The pandemic has forced restaurants to close, retail stores to shutter and gyms to go bankrupt. However, Peloton, best known for its at-home spin bike, has been insanely profitable and successful.
The company experienced a 130 percent increase in sales in the first quarter of 2021, according to its CEO’s most recent figures. The bike almost sells itself: Sweat in the comfort and privacy of your home, on your schedule, and remove excuses about not having time to get to the gym (or not wanting to shower in the locker room). “It’s a mode of exercise that can be performed and enjoyed by potentially anybody,” says J. Bryan Mann, Ph.D., assistant professor of kinesiology and sports sciences at the University of Miami in Coral Gables. What’s more, the bike is delivered to your home and assembled by a team who’ll show you how it works.
The Peloton offers an interactive and reimagined approach to strenuous cardio workouts, taking the stationary bike to the next level. This high-end indoor bicycle has a WiFi-enabled touchscreen, allowing riders to livestream classes or take them round-the-clock. You get a challenging, high-tech and competitive workout whenever you want. Upbeat instructors offer rides accompanied by various musical soundtracks (‘80s rock, anyone?). New bike boot camps combine cycling and strength training. “You can do what you want and when you want,” says Mann. “The accessibility of it is a huge thing.”
In this time when we’re so isolated, that sense of community typically attainable at a gym won’t be lost.
You’ll feel like you’re in a packed riding studio, even if you’re just in your basement or bedroom. “It’s the best way people can stay connected,” says Mann. “The workout is done in a manner where it’s a class, but you’re on your own,” he adds. Instructors may even give a shout out to those reaching milestones like 50, 100 or more rides or call out a rider’s name on their birthday. Plus, you can compete with other riders via a live leaderboard that ranks riders based on output, or total wattage of energy expended.
You’ll also find an online community of Peloton enthusiasts and instructors with 1.4 million Instagram followers (@onepeloton) and over 411,000 Facebook members on their official page. Like-minded folks cheer each other on in their health and wellness journey and form friendships beyond their workout.
In the Peloton mom group, for example, members discuss everything from bike questions to house paint color choices.
Initial entry into the world of Peloton can come at a steep price, with bikes costing nearly $2,000. Add on special cycling shoes that clip into the pedals, along with a $39 monthly fee required for access to classes and the dollar amount may begin to feel daunting. However, many say it is a well-worth-it investment, citing the adage that you can’t put a price on your health. “It’s not just about losing weight,” says Mann. “It’s about helping the total well-being.”