Worth leaving the sofa for?

Putting the Peloton bike to the test

Peloton has hardly been out of the headlines recently. One of the fastest-growing fitness successes of 2019, the sevenyear-old US start-up struck gold with its hi-tech innovation: an indoor exercise bike with accompanying app. It has reaped huge amounts of praise on both sides of the pond, despite its eyewatering £1,990 price tag (plus £39 monthly membership fee).

That’s quite a lot of cash. What’s all the fuss about?

Peloton’s USP is that it comes fitted with a large touchscreen so you can follow an online class – either a recorded session, or a live one you can do with other members around the world (there’s 1.6 million and counting). Choose from 950 different classes each month, ranging from basic 30-minute rides to HIIT routines using cycling and weights, led by a wide range of instructors (my favourite was New York-based Jenn Sherman). And the music is great: everything from ’80s pop to rock classics, which really get you going.

But is it all ‘whoop whoop’, and a bit scary?

I’ve never been to a spin class in real life as I’ve always been terrified of not being fit enough and being out of my depth. Peloton is high-energy for sure, but it’s friendly – you often find members will virtually highfive you as you work out, which gives you an extra boost. The classes are easy to follow: simply twist your button right and left for resistance (hills) and keep an eye on your cadence (speed) on the touchscreen dashboard. Plus, let’s face it, if you are worried about making a fool of yourself, the only one who is going to see you mess up is your dog or cat. Find your groove with an instructor and workout you like and you’ll find it’s easy… in theory.

… So you’re saying it’s hard?

In a good way. You sweat, your progress is recorded on a chart, and you do find you will get better over time. I normally find my mind wandering during class workouts – not in a bored way, but in a when-is but this-over way. with a Peloton session I was immersed. I also found it fun – even at 6am in my cold, dark living room (the only time I ever have to fit in any exercise).

Would you recommend it?

I’m afraid to say I have joined the legions of Peloton evangelists, so yes. I loved the community of it, the convenience of tipping out of bed, into an old T-shirt and shorts and on to the bike, and the fact that I could choose to compete with myself, or with others (which kept me motivated). I had never found a workout that ticked all those boxes until I started doing Peloton. No other exercise has ever got me up on a cold winter’s morning, or inspired me to go back to it regularly – which are both huge plus points. It might come with that steep price tag, but I’m sold for these two reasons alone.

Peloton bikes can be financed for £56 a month over 36 months (not including membership fee); onepeloton.co.uk