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When you log into the Peloton app, you probably get down to the business of finding a class, whether that means searching through the absurdly large library of single classes, turning to your Stack, or following the personalized plan curated for you by the app’s AI. All of that is fine and well—though generally, following a Stack or personalized plan is better, since it reduces the time you spend deliberating and dilly-dallying and gives you a clear goal for the workout—but you have another option. In fact, depending on your goals, you have another potentially superior option in the form of a Peloton Program.
What is a Peloton Program?
Program is the term Peloton uses for longer-term, guided training routines that are tailored to a specific goal. They can range from a few days long to weeks long, but the idea is that you’ll finish the program and be more prepared to do whatever it was you were training for.
When you log into the app on your mobile device or Peloton equipment, you’ll see your personalized plan first, followed by a subheading that says Your Programs. There, any Programs you’re currently participating in will be ready to go. You can just tap it to keep moving through it with whatever class or exercise is next up. To access Programs and see everything available, tap Classes in the bottom row of the mobile app, then Programs up at the top. (It’s to the right of Classes, Gym, and Collections.)
Each program is designed by an instructor (or, sometimes, more than one instructor) and when you tap on it, you’ll see information on how many classes are in it, how many days or weeks it lasts, and how long the classes are. You’ll also see a summary of the Program and what it’s designed for, as well as notes on which equipment, if any, is necessary for the classes. You can even see a week-by-week breakdown of what classes to expect.
These are self-paced, so you can take the classes or participate whenever you want, but you should try to do them in the timeframe laid out by the instructor.
What can you use Programs for?
This is the fun part. There are so many Programs and some of them are almost too specific to believe—but that’s why they’re useful. There’s probably one in there that aligns with exactly what you’re trying to do, whatever it is. A selection of titles:
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Strength for Soccer (one week, seven classes)
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The Power of Sleep (two weeks, 15 classes)
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Strength for Cyclists (one week, six classes)
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Floor Bootcamp (four weeks, 24 classes)
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Road to Half Marathon (10 weeks, 40 classes)
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Strength for Tennis & Pickleball (one week, eight classes)
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Strength for Skiers (one week, 11 classes)
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You Can Run Outdoors (eight weeks, 16 classes)
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Set the Barre (four weeks, 13 classes)
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Path to Inversion (two weeks, 12 classes)
There is “density training,” training for people who golf, and training for anyone looking to pull off a yoga inversion. Again, these are specific goals, but with strength, meditation, and other classes geared toward them, you can take a more well-rounded approach to meeting them. Programs are also classified as beginner, intermediate, or advanced, so you don’t end up in over your head or bored.
One thing I like about them—besides that they help you create a goal-based workout plan and are so tailored to specific achievements—is that participating in them earns you extra points toward your Club Peloton rank. By moving up in Club Peloton, you can unlock discounts and early access to other classes, providing even more variety (and some smugness, if you’re like me).
