Source: geekingout.ca
Fitness
My Exercise Bike Cuts Me No Slack: Peloton Cross Training Bike+ Review
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If you told me a few years ago that my exercise bike would be judging my squat form, I would have laughed. But here we are!
Admittedly I could go deeper on those goblet squats so the judgement it warranted.
The home fitness world is crowded. And what works for one person may not fit the lifestyle of another. Any company trying to make a device that supports people new on their fitness journey while also supporting fitness fanatics are faced with some pretty tough challenges to apepel to both crowds.
Source: geekingout.ca
Peloton is using AI and fusing their experience across devices to create what might be the ultimate home fitness studio experience with the brand new Peloton Cross Training Bike+.
I’ve been testing the new Peloton Bike+ with Peloton IQ for a few weeks now, and if you’re wondering if AI can actually make you fitter (or just make you feel guilty about your form), you’re in the right place.
Peloton Cross Training Bike+ One Paragraph Review
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This is an excellent fitness solution for anyone who is truly serious about making a transformational change in their lives. It IS expensive. Not just for the hardware, but for your monthly/annual memberhsip as well. But the quality of coaching and variety of classes paired with excellent hardware design and a geuninely useful AI integration on this new bike, truly make this a premiere piece of fitness equipment.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Excellent coaching and class variety
- Geuninely useful (and private) AI
Cons
- Expensive hardware
- Expensive subscription
- One colour option
Fitness Tech
Peloton Cross Training Bike+
Geeking Out Shop
Peloton’s latest fitness bike is truly their greatest. The instant feedback on your form during workouts and sturdiness of the hardware, all in a relatively small footprint, make this a solid pick for anyone who likes to stay fit in the comfort of their own home.
What is Peloton IQ?
The biggest feature differentiating this bike from the older bike is the AI-powered smarts. Peloton IQ is essentially the brain inside the new Bike+. It uses the new built-in camera and some clever AI to track what you are doing—not just on the bike, but for any workout you do using the sprawling swivel screen.
Source: geekingout.ca
Peloton IQ is a prime example of AI that doesn’t suck
If you’ve ever done a home workout and wondered, “Am I doing this lunge right?” or “Did I actually do 10 reps or did I zone out and stop at 6?”, this is for you.
- Form Feedback: During strength classes, the camera watches your movement and gives you real-time corrections. It’s not nagging; it’s helpful. Especially if you’re losing steam by the end of a long workout and your form/posture is strting to get sloppy. It reminds you (and helps you) finish strong.
- Rep Tracking: No more counting! The system automatically tallies your reps so you can focus on breathing and not dying. Occasionally it misses a rep (like in a strength workout maybe twice), but it’s surprisingly consistent. And if you beat your reps in a strenth workout, it will suggest you increase the weight.
- Personalized Plans: The IQ system looks at your history and goals to suggest what you should do next. It takes the “what workout should I do today?” paralysis out of the equation. This is super important because some days getting the will power to exercise is tough, so it’s one less thing you have to think about.
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Particularly in the last year, I’ve gotten pretty deep into learning about AI, large language models, agentic AI, cloud computing and more. From my knowledge and experience, I think Peloton is doing AI “right” for a lot of reasons. But the main one is all the AI stuff is happening on the bike, and not in the cloud.
Don’t be freaked out by the camera. The benefits of Peloton IQ are worth it.
Source: geekingout.ca
If you have a camera pointing at you during a workout, that’s a vulnerable place to be. So you can have some extra peace of mind knowing that video is staying in your home, and not streaming, even for a few seconds, to a cloud server to quickly analyze your form, and then send you suggestions back.
On device AI is fast and private, which is exactly what you want for your workout. But if you just don’t want the Peloton IQ support on a certain day, you can always retract the camera back into the screen.
Source: geekingout.ca
2025 Peloton Bike+ Hardware Explained
The physical design of the hardware was dialed in with the previous generation, so the smarts are the biggest change, not the design when looking at the new edition of the Bike+. But there are a few nuanced changes.
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The Swivel Screen
The 23.8-inch HD touchscreen now rotates 360 degrees. This sounds simple, but it changes everything. You can hop off the bike, spin the screen around, and roll out your yoga mat. It turns the bike from just a cycling machine into a full home gym hub.
Sound by Sonos
Peloton partnered with Sonos for the audio system, and you can tell. The front-facing speakers and rear-facing woofers make the music and instructor’s voice crystal clear. When you’re in a heavy climb and the beat drops, that immersive sound actually helps push you through.
Auto-Resistance
This is a feature that was on the previous Bike+ that carried through to the new one. But if you’re coming from a non “plus” Peloton, it’s a game changer. On the base bike, you had to manually twist the red knob every time the instructor called out a change. With “Auto-Follow,” the Bike+ automatically adjusts the resistance to match the instructor’s callouts.
You can still adjust it manually if you need a break. Which, I’ll be honest, on some of those climbs, I do. At least if I notice my heart rate zone is passing from beneficial, to unnecessary stress.
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The Riding Experience
Riding the Bike+ feels premium. It’s nearly silent (great for early morning rides while the family sleeps), stable, and smooth.
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When you combine the hardware with the software and your existing tech the experience is even better. The integration of Apple Watch (via GymKit) means your heart rate connects instantly. The new “Cardio Performance Estimates” give you a heads-up on how hard a class is going to be for you specifically, based on your past performance. Overall the metrics on this bike are deeper than what you’d get on the “old” model.
It feels less like you are following a video and more like you are in a private training session.
Is the new Peloton Bike+ Worth It?
This is not a cheap piece of equipment. Between the hardware cost and the monthly All-Access Membership, it’s a commitment.
I feel very strongly that you need to do what works for you and makes sense for you. There’s so many different motivations for wanting to get fit. And there’s so many unique and “smart” (in the tech sense) ways to do it.
Fitness Tech
Peloton Cross Training Bike+
Geeking Out Shop
The newest Peloton bikes are incredibly smart which is going to make all the difference in hitting your fitness goals. For cycling workouts, it can automatically adjust the difficulty during classes based on coaches recommendations. But the real magic happens in strength workouts (done on the swivelling built-in display). The new screens are powered by Peloton IQ which can analyze and offer suggestions to correct your form during exercise.
My personal opinion is that the quality of classes in Peloton is the very pinnacle of what’s available and, for me, they work very well.
Source: geekingout.ca
I’m coming at this though, from the benefit of having had some quality personal training sessions over the years with excellent in-person instructors who taught me some more advanced techniques. And the “good stuff” I remember from those IRL classes where you’re exhausted but feel stronger is present for me at the end of every Peloton workout.
But this is so personal. Apple Fitness+ has GREAT instructors and I think is a little easier entry point (and is much cheaper especially if you bundle with Apple One). I feel like Fitbit Premium has some good ideas and integrates beautifully with their Fitbit/Pixel hardware, but their interface is just way too chaotic and busy, so that can be a barrier when you’re trying to figure out a daily class or a larger-scale program. Vitruvian is awesome, but that’s just for strength and the hardware and membership are also super expensive.
Source: geekingout.ca
I mention all these other options becuase those are some of the other brands I think you should research before making a committment to smart fitness hardware. Because even though we don’t know each other, if you’re at this point in the article, you must have a serious level of interest in your personal fitness, and I want to see you succeed.
I’d suggest the Peloton Bike + for anyone who:
- Has tried other fitness programs and wants to take things to “the next level”
- Would be motivated by the fact that “I spent thousands of dollars on this thing so I’m gonna use it.”
- Wants the VERY BEST fitness and coaching classes and programs (where a program is a long-term collection of classes designed around specific goals)
- Recognizes that strength training is an essential part of the overall fitness mix (not just cardio)
- Would benefit from an AI note to improve your form, add weight, or track your metrics and progress over time
Source: geekingout.ca
If you just want to spin your legs and sweat, the original Peloton Bike is great. If you’re wishy washy about your fitness comttiment and don’t see yourself making exercise part of your daily routine, it’s likely not worth the investmnet.
But if you want a personal trainer that lives in your spare room (and doesn’t judge you for sweating in your pajamas), the Bike+ is a fantastic upgrade. It may be one of the best investments you make in your entire life.
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For Hobart teacher Mary Holton, health means everything.
She started feeling the squeeze from cost-of-living pressures when fuel prices spiked again.
“Going out for just fitness alone was a bit much,”
she said.
Mary Holton says since joining the group, her fitness across the board has improved. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
Many Tasmanians are feeling cost-of-living pressures in a very physical way, with locals saying exercise routines are being dropped, health appointments delayed and wellbeing pushed to the bottom of the list as budgets tighten.
Ms Holton relies on multiple physiotherapy sessions each week, but says paid fitness classes simply are not an option.
“That costs … so to actually go to other classes as well, it’s out of my budget really.“
Ollie Mathewson conducts a free workout session. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
National data shows that almost half of Australians already fall short of minimum physical activity guidelines, and rising prices are making even basic care unaffordable for many.
Consultant clinical psychologist academic Kimberley Norris says this is exactly how unhealthy patterns begin.
“We tend to focus on the most stressful thing first … and health is one of those things we don’t think about until things go wrong,”
Professor Norris said.
Kimberley Norris says humans tend to focus on alleviating stress first and foremost, and warns de-prioritising health can become a cycle. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
For Ms Holton, going to a free workout group in her local community was a game-changer.
“Came down and absolutely loved it. It’s really nice to have a group and it just keeps growing,” she said.
Finding a free exercise group has drastically improved her health, as noted by her GP, and she is part of a growing trend.
Free exercise classes become a lifeline
At a community exercise class in South Arm, south-east of Hobart, the mood is upbeat, with laughter, movement, and a sense of relief.
Participation has more than doubled in the past year, with more than 100 Tasmanians now involved.
Trainer Ollie Mathewson said the surge was unmistakable.
“It’s free of charge for everybody … and over the last 12 months I’ve noticed a lot more people starting to come along,”
he said.
Ollie Mathewson says attendance at his classes has almost doubled over the past year. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
Across greater Hobart, free and low-cost alternatives are multiplying and include walking groups, community-run circuits, and morning and afternoon fitness meet-ups.
Tasmanians are increasingly organising their own solutions.
Mr Mathewson said connections drive outcomes.
“A lot of people talk about weight and strength, which are obviously insanely important, having other people there to push you single every week makes it a hundred times easier.“
Professor Norris said one’s health can be prioritised for free.
“What we know about health is, it’s more about sustainable wellbeing, it’s about quality of life,” she said.
“So rather than focusing on how much you can deadlift, how far you can run, it’s about how your life has improved and how close your life is to the way you want to live it.”
She said free options were vital because once people stop moving, it becomes harder to start again.
“If we develop routines in which health is not a priority, then we almost get stuck in this cycle of health always being last.“
Health appointments being delayed or dropped
For some Tasmanians, the financial pressure is forcing even tougher choices.
Amy Dakin says she can’t even think about getting a gym membership with all the other costs of living on her mind. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
Amy Dakin, who lives with a compromised immune system, often has no choice but to delay essential care.
“My health needs to be prioritised, but your bills come first, really,” she said.
Jordyn Rowbottom says she’s not the only one changing her hobbies to save on costs. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
Jordyn Rowbottom has seen the same pattern around her.
“People are being forced to cut what they can access,”
she said.
Professor Norris warns that these short-term decisions can create long-term harm, not just for individuals, but for the broader health system.
She said the combination of financial pressure and reduced physical activity would create a public health challenge.
Trainers adapting to shrinking budgets
Personal trainer Nickola Orr works with clients across different income levels, ages and needs.
She said affordability now shapes almost every program she designs.
“You want to make sure they can get as much help as they can within their price range,”
she said.
Nickola Orr is concerned about access to fitness and health services in the face of rising cost pressures. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
With the median individual spend on fitness in Tasmania sitting at almost $600 last year, Ms Orr said the warning signs were already visible.
“We’re going to see more results of long-term neglect; higher injuries, more need for mental health assistance. It’s going to snowball.”
Her concerns echo Professor Norris’s academic findings that once healthy routines break down, the consequences ripple for years.
“The changes are very small … while they add up over time, there is no immediate impact,”
Ms Orr said.
Calls for more free and low-cost options
Mr Mathewson hopes the success of free community classes will inspire governments and private operators to expand accessible fitness programs.
“More free options would be a great thing. There are a few now, but there should be more,” he said.
The Tasmanian government has said it will release its 20-year preventive health strategy this month, titled The Health Revolution.
A Department of Health spokesperson said the strategy “will address the broader social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health and wellbeing”.
“Specific issues about access to health services and programs are being considered through the Access to Health Services project, a Commonwealth-State partnership.
“The Health Revolution will complement that project by addressing the root causes of poor health and the underlying conditions to make it easier for Tasmanians to live well.“
If you’ve been faithfully logging your 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, you’re getting the recommended weekly about of cardio. But a new study1 suggests that for women in midlife, that standard benchmark may not be moving the needle on cardiovascular fitness as much as we’ve assumed. Here’s what you need to know.
EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) — A boutique fitness gym in the San Gabriel Valley is focused on women’s empowerment, offering everything from dance fitness to pilates, yoga, zumba and circuit training. It’s called “Beastin Beauties” in El Monte.
“ Boutique fitness spaces here, it doesn’t exist here, so I needed to have this for the people in my community here, where I grew up,” said owner Jay Armada.
Members love working on their health and fitness alongside other women.
“You walk in and you feel like you’re able to let loose and inhibit it in a way that you don’t find in other places,” said member Esmeralda Cabral.
“It takes away the stresses of being in a space where you may feel judgment from others. And there’s a certain level of comfort as a woman that you wanna be able, especially if you’re starting a health journey or you’re reigniting it, you wanna have the comfort of being around under supportive women,” said member Ruby Rose Yepez, who also teaches yoga at the studio.
Women empowerment has been the theme all along, from Jay’s humble beginnings…
“ I want people to feel what I felt when I was going through my own journey. I had lost ninety-three pounds in a whole year and I just wanted everyone to feel that,” said Armada.
…to a huge setback in 2020 when the gym’s previous location burned down in a fire.
“ I thought I didn’t wanna do it anymore. Maybe it was a sign from God that you should just quit. But my community held me up and they just really made me believe in it again,” said Armada.
Now, her business is thriving, and she was just named the city’s Woman of the Year!
“ Community and connection here in this space is super, super important. Jay is not just about bringing people here for health. She brings people here to build the connections so that they feel that they’re part of a community,” said Yepez.
“You build a connection without even really trying. You’re all experiencing the same moments together. There’s always just so much fun happening,” said Cabral.
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