Join a New York celebrity spin class — from the comfort of home
David Beckham and Kate Hudson do it. Now you can . . .
Sweat stings my eyes, as I puff my way through a boutique New York studio spin class . . . but it’s so exhilarating, I hardly care.
the soundtrack is fabulous eighties pop, and elite instructor Cody Rigsby, an ex-dancer with a dazzling grin and a habit of twinkling, ‘I got you, boo!’ is grooving on his bike just like we’re in a nightclub.
It’s a highly motivating combination — as the class ends, I realise that I’ve cycled more than 16 kilometres. a fellow rider gives me a high-five.
I dismount, buzzing with euphoria. My legs are shaky, my thighs burn and I feel smug. I’m finally part of the fitness in-crowd.
‘Mum, I’m hungry,’ says my 11-year old, standing in front of me, ‘can you cook dinner?’
I swig my water and reply, ‘Of course, darling,’ as I walk five steps into my kitchen.
Confused? Yes, I did just attend an ultra- cool workout session in Manhattan, led by a charismatic instructor with film star looks.
But thanks to Peloton, and its stateof-the-art stationary bicycle, with sleek 22in HD touchscreen behind the handlebars, live-streaming classes from across the atlantic, I did so from the comfort of my London home.
Peloton is a simple, but brilliant concept. No more logging into your expensive health club website at dawn to the enraging discovery that the most sought-after class is fully booked. No missing out on your sanity- saving exercise because you can’t get to the gym.
Since Peloton’s U.S. launch five years ago, it has acquired celebrity fans such as David Beckham, Kate Hudson, ellen DeGeneres and Hugh Jackman, who no doubt appreciate that it is sociable yet private.
I roll out of bed, saunter to my bike, log in and peruse today’s live schedule. Hmm, Hannah Marie — glamorous, sweet, encouraging — is taking a 30minute country music ride at 2.30, and the playlist includes Shania twain and Carrie Underwood.
OOH, but at 4.30, Robin — gorgeous, fun, funky — is leading a 30minute High-IntensityInterval-training ( HIIt) ride, featuring music by Madonna and eminem (difficulty rating — 8.8/10).
I can sign up and sit down a minute before it starts. Never a queue, always space.
But the real genius of Peloton is, as the name suggests, you’re not alone. technically it’s just me at home, pedalling away in my gymgear, but it doesn’t feel like it.
Bluetooth headphones make the class an immersive experience — all I can hear is Cody, ready to ‘get the party started’ and the music — and thanks to the quality of the live-filming it’s as if he’s right in front of me.
the leaderboard on my screen tells me 337 people are taking Cody’s eighties pop class now. I wonder if one is David Beckham (thankfully for me the playlist is devoid of the Spice Girls). there is MeanChristine, in her 40s, from La — people are usually identified by username, rough age and home town. One woman calls herself the texasCougar.
My ranking is 226. when Hugh Jackman posted his ranking on Instagram several months ago, he was ninth out of 1,885. Show-off.
I’m the only UK rider — everyone else is in the U.S. (Peloton launches here next month) — but we’re all in this together. If you choose, you can remove the leaderboard display, but I love the friendly competition.
Cody’s class is hardcore but fun. ‘Rise up!’ is his uplifting command to pedal standing. I like his music, which is crucial. Cody rides to the beat, which is infectious and I indulge in a little bike- dancing (as undignified as chair-dancing, but part of what makes this addictive).
Up to 45 Peloton members take every class in the New York studio — I see them glistening with sweat. ‘ Keep that pace!’ cries Cody, looking at me (OK, into the camera, but I feel he can see me). ‘Connect to the reason you’re here! a little bit more fight!’
Half an hour in, I start to flag. Suddenly, a little hand emoji appears on my screen, and the notice ‘Pelotom high-fived you!’
I’m surprised and gratified. I tap the hand emoji to high-five him back, and feel inspired to pedal faster and crank up a gear.
Soon, MeanChristine high-fives me, and beaming, I return the compliment. there’s more camaraderie here than in my gym.
I admit I initially thought: ‘It’s a bike. How good can it be?’
HOWEVER, Peloton is conceived for the 21st century. the screen is high- res, the bike is sturdy and silent — no whirring — a bespoke experience.
One touch and your workout history appears, detailing classes and stats ( calories, distance, cadence, average power output, resistance) so you can track your performance and progress.
Peloton founder John Foley came up with his idea for reasons that many time- pressed mid- lifers will recognise, says international MD Kevin Cornils.
‘He was married with two kids. He loved instructor-led boutique fitness classes, but he and his wife Jill were struggling to fit them in, because if they had a favourite instructor, either the class would book up five minutes after it went online, or they couldn’t find the time to get there.’ He wondered, could technology provide a solution to give the same studio-like experience but without the drawbacks.
No wonder the average age of Peloton members — over a million, equally men and women — is 44. If you can’t make a live ride, you can access it later or choose from more than 10,400 on-demand classes.
Having perused the playlist for Cody’s 20-minute Nineties pop session, I grab my water bottle and hop on the bike between finishing work at 6.15pm and seeing a friend at 7pm. easy and convenient.
I fear a recorded class won’t have that same party vibe — but I touch ‘Here Now’ on my screen, and see eight riders are present. How cosy.
Happyanna (30s) gives me a highfive. My phone buzzes — texasCougar — queen of 403 workouts — has followed me! I log in to my account and follow her back. I can now see her progress and receive notifications if she’s taking a class — so if I want, I can join her.
the variety of exercise is surprising. Some rides focus on strength, some are low impact. Some include arm-work — there are dumbbells, tucked behind the saddle. there’s also a selection of floor classes (a mat’s included).
Kevin says, ‘ Most members do about two-thirds of their workouts on the Peloton, supplemented with outdoor runs, gym visits, weights, etcetera.’ that would be my ideal too, but what with school holidays and work, dragging myself to the gym feels impossible.
today, I saunter from my desk to check Peloton’s live class schedule. Jennifer’s doing a 30- minute Seventies Rock Ride! (aerosmith, Police, the who.)
How can I resist? three minutes later, I’m back in the saddle.
PELOTON bike £1,995 (incl. VAT) plus £39.50 monthly subscription per household. For more information visit global.onepeloton.com