Platoon scored a hard week with a bright spot, teasing the next great addition to your home exercise offerings. In a blink of an eye, you’ll miss it, the connected fitness brand confirmed the upcoming launch of a rowing machine for the home. Other than a quick glance and a “coming soon” graphic, that’s apparently all we’ve got for now.
From the quick shots, the rower is aesthetically in line with the company’s existing bikes and treadmills. It appears to be an all-black sit-up machine with a standard resistance cable and a large screen for viewing Peloton fitness courses.
The system was briefly introduced as part of their two-day “Member Event.” The company notes: “Peloton will bring a best-in-class fitness experience to the world of rowing! Combining cardio and strength, Peloton is excited to add this full-body workout to its powerful arsenal of content.”
Image credits: platoon
The product has been rumored since last year, though it seems likely that the company’s ongoing financial difficulties derailed an earlier launch. New CEO Barry McCarthy outlined the company’s existing inventory problems on a recent investor call, noting:
The balance sheet challenge has been inventory management. We have too much for the current run rate of the business, and that inventory has consumed an enormous amount of cash, more than we expected, prompting us to rethink our capital structure (more on that in a bit). Fortunately, the risk of obsolescence is negligible and we believe the inventory will be sold eventually, so this is primarily a cash flow timing issue, not a structural issue.
Launching an entirely new product line is a risky move for a company struggling to move old stock. Of course, financial issues aside, the Peloton brand remains strong in this category, and the addition of a much-requested piece of hardware could certainly boost adoption.
Rowing machines have become an increasingly popular third option for full-body workouts, after fitness bikes and treadmills. Companies like Hydrow and Ergatta have been pushing to fill a large segment of the home fitness enthusiast that Peloton has so far left on the table.
Image credits: platoon
Along with the rower sneak peek, Peloton also announced a number of new features, including Invite Friends, which allows users to schedule collaborative workouts within the app. Just Workout, meanwhile, allows non-Peloton runs, bikes and walks to be tracked in the app, so users can add up their outdoor excursions. The company says that Just Workout was “consistently one of the most requested features.”
The company also announced plans to open its Peloton Studios in New York and London for member trainings.
