This blog will be about my experiences with the Peloton exercise bike and their classes. This is a fun read and should tell you a lot about my life!
In preface to my commentary on the Peloton experiences I must give a bit of a background. I have been riding bicycles since I was a toddler. A 10 speed bicycle was my main mode of transportation in high school, in college and certainly on my mission for the Mormon church.
Riding a bike on my Mormon Mission
You have seen the missionaries riding two by two canvassing the neighborhoods in their white shirt, tie and dark pants. Yes, that was me when I was 19-21 years old. I remember riding a bike with my companion in Northern California when a car load of HOODS hurled beer bottles at us while we were riding…..screaming “FAGOTS.” Yes, I was very scared. Lucky they missed and we were off to our next meeting … out to save the world. I always loved riding a bike.
Elder Schmuki riding his bike on his mission in Northern California
I have also been riding road bikes off and on in Florida for nearly 35 years now. I wore the tight biker shorts and colorful jerseys along with the other riders. I have ridden alone, with groups and even on the Maroone 150. Yes, 150 miles. It was during that ride a young teenage rider was run over by a drunk and killed. It was so very sad.
Road biker Tom Schmuki preparing for a long hard ride with a group of 20-30 riders
Spinning was always one of my favorite classes to take at the GYM… LA Fitness. I went to spin class 2-3 times a week. Some front desk people always thought I was a teacher because I looked so fit. There was nothing like “clipping in” and pushing yourself to the limit in a 1 hour LA Fitness spin class along with a teacher and 30-60 other riders.
So there you have it, I have been riding and spinning nearly my whole life. It is the one exercise I can still do that does NOT hurt my knees. It has been decades since I was able to run, before my ACL knee surgeries.
On a bike ride with my kids Allison and Ryan
I purchased a Peloton bike November of 2021 a little more than 6 months ago. The bike was “on sale” about $3-400 less than their normal price. There was no convincing me that spinning was an exercise that I love and would and could do on a moderately consistent basis.
PeloTom, bike in my office calling me every day
Time to get it done on Peloton
After 6 months of riding I have finally reached my milestone of 100 classes. Just today, I rode for just over 1 hour and burned a record 1,200 calories. I measure my success by calories burned and the big puddles of sweat accumulated at the base of the bike. The sweat puddles were never bigger than today.
The Peloton on line class experience
The peloton experience is unique with their on line classes with a gaggle of different instructors who all have their own schtick. I understand many of the original Peloton instructors are paid well in excess of $100,000 for their teaching. No wonder Peloton stock has been tanking! They put together their own music play lists, with all genres of music. Unfortunately I see no opera or classical. The on line classes are either “live” or playback from a previous live session. You can view your competition and see how you are measuring up. I think the whole thing is rigged. I diligently follow the instructors advise on cadence and power, and often times pushing the upper boundaries of their recommendations. When the class is almost over, I find myself in the 40-45% percentile of all participants which can be as many as 60-70,000 spinners. I wonder how my numbers can be so bad? I figure it is rigged. First you have to lop off all the professional riders who use Peloton to practice for their racing, then of course I need to mentally bifurcate all riders who are younger than 50. I am 66 years old. Who am I really competing with? I wonder what my percentiles would be competing with those over 50, or 60 or even my age of 66?
Instructors bring their personal baggage
The instructors sometime come with their verbal baggage. Negative conversations from them including 30 minutes about grief of a passing friend. How about a 30 minute ride announcing their own pregnancy? Come on peloton, we are there to ride and be inspired. I challenge you my 66 year old comrades, burn 1,200 calories tomorrow in 85 minutes. Return and report!
Time to get in shape for Italy
So why the push right now with Peloton? I am trying very hard to get in the best shape I can before our trip to Italy. I want to look good, and be healthy. I want to be able to hold Alice’s hand and walk 10-15 miles each day.
Sample of a class and my stats taken today
A challenge
If you are 50, 60 or even my age 66 years old, I challenge you to burn 1,200+ calories tomorrow in under 85 minutes. Return and report.
A bucker of sweat
Maybe I should be a Peloton instructor? I may be the first 66 year old man to do so. What do you think? I will let you know how many gallons of sweat I donated at the base of my peloton tomorrow morning.