This post has been a long time coming. I wanted to answer all your questions about Peloton when I got back from Miami, but then I was asked to speak to my experience as a user with CBC News and thought maybe best to wait for the segment to air and the article to come out, which you can read here.

Before I dive into it, I feel compelled to let you know that this post is NOT in any way a sponsored post. I am not being compensated by Peloton to share, which I know may be a shock for some of you. I, like many other Canadians, have waited patiently for the brand’s arrival this side of the border after having gotten a taste of a couple classes while visiting NYC. Leading to a full on obsession with the workout. It’s been a competition of sorts amongst some of my friends…who was going to get one first. Two were actually savvy enough to smuggle their bike in long before the release here almost a year ago,

Lots of questions have come through my DM’s on Instagram, so I am going to answer the most popular ones below. But I want to start by saying this…most workouts get skipped because of lack of time, lack of energy, and most importantly lack of motivation. Running, cross training and lifting are all apart of my weekly routine and before having Maxwell, I never had an issue getting my workouts done. But things have changed considerably since having her though. Fatigue, the unpredictability of the baby’s sleep schedule or her getting sick, and trying to balance a lot more on my plate, made skipping a workout here and there more likely. Not great for a new mom who needed the endorphin high and movement to keep her chronic pain illness in check. My Peloton makes getting in that workout SO much easier. Could you imagine, getting in the best cycling workout right in the comfort of your home? Without having to drive or Uber anywhere. At any time of the day, even while your baby naps. It’s like having a private cycling studio in your house and it’s actually pretty damn amazing.

How It Works

Welcome the world’s largest cycling class! Peloton, originally solely an indoor cycling studio in NYC, is now a high performance workout you can do at home. You can jump in the saddle and do one of the 14 live studio classes a day and feel like you’re right there with the NYC class riders or select one of the 11,000+ on-demand workouts to do when your schedule allows. You get guidance and motivation from some of the world’s best instructors to help you reach your potential with real-time metrics visible on your screen throughout your workout to keep you on track like; cadence, resistance, output, and heart rate. There is no guessing game when it comes to your progress either. The bike keeps a very detailed record so you can track it over time.

You can follow other riders around the world, give them high fives during class and also challenge other riders. I’m super competitive so this sometimes gets really out of hand. On the right hand of screen is where you’ll find the leaderboard. You can see every single rider that has taken the class or ridden the course plus you can also query to see which riders are currently cycling at the exact same time you are, to see how you rank against them. It’s crazy motivating and usually it’s just the thing I need to push myself that extra bit when I think my tank is on empty. And if you’re motivated by Apple Watch badges, you’re going to looooooove the achievement badges you get to celebrate your milestones. It’s pretty dope to hear the instructors announcing some riders achievements. during a class. To think that so many people have received the Millennium Club (1000K rides) or more, gets me on that bike at least 1-2 times a week, unless I’m traveling.

Classes and Programming

The best part, YOU get to create the workout that YOU have time for that day based on your personal fitness level, preference for upper body weights or without, music genre and instructor. There’s 90, 60, 45, 30, 20 minute classes and even 10 minute classes that actually work well as a warm-up or cool-down alongside another workout. Is the Peloton only for experienced riders? One of question I am asked repeatedly and the answer is absolutely not. There are classes and even multi-week course (think, cycling for beginners) where you can build and improve with a program designed for first timers.

Music is the one thing that can get me through a workout I am not really trying to do or when my energy is low. The playlists some of these instructors come up with are craaaaaaaazy good. I usually query the music genre and instructor before every ride to make sure I have the right vibe for my workout. Friday nights are kinda lit…and I get it poppin’ with Robyn Arzon’s Live DJ Ride. For 45 whole minutes I get to do a HIIT or Tabata ride to a live DJ mix right there in the studio. Anyone who has a Peloton will say it’s one of their favourite parts of the class programming.

The smartest thing Peloton has done for consumers, is not make it only about workouts on the bike. Yup, you are not confined to just riding folks. Valuable information for those of you who travel a ton. The Peloton app, compatible for both smartphones and iPad, also has workouts off the bike like pre-run warm ups, guided runs, bootcamps, strength, stretching, cardio, walking and now Yoga, which was just launched last week. So now, you can take your workouts on the go.

Bike Specs

Open concept living spaces, home gyms or even small condos, the bike just works anywhere you put it because of it’s design and small footprint. I live in a 1150 sqft condo and we never thought having cardio equipment in here would be possible. Mine lives in my home office and the  4 x 2″ footprint means all my office furniture and decor got to stay put, yay!

My plan when I got the bike was to ride while Maxie was asleep or during her nap time so the quietness of the belt drive was a huge plus. It’s almost silent and as long as my office door is closed and my headphones are in – I can ride without disturbing anyone else in the house. I prefer my cycling workouts to mimic outdoor rides so I’m not really into using the weights but if you who love spin classes that incorporate upper body weights, you’re going to love the classes that use weights which can be conveniently stored within reach in the weight holders.

But the most impressive is the screen guys. I swear, it’s like being behind the wheel of a Tesla. The 22″ HD touchscreen is completely sweat proof and so large it makes any rider feel like they are front row and center in every class.

Pricing

Ahhh, alas the part you’ve probably been waiting for. You may actually be pleasantly surprised at the pricing. You can take a look at the full pricing online but the Basics Package (meaning bike only) will run you $2,095 CDN that also includes a 1 year warranty. There are three other packages, including a family package perfect for couples who are both looking to ride. I actually have the Essentials package that comes with clip shoes, headphones, and weights. The package is on sale now for $3,034. Oh and I also got the bike mat as well. Turns out, the mat was necessary because the amount of sweat that drips onto the floor during my workouts is insane. It can double as a yoga mat or use it for floor workouts so that’s a bonus. It doesn’t matter which package you choose, or if you get the bike only, your purchase comes with a white glove delivery service and set up so you don’t have to lift a finger or waste time with the assembly.

So should you get the bike? Well, I can’t tell you, or anyone else, what to do, but what I can say is this…the Peloton bike is going to be best money you’ve ever spent on your health. Monthly subscription fees for bike owners is $49 but you can purchase a digital subscription if you don’t have the bike and have access to all the classes via the app for only $19/mth. If you’re love spinning or cycling and find yourself weekly at Soul Cycle or one of the other boutique ride spaces, then Peloton is really a no brainer.

Not yet convinced…? Check out a Peloton bike live in a studio nearest to you and sign up for a free ride. Test the bike out as much as you want before purchasing. They say consumers touch (ride) the bike 7 times before making a purchase, but I am certain you won’t need that many trial rides to know this investment is worth every single dollar. There are currently 5 studios in Canada – 3 in the GTA area. For more on Peloton and to find a studio near you check out OnePeloton.ca.