Some members who took strength classes with their Peloton hardware devices were treated to a new user interface and new set of features today.
We received reports from several members that when taking classes on both Peloton Bike, Bike+, and Tread+ the user interface of their strength class was the user interface from the Peloton Guide. This enabled several new Peloton Guide features and display areas on the screen of the Bike.
At this time, we haven’t seen reports of a regular Tread having it, but it’s very likely they had the same user experience.
However, within a few hours, some of those same users no longer had this new user interface. There were some quirks with this experience – namely that while you could set up and use features that would show or track you on the camera, the camera didn’t appear to actually be enabled or integrated into the experience – you couldn’t actually see yourself on screen or track reps.
Between those quirks and the fact it went away for some users, it doesn’t appear that this experience is something ready for prime time (or even public beta testing). Some updates would likely be needed before this feature was widely available. This includes either fully enabling the camera, or the removing/updating portions of the user interface that deal with the camera.
Setting aside the camera, reports from those who tried it today indicate that the experience of taking a strength class on the Bike mimic the experience of taking it a Guide itself.
While the class was playing, the upper-left hand corner of the screen showed the current exercises, along with the time remaining. It also showed the next several upcoming moves in the class – just like the Peloton Guide shows.
The bottom of the screen also had the same user interface as the Guide. This includes showing the numer of reps, the weight, volume, and calories. None of the trackers besides the calories counts were working – presumably because the camera was not tracking the user, which is required for these features to work.
Those users who tried this today confirmed that their cameras were not covered, so that it should have been able to track them if the feature was working. Rep tracking & rep counting is a feature of the Guide – but without a camera feed, wasn’t working on the Peloton Bike.
When starting the class, the Bike presented a screen allowing the user to configure what weights they would be using for the class. This is the virtual weight rack feature that was added to the Peloton Guide after launch.
While taking the class, the Bike screen even let members select different display options. You can access this option by clicking the icon in the bottom left of the screen.
This included the side by side, stacked, maximized, minimized, or hidden options. On the Guide, these all are options to display how, and where, the video feed showing you working out in your own room is.
However, on the Bike, while the screen would resize and move the class playing around, the second part of the screen, which is where you would see yourself, never showed anything. Again, like the rep tracking, indicating that the experience wasn’t fully integrated yet with the camera.
We shared during the summer of 2022 that Peloton was surveying members about their interest of bringing Guide functionality to the Bike+. The survey had asked about a price point, indicating it might require a new screen. That could still be the case – as the camera on the existing hardware might not be high resolution enough to track reps. The Peloton Guide also appears to have a wider angle camera, as it can auto-crop and center on the user. However, based on the experience members got today, the underlying software itself is able to run even on the original Peloton Bike.
The Peloton Guide requires you plug it into a TV or computer monitor with a HDMI cable in order to use it. Unfortunately, there is no way to plug a Guide into a Peloton Bike or Tread and have your existing hardware interface with the Guide. It now seems, that with a software update like one that members temporarily received today, you might eventually be able to get that same Peloton Guide user interface & experience without having to plug in a Peloton Guide to your device – or even having to own one.
All screenshots in this article are from a strength class on an original Peloton Bike thanks to @e11enjane (and thanks to other members who pinged us about this as well).
Would you like to see this user interface roll out to everyone? If it did end up requiring a new tablet – would you pay an upgrade to get it?
We will share updates if any more information becomes available, or if it rolls to out everyone.
Support the site! Enjoy the news & guides we provide? Help us keep bringing you the news. Pelo Buddy is completely free, but you can help support the site with a one-time or monthly donation that will go to our writers, editors, and more. Find out more details here.
Get Our Newsletter Want to be sure to never miss any Peloton news? Sign up for our newsletter and get all the latest Peloton updates & Peloton rumors sent directly to your inbox.
Having set a goal for 2024 to be more consistent with strength training, I would be very interested in the guide application on my peloton bike, I’ve been thinking about purchasing the Guide, but perhaps I”ll wait if this could be in the works. I would love that!