Peloton

Of all the spin studios in the city, Peloton is hands down my all time favorite. Located right in the heart of Chelsea is where you’ll find this gem of a studio. If you’re not familiar with Peloton, they’re known for the bikes equipped with an iPad that tracks your: cadence, RPM, resistance, and of course a leaderboard including everyone who’s taking the class with you. Now if you can’t make it to Chelsea and have a boat load of cash to spend, Peloton sells their bikes at their numerous store fronts nationwide. Once you opt to purchase a bike, then you can attend classes virtually, and literally see what’s going on right there in Chelsea. Pretty neat.
As far as the studio itself, there are tons of bikes, and I’ve never seen a class completely full, so you should be safe as a last minute attendee. The instructors are upbeat, attentive, and play music that really gets your blood flowing. There’s just something about spinning, and being able to compete against your peers that helps make your workout that much more intense. The locker rooms aren’t the largest, but it gets the job done. Not too many folks shower here so if you need to, you won’t really have to wait. On the plus side, they provide Malin+Goetz products, which is pretty amazing.

This review is for Peloton’s streaming of live and recorded classes.
I’ve been spinning for nearly 20 years. I used to take classes at the New York Health & Racquet Club on 50^th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan where I was a member. The classes were intense and I really enjoyed them.
For the past five years, I have been spinning at home on my Schwinn with a variety of videos. Since I like to keep my workouts interesting, and to add variety, I decided to try Peloton’s 14-​day trial of streaming and recorded classes. I took several 45 and 60 minute classes with different instructors and was not impressed.
The videos were dark and for most it was difficult to hear the instructor over the music. The routines were pretty boring too and I did not like most of the music.
For those who spin at home, I recommend Cathe Friedrich’s spinning videos which are my favorites. I wear a heart rate monitor while spinning and typically burn 400 – 500 calories per class. I also have a collection of Mad Dogg Athletics videos. Both the Friedrich and Mad Dogg Athletics videos are geared towards home spinners. The videos are of good quality, with music that works with the various routines (sprint, standing run, climb, jump), and the feeling of actually being in the class.

Just when I thought my NYC spin routine couldn’t get any better, I added Peloton into the mix and MIND. BLOWN. It took me a while to get in here since I use ClassPass, and they book up pretty quickly, but it was so worth it when I put my mind to snagging a bike.
A lot of the experience is pretty similar to other spin studios in the city… lock-​less lockers, nice showers with brand-​name products, a nice clean/​bright/​fresh locker and waiting space, stadium studio with some fancy lights, free water/​shoe rentals/​hair ties/​anything you need pretty much. What really blew me away were their brand of bikes. Smoothest spin ride I’ve EVER had. To the point that I wondered if regular spin bikes are going to be ruined for me now that I’ve tried one of these. And, the little screen thing is really nice… I prefer it to the screen systems at Flywheel or Swerve, just because it’s way more readable (especially for someone like me who doesn’t wear glasses in my workouts) and gives you more information right in front of you (like the leaderboard, time remaining, etc.).
The only thing that was a little rough for me was that it feels like people actually stay and hang out/​chat after the class in the waiting area. Which is great that they build a sense of community and stuff, but it makes the transition period between classes extra hectic. Still, I guess it’s a testament to how nice the waiting area is that people choose to hang out there!
The other thing that I was a little confused by is that even though I know classes fill up super quickly on ClassPass, there were definitely empty bikes in the class when I went today. I wish that they opened all these up, even at the last minute, so that more people could try out Peloton, because it’s so awesome!

This review is really for the Peloton Cycle and Streaming of Live and Recorded Classes.
I’ve had the bike for about 2 weeks and have rapidly become addicted to cycling.
This is due to a combination of excellent, high quality hardware coupled with awesome interactive content.
One thing I’ve seen over the reviews of either the in person classes or on-​line, are the comments around the instructor. Not everyone’s personality is going to match up 1:1. The type of instructor who motivates me, may not motivate you. Find the right match and assess.
For me I’ve found two instructors who totally make a workout for me, Robin Arzon and Steven Little. I promise you that if you try a few instructors, you will find one that knocks your socks off.
I love the competitive leaderboards, the wide variety of classes and of course, because the bike is in the house… makes it easy to hop on and burn a quick 1000 calories and break a sweat.
Everything about the bike and Peloton cycling classes really push you to be your best.
I love Peloton and I love my bike.
With that much said, their customer service side may need a little tweaking, but par for the course for a growing company.

This review is regarding the At Home Bike. First, Peloton never delivered my «works» package (I waited almost 3 weeks). I had to spend A LOT of time on hold contacting the office (over 2 hours total). I just received it today, yet it is missing things in it, most notably, the bike mat. Lastly, the delivery team arrived past their stated time frame (and made me wait at home a whole day). This is very frustrating and horrible customer service. I wish I had stayed with SC.
The bike is ok, but took over 2 weeks to get to me, & the screen is way too close to the handlebars — I’d rather watch the class on a monitor separate from the bike.

Best fitness studio in NYC!
The classes are fantastic and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Even the locker room is fully stocked with everything you need. I have been to many cycling studios in the city and can say that this is the best of them all. Can’t wait to go back!

I have mixed feelings about Peloton:
Pros:
1. The staff are great, probably the best at most spin studios. They are friendly and helpful and seem focused on doing a good job.
2. The bathrooms and lounge area are great.
3. The bikes are great.
Meh:
1. Overall, the instructors are very hit and miss with more on the miss side. Maybe it is because they are being filmed but several seem more interested in their appearance or working out themselves than the class in the studio.2
2. The female instructors seem to focus mainly on the men in the class then the women. It seems to be a combination of flirting, wearing low-​cut jog bras which provide quite the show when she is bouncing up and down and gyrating on the bike. Another female instructor shames you if you need to leave early which is really obnoxious. She also has repeatedly said not to waste her time which seems rather backwards given that she is being paid and we are paying for the class. I really was surprised by some of the female instructors and rather disappointed.
While Peloton has some positives, the instructors are not nearly as good as at other spin studios.

Smooth check in, nice lobby, energetic class for my first time as a walk-​in.

I am a peloton regular and I love this studio. I prefer it to both Soul Cycle and Flywheel and keep your eye out for deals via Gilt City. I have been going regularly (2 – 3 times per week) for the past 6 months and I have received a lot of compliments regarding to how «fit» I look.
My favorite instructors are Robin and Jessica for their energy, music and program. I always produce my highest numbers with these two.
The locker room scene is very hectic like many posts have referenced, however, I always go to spin with the intention of going home after; I do not recommend Peloton for people that are looking to work out, shower, change and be on their way in an efficient amount of time.
The additional lockers inside the lobby area has 100% helped alleviate the packed locker room.
The staff to help clients set up bikes is always there for you, always so helpful. The front desk check in process def could use an upgrade and follow Flywheel’s model of knowing the shoe size before the clients arrive and provide tablets for self check in. Because of these inefficiencies, there is often a bottleneck at check in.
Lastly, I have told them many times to figure their bike map on the website, bike 26 and 27 are not in the correct spots, and the second row of bikes is not one long row like the online picture makes it seem. I once tried to sit next to a friend, but we had an aisle between us which was a bummer.
Despite those minor problems, I still LOVE Peloton and give it 5 stars.

This bike is something serious! Smoothest ride hands down!
I took a Peloton class through Classpass, and I must say that it is my favorite spinning class by far. The studio is gorgeous, the staff members are warm and welcoming, and the bike is out of this world! Christine had a very cool playlist that focused on leading a positive life, which was an uplifting surprise, and she was very encouraging the entire time. I was motivated to work my hardest and had a really awesome workout as a result. I will definitely be back.
Spinning classes I’ve taken: Flywheel, Peloton, Swerve, Clique
Intensity Levels (scale 1 – 5):
Clique — 3
Flywheel — 4
Peloton — 5
Swerve — 5

Agree with everyone else on here, the lobby is beautiful … but that’s about all this studio has going for it.
The class itself was OK, but I’ve been to much better spin classes.
Forget taking a shower in the morning, the line is BEYOND out of control. I’ve never experienced anything like that and I go to a lot of small studios with popular classes.
But THE WORST part of the whole experience was the customer service. Someone took off with my bag of gym clothes after a class, which I understand can happen when everyone is putting their sweaty bits into identical bags. They said they would call me when they found it, never did. I followed up a few weeks later, and they miraculously found it that same day.
When I went by to pick it up, they lost it again! The staff wasnt helpful and I had really gone out of my way to go to this studio to pick up what they said they had found. They called back the next day saying they found it again, so I went back… and it was the wrong stuff! They were mildly apologetic but after that ordeal, should not have hesitated to offer me a free class or SOMETHING. ANYTHING. But no cigar. Incredibly disappointing.

Décor: 4 Stars!
I really love the Peloton space. It’s so brightly lit and relaxing, I would love for my apartment to look exactly like this. The locker rooms can feel a bit cramped though because of the back to back classes. Also some of the lockers seem defective. It took me a 3^rd try to finally find a digital locker that worked. Wonderful Malin & Goetz amenities and so many other amenities like disposable shower flip flops, hair ties, and etc.
Class: 3 Star
I’m pretty impressed with the equipment and I like having the tablet, but I did not enjoy the class with the instructor Jessica. She was nice and enthusiastic throughout the class, but from a pushing me to work harder stand point, we weren’t really on the same wavelength. Also the playlist was kind of somber. Definitely did not make me feel pumped up. Also they provide water bottles and towels on each bike. The towels smell like Downy.
I would go again to try a different instructor.

Five stars for the beautiful, and I must reiterate, BEAUTIFUL facilities. They went above and beyond to create an amazing looking lobby and lounge area, complete with a coffee and smoothie bar. It’s the perfect place to chill out or get some work done before spin class. Free water, shoes, and snacks that included bananas, apples (nicely wrapped in seran), coconut protein balls, and healthy muffin samples. The bikes are each equipped with an iPad mini that displays your score based on the resistance and rpm, similar to Flywheel.
However, I enjoyed my surroundings more than what I actually came for: the spin class itself. I don’t know if it’s just because there’s a countdown clock on the bottom right of the iPad or if I was in a Rhythms class (not sure how that compares to Metrics or other classes), but I was actually counting down the minutes until the end of the class because I was frankly bored. The instructor was not that inspiring, the songs that were played were slow and old, the overhead lights in the studio were too bright (probably for the live stream) and I just didn’t feel incredibly motivated. I highly prefer the energy and enthusiasm that I get from Soul Cycle and Flywheel.

Peloton is still my favorite cycling studio in the city even though I’ve never been anywhere else due to the savings factor (when you purchase class packages), free shoe rental, not to mention the vibe in the classes is addicting!
I re-​upped on my classes after a long hiatus, and noticed that while the studio is still gorgeous and very well appointed, it is much more popular now, with the locker room being way more crowded. Totally agree with some other reviews that the timing of the classes makes for very hectic «changeover» periods. The short 15 minute window between two classes results in people from the class that just ended and the class that’s about to begin having to wrestle each other for space in the locker room. And yes, most of the time I have to try at least 2 – 3 lockers before finding one that actually works. Shoes are always damp when I receive them, apparently due to just having been sprayed. They’ve also stopped giving out free Aquaçai water and have downgraded to generic bottles sporting a Peloton label.
Robin is still my favorite instructor purely for her infectious energy, but I also really enjoy Cody’s rides for his dope playlists. I continue to enjoy every class I take at Peloton, but now I either get ready ahead of time before I leave work (they’ve added a few lockers outside of the locker room for those who don’t need to change) or make sure I get to the studio before the previous class lets out.

Peloton, what have you done with Lisa! Please bring her back!!!
So, I used to love spinning here. The lounge area out front is a nice place to chill and/​or put your spin shoes on before and after class. The locker room is bright and clean with keypad lockers and showers stocked with Malin & Goetz products. The bikes are super smooth and easy to adjust. Shoe rental and bottled water are free. And last but not least, the instructors are great — Lisa and Robin were my two favorites. They both play really cool music and put together challenging but fun rides. I’ve also taken classes with Colin and Hannah and they’re also pretty good.
Within the last month, this place has really gone downhill. I’ve been to a handful of classes there since August, and over that time period, half their lockers stopped locking, they’ve gotten rid of Lisa and the bikes are super tight and hard to adjust. Also, they put bottled water on each bike instead of giving you a bottle at the front desk when you ask for it. That’s so wasteful! Like WTF happened Peloton!!!
Last night I had one of my worst rides ever here with Jessica. She’s super energetic and fun but her ride was just not my style. Almost the whole ride — with the exception for the arms segment, water breaks and maybe 4 – 5 one-​minute segments — was out of the saddle. There were also some really fast sprints out of the saddle, which just feels awkward to me. At one point, we rode for ~10mins without sitting down, which really strained my back. She also said some stuff that made me scratch my head like, «I have a feeling not everything is going to be sweet and cute. We go to work every day and come Christmas everything will be good again. Yeah!!!» Sorry, that just made me laugh, not push harder.

I love Peloton and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get in shape or get healthy.
I usually burn around 400 – 500 calories per class and sweat like crazy. The instructors are really motivating and positive.
I love the staff because they’re friendly and try to accommodate everyone as best as they can.
The bathrooms are always clean and they provide bobby pins, hair dryers, shampoo/​body wash, towels, disposable flip flops, water, and free WiFi.

Ok– I gave it a second shot, and was more annoyed than the first class. I have to say nothing in this city compares to @Flywheel. It’s just got everything you need, want and wish for.
I tried a ride to a live DJ on an early Friday evening which sounds fun and was the first class of the afternoon, so I expected a cool room.
It was again hot as hell, which started me right off in a mood. If I haven’t made it clear– you work hard and burn over 500 calories from spin… you sweat. the room does not need to be warm too!
I thought the DJ would be amusing and at first he made me smile. Then I saw his half leather gloved hands, and my eyes rolled unconsciously… he danced through the whole class and just made me roll my eyes. It was lame. Just DJ dude. He also played music that was not appropriate and I felt uncomfortable. (more about that later)
The teacher talked NON-​STOP and made the spin ride into a spiritual experience. This is not yoga, it is cycling; HUGE difference! Don’t confuse the two– you are not reaching a new higher spiritual level riding to snoop dogg (Especially when the song contains the n’ word and cocaine references might I say). The instructor proceeded to cheer you on by referencing this «dirty» song, and to ride dirty too! Ug– No thanks.
Ok, I gave it a second chance and really booked it for the right time of day, and possibly a new cool way to spin (to a DJ). I am going back to my beloved Flywheel and now may have to try swerve, monster or cyc hoping they pay attention to the temp. It may just be me, but it’s my preference to have a nice flow of air in an otherwise sweaty stifling. Plus I ride harder in cooler rooms. Proven by the technical metrics.
Ciao Peloton– your smoothie bar and fancy lounge does not make up for the stifling spin room and over enthusiastic chattering instructor.

As someone who has taken most of the spin classes in NYC, Peloton is by far and away my favorite. The instructors are great, and favorites tend to be more about what style works for you, and less who is a better instructor (Christine always gets me in gear, even after a long night out).
The studio itself is great, with a great Jack’s Coffee on site, and the bike itself cannot be beat (Sorry SoulCycle). As someone who gets pointlessly competitive, the leaderboard is super motivating, and competing against people in studio/​worldwide is a fun perk.
Only drawback: the men’s locker room is a little small, but I haven’t seen studios in NYC handle it better, so that is probably more a critique of NYC and less this specific studio. If you’re looking for a good workout class, you’ve found your place.

Only in the most expensive of cities can you…
1) Attach a person to a stationary bike with a progress screen
2) Place a super fit instructor at the front of the dark, warm room
3) Put everyone in competition with each other
4) Charge $ 34 per «experience»
I mean, it sounds kind of crazy. What’s even crazier is that I’m not typically a spin fan and I really enjoyed Peleton. I made a point not to focus too much on my class ranking, as I’d probably hop off my bike and into the closest donut shop. But I gotta say, the music was great, the instructor was solid, and I loved that I was my biggest motivator. And it was one hell of a workout.
So, like many of the up and coming, very pricey spin options, Peleton is super cool and a great experience. With really friendly staff and a beautiful facility, it’s no wonder that lots of folks are hopping on the «bikewagon.»

Go for the complimentary first class, leave kind of hating it, but return two days later because you can’t get it out of your head that you finished in 22^nd place (even though you work out a lot). This is for real what happened to Yours, Truly. I do love me a challenge.
Here’s the deal: these classes are (in my New Orleanian opinion) really pricey. But, hey, at $ 34/​class it’s cheaper than Aqua Cycle (that’ll set you back $ 40 a class) and it’s a better workout. And you aren’t taking in big painful breaths of chlorine throughout. I even left slightly sad that I can’t continue this workout in my own city. I could see myself getting past the price tag pretty fast (and we all know it would be cheaper in NOLA because Pure Barre is at least $ 10 cheaper here).
Oh and I know, I know… I can buy the cycle for just short of 2K and then follow at home. But I don’t have an extra room that I can turn all discocycle and that’s really part of the charm, I think. That said, if I did have that extra room, I’d consider buying one of those bikes because I’m telling you, I’ve never had such a smooth ride in a spin class before.
I mean, I kinda hate spinning and I’m a workoutaholic. There are usually years between classes, that’s how much I hate spinning. Besides the uncomfortable bikes which make a workout even harder, there’s also the meh music and even when the spinning studio has a live DJ, they play dreadful mashups in my experience. At Peloton, I heard Siouxsie & the Banshees. They have a Kanye vs. Jay Z class. And, plenty of meh music as well, but at least there’s a glimmer of hope.
Marion’s rhythm class is my favorite. She played the aforementioned Siouxsie and better music overall than the class I took on Monday (I won’t name names. Teacher appreciation is a such a subjective thing). She keeps you inspired without demotivating you by reminding you that you’re in 22^nd place (second class I maintained 15−18^th). She even mentioned Unilocal reviews (hi! You’re awesome!) and is entertaining throughout so that a 45 minute class felt more like 10 minutes. I left drenched and determined to return and finish in 14^th place or better next time.
What else? Extremely helpful staff. Extremely. I’m such a dork that by class #2 I was still unable to get my shoes in or out of the clips. And the dude helping me didn’t laugh at me either. I really like everyone who works here, from the folks checking you in to those helping you out elsewhere. The studio and locker rooms are kept spotless. There’s free water and free shoe rental.
I think that I may become a regular when visiting home. And I’ll just wish really hard that they consider expanding a bit to Southern cities…

I feel like I am always trying to move up in the world when it comes to my fitness régime. I used to use my spin studio at gold’s gym, then I used to do it at NYSC, then I discovered flywheel and soul cycle. I flew with Flywheel for some time until Classpass brought me through the doors of Peloton and I found myself in the best spin class of my life. Jessica was the instructor and she kicked some serious ass. I say ASS because she legit asked whether the guys in our class wanted a girl with a butt or a girl with an ASS. Fair question … motivate away, Jessica. Her music choice was dope and you work hard in class. And as an added bonus which may not apply to all in a spin class, she is also a serious smokeshow ;)
I have taken a few classes now and I love the whole concept. Basically after you create an account you get to compete with those in your class. Since the screen sits right on your bike you can check your status whenever you feel like it. You can hide your ranking or use it’s visibility to crank it up and work your way up the ladder.
Can’t make it to Chelsea? Well you can also shell out a pretty penny and get your own Peloton bike at home wherever you are in the country. A nominal monthly membership allows you to login and join class on a video screen that records instructors live during classes.