When you walk the floor of CES, the massive consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, you’re simultaneously in awe of the breadth of innovation, and also constantly questioning, “Do we really need this? Will it actually make our lives better?”
In a lot of cases—such as the gamified toothbrush or the custom mixed shampoo—the answer seems to be no. But in the case of Peloton’s new launch, the Tread, the answer could very well be yes.
Peloton disrupted the indoor cycling space with a fully immersive, at-home bike that streams live and on-demand classes. Now, the tech-based brand is expanding into the running market with the Tread, and if it's anything like the Peloton bike, a cult following could be in its future. This tricked-out treadmill might motivate you to actually enjoy indoor training (and finally forget all about those dreadmill jokes).
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Some of the unique features include a large, 32-inch high definition screen (which is how you follow along with the classes), a front-facing speaker or “sound bar” with high-quality projection so you’ll hear instruction loud and clear during off-the-tread floor work, speed and incline knobs placed conveniently where your hands pass while running, and slat belt technology, which lessens the impact and makes your run feel smooth and comfortable.
Next comes the connected cardio part. Just like its bike sibling, the treadmill allows you to stream live and on-demand classes from top trainers in four categories: Run, Walk, Total-Body (a bootcamp, circuit style workout that toggles between Tread and floor) and Floor (strength, flexibility, or mobility workouts that support running but are performed off the Tread). Of course, this won’t (and shouldn’t) replace outdoor runs for you, but it takes all the guesswork out of strength training, can offer specified workouts and programs for distance goals, and would be a great supplement to your overall routine—How to Use Your FSA/HSA on Eligible Fitness Gear.
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But honestly, the coolest part of all this—the part that can make the difference between sustained commitment and falling off the wagon—is the stuff you can’t see on the Tread. It’s the social aspect of Peloton training. Through this platform, you can virtually run with your friends, check out your benchmark on the leaderboard, and connect with a larger community of like-minded runners beyond the walls of your living room or home gym. And that's the part that starts to spark excitement and makes you say, “Ah, I might actually need this. This might actually make my life better!”
The bike retails for $3,995, with a finance option for $149 per month for 39 months with 0 percent APR (both inclusive of membership, Tread, shipping and installation). The monthly subscription fee for classes is $39 per month. The Tread will be available for purchase this fall, but you can preorder it at onepeloton.com.
