Peloton instructor Hannah Corbin recently gave an interview to Backstage Magazine, an entertainment industry trade publication. In the interview she spoke candidly about a topic members often wonder about: are the instructors being “real” when they teach their classes?
The article is called, “What a Peloton Instructor Can Teach You About Creating a Character.” Hannah discusses the evolution from when she first started working with Peloton 10 years ago, all the way up to now.
According to the piece:
Corbin, a longtime SAG-AFTRA member for her dance and aerial work, says that Pelotoners are actually viewing “an elevated version” of her personality. “It’s not me 100% of the time,” she says. “There’s also boring me and nerdy me and fancy me and eclectic me.”
In other words, there is absolutely a performance element for Peloton instructors. They are not simply teaching a live fitness class (which likely requires an element of performance in and of itself); they are at the center of a live production with thousands of people watching. One possible way to tackle this feat is by creating a character of sorts.
In the Backstage article, Hannah provides additional context about how she has “established” this character over time:
It definitely evolved. Ten years ago, I was in my 20s, and I am a different person now. I know that people are counting on us to be the bright spot in their day. I’m very grateful for and I love the version of myself now. For me, a lot of it comes from every time I step onto that small stage, I know it’s someone’s first opportunity to meet me. So what do I want to bring to that moment? What do I want them to walk away with? I view that as very exciting and thrilling, [and] that energy fuels me.
In terms of her comfort level in front of the studio cameras, Hannah explains:
It’s one shade away from crazy. I’m talking to a wall and pretending people are there. But I have found that I can envision any reaction I want. Every joke I tell lands. People are hanging on my every word. There are no haters. I joke a lot about being an only child! An imagination is a wonderful thing to have in my toolbox.
Ultimately, though Hannah is not saying Peloton instructors are putting on a complete act, she does acknowledge that there is a high level of performance involved in order to be successful. This also will vary from instructor to instructor as well, with each individual instructor choosing how much they want to lean into the performance aspect – with input from the Peloton production team as well.
Hannah shared in September of 2023 that she was returning to auditioning for Broadway shows after a nearly ten year hiatus. She has clarified many times that this does not mean she is leaving Peloton. Hannah was still performing on Broadway during her first two years at Peloton.
You can read the full interview with Hannah from Backstage.
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