Exploring the Intersection of Fitness and Gaming

Peloton launched with the mission of bringing the excitement of a live fitness class into the home. Live and On Demand classes with our instructors are at the heart of that, but we also found that even the most dedicated Member of the #BooCrew, #YouGetToCrew, #RobinsWolfPack, or #ThunderSquad need to switch it up sometimes. Scenic rides/runs, which transport Members to beautiful destinations throughout the world, are a great option for many, but our team has always been fascinated by opportunities beyond video. This has lead us to experiment with new formats, and are excited to share that over the last few weeks, we’ve been testing an early iteration of gaming-inspired fitness. It’s called Lanebreak.

Lanebreak is a gaming-inspired, rhythm-based workout on Bike and Bike+ rooted in something core to Peloton’s DNA, music. Players are challenged to match and sustain their resistance or cadence according to the cues on the tablet to get the highest score possible, which they can then compare with other Members. Along the virtual track, riders control their cadence with their leg speed and can “switch lanes” left or right by turning the resistance knob. They face multiple obstacles, all synchronized with the beat of the music. Members can choose from a number of different levels based on specific playlists, workout types and lengths, with each level having difficulties ranging from beginner to expert.

The overall direction is the result of months of design and research, most notably informed by a series of mini-games we play-tested directly with Members in guided sessions. In these experiments (which were each executed in time-boxed 2 week sprints), we toyed with mechanics and motivators ranging from social cooperation to competition to pure play. This next phase is focused on gathering feedback at scale, and using these insights to continue iterating on the experience through our full launch this winter. To do so, we are actively testing an early version of the game with Members in their homes as we speak.

Breaking down the expectation barrier

One area we are particularly interested in is how non-gamers react to and engage with this experience. Just like mobile did with apps such as Candy Crush, Monument Valley & Threes, we believe that connected fitness is an opportunity to open up gaming-inspired experiences to a new audience. Building off of what works in Peloton classes, gamified fitness allow us to provide distinct visual feedback to players as they take a workout. Just like Alex Toussaint would challenge you to finish the last 30 seconds of a tough interval, Lanebreak offers a way to not only cue you to do so, but to reward you in real time for your actions. These types of interactive experiences may be new for many Members, which is why we landed on music as our core tenant. We found it was a powerful thread between something people already understood and enjoyed and a format they may not be as familiar with.

We’re also excited about the prospect of using gamification to make fitness appeal to a new audience. Even in early testing, we’ve found that folks who previously would have not used Peloton are interested in this direction and it would make them more likely to work out.

Iterating and updating

This is a brand new space for Peloton, and we are still early on in our development journey. Through experimentation and testing, we’ll continue to add mechanics, tweak gameplay and hone in on visuals. Keep an eye on this space for future playtesting opportunities!

If you’re not afraid of experimentation and are curious about connected fitness, take a look at the open roles on our tech team!