[jsperson]

I've had the bike for four years. Cost both one time and recurring is pretty high, but the product is of high quality. I've taken thousands of spin classes IRL and several hundred on the Peloton. Peloton is superior both in the hardware/software and instruction. Classes are taught by extremely well compensated instructors (I've heard $300K) so they are the best available. The best part for me is the library. There are thousands of archived classes starting with classes that ended ten minutes ago back several years. And not just cycling or running. The full body warmup classes have transformed my lifting routine and the yoga classes are now integral to my fitness program.

It's about $40 a month, which covers our family. My wife and I are fitness enthusiasts and this is more than offset by not having a gym membership or having to drive to exercise. We do have about $5K total in our home gym (rubber flooring, cable machine, dumbbells and benches etc.) For us being able to get quality classes and workout on our schedule offsets any added cost.

[osrec]

Nice, that home gym sounds like a great set up. I've built one at home, focused around a rowing machine (one of the best workouts in my opinion) + weights. I use YouTube row along videos for motivation.

I don't know if the live classes would provide much value to me (I struggle to enjoy in person fitness classes too), but judging by the comments on here, I guess a lot of people do value them a great deal.

[jsperson]

For anyone looking for a weight machine recommendation...this one: https://www.costco.com/inspire-fitness-ftx-functional-traine...

Gym quality delivered to your house. Weighs A LOT so only buy if you're pretty committed to your current domicile. It is solid and smooth. With Cosco, you get a bench included in the price that is less than other retailers for the exact same machine.

[zfnmxt]

If you have to choose one, machines like this are vastly inferior to a simple power rack and barbell for the purposes of becoming strong.

[exhilaration]

Another vote for a power rack and barbell. I think people like machines because they're scared of getting hurt by falling weights but they make super nice safety straps now. You can train the squat and bench press to failure in almost complete safety now. Here's a picture of my basement setup, you can google instructions to build the platform.

Pics: https://imgur.com/a/GJuqCWy

[zfnmxt]

Nice setup! I'm jealous. (That's a Rogue rack, right? I recognize the pin spacings.)

I surmise the injury rate using machines at comparable weights is almost certainly higher than with free weights. (Injury rates from free weight training is extremely low regardless, lower than almost any other sport.) The resulting adaptation is also, of course, far superior.

[exhilaration]

Indeed, it's a Rogue R-3 "Shorty". I would recommend a Rogue Monster Lite or Monster these days, the R3 line isn't getting the same support as before.

I agree completely about the advantages of free weights. Learning how to deadlift has been life-changing for me.

[osrec]

It's actually the one I have, and I bought it from Costco in the UK!

[grumple]

I've never taken a spin class, but what does an instructor do in one? Isn't this just a matter of "go faster, go slower" like with typical preset options on cardio machines? Are these people really getting paid this much to hype up participants, and why doesn't a prerecorded video work just as well?

[matwood]

Pay the $20 and take a spin class sometime. Crossfit also has some similarities. There is a group aspect that motivates, pushes and pulls people along.

The instructors are 1 part DJ, 1 part program designer, 1 part hype person, 1 part personality, 1 part community leader, etc...

Recorded videos work fine, all (I think) Peloton classes are available in the back catalog.

I'm pretty self motivated (I power lifted for years, which is a huge grind), but my cardio work has always been more intense and effective when instructor led.

[burkaman]

Never done Peloton, but I think the instructors will call out people by name to say they're doing great or "congrats on your 100th ride", stuff like that. I imagine that kind of live feedback can be very motivating. Even if you aren't personally being addressed, just knowing that the instructor can see you and is working out along with you is a very different feeling than watching a recording, and feelings are all that matter if you're looking for motivation.

Also, hyping people up is hard, and building a dedicated audience is harder. They pay a lot because if the popular instructors leave, so will the users.

[Johnny555]

I think the instructors will call out people by name to say they're doing great or "congrats on your 100th ride"

While I find that works well in a private class setting "Great job Brenda! You're really improving!" since hundreds, even thousands of people take Peloton classes, you have a very low chance of acknowledgement and the teacher spends a lot of time reading off "Congrats on the 100 rides spf100! Thanks for coming to my class WineGirl21231! 1000 rides for Luv2RideMan12!"

[specialist]

"But nobody rocks like 'Springfield'"

https://youtu.be/fiaWwjZS50s?t=101

[kevinob11]

I have always asked myself why a prerecorded video doesn't work just as well, it sure seems like it should, especially in these 1:10000 classes. Personally, and apparently for many others, it just doesn't. I really have no idea why, I can pontificate that it has to do with being on a schedule, or when they say your name or encourage you directly, but in the moment those things don't seem valuable. That being said it does certainly seem to nudge me to more action, which in exercise seems worth it if you can afford the price.

I don't own a Peloton, but I do spin classes, live online yoga classes and run and bike on my own. I will probably buy a Peloton if prices come down on the secondary market as the pandemic ends.

[dlp211]

A significant portion of Peloton's appeal is that all the live classes are recorded. I personally haven't taken a single live class. But the thing about even the recorded content is that there has always been at least 3-4 people also doing the class at the same time, and the ability to see.their.progress vs your own and the ability to high five are both pretty motivational,.and you are always able to see.your previous PR, and power output. The other.thing about the Peloton recorded courses is that because they were recorded live, they still feel live when you are taking it at a later period.

I was skeptical too at first, now you'll have to pry my Peloton bike from my dead cold hands. It's been a game changer for me.in terms of fitness.

[wayoutthere]

Fitness instructors at the Peleton level are influencers who draw their own audiences. It’s actually kinda nuts; one of their top instructors used to be one of my regular instructors at the local spin gym I used to go to. I didn’t think she was anything special but apparently she has like a million followers on Instagram. This is just one hustle for someone making a career as a fitness guru.

[alistairSH]

That, plus DJ, motivational speaker, and (for in-person classes) often a friend.

At Peloton's scale, I imagine recordings would work just as well. But, the instructor does the same things. For live classes with smaller groups, there can be a lot of 1-on-1 interaction.

[matwood]

You summed up the experience well. Many hotels have Pelotons in their fitness rooms now so I was able to try one before buying. It is the closest thing to an in person spin class I have tried, plus the Peloton bike and stat tracking is much better.

The cost seems high to a typical gym membership, but Peloton is competing with spin studios which are stupid expensive. If one considers the cost to be split between at least 2 family members, it's relatively cheap.

You touched on it, but the other types of classes are also very good. I've canceled my normal gym membership and am just slowly building out my home gym now.

[Johnny555]

If you don't like being tied to a single subscription service, the Keiser m3i is also a high quality bike, price for the bike is close to that of the Peloton.

I use it along with the Peloton app ($13/mo).

https://www.keiser.com/fitness-equipment/cardio-training/m3i...