A New York company is offering a new way for consumers to get their indoor cycling fix. Courtesy of Peloton, consumers can now purchase The Peloton Bike and receive live class instruction, all from the comforts of their own home.
Wi-Fi delivers a Peloton instructor, who is being filmed in real time, to the bike’s HD touchscreen. The live classes are filmed in Peloton’s brick-and-mortar studios found in New York City and soon, Chicago as well.
However, this type of convenience comes at a high price. The Peloton Bike runs consumers $1,995 a bike, plus $39 per month to receive the live instruction — a hefty cost for some.
According to Peloton’s website, the concept was founded by John Foley in 2011 based off of the idea of convenience. Foley had become addicted to boutique indoor cycling classes, but due to his busy schedule, had trouble making it onsite during allotted class times. The Peloton Bike was the solution for this convenience problem.
Although the concept does offer a solution to one problem — convenience — I think it introduces another. That is, it lacks the camaraderie an indoor cycling class held at a studio or health club can offer.
I think this is where health clubs can step up, and prove that they boast the better product. In person, instructors can see exactly what members are doing and improve their form. In person, members can feed off of the energy that results from a small group of people working towards the same goal.
Health clubs also have the advantage of cost-effectiveness. Why pay for an expensive bike, plus a monthly subscription, when you can get equipment, live instruction and a full-set of amenities for a portion of the cost?
Peloton caters to a struggle that many Americans grapple with — finding the time to workout in as convenient of a way as possible. However, health clubs can offer that solution — and more — for a price that’s more convenient to members’ wallets.
Rachel Zabonick is the assistant editor for Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@clubsolutionsmagazine.com. Reach out to her about exciting events or programs your club has implemented, or to share the amazing accomplishments of a member.
