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Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by sharkweek on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @11:11AM (#30260171)
My partner might as well have joined a cult with how obsessed she is with not just the peloton but the culture of the peloton class.

That being said, she argues she’s never felt healthier in her entire life and so I can’t complain if she’s happy!

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by zaptrem on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @11:27AM (#30260395)
I've heard the same thing about "Peloton Culture" elsewhere, but not a good explanation of what that culture is. Can a HN Peloton user elaborate?
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by ttcbj on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @01:17PM (#30262192)
My wife fits the “almost in a cult” description. I think she loves the positivity, and feels engaged by the classes. She started with bike, but now also does peloton outdoor runs.

She is focused on the Peloton power zone classes. For power zone, you take an FTP test every 6 weeks which measures your ability to produce power output over 20 minutes. The bike then knows your 7 power output zones, from easy effort to max output. Based on that, Peloton instructors design classes which are zone based, and drive improvement at whatever your level is.

I tried powerzone after seeing my wife do it, and although it’s only a part of my exercise, I really like it. You can really see the improvement. I’ve never liked exercise classes in the past, but I like the powerzone classes and instructors.

My wife also signed up for some third party website (I forget what) that is essentially like a team based and powerzone based training plan. It motivates her over longer periods.

Having tried it, I think the peloton bike product is really good. It may have pulled forward a lot of demand and grown too much, but it offers a lot of real value.

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by snapetom on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @12:59PM (#30261918)
The positivity and encouragement is one thing, but it's also a very interactive and immersive experience. Sure, there's a large catalog of pre-recorded classes, with different instructors, different styles, different music, and different languages. However there's also live classes where you can be seen and interact with people. They also gamify the experience with a live leaderboard even if you aren't in a live class.

The tech is also pretty well rounded. You can get pretty much all info that the bike has at any time on the app. During a workout, the Apple Watch communicates back biometrics.

I'm a pretty cynical and skeptical person, but after just getting one, I can definitely see the appeal.

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by sharkweek on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @12:39PM (#30261586)
I don't personally get it as I'm too cynical, but my partner says it's a very positive and encouraging culture. It's also gamed very well to encourage DAU so someone like my partner who loves getting her "dots" is incentivized to keep participating every day.

I reiterate though, it's working well for her health journey, so I'm all for it.

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by biztos on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @01:39PM (#30262528)
Totally off topic, but TIL about DAU whilst forgetting what would abbreviate Daily Active Use(rs) and trying out the search things.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_Acquisition_University

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by tannedNerd on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @11:49AM (#30260770)
The peloton subreddit is a good place to start. It’s easier to see it in the posts than explain it.
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by ohgodplsno on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @11:55AM (#30260877)
Take HN's hive mind tech bro culture, and apply it to overpriced classes that are basically a youtube video.
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by Taylor_OD on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @12:16PM (#30261173)
Unfortunately there are not good alternatives. I have a fairly nice bike at home and a standing desk that I can fit it under comfortably. I told my partner we don't need a Peloton because I could find spin class videos online. Nope. There really isnt any quality content out there. I guess I could just sign up for the Peloton platform with my own bike but I was surprised there wasnt at least a handful of Youtube videos of spin class instructors.

It seems similar to Yoga where you can find incredible quality online but its really not.

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by loudtieblahblah on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @01:56PM (#30262772)
I don't get why you need a class or video at all

Spin classes are just HIIT over a 30-60 minute window.

Throw on some tunes and move your ass. If you're not sweaty or tired by the time you're done you did it wrong

Tada.

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by Taylor_OD on Wednesday February 09, 2022 @12:34PM (#30275404)
You don't understand why fitness classes exist? I'm not sure if you are being purposefully obtuse or not.
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by ohgodplsno on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @12:58PM (#30261893)
You do not need spin class videos. There is nothing technical about stationary biking. Yoga ? Sure, poses might be tricky to understand. Calisthenics ? Same thing. But a stationary bike ? Pump the difficulty on a timer and play some loud music on your own. Congratulations on your very own spin class.
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by loudtieblahblah on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @04:59PM (#30265387)
These are people who need to consume and "belong" their way to fitness.

These people always burn out once the gimmick wears off. Then they go searching for the next thing and the next.

Throwing money hand over fist bc they cant figure out to eat better and put the proverbial foot to the concrete.

I'm sure they were all convinced their apple watch was going to keep them on track. These are the people who ran out and bought those stupid finger-toe running "shoes". They thought the Wii Fit Board was going to revolutionize things.

These are people who have perfectly matching and stylish gym outfits. they buy endless supplements to enhance performance or weight loss.

Just go do some hiit. Lift some weights. Take a yoga class. Quit eating like a jackass.

Nutrition and fitness can be complicated but beginner to intermediate changes aren't. 90% of people have an effort and habit problem.

And the western world thinks in consumerism terms. That fitness is something you buy at the store and name drop the brand to your friends.

And it's why they'll yo-yo their efforts all their lives before just giving up entirely

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by ohgodplsno on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @05:16PM (#30265617)
In all fairness, the wii fit board is fun. In the same way as ring fit is. I absolutely understand wanting to gamify your exercise: it's fun and always nice to see that you've put in 2500 planks since you've started. But even these are a one time payment. As you said, paying 40 dollars for HIIT is unbelievably either uninformed or lazy.
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by brimble on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @05:37PM (#30265851)
Any able-bodied person can get fitter than most people who aren't very into fitness for (damn near) free, without even that much time investment.

Trainers and peloton classes and such give people the option to rent someone else's willpower, though. (plus leverage sunk-cost sentiments and other tricks)

It's probably part of why fitness levels go up and waistlines down as one's gaze travels up the SES ladder. Someone with money who kinda wants to get fit can pay someone else to do their giving-a-shit for them, and might get fit. Someone without money who kinda wants to get fit—won't. That's what you'd expect to see even with all else, including the distribution of willpower (however we measure that) among various social classes and income levels, being equal.

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by Taylor_OD on Wednesday February 09, 2022 @02:52PM (#30277535)
Yup. This is a great way of putting it. Seth Rogan once said that if Hollywood wants you to get in shape they will basically do it for you and they would send a robot to move your arms and legs for you. He was joking but if you have a personal trainer to motivate you and make working out, "fun" and a personal chef to make your meals getting into great shape if much easier than if you are dragging yourself to an anytime fitness after working and taking care of kids.
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by Taylor_OD on Wednesday February 09, 2022 @12:35PM (#30275419)
What an odd take. It's a service. Paying $95 for an oil change is lazy or uninformed. Anyone can change their own oil.
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by jmeister on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @12:11PM (#30261098)
If you have even the tiniest bit of curiosity, there are users, on this very page, describing how it’s much much more than a “YouTube video”.
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by geodel on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @12:23PM (#30261308)
Of course, It is more than a "Youtube video" who are part of Peloton cult.

It would be rather normal if cult members never describe cult as "Oh it is just a typical cult with some suspicious ideology, providing dubious benefits and led by a charismatic charlatan"

Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by chucksta on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @12:49PM (#30261733)
Yeah, and a geo metro is basically a Ferrari
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by ohgodplsno on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @12:59PM (#30261925)
You're right, you can actually own a Geo Metro and drive it and fix it on your own, as opposed to the Ferrari which is nothing more than an expensive toy you cannot take out for anything useful. At least the Ferrari doesn't have a subscription (aside from the one you'll take at your gas station to make up for the 30L/100km that it gets)
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by chucksta on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @01:42PM (#30262569)
exactly, basically the same thing
Re:Peloton replaces CEO and lays off 2,800 people by loudtieblahblah on Tuesday February 08, 2022 @01:52PM (#30262718)
Pelton Culture is like Crossfit meeting the Cult of Mac.

Its just where fitness and trendy luxury brand peacocking intersect.