Mark A. Gompertz - Peloton Hacks: Getting the Most From Your Bike

Copyright 2020 by Mark A. Gompertz

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Brian Peterson

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-6143-8

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-6144-5

Printed in the United States of America

This book is not authorized or sponsored by Peloton Interactive or any other persons or entities owning or controlling rights in the Peloton name, trademark, or copyrights.

Always consult with your physician before beginning any new form of exercise program.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

For Julian, Zachary, and Penny, whose love motivates me to get on the bike every chance I get.

INTRODUCTION

On the day after Thanksgivingwhich also happened to be my wedding anniversarymy wife and I were feeling particularly overstuffed and out of shape. A number of things can happen when you feel this way. You can get down on yourself. You can resolve to eat better in the future. You can avoid mirrors at all costs. But one of them is suddenly finding yourself at the Peloton store, which was precisely what happened to us.

The friendly sales representative asked how she could assist us.

Deborah, I said, reading her name tag. Take a good look at me.

She appeared momentarily confused as I continued.

Do I look like someone in one of your commercials? Im not young, and Im not already in shapewith great muscle tone and a jaw like a quarterback. Why should someone at my age and with my build purchase your bike and subscribe to your streaming service of fitness classes? Frankly, it all seems daunting.

We have a lot of great beginner and interval training programs, she replied without batting an eye. Do you like Soul Cycle or Flywheel?

I hate working out in front of other people.

This seemed to be enough for her to render a diagnosis.

Deborah said, Then the Peloton Bike is perfect for you. Youll have the benefit of those types of classesgroup classesbut youll have the flexibility to do the work-outs in the privacy of your own home. Would you like to try the bike out here at the store?

I was not dressed for a workout and had not planned on exercising that day. (And I was, as you will recall, still overstuffed from Thanksgiving.) Yet none of this was a problem. Deborah lent me a pair of special shoes, and before I could say Greg LeMond, I was clipped in and pedaling on a Peloton. After five minutes, I announced that this isnt so hard after all.

Uh... youre just in the warm-up stage, she pointed out.

I chose not to take this personally.

I looked over at my wife, who nodded in approval. She liked the workout and she liked the bikeso far, so good.

Then I asked about the price. Lets just say it was a good thing I was still clipped in... because otherwise I might have fallen off the bike. Peloton Bikes wereto say the leastnot cheap.

But couples sometimes make big purchases if something is important or special. My wife immediately let me know that she saw a way that this could be both.

It would be the perfect anniversary gift, she told me. And it could be one we give each other.

Thats not very romantic, I replied.

Are you kidding? she asked. What could be better to give each other than the gift of health? What could be more romantic than staying in shape for each other?

The more I thought about it, the more I couldnt argue with it.

Deborah, it turned out, had seen this movie before. From across the Peloton store showroom, she flashed a knowing smile.

* * *

It is no secret that there are enormous health benefits to indoor cycling. It can reduce your overall body fat and help you drop pounds. When you ride a bikestationary, outdoor, or otherwiseyoure using some of the largest muscles in your body: the gluteus maximus and the quadriceps. Spinninga.k.a. riding a stationary bike like a Pelotoncan burn a tremendous number of calories. Some workouts will run you six hundred calories or more. An intense ride on a Peloton gives you an optimal cardio workoutincreasing heart and lung capacity, while also toning your leg and butt muscles and getting rid of some of those excess pounds.

Some newer studies have also shown that spinning may trigger the release of chemicals that could lead to blood vessel repair and renewal.