As I push myself harder in the studio with cameras shooting from every angle, lit by blue spotlights, pop music explodes and my spirits soar. Seen and counted.
I’m in the first exercise class published at Peloton’s state-of-the-art London studio. I’m being taught by her star instructor, Leanne Hainsby, and her classes are streamed live to tens of thousands of viewers at home.
The popularity of fitness platforms skyrocketed during the pandemic when people could only work out at home. From Rishi Sunak to his Sporty Spice, everyone has declared fans and the charming instructor has become a celebrity in his own right.
Critics have ridiculed the cost — a screen-mounted exercise bike starts at £1,345, plus £39 a month to access online classes. But Peloton’s cult following grew, and the company has amassed a whopping 7 million members worldwide.
Of all the UK’s peloton instructors, Leanne, 35, a former backing dancer for Taylor Swift and One Direction, is best known. Photo: Leanne Hainsby (left) and her Antonia Hoyle for The Daily Mail
But when Jim reopened, Peloton’s stock plummeted, stalling bike sales that once had waiting lists.
Perhaps summing up its precarious fate, Peloton was also blamed for the death of Sex and the City character Mr. Big.
The company hopes to spur interest by opening some of the classes to the public, and so far, the plan seems to be working.
When bookings for the £25 class started this summer, they sold out quickly. There will be a waiting list for the more popular days in the coming months.
Of all the UK’s peloton instructors, Leanne, 35, a former backing dancer for Taylor Swift and One Direction, is best known. Her honed physique and her 320,000 her Instagram followers won’t believe her girl-next-door attitude. The couple, who is engaged to her fellow instructor Ben Alldis, 29, is Britain’s most high-profile fitness her influencer. But at your peril call her her celebrity.
“It’s very obvious if we’re anything less than ourselves because of the pressures we’re under,” Leanne says.
I’m in the first exercise class published at Peloton’s state-of-the-art London studio. I’m being taught by her star instructor, Leanne Hainsby, and her classes are streamed live to tens of thousands of viewers at home.
She’s enjoying the opportunity to meet a legion of fans who say it’s helped her stay sane during the pandemic.
“I want people who meet me to think, ‘Oh, you’re exactly the same,'” she says.
“What’s different about the members being in the studio is that there’s magic in that you can feel people’s energy.”
I have been a Peloton subscriber since February 2021. I’m obsessed with the instructor and take about five classes a week, so I jump at the chance to get a front row (bike) seat on Leanne’s 30-minute Pop Ride. About how virtual experiences translate into real life.
Can you push yourself when you know you’re on camera? With a modern twist, is this just an exercise class comeback?
Peloton’s Central London headquarters is part movie set and part fitness palace. Open to the public Friday through Sunday, producers film bike and tread (running) classes in a glass-enclosed control room. The attendee should arrive 45 minutes before his class starts.
To get into your exercise kit, you’ll be escorted to a changing room complete with designer shower gels and Dyson hairdryers. Please come dressed in “non-intrusive” clothing. Tops must be worn and clothing must be “family friendly”.
Pick your size cycling shoes from the rack. Below are the cleats that attach to the pedals, rental included in the class fee.
When the door opens, you are ushered to your bike. My — bite — is closest to Leanne.
By the time she is ushered in by security, the excitement is at its peak. Perfect in a crop top, leggings, and makeup, she tests the mic and shines for us all as her digital clock counts down and she goes live.
“This is a moment for me, for you, for all of us,” she says as she warms up to Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up, ushering us in rock star style. (To her credit, Leanne never claims she’s cool.)
I have been a Peloton subscriber since February 2021. I’m obsessed with the instructor and take about five classes a week, so I jump at the chance to get a front row (bike) seat on Leanne’s 30-minute Pop Ride.On how virtual experiences translate into real life
As the ride progresses, she “screams” at her name on the leaderboard. Some of them are with us in person, others are at home following her live stream. That milestone will be displayed to the instructor.
We are overjoyed to congratulate London Mama Bear in the studio for completing 400 rides. I wonder if I’m being too American, but camaraderie is contagious, and plans to avoid being a sweaty wreck are scrapped as I pedal harder.
I’ve been so busy figuring out how Leanne stays immaculate during her workouts (she later told me that “sneaky fans” are being trained on her) that she I miss you not calling my name.
“Where’s AntOnTheBike?” she asks again.
I waved my hands hysterically with excitement and nearly lost my balance.
Ultimately, I haven’t achieved PR (Peloton talks about personal records), but I’m not far off.
Leanne was taken to the instructor’s dressing room and given us a ‘pat and pat spruce’ before meeting us and taking pictures. no one refuses.
I traveled 2 hours today so I’m not sure if I’ll be a regular in class when I can ride my bike at home. But in terms of opportunity, I can certainly see the appeal – and no matter what the cynics say, I’ll bet the class will be booked for some time to come.
“My job is to make people sweat, but they always apologize when I try to give them a hug,” she laughs, recalling a mother who brought her two children to the studio last weekend. I was.
“They knew Mommy was riding with Sparkly Lean and kept poking me. They thought I was a real-life action hero or cartoon character that came to life. I think it was a beautiful moment, they traveled for hours to get here.
I traveled 2 hours today so I’m not sure if I’ll be a regular in class when I can ride my bike at home.
But in terms of opportunity, I can certainly see the appeal – and no matter what the cynics say, I bet the class will be booked for some time to come.
studio.onepeloton.co.uk
.
