Peloton makes a difference in fitness and weight loss.
I have been using Peloton in some way, shape or form since 2020. As soon as everything was locked down for covid, I got a treadmill and started using the Peloton app for my runs. From there, I got a cheap cycling bike and used the app for cycling as well. Because I loved my Peloton workouts so much, I upgraded to now owning the Peloton Tread and Peloton Bike. My weight loss journey since my fourth child is all because of Peloton, and I’ve continued to stay in shape after all my babies because I’m literally obsessed with Peloton. I highly recommend the Peloton app at a minimum to anyone trying to lose weight because it literally has everything! You don’t need to own any Peloton equipment to lose weight with the Peloton app because they offer so many home workouts like strength classes with just dumbells, Pilates classes where all you need is a mat, cardio classes and more. You can use the treadmill and bike workouts on equipment other than Peloton, and I have done it lots of times! If you have a gym membership, you can still use your Peloton app, and they have gym programs you can do that will take you through the machines and reps.
I’m going to go over everything that I love about Peloton for weight loss in particular. There is a lot that I’m obsessed with for athletes wanting to further your fitness too, but I’ll save that for another post!
Can the Peloton really help you lose weight?
Short answer, absolutely. The great way to lose weight is to find a workout you really enjoy, one you can stick to, and one that you can challenge yourself in. The great aspect of the Peloton is that you can get so many different types of workout in once machine.
I personally LOVE this diet plan for weight loss. It is honestly the best program, and you can combine it with your Peleton strength training and workouts for a super fast weight loss program, that will also improve your overall fitness level and increase muscle mass (so you burn more calories!)
you can add a strenght workout after a long, power zone endurance ride to really add some lean muscle and burn some serious calories. The first thing you want to do when getting on your Peloton, to really help you lose weight, is to find the instructors you like! Try some various instructors, and you’ll find that you will love certain ones. These instructors are focusones on their Peloton users and want to motivate you to do your best. That alone can really help you lose those pounds.
I finally put together the EXACT eating plan and workout plan I used to lose weight with Peloton! I used a combination of counting calories and macros, with a strict workout plan of cardio, HIIT and strength! I put it all together for you in a program, so you can do what I did, and do all the BEST Peloton workouts for losing weight! Seriously, these instructors and workouts are amazing! You burn a lot of calories, have a lot of fun and build muscle at the same time!
How I Lost Weight With Peloton:
As a mom of 4, I have been gaining and losing weight for over 10 years. My oldest is 11 now, and I finally was able to lose that last 5-10lbs of baby weight from my 4th with my Peloton bike, and a very specific nutrition plan. As a certified nutrition expert, I knew exactly what I needed to do, but being over 35 this time, my body didn’t respond to my normal eating clean methods. I had to make some tweaks and changes to really get those last few pounds to fall off. I have alwasy been someone that if I just cut out cheese, sugar, bread, crackers and processed foods in general, while focusing on nutrient-dense foods, I would drop pounds. This last time around, I had to dial in my nutrition and give myself the same advice I would give any client – count your macros!
A lot of people shy away from counting macros because it can seem like there is a ton of work involved, but really the first week or so is the hardest because you do have to get used to weighing and measuring your foods. But, what happens as you go is really transformative! You start learning what a real protein serving looks like, or how many blueberries to eat for a serving. You see how small servings really are, and it trains you to be aware of everything you put in your mouth! If I am left to my own devices, I will absolutely eat all carbs and fat. I literally could live off of crackers and cheese all day, and even when I make wraps on my own, I end up loading up on the wrap, veggies and cheese, with only a little protein. I can’t tell you how important the investment is to counting macros. You can guess on your calorie count and macros, or grab my custom macro plan and nutrition guide. Either way, this is what is really going to get you results, ESPECIALLY if you are using the Peloton for your workouts.
I also put together my exact Peloton workout plan, so you can follow what I did to lose weight. These are the workouts and system I followed to lose weight fast, using a combination of longer cardio rides, with bootcamps and strengths. I spent no less than 45 minutes working out, so it is a little more of a commitment, but you can split it up in your day. I had to do that sometimes to fit it all in, but adding that extra time doing cardio or strength really makes a big difference in building muscle and burning fat.
If you want the exact diet plan, that I followed to lose weight with Peloton, you can grab it here. It is the custom macro count with nutrition guide
My Favorite Peloton Instructors:
Peloton offers a diverse range of instructors, each bringing their unique style, expertise, and personality to the platform. Here are some of the most highly regarded Peloton instructors based on popularity, user reviews, and their unique teaching approaches:
1. Robin Arzón
- Background: VP of Fitness Programming at Peloton, former lawyer turned ultra-marathoner.
- Teaching Style: Motivational, intense, with a focus on empowerment and mental strength.
- Popular Classes: High-intensity rides, themed rides.
2. Cody Rigsby
- Background: Former professional dancer.
- Teaching Style: Energetic, fun, often incorporating pop culture references and humor.
- Popular Classes: Pop rides, themed rides, and beginner-friendly sessions.
3. Ally Love
- Background: Model, dancer, founder of Love Squad.
- Teaching Style: Uplifting, motivational, with a focus on holistic wellness and positivity.
- Popular Classes: Sundays with Love, dance rides.
4. Alex Toussaint
- Background: Military school background, known for discipline.
- Teaching Style: Tough, disciplined, with a focus on pushing limits and building mental toughness.
- Popular Classes: Club bangers rides, power zone rides.
5. Jess King
- Background: Former professional dancer, known for her unique flair.
- Teaching Style: High-energy, creative, often incorporating dance and performance elements.
- Popular Classes: EDM rides, themed rides.
6. Tunde Oyeneyin
- Background: Makeup artist turned fitness instructor.
- Teaching Style: Intense, inspirational, with a focus on personal growth and empowerment.
- Popular Classes: HIIT and hills rides, strength-focused rides.
7. Ben Alldis
- Background: Former investment banker turned fitness instructor.
- Teaching Style: Structured, motivational, with a focus on performance and metrics.
- Popular Classes: Power zone rides, climb rides.
8. Emma Lovewell
- Background: Former dancer, fitness model.
- Teaching Style: Balanced, motivational, with a focus on form and endurance.
- Popular Classes: 90s rides, interval and arms rides.
9. Kirsten Ferguson (Tread)
- Background: Before joining Peloton, she worked as a fitness trainer and has extensive experience in various forms of physical training..
- Teaching Style: Kirsten is known for her motivational style. She often encourages riders to push beyond their limits and focus on personal growth and self-improvement..
- Popular Classes:
- Kirsten primarily teaches on the Peloton Tread, offering a variety of running and walking workouts that cater to different fitness levels.
10. Marcel Dinkins (Tread)
- Background: She is a former Division I track and field athlete, which has contributed to her deep understanding of endurance training, speed work, and overall athletic performance..
- Teaching Style: Marcel is known for her high-energy classes and motivational coaching style. She encourages her riders to push their limits and achieve their personal best..
- Popular Classes: Marcel primarily teaches running and walking classes on the Peloton Tread, offering a variety of workouts that cater to different fitness levels and goals..
Each instructor offers a unique experience, so the best choice depends on your personal fitness goals, preferred workout style, and the kind of motivation that works best for you. Trying out different instructors can help you find the perfect fit for your fitness journey.
Calories and Macros for Weight Loss with Peloton:
Calories and nutrition are the cornerstone to your weight with Peloton. Even if you do all your workouts, if you don’t have your nutrition just right, your body won’t let go of fat. If you don’t eat enough nutrients, your body will just want to hold on to stored nutrients, and it won’t let go of fat. By counting macros, you can keep your calorie count a little higher and ensure your body is getting enough nutrients, while still eating just a little less, so your body will use the negative fuel to burn fat. It is a tricky balance, and you might be a little hungry at first, but being hungry is not going to kill you! It means you are eating less and your body is using fat! Once you get through just a few days, your body adjusts really quickly. The number of calories you eat total matter, but the quality of those calories really matters too!
Counting macros makes sure that your calorie deficit provides the right amount of nutrients. If you eat 1200 calories of your favorite cupcakes every day, you might lose a little weight, but eating just 4-5 cupcakes the whole day will leave you feeling terrible and hungry. If you eat 1200 calories of fruits, vegetables and lean protein, you will feel like you are eating a lot, and all the fiber and protein will make you feel super full! A healthy diet really makes a big difference in how you feel the rest of the day, and you will get the best results if you focus on clean, nutrient dense, balanced macros. I was able to eat fewer calories when counting macros because I felt so full, and even with my increased activity levels, I didn’t find the need to eat more.
Fasted Cardio/Workouts:
In addition to my diet plan, I did my morning workouts fasted. I found that I got better results when I did my cardio first thing in the morning, and I either did my strength right after, or later in the day if I didn’t have time. Cardio first thing in the morning forces your body to tap into stored fuel. If you have any glucose in your muscles or blood stream, it will get used up for your cardio workout, and I think it is the best way to burn fat fast. If you consistently do your cardio workouts and exercise program fasted in the morning on a regular basis, your will be able to get some results faster, and it also helps make sure you get your workout in! At first, fasted cardio can be uncomfortable, but if you really want to hit your fat loss goals, I highly suggest it with this program!
Tracking Progress: The Role of Technology
Let’s talk about technology, your companion on this fitness journey with Peloton. I’ve found using the Peloton app alongside my Apple Watch not just innovative but downright transformative. Picture this: You’re sweating it out on your Peloton bike or maybe the Peloton Tread, and every pedal or step syncs beautifully with these gadgets. It’s like having a personal trainer and nutritionist all rolled into one, right there on your wrist and screen.
The magic really starts as you watch those numbers. Calories burned? Check. Heart rate? Monitored. Progress towards your weight loss goals? Displayed in glorious, motivating color. It’s the feedback loop from heaven for fitness geeks and newbies alike. Seeing your own data, tracking your progress over days, weeks, and months makes every drop of sweat count.
But here’s the best part: The variety of classes and workout intensities means your beloved devices get to capture a whole spectrum of your efforts. From high-intensity interval training that spikes your heart rate to the steady-state cardio of a long cycle, every facet of your workout is measured, monitored, and mobilized for better results. It’s not just about losing weight or smashing your fitness goals; it’s about seeing tangible evidence of your sweat equity. And let me tell you, few things are as motivating as watching your numbers improve over time.
Real Stories: Successes and Challenges
I’ve always been a bit skeptical about home workouts, you know? But then I stumbled upon Peloton, and let’s just say, I was intrigued. I’ve heard so many stories, some of friends crushing their weight loss goals, shedding not just the pounds but transforming their fitness levels and boosting their mental health. It’s not just about hopping on a stationary bike; it’s the variety of classes, from high-intensity interval training to strength workouts with resistance bands, all from the comfort of home. And the convenience of on-demand classes means no excuses for not fitting in a workout, no matter how long the day has been.
However, not everyone’s journey on the Peloton tread or bike leads to a fairy tale ending. Some folks talk about the challenges, like maintaining a consistent exercise routine or juggling the dietary aspect to ensure a caloric deficit. Sure, the Peloton workouts promise a great workout with potential for a significant calorie burn, but achieving a healthy weight loss is a complex equation involving food intake, resistance training, and regular exercise. It’s a great option, but maybe not the only way, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach to fitness and weight management.