By Dr. Morgan Clark - Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, at Empower Your Pelvis, in Kansas City, Missouri (Lee Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)

When I was in college, I started exploring new fitness challenges and got hooked on sprint triathlons. Before that, I had run half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks—you name it. But I was eager to try cross-training because my body felt worn out from moving in the same plane over and over. As I began training for my first sprint triathlon, I faced a surprising hurdle: I struggled on the bike. I wasn’t new to cycling, but my cardio capacity for it was lacking, which caught me off guard. As an athlete, I usually picked up new activities quickly, but cycling required a different mental and physical push. Looking back, I wish I had a Peloton to guide and challenge me back then!

How I Became a Peloton Enthusiast

Fast forward to today, and cycling now makes up about 75% of my cardio workouts—what a turnaround! About a year and a half ago, my husband and I decided to invest in a Peloton. I’d seen the hype everywhere, but since cycling wasn’t my strongest suit, I hesitated to dive in. To my surprise, though, I’ve grown to love it so much that I now identify more as a cyclist than a runner. The Peloton bike opened a new door for me, and I embraced it wholeheartedly.

The Peloton itself offers incredible flexibility with live and on-demand classes available whenever you need them. Honestly, the bike isn’t drastically different from other stationary bikes you might find at a gym, but the convenience and variety of classes set it apart. Before purchasing, I tested different gym bikes and followed Peloton classes via their app to see if it would work for me. This helped me realize that most stationary bikes are quite similar ergonomically.

What Makes Peloton Special? It’s All About Community

While the bike itself is solid, what truly makes Peloton stand out is the supportive community. In an era marked by so much uncertainty (hello, global pandemic!), it’s heartening to connect with people not just nationwide, but across the globe. Beyond cycling, Peloton offers a variety of classes, including strength training, yoga, running, walking, and stretching. I didn’t expect to use those options as much as I do now, but they’ve become key parts of my routine.

Common Peloton Concerns and How to Address Them

At Empower Your Pelvis, we often hear questions like, “Is Peloton safe during pregnancy?” or “Is cycling bad for the pelvic floor?” or even “How do I know if my posture is correct?” It’s important to remember that the Peloton isn’t the first upright stationary bike—this type of equipment dates back to the 1930s! That said, riding stationary bikes can impact the pelvic floor if used improperly. The same is true for extended periods of sitting in an office chair. To maintain a healthy pelvic floor, promoting good blood flow is crucial.

Here are three essential tips to keep your Peloton workouts safe and effective:

1. Ease Into It: Don’t jump from never cycling to taking 45-minute Tabata classes every day. Gradually build your endurance to avoid overloading your body.

2. Get Out of the Saddle: Don’t stay seated for the entire ride. Peloton instructors often encourage getting out of the saddle to boost blood flow and reduce pressure on the pelvic floor.

3. Prioritize Mobility: Cycling is fantastic, but don’t neglect mobility exercises and yoga. Moving in different planes of motion keeps your body balanced and prevents overuse injuries.

My Honest Peloton Review

I may be a bit biased, but after nearly two years of owning a Peloton, I can confidently say it’s been a worthwhile investment for my husband and me. The convenience, structured workouts, and engaging community have kept us motivated and on track. It’s essential, though, to approach any exercise routine with awareness. Whether it’s running, cycling, swimming, or lifting, there’s always room for overdoing it. Moderation, smart progression, and maintaining proper technique are key to safe and effective workouts.

If you’re considering investing in a Peloton or any stationary bike, my advice is to try it out, ease into it, and prioritize good form and mobility. With these strategies in place, you’ll be ready to embrace new challenges safely!

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With wellness in your pelvis-

Amanda Fisher, PT, DPT
Owner, Empower Your Pelvis, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic in Kansas City (Lee’s Summit, MO and Overland Park, KS)