In 2020, people still broadcast significant life changes on Facebook. So, that year, my husband and I naturally turned to the platform to announce that we had hopped on the bandwagon and purchased a Peloton bike.
The peanut gallery responded with versions of the same joke about us paying a ton of money for a coat rack. Five years later, the joke's on them: We use the app at least once daily and ride the bike multiple times per week between us. I've enjoyed the bike as an alternative to running, finding that mixing in cycling has helped me reduce injuries. However, one of the unexpected benefits of Peloton has been the strength workouts. I've long been a cardio queen, but since getting Peloton, I have focused more on strength. Which is why when my editor asked me to review Peloton Gym, I was more than willing to take on the assignment.
As a health writer, I'm well aware of the recommendation from the American Heart Association to log at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity cardio per week. I also know that the AHA recommends logging two days of strength training each week. After getting Peloton, my immediate para-social connection with the instructors and the vast library of strength workouts at various lengths from 5 to 60 minutes piqued my interest. I credit Robin Arzon for helping me rebuild my core after my second child was born, Emma Lovewell for helping me continue to build strength in my mid-section, Ally Love and Hannah Corbin for letting me get back into barre, and Tunde Oyeneyin for literally keeping my butt in shape.
As much as I adore Peloton, I had yet to try Peloton Gym, which launched in 2023 and provides the option for self-guided workouts. That changed last week when I gave Peloton Gym a try to share an honest review. Here's what I thought and whether I'd recommend you give it a go.
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Peloton Gym is an option for members that offers self-guided step-by-step strength workouts programmed by Peloton's strength instructors. You can find Peloton Gym in the app at the top of the screen between "classes" and "collections." It's included in the membership.
There are videos, but they're only short clips that play on a loop to demonstrate the movement. As with the traditional guided workouts, the format involves a warm-up, blocks of work and rest. The instructors provide rep counts or the duration for each move and notes on how to do the workout (i.e., "three circuits of block one and two circuits of block two"). These notes often start with their signature sign-on ("What's up, Peloton? It's your girl, Callie!"). However, you'll need to bring your own energy and playlist.
How I Used Peloton Gym for One Week
I decided to replace my usual strength workouts with Peloton Gym ones. Here's my routine for cardio and strength when I am not training for a race:
Monday: Alternate between a bike bootcamp, HIIT cardio or low-impact cardio workout and 20 to 30 minutes of strength. For strength, I'll do full body, bodyweight or barre.Tuesday: 45-minute outdoor run and 10-minute lower body.Wednesday: 45-minute cycle and 10-minute upper body.Thursday: 30-minute outdoor run and 10-minute core or Pilates.Friday: 30-minute cycle and 10-minute upper body.Saturday: 60-minute outdoor run and 10-minute core.Sunday: 45-minute outdoor walk, 30-minute yoga and 20-minute Pilates.I use Peloton classes for all of these workouts. So, for my Peloton Gym week, my strength workouts were:
Monday: 20-minute full-body strength with Callie GullicksonTuesday: 10-minute glutes and legs with Olivia AmatoWednesday: 10-minute chest and back with Callie GullicksonThursday: 10-minute core with Olivia AmatoFriday: 10-minute arms and shoulders with Ben AlldisSaturday: 10-minute glutes and legs with Marcel MaurerSince Peloton Gym doesn't include Pilates or yoga, I did not use it on Sunday.
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A look at my home Peloton Gym setup.My Honest Review of Peloton Gym
After using Peloton Gym for a full week, here's my honest review:
Honestly? Peloton Gym felt a bit disorienting after about five years of guided strength workouts. Aside from navigating the new system, like clicking on the workout to see the video demonstration or get a timer, there aren't instructor cues. It required significantly more focus to stay on track without someone else telling me what to do.
Marcel's lower-body workout (two supersets with two moves apiece) felt the easiest to follow, as I did not constantly have to double-check that I was doing the right move at the right time.
2. Not having form or breath cues threw me off a bit
One of my favorite parts of the Peloton strength workouts is that I constantly learn something from the instructors about form and the mind-body connection. For instance, in a recent workout, Adrian Williams stressed the importance of getting lower in squats, and I've adjusted and gotten more out of the move. Also, the instructions on when to inhale and exhale during a move help keep my mind from wandering.
I didn't get those same cues from Peloton Gym workouts, and I missed them. Yes, there are video demonstrations and written notes. However, it's not the same in-class correction and insights and, honestly, I wasn't that motivated to read the notes.
Some of the workouts, including Gullickson's full and upper-body ones, required equipment I did not have, like a bench. I modified by lying on a mat, but it's worth noting that you can preview workouts and skip ones requiring more equipment.
4. The programming is excellent
Potential hot take: I thought Peloton Gym workouts were harder than their other workouts. It could be because I cut down a little on rest. However, Ben's upper body was labeled "beginner," but supersets of 10 bicep curls followed by 10 hammer curls with 10-pound weights felt rather advanced at the time and for two days after. Olivia had every part of my core working overtime, and Marcel's second superset (reverse lunge to a skater hop) was also hellacious in a good way.
One of the coolest parts of Peloton Gym is that you can track your progress in-app. For each move, you can log the number of reps you did and at what weight. Peloton also does a Benchmark series, but you have to write down rep counts separately. The gym offering keeps everything in one place.
6. There are no self-guided workout options
As someone who loves the barre and Pilates classes, I was disappointed that I couldn't do self-guided versions of these workouts on Peloton Gym. It could be because these workouts often involve smaller movements that require more precision and mind-body connection than traditional resistance training. Still, I'd love to see the option down the road.
7. I missed connecting with the instructors
I'd say these were my two biggest cons of Peloton Gym: Callie tells us to "bring our own energy." But I often feed off her bubbly personality, mocktail recipes and Trader Joe's stories! I missed the connection with the instructors during these workouts. Plus, though I love curating my workout playlists, it's nice to have instructors do it for me, and I factor the music into my class choices.
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I highly recommend bright-colored mats and water bottles to get you through your Peloton Gym workouts!I'd recommend Peloton Gym to some users, but not everyone.
Want to choose their your own music (without anyone talking over it)Want to go at your own paceFeel comfortable that your form is solid and don't want instructors breaking up you workout flowWant moves that incorporate gym equipment Are out of guided workouts from your favorite instructorsWish to weight/rep progress over time in the appPeloton Gym might not be a fit if you:
Want to hear the musings, catchphrases and life updates of your favorite instructorsFeel you benefit from form cuesPrefer having instructors pace the workoutLove an instructor's musical tastes or want to hear new musicWant to do Pilates or barreDon't want to modify for lack of gym equipment The Bottom Line
I liked Peloton Gym. However, I was honestly excited to get back to guided workouts, and that's what I'll continue to prioritize. The biggest reason? I love the instructors—they motivate me and make me laugh, and I missed them.
That said, I'm happy Peloton Gym exists and it's an excellent choice for other users. It aligns with one of my favorite parts about Peloton: The company meets everyone where they are. When I was pregnant, I could take prenatal rides and strength classes from Robin that emphasized "grit and grace"—a far cry from the urging of my doctors to "just stop working out" during my first (healthy) pregnancy and societal pressure to grind away. She also helped me get back into exercise postpartum, and there are now workouts that support me in my preschool mom era (which has seen me be able to lift heavier).
Peloton Gym workouts support people with different preferences or who are in different seasons. As someone who has gotten so much out of Peloton, I l genuinely love that for them.
Up Next:
Related: Peloton Trainers Say You’re Probably Overlooking This Simple Workout Tip
Sources:
American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. American Heart Association. Read More Details
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