Peloton Guide

The world of interactive home fitness just keeps getting more dynamic, and the Peloton Guide comes into the market as the latest and maybe the greatest yet. With just a small digital camera and remote control, fitness fans can turn their smart television into a full-blow workout partner which allows them to become stars of their shown alongside their trainers, with AI programming guiding literally every step. Irrespective of how much strength training equipment you have in your home, technology like the Peloton Guide is making it easier to get a total body workout in without a gym membership.

A solid rival to Studio Go and the full lineup of fitness mirrors, what stands out with the Peloton Guide is the interactive nature of the program and users’ ability to see themselves on-screen right alongside the trainers as they check for form. Meanwhile, the Peloton Guide’s dynamic camera and AI-programming not only records individual workout metrics but coaches along the way. Among the simplest of pieces to install, the unit offers both body-tracking tech and voice controls with cumulative workout data. Thanks to the Movement Tracker, users get the real feel of being back in the gym for the favorite exercise class.

The variety of pricing options is also a strong plus here, as owners of Peloton bikes and treadmills can get the Guide at no additional charge, and those with an existing Peloton app can simply upgrade to an all-access membership for just $24 per month through 2022. For newcomers, the Peloton Guide by itself can be either $295 or $13 per month for 24-months. The Guide Strength Starter package includes the Guide, a workout mat, and three sets of dumbbells from 5 to 30 lbs for just $545 or $23 per month. The Guide Power package includes the guide, a heart rate monitor, a workout mat, and six sets of Rogue Dumbbells from 5 to 50 lbs at $935 or $39 month. Conversely, the Studio Go program offers a one-month subscription for $14.99, $39.99 for three months, $99 per one year, and $119.99 for unlimited classes, without the extra goodies. Much more dynamic than any other subscription app we’ve reviewed on the market, this new line of interactive AI offers users an opportunity to check themselves for form alongside the trainer. The Peloton Guide does come with a 30-day free trial, similar to other programs.

Read our detailed review below to see whether the Peloton Guide and associated products are enough to turn your home into a full-blown workout studio.

What You Need To Know

• Peloton bike and treadmill owners can get the Guide at no additional charge.
• Peloton App users can switch to all-access membership for $24 per month.
• Features include Self Mode, Movement Tracker, and Body Activity.
• Minimal space required of 4′ x 6′.
• Diverse workouts including strength and cardio with 3- to 5-day splits.
• Engaging and dynamic trainers users can see right alongside them on split-screen.

Getting Started — What Equipment Do You Need?

The Peloton Guide unit measures 6.5″ x 2.5″ x 1.7″ and, with the accompanying stand, 6.5″ x 2.5″ x 2.6″ weighs 18 ounces. The camera offers:

• Resolution of 4K
• Aspect ratio of 4:3 (4056 x 3040)
• Frame rate of 30 fps
• Camera sensor of 12 MP
• Two microphones facing array with 78mm spacing
• Adreno 615 GPU processor

The remote control features Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology and does require two AAA batteries. The unit features HDMI ports at 2.x with 4k, a USB-C power supply, and stereo content via the HDMI for audio output. The system requirements include WiFi and a minimum Internet speed of 3 megabit per second, Bluetooth 5.0. And of course, perhaps the most important requirement is the Smart Television. The Peloton Guide interface looks a lot like the Apple TV, and the unit does include a camera cover and microphone “off” function so the unit does not capture unintended images or time periods.

In terms of exercise equipment, Peloton does offer upgrade packages with dumbbells and heart rate monitors if one doesn’t have them. That said, the Peloton library of workouts is in the thousands deep with more being added routinely. The Peloton Guide is designed to be used with the bike or treadmill, or by itself for bodyweight drills. Aside from cycling and treadmill workouts, the Peloton Guide offers strength workouts, boxing, High Intensity Interval Training, meditation, Pilates, stretching, and walking, and yoga. So long as one has a workout mat they’re pretty much good to go for bodyweight exercises and circuits, or users can accessorize to their heart’s desire.

What to Expect From a Peloton Guide Workout

A new introduction from Peloton, we expect continued developments in terms of programming and offering as its system grows. At present, the Guide offers two primary styles of workouts, the first being Self Mode, and the second the Movement Tracker. When using the Self Mode workouts, the unit will stream video to your television in real time so you can watch yourself next to the instructor. The program allows you to either minimize or maximize the streams so you can be larger or smaller than the instructor as you check your form and keep with the drills. Meanwhile, the Movement Tracker incorporates computerized vision technology to check whether you’re moving for the correct amount of time per round. Presently the “Strength” workouts are the only ones really up to speed with the Movement Tracker but that’s clearly something the company will updating as it goes.

Participants can earn badges for completing various workouts and achieving goals. While there’s no leaderboard at present, we would expect that to be among the developments coming with future upgrades. The Peloton Guide offers Alexa-style voice control and also body mapping imagery which details what body parts have been utilized over time. Heart rate monitoring is also an option with this program.

Peloton Guide workouts are dynamic in that the program will tailor future suggestions to past accomplishments, but perhaps the coolest feature is getting to watch yourself next to the instructor and keep up with the class just as if you were back in the gym.

Peloton Guide Workout Types

Peloton Guide, like Studio Go and Mirrors, offers a growing library of thousands of workouts with new routines added daily. The fact that it’s part of the Peloton family means users with bikes or treadmills have a good idea of what to expect here.

• Cycling: Fans of Peloton bikes can find programs here for that unit, or any other exercise bike.
• Treadmill: As with the bikes, it’s clear Peloton’s app will work with that brand’s treadmills, but frankly any would do.
• Strength: At the onset, this seems to be one of the bigger categories with a full range of strength classes from Boot Camp up to dumbbells and free weights. This function at present seems to be a special interest for the movement tracker.
• Boxing: Another big “hit” in more ways than one, the boxing drills are diverse and expected to grow.
• HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training is a proven way to burn calories and cut the fact and we expect this category to keep on booming.
• Meditation: Mindfulness has become a focus of many exercise apps as of late and the Peloton Guide is no different.
• Pilates: Another popular form of fitness which requires a mat in most cases, users would benefit from seeing themselves on the screen and checking form.
• Stretching: This is a key shortcoming in a lot of plans as many people simply don’t find time to stretch themselves out.
• Yoga: Along with mindfulness and Pilates, yoga requires a mat.

Is Peloton Guide App Worth It?

If you already own a Peloton Bike or treadmill, frankly it’s a no-brainer given that it’s a free upgrade – Definitely do it. I’d even go so far as to say if you’re a Peloton App user it’s worth the upgrade. The camera-enabled workouts provide an entirely different atmosphere to the home workout that’s long been missing. If you don’t have time for exercise classes at the gym but like the high-energy dynamic for which Peloton has become famous, this is certainly a big win. Given that the pricing options are roughly equal to any other fitness app which lacks all these features, and a 30-day free trial, it’s easy to give the Peloton Guide a double thumbs up.