Peloton News
Peloton Launches The Peloton Report: A Fitness Journey To Better Understand People’s Holistic Relationship To Fitness
Peloton has released The Peloton Report: A Fitness Journey, created to achieve a greater understanding of how fitness impacts individuals physically, mentally, and socially, and to inspire people to become the best version of themselves anytime, anywhere.
Fitness is a virtuous circle of body and mind, proving to be increasingly more about self-care, community, and connection, than just the physical. While no fitness journey is exactly the same, the report revealed all journeys have something profound in common. Regardless of generation or race, nearly nine in 10 respondents say their fitness journey impacts their mental and emotional state as significantly as their mental and emotional state impacts their fitness journey.
“With this report we set out to uncover the motivators and challenges that contribute to the successful pursuit of fitness and gain insights into the support and resources that people need to achieve their goals,” said Jamie Herbert, Vice President of Marketing Strategy and Operations at Peloton. “The findings show that fitness today is about much more than just physical benefits. Fitness also provides mental benefits and social connections, both of which reflect what Members and prospective Members find in the Peloton experience.”
The Peloton Report found that the last couple of years have forced many people to experiment with new ways of pursuing fitness, which has had a significant impact on their fitness journeys.
People recognize that when they work out, where they work out, and how they work out aren’t static. They know they can work out anytime, anywhere, and any way they like.
More than a third of our respondents (37%) are early birds, and work out before 9 a.m.; 27% work out in the hours immediately after that; and 30% after the traditional workday ends. Only 12% are night owls, working out after 8 p.m.
51% of people engage in fitness activities at home, making it the most popular place to exercise.
By a wide majority (75%), people prefer to work out on their own, whether they are running to music or tuning into a virtual class.
Nearly all people (95%) incorporate low-impact and floor exercises in their routines, with more people continuing to enjoy walking outside (65%) more than any other physical activity.
Gen Z’s fitness journey is particularly impacted by the mental benefits.
Over two-thirds of Gen Z (66%) say factors related to the mind cause them to prioritize their exercise, which is more than Gen X (49%) and Boomers (40%). But Gen Z truly stands apart in their attitude to fitness and the connection it fosters between their social life and their mental health.
This is especially relevant given that a number of studies have found that Gen Z is deeply impacted by the loneliness epidemic. So, perhaps it’s no wonder Gen Z is more likely to:
Work out in a gym or health club (56%) more than other generations (Millennials: 50%, Gen X: 31%, and baby boomers: 22%). They seek the social aspect of fitness as a benefit that could impact how connected they feel to other people.
Identify accountability partners to establish and maintain a consistent fitness routine (30%) more than other generations (Millennials: 21%, Gen X: 15%, and baby boomers: 12%). They crave the IRL, interactive aspects that come with fitness.
Technology has become a critical component of fitness for everyone.
Respondents told us apps empower them along their fitness journey by helping them to stick with it (39%), building a personalized fitness routine (38%), making it easy to track progress (35%), or helping integrate fitness into their everyday lives (29%).
40% of people say they would consider using AI-powered personalization and biometric measurement tools in their fitness routines.
Unsurprisingly, younger generations are more likely to want apps to offer access to fitness instructors to enhance their workouts, with more than two times as many Gen Z respondents as baby boomers looking for that opportunity (24% vs. 10%).
Beyond the virtuous circle of mind and body, people have high hopes for how fitness will benefit their physical and mental health and even society at large.
What makes the fitness journey such a powerful and sustainable experience is not only the belief that engaging in fitness improves one’s physical and mental health, but that the positive impact extends beyond oneself, and into society.
People are hopeful their fitness journey makes them a better person (72%), enhances productivity in their personal lives (68%), helps them become a better role model for people in their lives (60%), and reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation (58%).
Across the active* general population, between 77% and 86% of people expect the physical benefits of their fitness journey to improve their overall quality of life, improve their cardiovascular health, improve their flexibility and mobility, strengthen their immune system, and increase muscle strength and tone.
When it comes to their mental health, between 77% and 84% of people want their fitness journey to enhance their energy levels, focus, and concentration; improve their sleep and mood; and decrease stress in their lives, but far less experience those benefits today.
People feel that inclusivity within the fitness industry is on the up.
We took a deep dive into people’s feelings about inclusivity in the fitness industry, particularly as related to representation and participation among different races, genders, ages, or abilities. While the fitness industry has work to do, 88% of Black, 88% of Hispanic/Latinx, and 91% White Americans believe it is “on par or getting more inclusive,” a positive finding that brings benefit to them and their physical and mental health, their communities, and to society.
While nearly 6 in 10 respondents (58%) believe fitness companies and brands have a responsibility to address barriers to inclusiveness, a similar percentage (65%) of people feel fitness brands and companies are, in fact, listening to and taking into account the opinions and needs of “people with my background.”
People believe fitness inclusivity can have a positive impact on society, including improved mental health (43%), healthier aging (40%), fewer health disparities (38%), reduced feelings of isolation and loneliness (36%), more empathy (30%), and better self-esteem (35%).
Peloton is committed to bringing fitness to anyone, anywhere. That’s why we will continue to dive into people’s feelings about inclusivity in the fitness industry.
The full report can be found [HERE].
Methodology:
The research study fieldwork took place via an online survey conducted in the United States from August 31, 2023 to September 13, 2023. The surveyed population consists of a representative cross-section of the United States population, with a sample size of n=1013. Additionally, we obtained "OverSamples" within the Hispanic/Latinx community (n=1008) and the Black/African American community (n=1027). The study also includes Gen Z Americans (n=503) and individuals identified as "Fitness Enthusiasts," as defined in the research report (n=502).