FitnessWorkouts

How Pandemic Living Is Changing the At-Home Cycling Game For Good

Why at-home cycling bikes have become the piece of equipment du jour for workout devotees as we've continued amidst a long pandemic.

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Photo: Getty/SimonSkafar
Published Dec 11, 2020

Written by 

Erika Stalder

Peloton is having the last laugh… again. The company that improbably hurtled past a failed Kickstarter campaign became the prestige brand in studio-level cycling in the pandemic age. Now, thanks in part to COVID-19-induced widespread closures of cycling studios and gyms, Peloton has reported a 172 percent year-over-year growth in total revenue and ended its fourth quarter this fiscal year with a 210 percent year-over-year jump in digital subscriptions, according to the company’s shareholder letter—and just about every other growth metric in the book is ticking upward.

As much as the circumstances of pandemic living poised Peloton for meteoric success, Americans’ sudden need to live, work, and work out from home has caused the entire cycling fitness industry to race toward connected rides, driven by online companion content. This year, a variety of players from hardware providers (like Echelon and Stryde) to cycling studios (like SoulCycle and CycleBar) and app makers (like Apple, Zwift, and Rouvy) have introduced or bolstered digital programming while creating a lower point of entry for cycling at home.

At-home bikes: the new class

In September, Echelon, the maker of internet-connected indoor exercise bikes that start at $840, issued a splashy announcement: Through a partnership with Amazon, it would offer the “Prime Bike,” complete with tech familiar to Peloton fans (like a magnetic resistance system and adjustable resistance levels) and thousands of live and on-demand classes, for an unbeatable $499. That’s about a quarter of the price of the Peloton Bike, which retails for $1,895. Then, just hours after its release, Amazon pulled the bike from its site, claiming no affiliation. Echelon remains committed to offering the lowest-cost bikes on the market.

Stryde—an in-home, internet-connected bike maker that launched earlier this year—came out of the gate offering screen-equipped bikes starting at $1,750 (discounted to $1,550 since the launch). The hardware is accompanied by an open-platform content membership for $30 a month that allows cyclers to access hundreds of workouts from any of its six studio partners and individual instructors (like former FlyWheel instructor, Fred Smith), or ride while binging on Netflix, if preferred.

Though Stryde doesn’t advertise much, the market seems to be responding to the mid-tier price point (something our reviewer determined equates to about 50 studio classes). Since starting to ship bikes in May, the brand has sold more than 1,000 bikes and built membership at a rate that “far exceeded our expectations,” says founder Pasha Chikosh. What’s more, Chikosh says he expects to see continued rapid growth in the next few months. “From our point of view, there was never any real reason why at-home cycling should have been such a luxury option,” he says. “We believe the Stryde bike can compete with the heaviest hitters and at a more affordable price point.” It’s worth noting that even prestige brands like Peloton have dropped their prices and offered more options so far more riders can workout from home.

Finding the best bike for you

The race to kick out the most wallet-friendly bike may make for a more democratized industry, but according to experts, hardware is just the half of it when it comes to standing out. “Creating new price points is all well and good, but it is far more important to address the needs of specific consumer segments,” says NPD Group sports analyst Dirk Sorenson. “For example, can unique content and classes be developed for student-athletes or an older demographic or for those solely interested in weight loss? When one looks back on the studio cycling movement where companies like SoulCycle, Flywheel Sports, and larger, national gyms seemingly were offering similar classes, the differentiation was really about tailoring messaging and classes to unique groups.”

One such sector of hardcore cycling enthusiasts previously untapped in the at-home cycling scene belongs to Schwinn. The industry pioneer, which has made indoor exercise bikes since 1965, built a loyal following of riders who recognized the brand from gyms. While the company never focused on consumer-facing content before the pandemic, the effects of COVID-19 have helped the company see the importance of bolstering its own online programming for riders, says Helen Vanderburg, international master trainer and education developer for Schwinn Indoor Cycling. “Schwinn is one of the companies that was sitting on the concept of bringing virtual, on-demand classes to the consumers but hadn’t done it in a big way until the pandemic,” she says. Previously, the brand’s online content was limited to free workouts found on Facebook but it’s now launched a la carte Zoom classes taught by its global pool of master trainers in partnership with the digital platform Homeroom Fit. Behind the scenes, the company is working to develop its own stand-alone digital offering, Vanderburg says.

Getting app-y while riding

Apple is scheduled to launch its Fitness+ app, which will include cycling, among other workouts (at just $10 a month). Meanwhile, apps like Rouvy and Zwift, offer immersive, simulated races and game-like experiences, something Sorenson calls the trend to watch in home fitness .”These immersive experiences that can be created can be gamified, provide rewards to the user, and engage users with multi-user environments not available by class driven content,” he says.

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Whether gamified workouts prove the next big thing, the growth of in-home biking is undeniable. “I think the competition is going to become intense, with a lot more options becoming available in the next six months,” says Vanderburg, as people increasingly “display the workouts on their TVs, phones, or tablets and ride to any workout online.”

Even those not previously thought of as players in the at-home fitness or tech spaces are getting in on the digital content game, now that a surge of studio riders have purchased at-home bikes. “This has been a boon to not only Peloton, Echelon, and other [bike makers], but I know of a lot of instructors and studios who have taken their own classes online and make a pretty good per-class income teaching their previous students,” says Jennifer Sage, a master instructor and founder of the Indoor Cycling Association. “Some studios have told me this has worked so well that even when they go back to studio classes when this pandemic is over, they will probably keep an online offering as well.”

One such studio is CycleBar, a franchise with 200 locations in the U.S. In late 2019, it began working on its own digital content platform called CycleBar Go, aimed at members looking to access a familiar workout when they couldn’t get to a studio. But when the pandemic hit, the project was fast-tracked for a March release and became lifeblood to the company’s survival. As studios nationwide faced closures to comply with state mandates, the business pivoted quickly by renting bikes to members for at-home use.“It was very eye-opening to us because we never wanted to compete with any at-home bike. But when COVID hit, we doubled our workflow for CycleBar Go content creation to the point where we had some instructors film three or four classes in a day on our sound stage just so we could have extra content on the app,” says Karen Maxwell, head of talent development and a senior master instructor at the company CycleBar Go. The company went from offering dozens of hours of content on the platform pre-pandemic to more than 100 hours of content available now. Studios like Swerve, similarly upped their online content game when confronted with studio closures.

Though Maxwell stresses the brand’s focus is on the live, in-studio experience and reports some 85 percent of studios have now reopened in some capacity since initial closures in March, she says the company will continue to expand its on-demand content. In addition to exposing app subscribers to master instructors who have become CycleBar-famous, the company is looking to build its online community and offer classes tailored for at-home riders (like one that tracks metrics via a heart rate monitor band).

Staying connected while working out apart

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how much content a company creates: if it doesn’t deliver a sense of community, customers aren’t likely to stick around, our experts say. Because no matter how many content providers or hardware makers come onto the scene, making an indelible mark on the cycling fitness industry has always been about fostering connection. It’s not the prestige packaging that makes Peloton and SoulCycle industry leaders, but the affirmations, high fives, shoutouts, and togetherness that leave riders feeling emotionally connected to the experience.

Peloton has done a great job of building a digital community, “and that feeling of being connected brings loyalty,” says Sage, pointing to the explosion of online Peloton fan groups. “These newer companies, as well as instructors or studios taking their classes online, need to focus on building that community as well. Studios and instructors teaching their own previous clients will have an advantage since they already know [their riders]. But if they want to build a bigger audience, they’ll have to find ways to keep riders committed and loyal. Creating online fan clubs and groups is one way to do it, but being an inspirational coach cannot be beat.”

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FitnessWorkouts

Adult Ballet is on the Rise—And Yes, You Should Totally Try it

Here's what to know before your first class.

Published Feb 26, 2025

Written by 

Lauren Wingenroth

Maybe it's the reemergence of balletcore, or maybe we're all just trying to discover our inner child, but ballet classes for adults are majorly on the rise. 

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Former Miami City Ballet dancer Miriam Landis has seen the adult ballet boom firsthand in her adult beginner classes at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle. “My classes have grown up to the point where I’ll have 50 people in one class,” she says. “Especially since COVID, people really have this need for connection and shared sense of purpose. It’s really different from going to an exercise class—it’s a little bit of a meditation.” 

While many adults are finding community, creativity and purpose in ballet classes, there can also be an intimidation factor. After all, it’s an art form often depicted as elite and exclusive. But Landis says the vibe of most adult classes couldn’t be further from the cutthroat worlds of Center Stage or Black Swan. 

“People do feel like it has an exclusive aura,” she says. “But we’re really trying to include rather than exclude. I’ve had students say they were always too scared to come, but they were so glad they did. When people discover it, it really becomes something meaningful in their life.”

Inspired to hit the ballet barre? Here’s what veteran teachers and adult ballet regulars think you should know before you go, plus the benefits you can expect to get out of ballet as an adult. 

What to know before your first adult ballet class

“Beginner” doesn’t always mean beginner.

Confusingly, just because a class is labeled “beginner” doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for first timers, says Landis. Instead, look for classes called “absolute beginner” or “fundamentals” to learn the basics. “It’s like a language,” says Landis. “It’s not like a yoga class where you can go in and follow along.” 

If you aren’t sure, call the studio to ask if a class is intended for first timers. Or, some studios will even let you observe a class before you try it, says Dawn Hillen, who teaches absolute beginner ballet at The Ailey Extension in New York City. “Go see the teacher, and watch how they interact with the students,” she says. “That’s the single best way to know if it’s a good fit for you.”

It isn’t a fitness class.

Yes, ballet is a form of exercise. But a ballet class is not a fitness class. Plenty of first timers come in with that mindset, only to have their understanding deepen over time, says Landis. “There’s a real artistic aspect to it that doesn’t exist in an exercise class,” she says. “You’re going to be thinking about every part of your body, not just executing a step, but how you execute the step; the quality of it.” (FYI: Though barre classes often claim to be ballet-inspired, real ballet classes are actually very different.) 

Expect your ballet teacher to speak in metaphors and imagery more than you may be used to. (For instance, Landis might tell students to hold their hand as if they have “a million diamonds on their fingers.”) There’s also the focus on moving to the music, and on performing for an imagined audience. “Everything is taught based on how your audience is going to receive it,” Landis says. “How are you going to offer your cheek to the person sitting in the third ring so that what you’re projecting reaches them?” 

Though you’ll likely gain strength, coordination and flexibility from a ballet practice, ultimately ballet is about learning a craft, says Landis. 

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You don’t have to splurge on leotards—unless you want to.

If your adult ballet dreams involve a leotard, pink tights and a ballet skirt, that’s great. Hillen says for some students, feeling like they look the part enhances their experience. But if you don’t feel comfortable in traditional ballet attire—or you don’t want to spend money for an activity you aren’t sure you’ll stick with—she says anything you can move in is fine to wear. Form-fitting activewear is ideal, she says, so that teachers can see the alignment of your body, but she understands that some beginners might feel better in looser clothes. 

Shoes are a different story. Street shoes are typically not allowed in dance studios, so you’ll either want to invest in ballet shoes (jazz shoes are also fine, says Hillen) or wear socks. But be aware that socks can be slippery, says Landis, who often sends new dancers to the school’s lost and found to try and find a pair that’ll work for them.

Be respectful, but don’t worry too much about “ballet etiquette.” 

If you’ve watched enough ballet movies, you may be familiar with the concept that ballet culture contains countless unspoken rules and etiquette norms. While there’s some truth to that, in the low-stakes world of an adult ballet class, you don’t need to worry about much that isn’t common sense or similar to what you’d encounter in a fitness class.

For instance, you’ll be in close proximity to others, so be mindful about personal hygiene and not wearing heavy perfumes, suggests Landis. Arrive early, try to avoid having to leave and reenter the class, and keep your phone in your bag and on silent. 

Spatial awareness is key: Avoid standing too close to anyone else, or standing directly in front of anyone while working in the center of the room. Landis says that it’s common for regulars to use the same barre spot during every class, so it’s a nice courtesy to ask someone if a spot is available before parking yourself there. And when you’re doing steps that travel across the floor, “maintain the traffic pattern, even if you mess up the steps,” says Hillen. “If you come to a dead stop and people are traveling behind you, people can get injured.”

It’s customary to thank your teacher (and pianist, if there is one) at the end of class, but Hillen recommends also saying hello before class begins, to introduce yourself, explain that you’re new, and flag any injuries you may have. 

Embrace the corrections. 

Unlike in a yoga class, where you may get one or two hands-on adjustments, or a fitness class, where the coach may give some general form suggestions, in ballet, teachers give individualized corrections near-constantly. 

When a teacher gives you a correction, rather than dwelling on the fact that you’re doing something wrong, try to see it as an opportunity to learn and grow, says Hillen. Often, she says, teachers give corrections because they see potential and they want to help you reach it. “If a teacher turns their eye to you, it’s a gift,” she says. That said, if you feel the environment of the class is such that corrections aren’t well-intended or are making you uncomfortable, you may want to find a teacher who is a better fit for you.

“I always tell students that they can mess up in front of me; that this is a safe space and I’m here to support their journey,” says Landis. “Even if teachers aren’t skilled at communicating that, their role is to help you learn the skill you’re there to learn.” 

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The benefits of adult ballet classes 

Practicing ballet as an adult has myriad benefits, depending on what you’re hoping to get out of it. First, there’s the physical: A ballet class is a form of anaerobic exercise, says Hillen, meaning there will be short bursts of movement that get you huffing and puffing, followed by rest as you learn the next combination. She says ballet also develops strength, flexibility, mobility, coordination, balance and good posture. 

There are also the mental benefits, she says, like greater spatial and body awareness. “You’re constantly being asked to remember new things,” Hillen says. “So you’re making a healthier brain by learning something quickly and producing it physically.”

For Beverly Lippman, a regular at Hillen’s class, ballet helps her “focus on the moment,” she says. “Everything else goes away. It’s a very restorative space.” Landis agrees. “The ability to slow down, listen to music, be in your body and be present is incredibly valuable,” she says. “That is so missing from our general lifestyle.” 

Often, adult ballet classes are highly social, welcoming spaces, says Adrienne Chan, who takes Landis’ class at Pacific Northwest Ballet School. “I’ve made a lot of friends—it’s been wonderful,” she says. “Everyone cheers each other on.”

For Melissa Castañeda, who teachers adult beginner ballet at the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance in New York City, there’s power in learning that you are capable of something new as an adult. “It’s always a joy to see students discovering something they didn’t know about themselves,” she says. “It’s common for people to discover that their bodies are able to move in ways they never thought they could move. Your confidence will increase if you’re training with a good instructor who allows you to discover that in yourself.”

“They’re just immeasurable,” says Hillen on the benefits of ballet. “It expands your life.”

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