There are free classes in almost any exercise type where the owner of the channel will upload new regimens every week. In some cases, they have communities of people that stay in touch online. The latter I don't engage in but others do.
If you want extra features or specific channel owners, you may have to pay a small fee but many already have millions of subscribers and are funded through ads so that's why they're free.
In fact -- not that I have looked -- someone could probably start the equivalent of this online, charge less than Peloton and others and/or get paid by ads as well. The fact you have to adjust your own bike and it is not done automatically means a cheaper bike might be just fine coupled with a Youtube program.
6
These comments have become a stream of people bragging about their incredible fitness and how they spend sooo much time outside. Well, newsflash, many of us would love to do that too, but things like work and families tend to keep us busy. So being able to squeeze in some (gasp!) indoor exercise during a busy schedule does not make you a deficient human. It just makes the opportunities to get outside that much sweeter.
87
Shane, understood. Still, Peloton ties you into buying the equipment and service, when this is not required. Just get a normal bike that you like and ride anywhere, buy a smart trainer for about $700, and then use any of a plethora of apps that control the trainer, such as Zwift. You’re not tying yourself to any particular service or proprietary product, and when you have the time you can also use the bike outdoors.
7
@Shane O Seriously, there's quite a bit of hate here for people trying to do something good for their health. True, riding outside can be more fun and a better workout, but it can also be dangerous and time-consuming and unpleasant. True, you can get a dumb spinner for less, but you won't get the metrics (or the instructors, unless you get the app). True, you can get a smart trainer, but it can be annoying to take your bike in and out of it, and Zwift is not a spin class. And true, Peloton is expensive, but everyone commenting here regularly spends money unnecessarily (that daily coffee, the BMW instead of the Kia, the five bedroom house instead of the three bedroom house, the Prada bag instead of the [whatever is cheaper].
16
@Shane O
If you need a $2000 stationary bike to get some "indoor exercise time," then you have more dollars than sense.
Peleton's comparison to Tae-Bo and "Sweatin' to the Oldies" is spot on. Anyone who wants to get fit has a million options for under $300 (including other stationary bikes!)
Peleton will disappear as soon as the Instagram addicts & "influencers" move on to the next dumb fitness toy, taking their army of puppet-followers with them.
11
I opted for my Peloton after getting frustrated with the limited schedule options for spinning at my Equinox location as well as overall burnout of the hype for perfection that is Equinox. I can now spin whenever I want, plus if I’m in the mood for yoga or strength training, I can do that instead. And, if I’m not at home, I can use the Outdoor option to go for a power walk or run. Sure, I could do these things on my own, but the app provides structure, the playlists expose me to a variety of artists and genres, and I can decide whether or not to participate in the groups with other participants. Or not. I’m working out to be healthy, not to “win” any competition. No leaderboards for me. Is it worth the cost? Yes, since I use the bike and the app throughout the week. And the instructors are great.
21
We bought our Peloton in 2017. We're still using it regularly and my husband is a dedicated power user, routinely taking 5-7 classes a week. We love the community and the instructors and how the company motivates you to stay on track and work to achieve your goals. The key to Peloton's success is the community and the diversity of classes - there's something for everyone and you always feel supported and encouraged in whatever you do.
16
Not my cup of tea, but if you can afford it and it motivates you to exercise, have at it! Different strokes for different folks - no need to judge others’ preferences.
117
To those comparing it to a trainer and/or a bicycle, that fundamentally mis-understands what many people who purchase a Peloton are trying to get, which is a fun, entertaining, very musical cardio workout with a group without leaving your home. The fact that it is a bike is almost incidental.
My husband and I bought one a year and a half ago and are over 250 45 min classes each. Like a lot of the other owners on the rider Facebook group we are members, (aka a Tribe) of we have low to no interest in road biking. There was a thread a while ago asking why people had bought the bike and almost all of the members of our tribe were basically like, "I want to wake up, work out hard and fun, and shower in the one free hour I have before work." As long as Peloton continues to do that, they'll keep our subscription money flowing.
PS-- to the person who called it "get fit quick" equipment, that's not what people are trying to buy here. They are looking for "get fit fun" equipment.
51
If it is losing money, how can it be called a phenomenon?
5
@Phil Ask Uber and Lyft. Or the Internet circa 1999.
5
Ride a bike that doesn't move while breathing stale indoor air and watching a TV? Endlessly interact with others so that we can all engage in maniacal competitions to see who's the toughest one of all?
Thanks, but I'll stick with the solo outdoor riding that has served me well for over 30 years. Heat, humidity, cold, wind, rain, a little snow, bugs, annoying drivers, pedestrians in the way -- I'll take all of those for the thrill of moving in the real world, for the peace of being truly alone, and for the satisfaction of motivating myself rather than engaging with that crowd of over-eager wanna-be online stars.
14
@Cary Agree IF you can ride outside away from auto emissions. And avoid being hit by a car or truck. And falling and dislocating shoulder.
8
It’s hard to get outside for a ride when you are juggling young kids and or bad weather. I’d love being able to get outside for long rides but right now I can’t. I can manage to get out for some short runs but something like peloton is great for those of us with limited time.
8
@Tamza
I so agree. An absolutely wonderful man who was a friend was killed by a truck.
We love our Peloton. It’s a wonderful way to keep moving. Even on days when we only have 20 min to spare, we’ve made some progress towards a healthier brain and body.
16
By any measure I’ve been a serious road cyclist (and runner) since my 20s, and I’ve always scoffed at Californians who exercise inside when we have our glorious outdoors available every day. But as I enter my 60s, and as cell phones continue to distract drivers, I’ve embraced Peloton. I still hate gyms, and I still ride on the road when traffic is light and it’s dry outside, but I absolutely love my Peloton workouts.
To all you cyclists sneering, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. And then, while you’re at it, look at how your road metrics improve.
145
@Riley2
I'm a bike commuter and get most of my exercise in the 900 feet of climbing I have to do in a 14 mile RT commute, but occasionally I use my indoor smart trainer.
For $1,000 for a Cycleops trainer (made in Wisconsin) and $75/yr for Rouvy, I get to climb famous hills used for the big bike races in Europe, with the video of the hill on my TV and the software making the resistance match the slope. I usually put some rowdy electronic music on the stereo to make it more bearable. It also have structured workouts if I want to do those.
I think Peloton's problem is that there are established products out there that do much the same thing, but cost less.
7
@mbspd
I stand by my comment. I actually own a Cycleops, and I’ve used a number of software applications. Nothing, to my mind, compares to the fun and engagement of Peloton. It is the only indoor cycling platform, or indoor exercise platform of any kind, that I have truly loved. It has features, enumerated in other comments, that you find nowhere else. I am merely pointing out that there may be reason to believe that Peloton has staying power, in response to those who dismiss it without having personally tried it.
And by the way, since this seems to be a competition, my standard outdoor ride is 21 miles and 1820 vertical feet.
7
@Riley2
Mt. Tam?
That's just what I have to ride to get myself and my 38 pound commuter tank to and from work in Seattle. At 57, one of my favorite things is beating a young buck with a lighter bike going up a hill.
5
You can get as much real bicycle as most need for the price of a Peloton or other stationary spin machine. That bike may well be as good as what Greg LeMond or Lance Armstrong ever rode, but for the high end wheels. For a few hundred bucks more (or even more if you like), you can get a good indoor trainer that does pretty much everything a spin machine does by connecting it to your home computer and running a program such as Zwift. Plus, you can ride it outside like you did when you were a kid! You can even ride and race with others from around the globe, from your home.
9
@Bradley Bleck — Zwift is the best!!!
2
I ride my bike thousands of miles outdoors every year. I have a cheap indoor stand for winter. Want to do intervals? Get a free interval timer app and stick to your schedule. Isn’t that part of the benefit of exercise, to learn discipline and toughness? To ride in wind, rain and mud and embrace it? To just be free to ride where you want?
It seems to me that companies like Peleton are basically selling motivation. Is it better to pay thousands of dollars, or to develop self discipline? Is it better to ride to a canned script on a video screen, or to explore the real world? I really don’t get it.
10
You don’t have to “get it” but it would be nice if you acknowledged that not everyone is like you, thinks the way you think, or wants what you want. To each his (or her) own.
8
@Kat I guess I feel sorry for people who need a very expensive instructor to get a little exercise. I acknowledge that a lot of people aren’t adventurous or self disciplined, but it still makes me sad. It’s a trend I wish society would move away from, rather than embrace and justify.
5
@Jane Doe
Of all the things to be sad about, I can assure you the Peloton community doesn't deserve your pity. Why on earth would people spending their money as they see fit to do something healthy and good for themselves make you so sad?
You may find yourself less distraught if you altered your assumption that people who choose Peloton as part of their fitness routine don't actually shun the outdoors or "exploring the real world"... it's not an either/or kind of thing, it's a convenience and lifestyle thing.
5
Until I can stick a baseball card into a Peloton machine's spokes so it goes burapaburapaburapaburapaburapaburapa I will continue to ride my bikes outside in the fresh air.
49
@Bob Best comment of the week!
5
People should get out into the street and interact with one another. There are tons of group rides in every major city in America, as well as many other cycling clubs and events.
Peloton is like some kind of weird sanitized version of spinning, which is a weird, sanitized version of riding. I think it's maxed-out its appeal already.
Hopefully its a gateway drug.
13
I get that Peloton is not for everybody, whether it's too expensive, too boring, or for whatever other reason not a fit. I'll be the first to admit its just a pricey stationary bike with some bells and whistles. However, there is definitely a broad demographic for which Peloton is a bullseye hit.
For my wife and I, it has been one of the best purchases we've made. We have 4 kids who are 4yrs old and younger, we're both very busy professionals, and staying fit is a necessity in order to keep up with the fast pace of our life.
My wife loves the social aspect of it- she's connected with so many like-minded women through the "peloton physician moms" group, an off-shoot of the 75K+ strong facebook "physician mom group", aka #PMG, which helps her stay motivated and accountable.
I don't really engage with the social aspect of it, but I love that I can routinely get a 30 or 45 minute ride in at 9pm or whenever fits my schedule, without having to leave the house. I enjoy tracking my output and calorie-burn metrics over time and have shed 30 pounds since our twins were born nearly a year ago.
I honestly can't imagine post-IPO retail investment being a good trade for all the market-force reasons cited in the article, but I'll gladly shell out for our monthly membership for as long as the platform is supported.
76
@Ltron
But how long is the platform going to be supported?
1
@smithe
"But how long is the platform going to be supported?" ....
Until it isn't anymore. Just like anything else. As a non-user, why would you worry about that? It's such a weird thing to be negative about.
11
It seems difficult to lose increasingly large amounts of money from selling $2000 exercise bikes with monthly streaming subscriptions that cost more than twice that of Netflix. Seems to have a cultish following maybe that's who they are counting on to buy their IPO.
7
I think the article, and most commenters so far, are overlooking what's made Peloton sticky - the charisma of its instructors. It's not about the physical bike, it's about wanting to join Denis, Hannah Marie, or Matt (or the others) every morning. This social, Facebook-like aspect is what's driving the growth.
14
But what makes the Peloton(R) bike specifically necessary? Couldn’t one stream and track (possibly through a Peloton app) with separate devices coupled with a more affordable, widely applicable spin bike? $3K for a be-all device system from a company losing money sounds like landfill fodder waiting to happen. What do you do when they come out with the Peloton XS? Or when they go bust, get bought or it’s like, 2 yr from now and the tech is old/obsolete?
2
Unless they come up with a way to use the same machine to do different exercises --no.
Anybody that is committed to exercise will tell you that focusing one thing for very long is a real bad idea. from the stand point of muscle grouping you cannot focus in one direction, everything else goes out of balance.
The past is littered with these exercise fads.
6
Hype. Fad. Free advertising. I have some stuff I can sell you too. Exercise your wallet over here buddy.
What is it about get fit quick equipment that I'm missing? Oh yeah, I ride a real bicycle in the real world. Do I need Strava (facebook for cyclists)? Nope. Do I need a special stationery bike for fitness? Nope. Just need the time and the road. No cash needed.
10
So funny! I ride a real bike, on real roads with real people. A Spesh S-Works Tarmac Di2 disk. In the winter, I use an Elite smart trainer and ride routes in Norway, Italy, France and Colorado, projected on a 65" flat panel. My trainer adjusts effort automatically as I climb hills or descend. If I want to ride with/against others, there is Zwift - but I'm not into that during my winter sessions. I also hike, snowshoe, ski x-country and downhill. Call me a crazy, but I like being outdoors. I will tell you this about riding indoors, alone on a trainer or with a group on a screen....it is dead boring. I tried spin class at my local gym but frankly, sweating in place is unpleasant, the loud music annoying and the whole tribal thing irritating. Peloton to me is sort of the Facebook of exercise, at least on Zwift you can hook up with other riders online and benefit from the peer pressure, one on one. But in the end, nothing beats being on your bike, outside, with friends, shooting for the Strava KOM. For the record, I'm 63, have a resting heart rate of 49 and a VO2 max of 42.5....my doctor tells me I have the body of a 40 year old. Maybe it's just a Canadian thing. We have a lot of outside and enjoy using it.
18
It is NOT just a "Canadian thing.".....haha! Overcooked pasta is a Canadian thing. What is up with that?
5
No, exercising outdoors is NOT a "Canadian thing".
3
No, it cannot. Our economy is NOT structured for the longevity of any product, especially not exercise machines. They are fad- and advertising-driven, and soon, like all "new" things to acquire, once received and played with, and once the "newness" wears off (which happens the moment it becomes yours), the owner begins to look for the next "thing". It's why our species is over-consuming the planet's FINITE resources.
The consumer economy is ultimately illogical, unless we can procure a new source of resources, and/or unless the advertising con of "more" stops working. Greed sells.
12
If you want to get an energetic debate going, ask a bunch of road cyclists about Peloton. On one side you have the opinion that if people are engaged and happy in their fitness regimen, and it works for their personal desires, then great. On the other side are those who will never grasp why someone would spend that amount on a Peloton bike, when for that same amount of money you can buy a decent road bike and a smart trainer and access apps like Zwift (and even Peloton subscription services) for group activity at home. And then you have a bike you can use outside. Personally, I think if you have the disposable income and it makes you happy, go with Peloton, but I wouldn't expect the equipment to retain value over time.
19
@Jill I generally agree. But I will note my personal experience as a devoted road rider who for years put my bike on an indoor trainer during the winter and on bad weather days. I happened to receive a Peloton bike as a gift almost two years ago. Since then, I have not once put my road bike on the trainer, but I've done over 200 Peloton rides. The classes are fun, challenging, efficient, convenient and safe. I still ride on the road, but only when the weather is nice, the traffic light, and I have two or three hours to do so. Based on my Strava metrics, the Peloton has definitely benefitted my fitness for riding on the road. I'll add that the Peloton is the only stationary bike I've tried that has the feel, durability and stability of a good road bike; it's an excellent piece of equipment, worth investing in if you enjoy cycling and will put it to use.
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@Kenneth Alcorn But that's where a program such as Zwift comes in. We may not have the motivational leader, but we do have the motivation of actually chasing someone down in real time, though it may be on the screen. So, I don't need Peloton when I have a bike to slap on the trainer. Maybe it's six of one (Peloton), half dozen of the other (my spare bike on a Wahoo Snap running Zwift). Why not put your bike on a trainer and spend the savings a set of bling wheels for outside? Since yours was a gift, I get it, but were it my money, I just can't see dropping that kind of money on something that has limited utility, and I ride a lot indoors during the winter months, while continuing to ride outdoors regardless of weather (studded tires FTW!).
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@Bradley Bleck Sure, everybody has to make their own cost/benefit analysis, as well their risk assessment (props for the all-weather riding). Zwift is cool. If I recall correctly, I once climbed some of Mt. Lemmon via Zwift. My point is that Peloton need not be seen as anathema to road cycling. In addition to the positives I mentioned in my first post, I enjoy the coaching, the music, and the camaraderie that is facilitated by the interface, as well as the competitiveness of the leader board. I never suggest someone get one without trying a few classes first. I was lucky one was gifted to me, but I wouldn't hesitate to pay to replace it if I had to (assuming, of course, I could afford it). Another plus is that the subscription is for the bike, so it can be used by multiple users without additional cost. My wife has no interest in road cycling (other than cruising around the neighborhood on her three-speed now and then), but she likes the Peloton classes. Anyway, happy riding on your ride of choice!
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Interesting the article didn't mention cycling apps such as Zwift and TrainerRoad. These apps offer monthly/annual subscriptions, but w/out the need to purchase proprietary equipment. Folks who subscribe are mostly serious cyclists/athletes and would be working out regardless of the venue and format required. As such they pretty much guarantee longevity and a continuous revenue stream. As a former certified personal trainer and group fitness trainer I can attest to the notion that only a small percentage of the general public will continue long-term w/any sort of pricey program. I don't have the figures, but would guess these apps and apps such as Strava, (primarily for outdoor fitness) would be the most sustainable fitness training programs given their user population, convenience (no classes or group setting is required) and the costs to participate.
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Short answer? No. Looking forward to buying one in a coupla years at the thrift store to benefit a good local charity. I'll use it once or twice, then my assembly artist wife will make a really cool lawn sculpture out of it. Gotta get back to my shake weight if I can find it.
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I’ve been looking for my ThighMaster!
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@runaway
Looking for my Hula Hoop.
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Peloton fits today’s world, people that want to interact with others but only virtually!
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I got a Peleton because I love road biking but find it difficult to find the time to get out consistently enough to be in shape, especially in the off season. The Peleton classes are engaging enough to keep me on the bike indoors, something that other spin bikes and trainers for my Specialized couldn't do. I think there is a fad element, but hopefully there are enough people on the platform that genuinely enjoy cycling to keep it going.
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My sister got a Nordic Track in the 1980's along with the VHS video tapes. Six months later it was in her living room covered with winter coats. It remained there until the late 1990's...the seasons and the coat styles were the only changes. The Nordic Track was sold in a moving garage sale in "New" condition and for much less... I faithfully attend my RPM cycling classes every week and share my time with live cyclists.
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I've used the app at my gym since it became available. I've done over 400 spin classes, and my wife uses the tread workouts at the gym and does the yoga strength. I'm over 3 years in and continue to love the product. It's like having a personal trainer only much less expensive.
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I enjoy my Peloton workouts but would never purchase a bike. Thankfully my local YMCA owns two cycles.
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So now we have exercise as entertainment to distract us from what’s really happening and mindfulness to get us back to the moment...whiplash. No wonder we’re so stressed out.
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@DTP "Exertainment" isn't wrong, but it's also misleading. Some of the instructors double as yoga instructors, and there's often a focus on mindfulness, not distraction. Sure, there's music, and in some classes Soul-Cyclish dancing (I avoid those), mindfulness is a major Peloton theme.
I'm not a fanboy--sort of a lukewarm Peloton user (great bike; don't love the programming)--but credit where credit is due.
Jim
I’d love to have a Peloton bike, who wouldn’t? However my income is less than $1000 a month. Food and shelter are my main priorities now. Can you spare a water bottle?
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@CosmosHuman If you have Internet access regularly, use Youtube for fitness. There are tons of instructors there -- some even well-known and certified -- who upload fitness sessions regularly. No cost to attend those sessions and also in the comfort of your own home.
Many don't require any equipment or you can used modified items -- like filling that water bottle with water to use as a weight.
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@CosmosHuman The digital app, which I use, is $19.95/month, no bike or treadmill needed for most of the workouts.
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@CosmosHuman
Thank you for the honest response to the patronizing gluttony of redundant luxury equipment companies, catering to the privileged, well funded by private equity, touted as the model of brilliance by HBS, and related party media companies, all now likely desperate to get out and move on to safer investment pastures. It's well past prime time. It's last exit, just before a recession when consumers will cut ancillary luxuries like a subscription to content they can source for free.
Wall Street's latest investment in totally unnecessary environmental waste. The miniscule market share proves, its not market worthy. We don't need it. With components strategically sourced from China to save on costs and take advantage of cheaper foreign labor just as Mr. Trump demands US businesses reverse course, and losses are mounting, growth tenable, why buy-in? Why invest? Why help the roaches exit the motel and be left holding the bag for Wall Street Elite and their Oligarch Bankers? Mr. Foley is a brilliant man. Let him build a profitable business before passing it to retail investors and consumers drowning in debt so debilitating, they likely don't have time to play with Unicorns today.
Is this what Jamie Dimon meant by feeding Steak holders?
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Foley looked at his kids' pet guinea pig spinning away at that wheel in his cage, thoughtfully looked up into his cartoon balloon idea cloud and envisioned people doing the same, and brilliantly conceived the idea of a constant online live coach, collective connected peers, equipment and service sales, and billions of dollars for himself. Brilliant sales and marketing, a few years go buy (sic) and millions of compulsives disappear from the streets, American Dream achieved. Bravo. Next genius move, dump it off to the public market where, monetization achieved, it's real world value will accordingly plummet as competition and cult fad addicts divide and recede. New business explosion for junkyards, recycling of course never possible. All risks and costs externalized. Buy a reality show network. Capitalism at its very best.
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@marek pyka Cynical but accurate
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NordicTrack originated in Chaska, MN (now in Logan, UT). Many people got on the bandwagon by purchasing the NordicTrack cross-country ski machine in the 1980's. Most of these dust covered units can be purchased for pennies on the dollar at garage sales across Minnesota. Friends who swore by them now have either a treadmill or Peloton rival (less expensive) bike.
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@Reggie
Who doesn't remember NordicTrack, the $500 clothing rack?
But Peloton is different! This thing could even be bigger than Curves!
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