It’s a fitness program that has become a cultural phenomenon, but is it any good? Judging by the status of this selfie, we’d say yes.
During the Sydney lockdown last year, I joined a cult.
While it may sound dramatic, it’s not the kind of group I know your mind instantly pictured. Instead, it’s one that helps people become healthier and fitter, all without leaving the confines of our own homes.
The cult in question is Platoon, a American fitness platform that launched in Australia in July, just before the Delta variant plunged many of us into long lockdowns.
The US company was launched in 2012 with the help of a Kickstarter campaign and offers its members access to classes through its app. But unlike similar fitness offerings, it also sells equipment, giving users the option to work up a sweat on bikes and treadmills led by live instructors.
Peloton Australia Country Manager Karen Lawson said that since arriving on our shores it has amassed nearly 4,000 Australian members who have joined the brand’s 6.2 million users worldwide, from the US to Australia. , Canada, UK and Germany.
“It’s been exciting to see our Australian community take off,” he told news.com.au, revealing that Australians “had jumped in feet first to build and nurture a passionate local community.”
He also said that it’s the community aspect that really “sets Peloton apart” from its competitors. The brand’s mantra “Together we go far” is even a cutesy nod to its “fitness tribe” that is as active on social media as it is at home.
“Everyone is welcome in the Peloton Australia family, regardless of age, fitness level, location or background,” said Karen.
So when Sydney’s second lockdown happened, just a few weeks after the brand’s launch, I decided to take the plunge.
Like many Australians, the first wave of the pandemic hit me hard. It was a mentally draining time, and as a result, I had nothing left to stay in shape. I gained weight, but more worryingly, I felt horrible.
When life started moving again, it took me months to get back into the groove, so this time, I didn’t want to find myself back at square one.
However, I was in need of a strong drink when I discovered the prices.
Now, he knew the prices were high. But I have to admit I was surprised by the initial outlay. Especially as a single person surviving on one income.
Peloton Bike and Bike+ are $2,295 and $3,695 respectively and both require an ongoing $59 per month membership that provides access to all content and creates accounts for the entire household.
The brand’s treadmills are not currently available in Australia.
After recovering from the price shock, I opted for the Bike+ because the screen was flexible and I quickly discovered that it was more than just a fancy spinning bike.
The platform offers a huge catalog of content that I was able to access through the bike screen as well as the app on my phone.
These included spinning and treadmill workouts along with HIIT and strength sessions. There were also yoga, pilates and dance classes.
Audio-only options were also available that allowed for outdoor running and walking, as well as guided meditations and stretching classes.
Having such a wide variety of options helped justify the initial outlay, though it’s worth noting that Aussies can access the app without buying a bike for just $16.99 a month. So you could follow a workout on a different bike at home, or even at a gym if you really wanted to.
The sheer volume of content, along with over 50 of the “world’s best instructors,” is something Karen said the company was extremely proud of.
“We are very fortunate to have a diverse group of Peloton instructors who come from many different backgrounds, each bringing their own unique story and perspective to the platform,” he said.
“The identification and authenticity our instructors share with their class members is a key component in creating those meaningful connections you often hear about.
“If you train with a favorite Peloton instructor a few times a week, you really get to know him.”
Karen is not wrong about that. After my first class with instructor Cody Rigsby, I found myself following him on Instagram and, in the process, realizing just how big the “cult Peloton” is, as it’s been jokingly called.
Cody has over a million followers on social media and recently competed on the US version of dancing with the stars.
Yet here he was, kicking my ass, albeit through a computer screen.
And boy, do spinning workouts hurt. They’re very painful, but the ‘I can’t feel my lungs, this must be working’ kind of thing.
And prepare to sweat. The substance dripped down on me, but although it was disgusting, it was very gratifying.
If I’m brutally honest, I thought a home workout would be a walk in the park compared to one at a gym. After all, you can’t just slack off in front of a real-life instructor.
But Peloton has thought of everything to keep you moving.
You can choose a setting that adjusts the resistance on the bike to match what the instructor is teaching, and each workout is completed in a dedicated playlist, so you can choose a workout that suits your musical tastes, which if you’re like me, it’s more likely to keep you motivated.
There is also a leaderboard. This is great for people who are competitive and works as a way to socialize with your classmates if you’re not, as a quick tap on a profile will send them a virtual high-five.
So let’s bust the myth that a Peloton workout is “easy,” because it’s not. Most of the user descriptions I’ve read call it “absolutely killer” and I couldn’t agree more.
Even when you’re not on the bike, you can’t laze around. I found myself doing guided walks at a much faster pace than my normal walk thanks to words of encouragement coming through my headphones.
And good luck trying to take it easy in a HIIT or strength class—there’s no time to breathe, let alone complain.
One thing that surprised me was how often I use the app. On days when signing up for a 45-minute spin class seems like a chore, I like having the option to do something less hectic.
However, I must admit that my favorite training option is “bike boot camp”, a combination of cardio and strength training in a class that is definitely not for the faint of heart.
You start on the bike, smoke your legs, then move to the floor where you do some kind of weight training with dumbbells. Then you get back on the bike and do it all over again.
Honestly, it’s pretty crazy, but hey, I guarantee you’ll feel amazing afterwards.
Overall, I’m very impressed with the Peloton and don’t regret my decision to splurge. However, I wish there were more “live” classes for Aussies.
At the moment, classes are recorded at the brand’s studios in London and New York, mostly at times that work in those time zones.
Part of the appeal, as Karen said, is the community, which Australians don’t have as much opportunity to interact with as our neighbors in Peloton.
To help with this, “repeat” classes are held at times that better fit our time zones. These are essentially replays of previous live classes, but are advertised on the australian member group, encouraging locals to log into the same class at the same time.
You won’t get a shout out from your favorite instructor, but you’ll be able to high-five other Aussie members, which is nice. However, we would still like to see more inclusion in the community at large; make it happen, platoon.
continue the conversation @RebekahScanlan | [email protected]
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