You may have noticed I have been a little Peloton obsessed since I got my bike about 5 months ago. I have been loving the cycle classes, yoga classes and stretch classes. I have also become “enamored” with my fave instructor Denis. I take both his cycle and yoga classes religiously. When we planned a quick getaway to NYC this week, I knew it was my chance to get into the Peloton NYC studio to take a live class and meet Denis of course.
Visiting Peloton NYC
To back up at bit, I had no idea that there was a huge subculture within Peloton users of different fan groups and interests. Each instructor has their own facebook group of fans that discuss their favorite classes and love for their trainers. There are subgroups for “Peloton moms”, “Peloton runners” and “Pelowinos” to name a few. Each of these groups has thousands of of members who talk to each all day long about Peloton. It’s really remarkable and overwhelming. Denis apparently has quite the fan club as well. Taking a live class at Peloton NYC is every Peloton user’s dream. Groups of fans literally plan pilgrimages to take classes together.
I discovered that Denis wasn’t teaching a cycle class while I was in town but would be teaching a yoga class. Well, sign me up! I literally logged on exactly when the class opened to book my spot. I may have also convinced my husband to take an earlier train up from DC so I could make the class.
Getting ready to head to class, I was like a nervous teen on her first date. So silly! The trendy sheik studio was filled with fit fans who oozed that NY confidence. I tried to act cool myself but when I turned around and saw “my Denis”, I turned into a nervous blob saying something really silly which I now cannot even remember.
I walked into the yoga studio that would be filming our class live to broadcast to the thousands of Peloton users. It was really fascinating to see behind the scenes of the production value and all that goes into filming. Phones and photos were not allowed inside the studio. The yoga mats are all perfectly spaced and we were instructed not to move them. There is a large clock counting down the class so the instructor knows exactly how to pace the class and stays perfectly on schedule.
My class was actually 2 live classes-A 30 minute Vinyasa flow followed by a 10 minute quad focused class. I was still a little nervous as the class started but Denis was very kind and welcoming to us all. I am not sure I have spent so much effort trying to make sure I held those poses correctly as I did that day! Denis “makes suggestions, you make decisions”.
After class, I chit chatted with Denis and the other participants a bit. Apparently, many visitors to the studio want photos with the instructors and it’s part of their job to indulge the fans. He was very gracious and kind and I took full advantage of the photo opp even getting Denis to sign my cycle shoes. Next time, I will absolutely hit the cycle class.
I am thankful I had the chance to visit the studio and meet my fave instructor. Although I felt a little silly, it was a blast. Now when I see him looking back at me on the screen, we will both know we had that moment. Ha ha! Peloton NYC I will be back!
Ever taken a class with a celebrity trainer or instructor? Were you nervous?
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Hopefully the deep belly breathing relaxed you enough so you could enjoy the class, LOL! This is just the coolest and you know me, I would have been all over it! Namaste!
I was so excited to be there and take it all in!
This makes me so happy! So glad that you had such a great live class experience. That’s good to know that the instructors stay after class to chat for a bit!
They do hang around and chat after class. I heard stories about throngs of women coming in w their crazy shirts etc. One of these days we will have to plan a pilgrimage together!
You crack me up! I am so glad you were able to make this happen. Having him sign your shoes was brilliant! Back in the day I’ve me/worked out with Jillian Michaels and Cathe Freidrich at fitness blogging conferences. They were both super nice.
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I used to have the biggest girl crush on Jillian Michaels! That must have been fun too
That’s so cool! I’ve only heard great things about Peloton but don’t own the bike or take the classes.
They are fantastic and I am so thankful I had the chance to take a class in person
Haha! Deborah, I loved reading about your meeting with Denis!!! I would be exactly the same way. I had no idea that Peloton was such a huge thing, with classes for yoga, FB groups, etc. I thought it was just a bike thing. Your trip sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing with us!
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Peloton is quite the cult mentality for lots of riders. I had the best time up there and so thankful I was able to get in for a live class.
Wow this is so cool. How great to get to meet “your Denis”! 😀 The closest I’ve come to a celeb spin class is when I got to do a sponsored class led by Olympian Dara Torres.
Taking a class from Dara Torres would be pretty cool too! I am so happy that I got to meet my Denis 🙂
This so exciting. I wish I were in nYC to meet up. Maybe some other time.
I really want to try Peleton. But too $$ at the moment.
Never taken a class with a clebrity.
But I have run along side Joan Samuelson and that was very cool.
What a cool trip for you! Sounds like one you will certainly remember!
I really did have lots of fun thanks
hahah. A friend has been trying to get me to go. Glad you enjoyed your visit!
Cari recently posted…A Quieter Week
Hope you have a chance to try it sometime it’s lots of fun
One day I’ll get over stage fright. They chuckled when I tagged them in reply
Cari recently posted…A Quieter Week
ha ha!
That’s cool you got that opportunity! I had no idea that there were live classes, really. And no, I’ve never taken a RL class with a “celebrity”.
Whenever I meed someone I fangirl over I’m usually pretty tongue tied.
OH I was definitely tongue tied myself!
I love that…You will both know you shared that moment 😉 What a neat experience!!
Ha well I will know that we had a moment he might not! 🙂
That sounds like an amazing experience! The closest I’ve gotten is dropping in to Zach Forrest’s gym when he was coaching the class. He was really cool.
It is fun to take those kinds of classes sometimes!
Bit of a Peloton fan – and Denis fan – myself. Love Matt and Christine as well. Mostly love sweating in the bike. Weird but I was in an accident a year ago and was in the hospital for several months. Now I feel most ‘normal’ on the bike.
I am so glad that you are feeling better and that your bike classes have helped with that. It was really fun to go to a live class. Hope you have the chance to as well sometime. Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve never taken a class with a celebrity trainer but my sister had taken a class with Kim Lyons ( who use to be on the Biggest Loser).
That is really cool that you go to experience this. Perhaps you could try out to be an instructor. I know of someone who did that. Thanks for linking up!
I used to teach cycle and a weights class about 8 years ago. It was fun but lots of work!
This is so sweet and cool! Ha! I fangirl when I see Ben the 401 Marathons guy even though he’s somewhat of an actual friend now and hurries over when he sees me and my mates.
It fun to do sometimes!
That’s so cool that you got to meet Denis! I know how much you were looking forward to the opportunity to take his class. Hopefully, next time it will be a spin class.
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It was really fun to meet him although I did feel like a silly fan girl