Could a Peloton Bring Me Happiness?

I wanted a Peloton for a long time but always thought it would end up as more of a clothing rack than something that I used regularly. I was afraid I wouldn’t be strong enough or have enough endurance to get through a class. I mean my apartment complex has a couple Pelotons in our gyms, and I couldn’t be bothered to use those, so why would having my own in my apartment be any different?

What is a Peloton?

A “connected fitness system” combining a 22″–24″ tablet with a stationary bike that will run you between $1,500 — $2,500. Riders can live stream classes or take on-demand pre-recorded classes.

The newer Peloton Bike+ allows you to connect your AppleWatch to the bike to monitor your heart rate during classes while the original requires a stand alone heart rate monitor. Not only do you see your heart rate, but you will also see the number of watts generated from pedaling which is what ranks you on the leaderboard. This isn’t just a bike, rather a social fitness game.

Peloton and Happiness

One way Peloton contributes to happiness is the community that it generates. I immediately logged on and found 10 friends — some of whom I was close with some that I was not — had bikes that I knew of (follow me robind21283). I am sure there are even more that I haven’t discovered yet. There are even stories about how Peloton users have become friends in real life. You can high-five other riders taking the same ride as you and you can join tags to find people you know or who are of a similar demographic. I found a tag for my work, being in my 40s, and being a newbie for example.

Another way that Peloton promotes happiness is by providing a sense of accomplishment and achievement. The company’s workout programs are designed to be challenging and rewarding, allowing users to push themselves to new levels of fitness and performance. This sense of accomplishment can be incredibly satisfying and uplifting, as it helps users feel proud of themselves and their achievements. They have also gamified the experience giving you badges for your 1st , 10th, 20th etc rides and keeping track of streaks. For example, I have a 4 week streak going and I really don’t want to break it so even if I just meditate one day I’ll be doing something positive for myself and keeping that streak alive.

Working out in general produces endorphins, a feel good chemical in the brain, similar to that of morphine. Studies have shown exercise improves self esteem as well. Exercise, especially done socially, has been show to improve depression.

Finally, Peloton promotes happiness by prioritizing the mental and emotional well-being of its users. The company’s instructors often incorporate mindfulness and meditation techniques into their classes, allowing users to focus on their mental and emotional health as well as their physical fitness. This focus on holistic wellness can be incredibly beneficial for users, helping them to feel more centered, grounded, and balanced. They have a whole series of meditation classes as well as yoga.

Conclusion

I am happy with my Peloton purchase. I completed the beginner “You can Ride” program and have graduated to picking my own classes. I can’t always keep up with the cadence or resistance but I show up and pedal and that’s what matters. I look forward to my Peloton workouts. I’ve also started a beginner strength class as well. Bert (my dog) is super interested in helping with those.