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6 Month Peloton Review

ADR Surgery

I cannot believe I’ve had my Peloton bike for six months, time flies! To commemorate I wanted to do a quick review and answer some FAQ’s.

Why a Peloton?

I’ve shared a little bit about my back surgeries and pain here and I mention it now because the Peloton was a solution to a lot of the back pain I was experiencing after completing certain types of workouts. Cycling/spinning does not cause my back any pain post workout and that is the biggest WIN for me.

I wanted to invest in a piece of equipment that I knew would last. I also have an elliptical that has lasted over ten years so I knew I could find something that would last that long and possibly longer!

The wide range of classes and world class instructors helped me make the final decision. The instructors are dedicated to health & fitness at the highest level and it’s pretty fun how accessible they are via Instagram and Facebook.

Leggings | Sports Bra/Top | Socks

What kinds of workouts are available?

There are so many different types of cycling classes; metric focused, heart rate zone training, power zone training, tabata style, hiit, beginer, live DJ rides, low impact, interval & arms, climbs, and even pro cyclist led classes. Theme classes are also available at certain times; Black History, Maroon 5, Backstreet Boys, Christmas ride, Thanksgiving ride, etc. I’ve also enjoyed taking instructor’s series rides, Cody just ended his 6 week “Show Up” ride series and I loved the personal touch he added to why he ‘shows up’ and hearing other rider’s stories too. With so much variety- it’s never boring!

Aside from cycling – there are also running classes (Outdoor and Indoor/treadmill), yoga/stretching, and strength training for every body part!

What is the monthly fee?

The monthly fee if you have the bike (or tread)- is $39/month. This gives you access to all Live and On Demand classes. However, you are only required to pay for the first month then you can opt out. If you opt out – you will still see metrics (cadence/speed, output, and resistance) on your screen, but no instructor guided classes available.

The $39 monthly fee includes the Peloton digital app that you can download to your phone or tablet or cast to a tv screen. This app has all the same Peloton classes as your bike and tread’s touchscreen. It is convenient to use the digital app to complete the yoga or strength training classes on another screen with more space rather than only on your bike or tread’s screen. It is also nice to have when traveling and not near your bike.

You can also purchase the Peloton digital app for $19/month if you don’t have the bike. All the classes are the same and it is accessible via your phone or tablet.

What is installation like?

If you live in an area that doesn’t have a local Peloton showroom, a third party company will schedule an installation appointment shortly after you place your Peloton order. They come to your home, set up the bike, show you how it works, and take all the boxes and trash with them as they go! Doesn’t get much easier!

What is my favorite class/instructor?

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already know my favorite instructor is Cody Rigsby, hands down! For someone like me that isn’t keen on spinning, he makes every workout fun, enjoyable, and light-hearted. He is my favorite but I also take classes from other instructors too.  Robin Arzon is hard core- expect a tough workout, Emma Lovewell always produces a well-rounded workout with fun dance-like music, Matt Wilpers and Dennis Morton have a great PowerZone training program, and Ally Love is a total rockstar with feel good quotes and empowering motivation! I also took one class from an actual cycling pro- that was a cool experience. Oh – Groove classes, how can I forget! Groove classes make you feel like you’re dancing on the bike. The instructor adds choreography to the music and guides you to move in and out of your seat on the beat. Honestly – there are so many other types of classes I haven’t even gotten to yet! You can take an instructor personality quiz (here) to see which instructor would best suit your needs. With so many options, it’s definitely a great starting point.

*For more info on Power & Heart Zone Training – read here 

Live classes vs On Demand?

A Live schedule of classes posts about 2 weeks out. I find all my favorite classes and instructors and “join” the workout. Then I receive a reminder notification on my phone approximately 15 minutes before the Live class begins. I take the Live classes if they happen to work with my schedule, its pretty fun to follow the live leaderboard! Also – I always plan to do a Live class when I hit a milestone bc – hello- you get a special shoutout from the instructor! I got shoutouts from Cody for my 50th and 100th rides, see highlights saved on my personal Instagram stories under the bicycle emoji.

After each class airs Live, it goes into the On Demand library where you can access it any time of day. There are so many class choices, and an easy filtering option to find exactly what you’re looking for. Filter options range from length (15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90 minutes), music genre, type of workout, arms portion or no arms, and instructor. You can also bookmark a class you like to go back to later.

What is the music like?

Under the filtering option, you can choose a workout by type of music. Options range from alternative, country, classic rock, electronic, hip hop, indie, latin, pop, R&B, or rock. My personal favorite is the Y2K pop, or 90s pop! Since I’ve had my bike, there have been numerous app software updates. Peloton is constantly improving the rider experience. For example, the newest update gives audio options where you can choose to hear more music, more instructor, or an equal balance of the two. I’ve found that to be a helpful option when I want to zone out to the music and just ride! Also, sometimes I’ll want to do a certain type of workout but know the music isn’t my favorite- so I will turn on the closed captions and use music from my phone and listen through my airpods.

How often do you use your Peloton?

I use my Peloton daily, sometimes twice a day! Like any workout regime, it is important to take rest days. So- I don’t use it every single day, but I definitely use it often. Even on rest days, there is a workout you can take for some active recovery.

Is it worth the money?

For me, it has definitely been worth the money. I look at it as an equivalent price of a monthly gym membership (+ the initial bike investment). There’s also 0% financing options available through Peloton if you don’t want to pay the entire bike cost up front. Also – this bike is super smooth. I went to a SoulCycle class after having my Peloton for about 2 months and I missed my smooth riding Peloton within minutes. Also – seeing the metrics (cadence/speed, output, resistance) on my screen and knowing the resistance number when I turn the knob up or down helps me ride more efficiently, and in turn push myself to get a better workout.

What is my real opinion?

  • When researching, I really focused on quality and durability. I wanted to invest in a piece of equipment that would last and I am confident I will have this bike to use for years to come.
  • I love being able to workout whenever I want. When I would run outside, I was restricted to only daylight hours. Even when I had gym memberships, the time constraints were limiting.
  • No matter what, I know every time I hop on my bike I will get in a great sweat sesh and not have to worry about pain later in the day. Low impact life!
  • In all honesty – I would much rather run or workout outside! I am still getting use to  working out in one spot.

I hope this review has been informative for anyone out there researching and contemplating a future investment in a piece of home gym equipment, or someone wanting to learn what the Peloton experience is all about! I read a lot of reviews of many brands, pieces, and manufacturers before I purchased my Peloton bike and they definitely helped me make my decision. If you have any questions I didn’t mention, let me know and I’d be happy to answer as best I can, just use the comment option below! Thank you for reading!

Before you go, let’s talk outfit details! These pants are Lululemon’s Everlux fabric. I bought them when I was on my search for leggings with pockets. Unfortunately, no pockets here – but I loved the fit. I usually go a looser fit, but these are slightly more compressed than I am used to and categorized as the “hugged” sensation (Engineered To Feel Like A Comfortable Embrace Throughout—It Holds You Close And Moves With You *from Lulu website). My top is a sports bra from Zella and I love it bc its basically an extended length sports bra. Socks are Stance, fave!

Pictures & Video by: Trey Tagliaferri

Lighting and Assisting by: Mikey Tagliaferri

*If you end up purchasing a bike or tread of your own, use my referral code NBD49C  & earn $100 at the Peloton Boutique!

 

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