How Parents Are Using Peloton To Get In Shape And Find Community
Come for the killer workouts, stay for the community––and the built-in fan. (That’s right, you can finally put yours back on your stroller!)
At the unveiling of Peloton’s new launches in New York City in October, the audience clapped enthusiastically for the new hardware and cheered for the new AI-powered cross-training service. There was an undeniable buzz of excitement in the room. When the new fan feature was announced, and an off-hand comment was made about returning the stroller fans to the kiddos, there was a loud cackle to my right and a very enthusiastic whoop behind me. The parents get it. There’s a running joke about the stroller fans that some parents do take seriously. (Case in point: the Reddit threads dedicated to which brands of stroller fans clip onto the bikes most securely and provide the most powerful sweat-fighting breeze.) Because parents who are into Peloton care about the full experience.
Wait, what’s new?
Earlier this month, the brand revamped its hardware, introducing Peloton Cross Training Bike+, Row+, and Tread+. The upgraded Plus line includes movement-tracking cameras, speakers with Sonos tuning, swivel screens (for easier transitions between cardio and floor exercises), upgraded processors, and, of course, built-in fans.
They’ve also introduced an AI-enabled subscription service called Peloton IQ that uses movement-tracking capabilities to correct your form, lets you set weight categories, and lets you add or delete movements for more personalized workouts. And now you can also incorporate data from your Garmin and Fitbit watch. “I’m really excited about the voice commands I can access if I’m mid-workout, and loving the personalized plans because sometimes my toddler parent brain fog needs a little support making decisions,” says Peloton instructor Chelsea Jackson Roberts.
Connecting with other parents—and yourself
“Our special sauce as a company is human connection,” says Jen Cotter, Peloton’s chief content officer. “This combination of community rallying and instructors you grow to love and trust is the glue.”
The new Peloton IQ analyzes workout history, class performance, previous movements, and even music for real-time feedback. “I love that Peloton IQ can take the guesswork out of caring for myself, because sometimes I just don’t have the capacity,” says Jackson Roberts. “It feels good to be guided after taking care of my 3-year-old all day,” she says.
That’s the personal part. The connection comes in with instructors leading Peloton Teams with curated content like Menopause Health and Move for Life. They also recognize consistent members with rewards and early access to content. “When it comes to being a parent, a lot of moms and dads feel disconnected from community, so we are constantly growing that,” says Cotter.
As members already know, one of the best parts of a Peloton class is that you can get this amazing workout at home—in your day PJs, during a baby’s nap, or whenever is convenient—judgement-free, but not alone. And Peloton’s been building on that concept, too. “We’ve got prenatal, postnatal, stroller walks—groups and workouts for every stage to get parents moving and reconnected,” says Cotter.
“Personally, I know I’m a stronger parent because of the inspiration around me, and the Peloton community that holds me close,” says Jackson Roberts.
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Karen Robock is a writer, editor and mom of two whose work has appeared in dozens of publications in Canada and the U.S., including Prevention, Reader’s Digest, Canadian Living, and The Toronto Star. Once upon a time, Karen was even the managing editor of Today’s Parent. She lives in Toronto with her husband, school-age daughters, and their two dogs.