Running is in our DNA. Take a quick peek outside and you’re bound to see flocks of people on their daily jog. Walk past a gym and every treadmill is likely to be taken. Tune into the Olympic Games and the headline events are always on the track. From the dawn of time, humans have been running – and not much has changed. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right? There’s nothing quite comparable to the rush of endorphins and subsequent runners high that accompanies an intense workout, but the Peloton Tread takes runners high even higher.
The treadmills you’re familiar with might simply act as vessel for running on the spot, which can’t be improved. The Peloton Tread elevates that experience. Courtesy of a holistic approach to health and fitness that encompasses everything from yoga and hike’s to running and strength workouts. So, what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Or in this case, when your insatiable drive for fitness meets the innovation of the Peloton Tread. The answer is a treadmill that’s revolutionising the way we workout.
A core aspect of the Tread experience is exertainment, a dynamic combination of fitness and entertainment. A recent study from the University of Technology Sydney proved that the integrated and interactive elements of exertainment have a positive effect on exercise motivation and enjoyment. Peloton is pioneering the exertainment movement, meaning that the Tread will keep you coming back for more.
With a seemingly endless range of classes and workouts available, the Tread is designed to suit every type of runner. Whether it’s a fresh-faced newbie or a hardened marathon veteran, all users can find the right workout. I fall somewhere towards the middle of that spectrum. But before I go into further detail about my experience with the Tread, a bit of background.
Prior to my test of the Tread, I would describe myself as a low effort runner. I’ve gone on the occasional run two to three times per week around local parks or on a treadmill at the gym, but I wouldn’t dream of taking on something like Sydney’s annual City2Surf event, or anything over 10km for that matter. I’ve never challenged myself to take the next step and committed to a consistent running routine. That changed with the Tread.
When first logging into the tread, it’s easy to be overwhelmed, or even intimidated by the colossal amount of classes on offer. At first, I didn’t know where to start. Presented with a seemingly endless screen of potential workouts, I used the filter tool to narrow it down to 30-minute classes. From there, I essentially picked the first class that had an interesting title and a resonant genre of music. It was not an easy workout. But it shouldn’t have been. A half hour HIIT class was certainly an audacious choice for my first workout and it would usually be too difficult, but seeing my total output register on a leaderboard and near-constant motivational messages from an instructor pushed me just enough to get through it. From there, I was hooked.
For the last few years, my typical run would look something like this: A quick warm up, a few classic workout songs and a fairly consistent pace throughout. These runs were drab, boring and unfulfilling. That was no longer a problem with my Tread. Which reinvigorates running with interactive features that make you feel like you’re in a class or training group. The ability to take a class, have an instructor tell me to stretch and warm up, all while virtually high fiving other Peloton users currently in that class, gave me the push I needed to run almost every day.
Before my experience with the Tread, I could run a kilometre in around six minutes. Less than a month later my kilometre split was down to a sub 4:30 time. I could probably go faster, but when my Peloton class instructors tell me to ease up, I listen. After all, they probably know best. They barely break a sweat and somehow manage to keep conversing with users throughout the workout.
Beyond the tangible changes in my splits and average pace, the mental overhaul the Tread created was drastic. Going for a run used to feel like a chore. Now as soon as I finish a workout, I start planning my next one, which is made easy by the Tread, which allows the scheduling of workout’s so you can squeeze one into a lunch break, right before bed, or the early hours of the morning.
Enough about my own experience with the Peloton Tread, allow me to highlight a handful of the innovative features that endeared the machine to me and revolutionised the way I run.
Endless Classes For Every Type Of Runner
The Peloton Tread is designed to suit every level of runner. With a variety of classes catering to user’s at beginner, intermediate and advanced stages of their fitness journey’s. Whether you’ve literally never stepped on a treadmill before or you’re a regular marathon runner, you’ll be able to find the right workout in the Tread’s constantly updating catalogue. Running is only the beginning, you’ll find hours of content on the Tread that has nothing to do with running. With a variety of walking, strength and yoga classes emphasising Peloton’s holistic approach to fitness.
I stuck to the intermediate classes for the most part, but one afternoon, out of sheer curiosity, I ventured into an advanced workout known as ‘Thunder 45’. Instructor Adrian William’s proceeded to punish me for my naivety in a gruelling 45-minute sweat fest. Too tough for me, but I’d imagine a high-performance athlete would love it.
Unique Leaderboard And Interactive Features
The Peloton Tread’s interactive feature’s are ideal for a runner that loves some healthy competition. By tracking your total energy output during workouts, users can see where they stand amongst other Peloton users in real time on a highly competitive leaderboard. When you need a break and decide to ease up on your run, you’ll see your ranking start to drop. Trust me, it’s the perfect motivational push you need to get back up to speed.
Beyond the tangible features is a sense of belonging in the Peloton community. On the Tread, you’re united with others like yourself with a similar drive for fitness. Instructors regularly remind you of this, with callouts like “one Peloton” reinforcing the feeling of running in a group. For those who find working out to be a lonely venture, that won’t be an issue with the Tread.
Run Anywhere In The World
My personal favourite feature of the Tread is the ability to go on scenic runs, walks and hikes to a plethora of picturesque locations around the world. From speeding through the busy streets of New York City in the USA to hiking around mountainous Glencoe in Scotland.
The Tread’s filter system shines in this feature. Whether I want to go for a quick urban jog or a lengthy countryside hike, it’s easy to find the perfect place to do it by filtering through distance and time.
High-Tech Hardware
The Tread doesn’t just have plenty of classes. The machine has a range of innovative high-tech hardware designed to create safe, ergonomic and distraction free workouts. With a massive 23.8” HD touchscreen and a four-speaker sound system providing an immersive experience, the Tread keeps you focused on your training session. While a sleek design with no front bumper and a carbon steel frame means the Tread is built to last.
Control knobs on the Tread’s arms have a jump feature, allowing users to quickly jump between speeds and inclines without needing to fiddle with the controls. As for safety, the tread lock fends off unwanted attention with a four digit passcode that users must enter to begin a workout. A safety key also immediately stops the tread, in case you come off during an overly rigorous session.
The Peloton Tread was exactly what I needed to revamp my fitness routine. The Tread goes on sale in Australia from the 16th of February. For more information and details on the Tread, visit the Peloton website here.
