TAKING US FOR A RIDE
House Peloton perk
And just like that . . . taxpayers will be on the hook for congressional staffers’ Peloton memberships.
Starting Wednesday, the estimated 10,000 staffers employed by the House and 2,300 Capitol Police officers will be offered Peloton AllAccess and Peloton app memberships at no cost to them as a “premier employee benefit,” Fox Business reported.
The government’s contract with the fitness company — known for its exercise bikes that featured in a notorious episode of HBO Max’s “And Just Like That . . .” — includes a $10,000 upfront payment to Peloton as well as a charge of $10 per month for each staffer who takes advantage of the plan, potentially costing taxpayers up to $120,000 a month, a source familiar with the matter told the news outlet.
An e-mail from the House Office of the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) obtained by Fox Business outlined the benefit.
Users will “have access to thousands of live and on-demand classes, across multiple disciplines, that are available for streaming across multiple devices and require no purchase of Peloton equipment,” it read.
Politico first reported the benefit Thursday, and Peloton confirmed to Fox Business that “the US House of Representatives is extending Peloton Corporate Wellness to all House staff and Capitol Police.”
It is not uncommon for companies to offer employees wellness perks, such as access to staff gyms or discounted workout classes.
Feel the burn
Congress members have long had access to a gym, which as of 2011 cost House members $20 per month and senators $40 per month, according to ABC News. The fees went toward a fund for equipment replacement and purchase.
It was not clear whether House staff or Capitol Police officers were given access to those facilities.
The CAO did not immediately respond to The Post’s inquiry about the benefit.
Currently, a Peloton AllAccess Membership costs $39 per month, while an app membership costs $12.99 per month.
But starting in June, the company will raise its AllAccess price to $44 per month in the US.
The fitness company has seen a plunge in its share price after CEO Barry McCarthy admitted to investors this week that Peloton was “thinly capitalized” for the size of its business.