Peloton

The Peloton bike has been my most unexpectedly versatile tool. For doing the work, for fun, for creativity, and for connection and friendship.

We got our bike in Nov of 2018, just a few months after my first PAO. David thought I might like a better bike to rehab on; our bike at the time was a clackety cheap floor model from Dick’s Sporting Goods that we got for rehabbing after my bilateral ankle reconstructions. It worked, just crank some tunes and go. But, the Peloton was so quiet and smooth and had a whole new world of opportunity with the classes…it seemed like something fun to treat ourselves to.

This might all sound super cheeseball and like a Peloton promo but it’s not. I have a referral code (every member does) but if you want it you’ll have to ask.

While I’m completely capable of and enjoy solitary, serious riding/rehabbing, this has been a whole new world of fun with fitness. These are the highlight points, in no particular order:

Power Zone

This appeals to my type A, purposeful training side. FTP testing, rides with purpose, zone training = yes. I have spent the majority of my Peloton time here. Throw in 8-week challenges with periodization structures and it has been golden for me.

Century rides

Random days when I’ve felt like throwing down 100 or more miles. I’ve done this solo and also with friends, some for the whole thing, some popping in and out.

Deck of Cards

These are rides/bootcamp style workouts that I’ve put together and done with groups of friends. They are creative, hard, and a blast. If you want to do one, let me know and we’ll do it together; I have a handful ready to go! Block out a couple of hours.

Jess King Experience/party rides/holidays rides/live DJ rides

I mean, throw on the disco lights and glitter because these are fun! These have been perfect for when I need to balance out the serious with silly and sparkle. YAS!

Drills

Back to nerdville, Matt’s Low Impact rides are my go to for days when I want to stay in Zone 1 and work on drills, particularly seeking symmetry left to right. With the osteitis pubis, my right side has lagged for years. I love efficiency so these are essential.

Mall rides

Pre-COVID, we had a few group meetups at the mall Peloton showroom for milestone rides. F.U.N.

Costume rides

Lil Wayne. Need I say more? 6am, you have to show up ready to play.

PR and milestone rides

These are especially fun if you line up milestones with friends. Getting live ride shoutouts is strangely satisfying. And, despite everything I said yesterday about the gold stars, there are some days when you’re feeling on fire so pushing it for a PR gold star is in the cards. BOOM!

Friends

This is the best part of all. I have met some of my most important people through Peloton. Do you ride? Add me! I’m AuntGrandma.

See Yourself Ride

This is where you cover the screen and just listen and ride, forget the metrics, go inward and just feel. It is easy to get caught up in the numbers on the bike, especially if you are doing a lot of PZ training, so having rides where you purposely tune into yourself is a refreshing reset.

Pre- and Post-op party rides

Celebratory rides! Last rides before big surgeries. First rides back on. It’s all worth celebrating with friends.

High Fives

This one is hit or miss with me because some days I don’t want to give or receive high fives, but on the yes days this is a fun tool with friends. An “I got you”, “I see you”, or even an “Imma kick yo ass right now.”

Some say this is the bike that goes nowhere but I argue that it is the bike that goes everywhere.

– Me. Every day.

It has, and continues to be, a huge piece of my recovery – physically AND emotionally, an important tool for me letting go of my not-needer-ness. TOGETHER we go far!

Beyond the bike:

• We got the Peloton Tread in March of 2019 but I haven’t done as much with it yet. It is fabulous, and fabulously patient.
• I do Peloton yoga almost every day now, starting about a year ago. At the very least 10 minutes at the start of every day.
• Add in Peloton post-ride stretches, core workouts, and meditations and I’m just shy of 4,300 total workouts as of today.

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