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FFF: Breaking Up With Peloton


When in January, Peloton offered a FREE two month trial, I jumped on it.  I used it almost every time I did a short run and every time I rode my stationary bike.  I tried almost all of the instructors.  However, I never got around to trying it for strength training, walking or yoga.

I enjoyed the playlists. I enjoyed the instructors’ energy. I enjoyed the variety of both. And it seemed that all the “cool runners” were using Peloton. LOL. FOMO

But I chose not to continue once my trial was over.

Here’s FIVE reasons why:

1.Length of Running Classes (& Data)

The classes seemed to run either 30 minutes or 45 minutes.  I usually run 3 miles during the week or 10 miles on the weekend. It’s annoying to start the class after I start running or it finishes before I’m done. Then I have to take more than one class. Also I don’t have unlimited data so I have download the class when I have Wi-Fi, start the class on my iPhone and then turn off the data when I’m running outside. (I don’t have a treadmill or access to gym to run inside.)

2. Music Interrupted by Chatter

I love the Broadway tunes and the Artist Series and listening to many of my favorite artists.

I know that the instructors are trying to motivate you.  But if I choose a particular music, I actually want to listen to the music.

3. I Don’t Own a Treadmill

Most of the running classes are designed for the treadmill.  I always run outside.  So when I run, I have to ignore the cues for increasing elevation and speed. There are a few just audio running classes, but not as many.

4. Many Free Options for Strength Training and Yoga classes

If I ever decide to go back to yoga and/or do some strength training, there are zillions of free online classes and/or YouTube videos for both. Thanks Marcia and others for posting them.

Samara, my favorite instructor

5. Cost

The Peloton membership is NOT expensive but I feel that this money could be better spent. I had the $$ at the time since I was not socializing or racing or doing much of anything.  But I hope that changes in the future.

6. Missing my Podcasts

Image result for ali on the run podcast

and lastly, I used to listen to Podcasts when I ran.  Once I signed up for Peloton, I rarely had time to listen to them. I am missing Sarah, Nicole, Ali, and my other virtual podcasting friends.

Happy Running! Do you use Peloton? Why do you like it? If not, why not? Please share.

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45 thoughts on “FFF: Breaking Up With Peloton”

  1. I have been on the fence, for a LONG time about Peloton. While I know it’s a fantastic program and network, I don’t think it would be a good fit for me. Like you, I’d get really annoyed by all the chatter. It may be motivating and entertaining for many, but I think it would be distracting for me.

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  2. Well, you know that I’m a big fan of Peloton. While some of the instructors can be more chatty on a run than others, I honestly don’t use the app that often for my outdoor runs – it depends on my mood. I do love all of the other content it provides, the quality of the instructors, and the sense of community. When they offered the 3 months free last year I never thought I’d keep going after the trial, but I’m so glad I jumped in to try it!

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    • I may have felt differently if I used a treadmill. We have a lot of home improvement bills coming up so I need to save $$.

      I’m glad that it is useful to my blogger friends.

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  3. Well you know I am a huge fan of Peloton and the whole community. I do not use it for my runs outside. I have taken up strength, yoga and stretching on a daily basis and it’s made a huge difference for me. It is not for everyone!

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    • As I said to Michelle, I mostly run and it’s always outdoors and it will be even more when it warms up. So I feel that I could spend that $$ on others things.

      It works for you and I think that’s great!!

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  4. I use Les Mills On Demand (LMOD) because I did Les Mills classes at the gym. I prefer a longer session (though have just started with a new-to-me workout using the step and have chose for 30 min to get familiar with the moves. My biking sessions are always around 45 min and strength 55. I think the Peloton community is probably great; my biggest beef is the cost of the bike and the treadmill that seems to me to be twice as much as any other high-quality bike or treadmill out there. And I also feel like it’s a clique, like I’m back in high school and it’s a club I’m simply not cool enough to belong to (and no one, literally no one asks me about LMOD yet its been around longer than Peloton and also has a great variety of workouts). It’s almost as if nothing else out there exists. Anyway, at the end of the day, I am happy for the things that make my friends happy! And if it’s not for you, it’s not for you. You probably wouldn’t like LMOD either as they tend to chat to motivate.

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    • Ha Ha. It is like a club.

      But I don’t do much indoors so it really isn’t worth the $$ for me.

      Things could change and I can always sign up again.

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  5. I’ve had some FOMO about Peloton too. It seems like all the cool kids are doing it. But deep down I know it’s not for me. I also only run outside and I’ve never been good at strength training videos. I like to do my own thing.

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  6. I feel like I’m one of the last humans on the planet who has not tried Peloton. I’ve considered trying the app, but I simply haven’t gotten around to downloading it yet. I’m sure it’s wonderful, but like you said, I can find all sorts of workouts on YouTube.

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    • If I do any ST, I plan to start with your videos LOL

      A lot of people are not using Peleton and probably more than are. I decided to try it because some of the bloggers raved about it but I quickly realized that it wasn’t for me.

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  7. I can totally see where the app wouldn’t work for you based on the fact that you run outdoors a lot. I would say 70-80% of my runs have been on the treadmill for the past few months so I utilize the app for that. I also do the tread boot camps and a lot of strength work so luckily I’m able to use the app for that too. It’s all about using the best system that works for you!

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  8. I haven’t used Peloton app at all. I don’t have access to a spin bike and rarely use a treadmill. I listen to podcasts and books when I run and I use the Nike app for free workouts. I use another app for strength and do virtual Pilates with my instructor so I don’t really need it. I do have FOMO sometimes 😉

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  10. I agree with you on the chatter. There are some runs I won’t go back to because of “holy hell, shut the fuck up”, but I do enjoy some of their intros. I have no issue ignoring the cues since that’s not something I ever did with coaches either – those paces are not mine.My phone lives on airplane, so that wasn’t a change for me.
    What I like about the strength training is the routine it pushes me into in a different way than Marcia’s do. Both complement one another well though for me. I need the external push.
    For me I’ll stick with Peloton as it’s cheaper than the gym was. I do feel like I’m missing out on some as I do not have the space for more weights, but not sure I’d layer gym and Peloton if I do eventually go back

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  11. I only tried a couple of Peleton classes last year. Its not something I would be interested in using during runs, and I rarely cycle anymore. I would probably only use for for core work since I have a strength coach who makes my strength plans. I just don’t think its worth the cost to use it as little as I would.

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    • That’s exactly what I thought. I don’t use it enough (except for occasional winter indoor biking) so it’s not worth it for me.

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  12. I’m glad you posted this because I was having a bit of Peloton FOMO! But I haven’t been on my bike at all lately (not mad about that!) and I do all my runs outside. I don’t think it’s for me, but people having been making it look awfully fun!

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  14. Well, as you know, I do like my Peloton membership. I recently renewed it and have used it for bike and running classes. I do agree on the constant chatter. Sometimes I don’t mind it too much and sometimes it annoys the heck out of me. At least you gave it a try.

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  15. Very interesting.

    I ended up not signing up for the free trial. I had a sneaking suspicion I was going to really love it, and then I would want the bike or the treadmill, and it would be a huge spiral. We COULD get those things, but it felt like a huge splurge for just me.

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  16. I wouldn’t use it just for strength training or Yoga — I rarely use it for either of those. I agree that sometimes I want to hear the music more, too.

    I don’t listen to anything when I run outside (including Peloton — I might if my phone wasn’t wonky & would keep a connection with earbuds).

    Obviously I do run on the treadmill, and I love it for that — and I also love it for the stationary bike. Even though I might only use it once or twice a week, for me its money well spent. There are so many options today, though, and that’s a good thing.

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  17. All valid points for sure. I do think the strength is the best part — for me. Having the library of various workouts at my fingertips has really got me upping my strength game.

    Sometimes I wonder if their license agreements for the music require them to ruin the listening experience with chatter. 😉 Today on my run I listed to Ali On The Run’s interview with Olivia from Peloton — best of both worlds, LOL.

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    • I’ve listened to a few of Ali’s interviews with Peleton instructors…she’s a big fan.

      I think I would enjoy their strength workouts if I only did some.

      Someday I may sign on again. For now, I’m saving that $$.

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  18. I learned a lot from the few weeks that I did the Peloton trial, but I broke up with them for similar reasons. I didn’t “bond” with any of the instructors so it was a lot of Chatty Cathy. I tried a treadmill class, but I didn’t understand what the instructor was telling me to do and along the lines of what you said ==> the treadmill is where I do most of my TV watching. I struggled to find a strength class that was at my level of fitness and they all felt random so I couldn’t see how I was going to make any progress. What I got out of it though was realizing that I do need to focus on strength so that pushed me to try the program that I’m using now. I learned a hamstring stretch from one of the yoga classes that’s been very helpful. Not bad for $0.

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  19. I really appreciate your perspective! I’ve heard so much raving about the Peloton app but wasn’t sure if it was for me. Good to know about the chatter – I never would have expected that!

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  21. Interesting thoughts on this topic! I do agree with the amount of chatting with some of the instructors. Although I did enjoy a lot of the classes, I actually do enjoy more repetitive workouts. I like to know what exercises I’m going to do and I don’t mind if there isn’t variety! When I was using Peloton it was mental overload for me to find classes I would enjoy and feel like I was being efficient. I didn’t want to take a bunch of classes – just one good one. With that being said, I would consider signing up for it again, but only during the winter!

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