We Bought a Peloton
It’s been three weeks since two strangers dragged a stationary bike into our apartment, assembled it, and left. The reaction of Peloton owners when we told them about our Peloton purchase was a joy that lived in the realm between “You’re Engaged” and “Our Cult has Another Member!”
I fought buying a Peloton for probably two years. “Running is free” I’d say. You just walk out the door and go. I’ll run in basically any weather, as long as it isn’t super icy or snowy or a raining cats and dogs. Tiff is not so adventurous when temps hit frigid or oppressive. But Tiff really liked spin and frequented a local studio in Charlestown. Then the pandemic hit and the studio shuttered permanently. Then the cabin fever slowly settled in and the fear of a long winter hit home. The golf courses are closing up shop. There won’t be any opportunities to walk outside and grab lunch or shuffle down to the TDGarden for a Celtics game or go on a city hike and catch up with friends in a different part of the city.
I haven’t ridden the Peloton every day, I’m still running outside, taking advantage of these wonderfully warm days along the Charles River; however, it is great to know the bike is there as the sun sets early and maybe the motivation for a dark, cold run just isn’t there. The Peloton has also provides a chance to fill in the days when I might not run. The options on the bike are endless. From 10 minute rides with leg burning intensity to 60 minute low impact rides and every combo in between.
There are two unintended realizations that the Peloton has created though. I’m rediscovering music and realizing what kind of student I am.
The music on the rides is a big motivating factor for choosing some rides. 80s rides, 90s rides, classic rock, country, and Beyonce. I’ve enjoyed the nostalgia of the 90s rides, and it has reminded me of artists and albums that I have started to listen to again. Sheryl Crow, Green Day (Dookie), and Live (Throwing Copper). It’s not just about tracking down the songs they play on the rides, it’s more the crack in the door to enter a room of the music I vacated in middle and high school. It’s been a great unintended consequence to many of the rides I’ve done.
Every morning when I taught fourth grade I’d write the schedule on the left side of the board. It was helpful to me so I knew what the heck I was going to do with the kids all day. However, every morning, the kids would wander into the room and some would head for their locker to put their stuff away, chattering with friends, but some would make a bee-line to the schedule and soak it all up. They had to know what was coming, and god forbid something was different than the typical routine or if I didn’t change the date. There’s nothing like a 10 year-old screwing his face up and saying, “Wasn’t it Wednesday yesterday” when it’s 7:50 in the morning and you just had a harried meeting with colleagues or a parent.
Some teachers don’t put the entire schedule on the board and some do. In the Peloton world, some instructors like to give you the entire picture before you start your ride and some don’t. Some like to help you find the right headspace before a tough climb and some just prefer to let their choice in music motivate you when the surprise hill appears just around the bend. If Peloton was a classroom, I’d be the kid walking to the schedule as soon as the day began. I like to know what’s in store for me so I can prepare mentally and know the ups and downs of the ride.
Some instructors are ass-kickers and some are low-key. Sam Yo was a Buddhist monk before hopping on the bike at Peloton. Some are technical, talking you through cadence and output and form while others are dancers, there to make you smile and sweat even if your hips and legs aren’t in a perfect line while ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” plays.
I don’t mind an ass-kicking class, but it doesn’t need to be a Broadway musical vibe. On the other hand, Tiff loves those classes. The high-energy, dancing rides are her thing. But they don’t always have to be.
That’s the beauty of the entire Peloton experience. It allows each user to choose their own cult leader every time they fire up the bike or hop on the mat for floor exercise. I do think a bottle of champagne would be a nice touch during the delivery.