Peloton has made waves again, this time with the launch of its new app, Peloton Strength+, which is transforming how fitness enthusiasts approach strength training outside of their homes. With the goal of enticing gym-goers, this standalone app is part of Peloton's strategy to shift away from focusing solely on its signature bikes and treadmills, tapping instead directly to the gym experience for its users.
Initially rolled out as a beta test back in September, the Strength+ app has officially hit the market as of December 4, 2024, and is available exclusively for iOS devices. For those already embedded within the Peloton ecosystem, the app will be free for all All Access, Guide, and App+ members. Meanwhile, new users can take advantage of the promotional launch subscription, priced at just $1 per month for the first six months, after which it will settle at $9.99 monthly.
What makes Peloton Strength+ especially unique is its emphasis on audio-guided workouts rather than traditional video-led classes, which many have come to expect from Peloton’s offerings. Users are invited to shape their workout sessions by inputting preferences like workout duration, experience level, available equipment, and targeted muscle groups. This allows the app to tailor workouts more closely to individual fitness needs, aiming to democratize strength training for all gym users.
Brent Tworetzky, Peloton’s Senior Vice President of Product, explains the rationale behind this style of workout, stating, "We wanted to go where our members are going and to meet an unmet need." The app carefully builds on feedback from the beta testing phase which involved over 5,000 users, incorporating features such as the ability to bookmark workouts and swap exercises. Users can enjoy all the traditional Peloton motivational techniques, including trainer-instructed cues and video demonstrations for various strength exercises.
Among the various offerings within the Strength+ app are two primary modes: custom workouts and structured programs. Custom workouts allow users to tailor each component of their fitness regimen, including the choice of equipment—dumbbells, cable machines, benches, or even just bodyweight exercises. The program workouts, on the other hand, follow scripted plans over several weeks, encouraging users to stick to various skill levels and progress through structured stages.
For personalized workout generation, users can select preferences like focusing on muscle building, endurance, or simply improving strength. This ensures their workout aligns with their fitness goals. For example, during one test, the app generated a 30-minute full-body workout selected by the author, which rotated between compound exercises like dumbbell wide grip chest presses and goblet squats, paired with adequate rest periods—although some users might find the rest intervals longer than necessary.
Enhancing the experience, Peloton's latest app integrates with wearable devices, particularly the Apple Watch, allowing users significant insights including heart rate and calories burned. Users can actively log weights and reps throughout their session, encouraging accountability, though automatic rep counting is currently absent. Nonetheless, contributors expect future updates may incorporate this feature.
Diving deep, the app features unique programs ranging from Ignite Your Strength to Shred It, each lasting from one to four weeks, filled with 3-5 workouts available each week. This programmatic approach is aimed at building consistency and fostering improvements over time. Users can follow instructors directly but will alternate between workout clips rather than receive real-time coaching throughout the entirety of the session.
The absence of background music or instructor-led real-time sequences is compensated by the allowance of external playlists; users are encouraged to curate their workout soundtrack. This blends seamlessly with the app's functionality—airing audio cues or tips intermittently, similar to the experience of following along with a good podcast or playlist, rather than traditional workout classes.
With research indicating the increasing popularity of strength training, particularly among women seeking to combat muscle loss due to age, Peloton seems well-positioned to tap this demographic. Peloton Strength+ aligns well with broader fitness trends, particularly as fitness anxieties bloom with numerous individuals hesitating to return to stubborn home exercise routines.
For many, the gym environment—and the social aspects it brings—appears more inviting than working out at home. Instructor Andy Speer notes this shift, highlighting how people appreciate dedicated time for themselves at the gym: "I like taking time for me. At home, we don’t have a pull-up bar or leg press machine,” he remarked, emphasizing the limitations found at home compared to gym offerings.
Peloton's transition reflects its efforts to adapt to the post-pandemic world where flexibility and adaptability are key. With its renewed focus on subscription models instead of hardware, Peloton is positioning itself to thrive as consumer habits evolve and shift toward less permanent equipment.
Upon reflection, Peloton Strength+ is more than just another app; it embodies the company’s move toward inclusivity and accessibility within fitness, addressing user needs and preferences. It promotes strength training as attainable for today’s diverse and dynamic gym-goers. Although it's not without limitations, the app stands as the company’s bold step to engage with users who often spend their workout time among familiar machines and gym peers.
With the future offering the promise of expanded features, compatibility with more devices, and potentially enhanced functionality, the Peloton Strength+ app is worth trying for those eager to deepen their strength training experience. The lifestyle of fitness continues to evolve, and Peloton's latest offering may just inspire users to redefine their own training outlook.