What a $4,000 Treadmill Means for the Future of Gadgets

The bike is amazing -- between my commute and job, I don't have time for the gym, and the bike is a gym workout that I can do from home. I will definitely check out the treadmill too. It's a luxury that isn't for everyone -- but it seems like there are certainly dumber (and less healthy) ways to spend my discretionary income!

Lots of easy laughs/scolding about just going outside and riding a bike, but . . . Nearly everyone I know who rides seriously/frequently has had a bad fall or accident and many have broken bones.

My assumption with these products is that many (if not most) buyers are already fit! It is an adjunct to other exercises. My wife and I are avid runners / half marathoners but the Detroit winters make running challenging at times. These devices seem to bring the gym to our home without weathering the cold and offering solid cross training.

This story reminds me of the friend I had who detested running. He regarded it as the greatest drudgery. But he owned a treadmill because he said the only thing that made the exercise palatable for him was having the TV next to him - he could only bring himself to run, he said, if he could watch television while doing it. I always told him, with tongue fully in cheek, that he should run a treadmill marathon; or create a treadmill marathon event. It looks like that day's not far off, and some people don't find such ideas so absurd.

The $4,000 price tag makes it easily resistant for me.

Still using an old Bruce Jenner (Can I still call it that?) pedal treadmill from the 1990s! I don't seem to need anyone yelling at me.

I deplore this product endorsement disguised as a tech talk or whatever it is called. This reporter bought their hard to believe priced stationary bike. As they say, misery loves company - he is trying to suckers others in on this scam. The NYT does a disservice to its readers by advertising these outlandish products. And when they eventually fail commercially - the same reporter(s) will write up another story. I remember that $700 juicer once promoted in these pages. I read that you will be lucky to sell it for $70.

This just feels like the "Juicero" of fitness, doesn't it? Why spend a few hundred bucks on a good spin bike and stream content for free to a TV you probably already own when you could spend $2K on the bike plus $500/year for content? Is there not a competitor out there who could simply produce the streaming content at a reduced price (and you use your own bike)? Strike that, I just came up with this idea myself, no one else take it! The competitive gap would only be a) you wouldn't see your "score" alongside everyone else and b) you wouldn't get the thrill of the coach shouting out your name (low odds of that ever happening). That said, people are spending $1K on a phone that does little more that regular phones except it can read your face (!?!), so what the heck do I know?

I will stick to my $125 exercise bike I purchased through Amazon -- serves me well. I put it in front of my iMac so I can watch Netflix. Do this for 60 minutes a day -- good exercise for this old guy.

That's a lot of money for what essentially will be something to hang your clothes on to dry most of the year. Face it, no one really uses these things. They buy them with the best intentions, but they are boring, no amount of video content can change that.

Just go outside. Run on a trail, bike in the rain, traipse through the snow. All this costs is a little time (well, and maybe a lift pass - but I backcountry, so there!). You'll see things, hear things, and sure, get annoyed at things, but it'll be real. There's a special distain that I have for the sterility of indoor workouts, let alone exercise equipment. You're being sold a bill of goods.

This is hilarious. The treadmill is advertised as offering a "full-body" workout, and the accompanying pic shows a lady with a dumbell off to the side of the machine. I believe the interactive class idea is a good one, but this company wants to have its cake (or wheatgrass) and eat it too. In addition to the $150/mo payment for the machine (not sure if that includes the APR), a user pays another $40 for the class? Too heavy for an apartment? Who's the target consumer here?

I resent companies who purport to be able to “...created an experience that people...love...” The experiences I love I create myself--in this case: 100,000 miles and twenty years of biking in traffic, on trails, in woods, up mountains, down hills, through desert and rain forest, on ice and in rain, in races and commutes and store trips, etc. etc. Company like this basically sells religion: a mediocre little product and some slick theatrics (or, nowadays, slick app) and people forgoes the belief that they can achieve whatever goal by themselves and thinks that they can buy these "experiences" on the cheap.

They make a great bike. But Zwift is a better product long term. Many more options, global, everything from competitive racing to rides and workouts for newer riders. You can use your own bike and it works with any computer or ipad or iphone.

So first lets get this out of the way. Yes, going outside with a pair of shoes for a walk or run or a bike ride is cheaper, but that does not mean the bike or treadmill is not worth getting. We all choose how to spend our money, and most of us do not buy the cheapest car because it has 4 wheels and will get us somewhere, buy the cheapest coffee because it has caffeine, or not buy books because we can go to the library. For me running outside is too hard on my knees, walking takes too long and doesn't get the heart rate up enough, and the weather is often not nice where I live. There are few bike paths and I've seen too many bike injuries. I go to the gym, but because of a busy work schedule, I've averaged 3 times a month the past year. I bought a Peloton bike a month ago. So far I've done 19 rides, and they are as long or longer than I spent on the elliptical trainer at the gym. The coaching and seeing my performance statistics pushes me to work harder than I usually would. I plan to continue going to the gym for the weights, and that part of my workout should be more efficient as I don't have to spend the time doing cardio, and I'll have more energy for weight lifting as I won't be tired from having done cardio first. The bike allows unlimited users in a household to set up accounts, so if you have two or more people using it, the cost is even more reasonable. In addition they offer a number of other workouts, such as yoga and stretching, that's included in the price.

My household has had a Peloton bike for over a year now. It was worth every penny. The bike is high quality, very well made. The instructors are excellent across the board. Classes are motivating and fun AND you get a great workout. Another huge perk is the community. It is so nice to connect with a group of like minded individuals. We have been waiting for the treadmill announcement for a while now and am looking forward to checking it out.

It's a good product with a good experience. The user base is growing for this reason, and venture groups are fairly thorough in their analysis before committing investor money. I think there is a correlation between affordability and disdain for the product, and I empathize with this. I am not a cyclist and I think it's awesome. Also was never really a "class" person and yet avid exerciser and enjoy most kinds of activity. Male, early 30s, two kids. I would definitely recommend the product if you can swing it. I was 50/50 and almost like "man, I hope this thing is as good as the cultish base of fans say it is". I've had it maybe 2 months and have done 20 or so rides and it's definitely a cornerstone in my workouts now. Particularly good for you if: 1. A class environment encourages you to stretch your cardio limits 2. You live in a place where biking / cardio in winter is challenging (snow, big city, etc) 3. You combine #2 above with having a busy schedule 4. You combine 2, 3, and a few kids (you have children). Can't beat the convenience of it, as well as the quality of the workout. I've enjoyed every one of them so far.

The article quotes the company CEO in saying that a 40 minute full body workout will burn 700 Calories. Although this is possible for very well-conditioned athletes, the average person will have trouble with this pace, which is the equivalent of running sub-6 minute miles for 40 minutes. I say this only to lend credence to one cause of obesity in this country: people underestimate their consumption of food and overestimate their calories burned doing exercise.

While there are certainly variations depending on where one lives, for much of the year there is this really cool place called outside. Running shoes and bicycles work especially well there. I have a treadmill at home and Y membership, but nothing beats getting outside.

After riding my Peloton bike almost daily,for two years,I'm tempted by this. I've never considered a treadmill before,but if it's got the Peloton name on it,it'll be far more than a treadmill.

I just got the Peloton bike, and it's great. I have children and can't make it to the gym. I like the classes and the workout enough to actually get up at 5:30 am. It's all about what you personally value, and what works for you. I think the treadmill looks pretty interesting if I can combine my subscriptions, and get strong enough to run again. Personally, I would rather drive a cheaper car, and spend money on my health.

It is not necessary to have a TV or computer screen for exercise. People should concentrate on their exercise and be here in the present. It is not healthy to have to always focus at the near-point while walking or moving. It is much more beneficial to relax one's eyes and look out in the distance.

Peloton's success has mostly to do with finding a way to entice the affluent to exercise. I don't have much sympathy for those who buy a quality piece of exercise equipment and then don't have the sticktoitiveness to stay with it unless they get a new gimmick that adds to Peloton's bottom line. Heaven help them if their WiFi goes down. There are expensive bikes and treadmills that justify a high cost because they don't flex, squeak or break down after a year or two of use. That's what should keep users going. I predict this "reinvention" of home fitness machines will pass into oblivion like pet rocks.

I have a great hybrid road bike that I love to ride outside in the nice weather. I did buy a Kinetic trainer several years ago that I clip my bike into. It's compact and the resistance is very similar to riding in high gear along a flat trail. You can pick one up at REI for about $299 or get one used since they don't ever break. I go for 40 minutes at about 65-70 RPM and I'm drenched after the workout. I use my music apps for motivation. One can also use the Peloton app on a tablet if that's your thing. If you really want the workout of your life try the Assault Air bike. Crushing workout beyond what any exercise bike including the Peleton can provide.

$4,000 can keep you stocked up with fine running gear for at least a few years. Plus, for those of us who are not "joiners," I can't think of anything I want to do less than workout on an overpriced 'dreadmill' with some person constantly interrupting my run with instructions or whatever. People, get outside, take off the headphones, and listen to your feet fall and breath as you glide across the ground. That's what's best about running.

It means nothing. A $4K treadmill is a high end excess only the 1% will spring for thus virtually no one will own one. Rendering it not relevant to regular people. Next.

Brand spanking new treadmill design every year should keep the economy going gangbusters… Especially for Chiner. Most stupid Americans want a brand new whiz bang gadget that promises to shed all those dorRito pounds with little or no work… Just look at the TV advertisements that some organization, some scammer, has paid discount rates for, for those late night-viewers. Then, they will complain that the gadget/Wiz bang did not “Perform as advertised”, and set it outside on the sidewalk, in the junk heep of commercial product-development-Americana. Did I Throw in a remark about Trump real estate values declining? Well, there you go!

If this is the type of CEO innovator being produced by Harvard Business School, the institution truly is a big Larry Summers joke. The author should note that Peloton is a paid advertiser.

Totally silly. The subliminal message is that if you cough up these high prices (and ongoing fees) for the equipment, you will magically become fit. Hard to believe that people swallow that line. In truth, if you can't get yourself up and walking, running or whatever, no amount of money spent will make the effort easier or more tolerable for very long. Put your wallet back in your pocket, get up off the couch, put down the fork, take a nice walk and keep it up for several months. I guarantee your results will equal or exceed those on these golden chariots.

Count me in. Peloton understands the millennial work out mentality. Orange theory classes are packed and this is basically orange theory for the home. And the treadmill looks like a great machine even without the programmed "workouts"

Around here in Californica, a big trendy thing is a BIG truck, with the lone cargo of a treadmill-stomper in back: This rolling advertisement is testament that the BIGLEY endowed individual is doing something BIG for society and the populations of the world in general.

We are all aware that in a cycling race, the peloton is the word that describes a mindless herd chasing the leaders?

@MollyWood of the @MarketplaceTech podcast vowed that she will ask every company in 2018 "How are you protecting data and who owns it?" This is a great vow. How about you Farhad, is this something you should be doing? For example, Peloton will be collecting data from people's homes in order to "...tailored to your preferences and athletic abilities..." What else will Peloton be doing with that data? How will they ensure that it won't be stolen? Why should a consumer spend $x per month on a service while supplying personal data that the company will potentially - likely - monetize? It's time for people to rethink giving away their data for free to a company that might not secure it.

There will always be fools lining up to buy the next gizmo. Maybe, for a bit less, lace up a pair of Chucks and go for a long walk?

Working out and staying healthy and fit should NOT just be for people who can buy expensive workout gear. What society should encourage, is people doing inexpensive athletic activities at home or in free public spaces. We all benefit from having fit, healthy fellow citizens. We don't want to just have people eating cheeseburgers in bed.

I wish someone made bikes that could be ridden outside. Wait. What?

Buy a $499 hybrid bike, get on the road and ride. Totally awesome and I guarantee you won't feel like a robot. Don't waste your money on Peloton.

I have owned an exercise bike for years. It sits in my kitchen, and sits, and sits, and sits.......

If you're dumb enough to buy this over-priced junk you have too much money and need to spend some time in the Peace Corp.

There are plenty of other stand alone and cloud based cycling and fitness services and software that don't cost a fortune. Not sure who Peloton is trying to appeal to other than those anxious to show how much $$ they can spend. Good luck with that.

This $4000 Treadmill like the $2k TV bike and $1k iPhone is an IQ test: are you stupid enough to drink the Kool-Aid? Watching some tatted up hipster "instructor" yell at people on a TV screen is not a class any more than a picture of an airplane can fly you to London. Do yourself a favor- buy a good bike and keep the rest of the money for a vacation as a reward when you hit a milestone goal. Or join your local YMCA and you can swim, bike, dance, lift, play B-ball and all the rest with real live people who live near you.

I don't understand the continued appeal of the spin cycle. Pudendal neuralgia, anyone? I would never pay $4K for a treadmill, despite the fact that I'm clearly in the target group for Peloton. (Hate to work out at the gym and do it on my own at home.)

Looks like it would take at least 2 people to haul it downstairs to the garage sale.

The price alone screams that it is not significantly better. Like ever. But that's just me. There's no way I would spend this much on a piece of exercise equipment. That's insane. If you go on a site like Amazon you'd be way better off searching for good treadmills at reasonable pricing, if you can't find areas to run outside. Though biking is focused more on lower body it is still an extremely effective exercise. I would even say it's almost better than running outside, the most effective realistic form of running, as it is a low impact exercise. You want to have an effective full body work out you'll need to step off the treadmill for that. Like any treadmill. And if the service is the main selling point, what is going to happen when people aren't into the classes? Timing and motivation will no doubt intrude into being engaged into these classes. No way they are worth it to me. I don't need to tune into some class to get in shape.

This doesn't mention that besides high-intensity spin classes, Peloton also offers scenic rides that can be done at your own pace and are quite beautiful, and Beyond the Bike workouts that can create a full body workout. We have the bike - it is great for apartment dwelling middle-aged mom and dad who work full time and don't have the time to make it to a gym. Considering gym memberships in NYC for two can be $$$ a month or $$$ per class, we're amortizing the cost with daily workouts. The constant class updates/changing set lists/instructors and Beyond the Bike workouts keep it engaging and, for us, the metrics allows it to feel competitive. Love. It.

This piece fails to mention the strongest part of Peloton's market strategy: you don't need the hardware to gain access to the product. I use (and love) the standalone smartphone app ($12.99/mo) at the gym, and my cost-per-ride is less than a dollar. I use a clip to attach my phone to a spin bike (at my gym, there's a room filled with 20 spin bikes that sit idle almost all day). I prefer wireless headphones, but at first I used wired ones and that actually worked. When you use the app without the bike, you lose the real-time interactivity, but for me that's a moot issue since I prefer the 'on-demand', pre-recorded classes anyway. You also lose the (basically meaningless) Peloton-bike-based measures of output or effort the classes tell you to aim for, but that's how spin classes have always worked, and it works fine. Why does Peloton charge customers who buy their outrageously-priced bikes twice as much -er-month for the same app? Because they can!

Something for the young at heart and fat of wallet. What I'd like to see is something for the old of heart and thin of wallet. At 78 years of age and having survived three heart attacks, I'm not running for anything, even planes leaving for home. But I don't dare turn into a couch potato. So I walk, slowly, on bad knees, joining others of like ability. This does not work well on icy roads. With the nation aging rapidly, one woud think there's an underserved fitness equipment market out there. We aren't all training for the Olympics. Broaden out, Peloton.

I actually "test rode" a Peloton bike at Short Hills Mall last evening. It was definitely smooth and quiet. I didn't mind the $2,000 price tag, but I do object to paying the $39 monthly subscription fee. Recurring fees are just annoying when there is already so much (free) content on YouTube.