Why a California Fire Department Chose Peloton for Its On-Site Fitness

Preparedness is key to responding to any emergency, and for firefighters, being prepared means showing up at their physical and mental best. The Stockton Fire Department understands this well—and that’s what led it to invest in the wellness of its crew, most recently with the installation of Peloton Bikes in 11 of the California city’s 13 firehouses.

Thanks to that investment, cycling has become an integral part of first responders’ fitness routines: After just a year, the department found that its firefighters were using the Bikes at five to 10 times the rate as its treadmills. Now the department plans to install Peloton Bikes in all of its firehouses by the end of next year. Here’s how the city’s firefighters are staying fit with Peloton and why the department deems the Bikes worthwhile.

Flexible Workouts for Varied Needs

With Peloton’s thousands of on-demand and live classes, firefighters can work out how they want, when they want. That’s especially helpful when duty may call at any moment. “You can pick a tough 15-minute workout if that's all you have,” says Captain Kevin Crosby. “You get it done knowing it will be a good workout, even in a shorter time frame.”

Crosby says that his station’s Peloton Bike is its most-used piece of equipment by far. Different class options make the Bike suitable, “even if you are recovering from an injury or aren't feeling a tough ride that day,” he notes. And the firehouse sometimes sees a little friendly competition, he adds, when everyone on a shift completes the same class to see who can hit a higher total output.

Cost-Effective Equipment

The Stockton Fire Department began its wellness program in 2005 with the help of a FEMA grant, which covered physicals for its members and basic exercise equipment, including commercial-grade treadmills and ellipticals. Nearly two decades later, the ellipticals were beginning to break down, and “there was little interest in purchasing new ones,” says health and fitness coordinator James Wold. “The usage just wasn’t there.” 

Peloton Bikes, however, have “a very attractive price point, especially when compared to other commercial cardio equipment,” Wold says. Originally each firehouse was responsible for its annual Peloton subscription, but last year, the department decided to use the funds it had budgeted for equipment repair and replacement for an annual subscription to Peloton’s unlimited rider commercial software.

And even with usage that far outpaces that of other cardio equipment, firefighters have found the Peloton Bike to be durable. “You could say it’s ‘fireman-proof,’” Captain Kevin Chase says.

Low-Impact Cardio

Physical fitness is paramount for firefighters, says engineer Avery Washington—and that’s why every firefighter on his shift uses his station’s Peloton Bike to stay in shape. “Firefighting is a full body workout, but having strong legs and good endurance makes the job easier,” he says. “Injuries occur frequently in the fire service, and the Peloton Bike provides low impact on your ankles and knees.”

Washington himself had never ridden a stationary bike before his department got a Peloton Bike, but he and other members of the Stockton Fire Department got on board quickly. Chase says he’s seen an “obvious” increase in members working out and that it’s introduced many of them to a cardio workout they can get excited about. “You hear guys talk about their rides or favorite instructors fairly often,” he says—such as Ally Love, Emma Lovewell, and Olivia Amato. Chase himself became a cycling convert upon his doctor’s recommendation after a running-induced knee injury. “I’m able to run again, but now prefer the Bike anyway,” he says. “My cardio health actually increased when I switched to cycling.”

Interested in bringing Peloton to your firehouse?