Peloton's "Move As One 5K" Run Recap from Peloton Studios London

Peloton Studios London recently created the newest installment of Peloton’s “Move As One” series.

This round was a 3-class series called “Move as One: 5K,” with the centerpiece being a 45-minute class taught by multiple instructors. The focus of all classes is to introduce the 5K distance to new runners while allowing experienced runners the chance to improve their 5K times.

Peloton's "Move as One: 5K" class from London. — Peloton’s “Move as One: 5K” class from London.

The first class in the series is the 10-minute “Move as One: 5K Warm-Up Run” taught by Hannah Frankson. While runners might be tempted to skip right to the 45-minute run, Frankson explains during the warm-up run that, unlike traditional Peloton running classes, there will be no warm-up for the 45-minute class. That fact makes the 10 minutes of warming up essential for runners who prefer easing into their longer runs. The warm-up run, which uses pace targets, begins with a short recovery pace interval before moving into drills, followed by short intervals at easy pace, moderate pace, challenging pace, easy pace, hard pace, and back to easy pace. At the end of the warm-up, Frankson tells runners that they are ready to proceed to the 45-minute class.

The main 45-minute 5k run class resembles a traditional endurance run, with no pace targets or incline requirements. The only provided “instruction” is to choose a speed between 4.6 and 8.5 mph so that runners will be able to complete 5 kilometers (approximately 3.1 miles) within 45 minutes.

Peloton London instructors Susie Chan, Jon Hosking, Jermaine Johnson, and Joslyn Thompson Rule rotate on and off the treads over the course of the run every four minutes, with two instructors always leading the class at a given time. For Peloton members, it is always a unique experience to have multiple instructors simultaneously leading a class. While members usually appreciate the variety, it’s clear that the instructors were just as excited to be there, with all of them noting how much fun it was to have other instructors in the studio. The class playlist is upbeat from start to finish and seems designed to energize the runners as they tick off their miles.

In between coaching the studio and at-home runners, the four instructors talk a little about their own recent running experiences. Thompson Rule reflects on her recently completed Chicago Marathon, saying that after finishing the first 10K of the race, she felt good about her overall pacing and finish time. Chan, meanwhile, is recognized for completing her October Javelina Jundred 100K ultra-marathon, which came not too long after finishing the Sydney Marathon in August. At one point, the instructors leading the class go silent on the treads, the idea being that it’s beneficial for runners to have quiet time for themselves and be with their own thoughts. That lasts for a minute or two, and then it’s back to the coaching.

All the instructors praise the studio and at-home runners for even attempting a 5K, especially those running one for the first time. The instructors point out that the studio will “celebrate” whenever runners running 7-minute, 8-minute, 9-minute, 10-minute, 11-minute, 12-minute, or 13-minute miles finish their 5K. When the 7-minute milers (the first group) complete 5K, the studio lights up with colored lights and the cheers of everyone in the room.

The same occurs for every successive group of finishers, resembling what it is like during a race when different groups of runners cross the finish line to the cheers of fellow runners and onlookers. In essence, the class is designed to simulate a real 5K as much as possible, and that includes celebrating the victory of completing the race.

It is important to note that the 45-minute class does not stop once a runner completes the 5K. A runner with a 7-minute mile pace will complete 5K in approximately 21 minutes, but will still have 24 minutes of running time before the class ends. In those situations, the runner can either maintain their same pace or adjust their pace if they want to speed up or slow down for the rest of class. The class itself, however, will continue to run, as will the treadmill. As mentioned above, this is to simulate race conditions, when runners who have completed their race are still present to support their fellow runners. From a technical aspect, the class setup differs from Peloton’s “5K Pace Setter” outdoor classes, which are geared toward training for specific 5K paces from 8-minute miles up to 13-minute miles as opposed to simulating an actual race.

Immediately after the 45 minutes of running concludes, Chan and Hosking, who finish instructing the run, lead a short stretch while encouraging runners to take the 10-minute “Move as One: 5K Post-Run Stretch” led by Hannah Frankson. Members also receive a special badge for completing the 45-minute class (and as always, you can find a full list of Peloton badges on our site)

Runners receive a special badge for completing the 45-minute run.

Distance-based running classes are nothing new for the Peloton platform, which contains many distance-based scenic runs as well as programs such as “You Can Run 5K,” “Road to Half Marathon,” and “Road to Your 26.2.”

While many runners focus their training on longer runs, the proliferation of 5Ks and 10Ks across the running world clearly has not gone unnoticed by Peloton. To that point, many races, including marathons, have also added virtual options, which allow runners to complete the distance at a location of their choosing, submit proof of completion, and receive a race medal. If the new 5K series proves popular, Peloton members may have even more distance-based programs to not only to help them train for races, but also to experience what it’s like to complete a virtual race – which, in turn, could bring them to the starting line of the real thing.

You can find the Move As One 5K classes by searching on the Peloton platform, or below:

Peloton Move as One 5K Classes

Peloton has used the “Move As One” brand on classes before – typically featuring multiple of the UK instructors teaching together. The series began as part of the Peloton on Tour, for the instructors teaching together from London. Since then there have been special one-off occurrences, such as for German Unity Day, as well as a “British Summer Fest”.

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