Peloton on Tour 2023 took place in Chicago, Illinois this past weekend. Thanks to members who attended the various events throughout the three days, we’re able to provide a recap of all the activities.
As reminder, the original Chicago itinerary when it was first announced included five instructors – Cody Rigsby, Tunde Oyeneyin, Logan Aldridge, Mariana Fernández, and Susie Chan – and five events: the Peloton Instructor Experience, Cody x Tunde LIVE, Peloton Game Night, Peloton Live Group Classes, and the Leaderboard Awards Party.
However, only a couple weeks before the Chicago weekend, Peloton added four additional instructors – Erik Jäger, Hannah Frankson, Adrian Williams, and Chelsea Jackson Roberts – and four additional events in celebration of Peloton’s new global strategic partnership with lululemon. All of the lululemon events took place at the lululemon Lincoln Park Experiential Store. Most events included a pop-up shop with an early opportunity to purchase items from the new Peloton x lululemon collection, and we recently shared a sneak peek of some of the items.
Bodyweight Strength Class with Adrian Williams – Thursday, October 5
The first event of the weekend was a 30 minute Bodyweight Strength class with Adrian Williams at the lululemon Lincoln Park Experiential Store. Members shared that approximately 35 people were in the room, each on their own lululemon mat doing a bodyweight strength workout led by Adrian. It was a fairly standard Peloton class, though with a number of lululemon references included.
The class was followed by a meet & greet with Adrian, Hannah, and Erik, which provided an opportunity to not only chat with the instructors but also fellow Peloton members. While members waited in line to take pictures with Adrian, Hannah conducted “interviews” with members and Erik mingled throughout the store. The instructors stayed until nearly 10am even though the event started at 8am. Members also received breakfast and swag bags with some free items – including a free class pass for a future event at lululemon – and got to take their lululemon workout mats home.
Overall the store was very cobranded, with large portraits of the lululemon ambassador Peloton instructors, signature Peloton quotes, specially branded stairs, and more. Members throughout the weekend shared that both Peloton and lululemon staff were tremendously helpful and friendly. Members also had the option to get custom embroidery on any of the Peloton x lululemon items they purchased, such as the Chicago skyline.
Thanks to members Stacy (#WickedPelotonah) and Braden (#FupaToFabulous) for sharing their experiences at this event.
Peloton Instructor Experience – Thursday, October 5
The next event of the weekend was the Peloton Instructor Experience, which has been a consistent event across all Peloton on Tour cities thus far, as it occurred in both Los Angeles and Atlanta. The event includes various stations with different instructors, allowing members an opportunity to connect and take photos with numerous instructors within their 30 minute time slot.
The Chicago event took place at the Peloton retail store in Skokie, which is a suburb outside of the city. The instructors present at this event were all of the instructors included in the original itinerary announcement: Cody, Tunde, Logan, Mariana, Susie. However, the instructors rotate in and out throughout the day, so attendees never know exactly which instructors they will meet and they may not have a chance to meet everyone depending on who may be taking a break at that time. In addition, German instructor Tobias Heinze was also in Chicago to run the marathon on October 8 (along with Logan, Rad, and Mariana), and he attended the event as well.
The first station was intention setting; members were asked to pre-write intentions outside the store and include their leaderboard name along with their submission. There was also a photobooth, and a signed photo station. In some cases members were able to use their own devices to capture photos, but they also received printouts of certain photos.
The new Peloton x lululemon apparel collection was also available for purchase at the Peloton retail store for the events throughout the weekend. In addition, all Peloton Apparel was 40% off for attendees throughout the weekend.
Thanks to members Braden (#FupaToFabulous), Amelia (#mainst_amelia), Keith (@drkeithaaw) and #LollipopThunder for sharing their experiences at this event.
Yoga Flow with Chelsea Jackson Roberts – Friday, October 6
The next event was a 30 minute yoga flow class with Chelsea Jackson Roberts at the lululemon Lincoln Park Experiential Store. The class was run similarly to the first event with Adrian; except there were only about 20 members in the class. In addition, the class was filmed – and Chelsea discussed a new series she is working on called “The Set” in which she returns to the same movements to demonstrate progress and build strength over time. Though we cannot confirm, we anticipate this series will be for the lululemon platform; not Peloton.
Fellow instructors Adrian, Hannah, and Erik also took the class alongside other attendees. As with Thursday’s class, attendees received gift bags containing a water bottle and towels, and were able to keep their lululemon workout mats. In addition, lululemon staff shared that another Peloton x lululemon collection will arrive in early November.
Thanks to members Lexi (#MidwifeLexi) and #LollipopThunder for sharing their experiences at this event.
Peloton x lululemon Party – Friday, October 6
The next event was the Peloton x lululemon party with Adrian, Hannah, Chelsea, and Erik. This event also took place at the lululemon Lincoln Park Experiential Store. This event was completely free and attendees were admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Even though this event did not begin until 9:00am, people reportedly started lining up as early as 7:00am. Members shared that it was orderly but a bit overwhelming since there were so many people. The instructors were out and about throughout the event, with Hannah and Adrian participating in a “who’s more likely to” game. There were also various stations throughout the store such as a photo station and autograph station.
Thanks to members Lexi (#MidwifeLexi), Keith (@drkeithaaw), and Stacy (#WickedPelotonah) for sharing their experiences at this event.
Cody x Tunde Live – Friday, October 6
Next was the fireside chat event with Tunde and Cody, which took place at the Skokie retail store. Though this was a new event, there was a similar event in Atlanta with Alex Toussaint and Marcel Dinkins.
This was an informal chat between Cody & Tunde, followed by some quick questions back and forth between the two of them. A few games were played, including 1 truth and 2 lies with Tunde, as well as a round of Smash or pass with Cody. Cody then competed in a game of trivia against community member John Prewitt (#Kenny_Bania) – and then took questions from the audience.
Thanks to members Braden (#FupaToFabulous) for sharing their experiences at this event.
Peloton Game Night – Friday, October 6
Next was a brand new event – a Peloton Game Night – which was held at the Skokie retail store. Attendees split off into five different teams, each with about 10-12 people, each led by a different instructor.
The first challenge was to come up with a team name and a team cheer. The first official activity was “name that tune,” which included categories such as most-liked member songs, most popular songs, and artist series songs. Next was charades, which included different Peloton-related words and phrases. The final activity was trivia, which was Peloton-focused. Example questions included: how many Peloton instructors are there? How many instructors are from the United States vs. United Kingdom vs. Germany? What is the most-taken ride?
The winning team was Tunde’s team. Though there was not a prize, Tunde gave a victory speech to the room. Afterwards, all of the instructors went to each group and took a photo, which was to be emailed to attendees. In addition, all attendees left with goodies such as playing cards, boxed candy, and a notebook with a pencil. Snacks and refreshments were provided at the event, including the famous Garrett’s popcorn.
Thanks to members Courtney (@courtneychakra) and Braden (#FupaToFabulous) for sharing their experiences at this event.
5K Shakeout Run – Saturday, October 7
The next event was a 5K Shakeout Run, which began at the lululemon Lincoln Park Experiential Store and was held in collaboration with the GRC Run Club and Peace Runners 773, two local Chicago organizations. The community groups opened up the event by introducing themselves and their missions. Peloton instructors Erik and Hannah also said a few words before the run began. Tobias and Rad Lopez, both of whom were in Chicago for the marathon, also joined the run.
Led by the community groups, the runners did a 5K shakeout run through the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. At each intersection and turn there were people there with signs, directing the runners and cheering them on. Once the run was over, Peloton and lululemon served breakfast, which provided everyone an opportunity to mingle. Attendees also had a photo opp with Erik and Hannah, and Rad and Tobias mingled and took pictures throughout the event as well.
Thanks to members Heather (#FleetwoodMom) and Keith (@drkeithaaw) for sharing their experiences at this event.
Peloton Live Group Classes – Saturday, October 7
On October 7 there were also live group classes, which were first introduced on the Atlanta itinerary. However, in Chicago all of the classes took place indoors at the Skokie retail store and dance cardio was one of the modalities, along with yoga and strength.
Cody taught dance cardio; Tunde taught a strength class, and Mariana taught a yoga for runners class. There were approximately 60 mats for attendees within the store, and during each class other instructors who were present throughout the weekend joined in on the fun.
Members were admitted approximately 15 minutes before each class, and had the opportunity at the beginning to start a “just workout” class on their app to receive Peloton credit for the activity.
There were cameras present capturing all of the activities, but this appears to have been for social media rather than recording the actual class for other Peloton members to take.
After each class attendees were released in sections for photos with the present instructors. As with the lululemon events, attendees were able to keep their workout mats.
Thanks to members Mackenzie (#Runnermom2018), Keith (@drkeithaaw), and Lexi (#MidwifeLexi) for sharing their experiences at this event.
Leaderboard Awards Party – Saturday, October 7
Peloton on Tour Chicago concluded with the Leaderboard Awards Party, which has been a constant across every itinerary so far. In Los Angeles the event was invite-only, but Peloton opened the event up to the public beginning in Atlanta. The Leaderboard Awards are an opportunity for local Peloton members to be recognized by Peloton and the instructor team. Any Peloton user may nominate a Peloton member who lives in the specific metro area of the tour stop.
Cody, Tunde, Logan, Mariana, and Susie attended the event, along with Erik as a special guest. Hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and sparkling drinks were served as attendees honored the Chicago Leaderboard Award winners.
Winners of the Peloton Leaderboard awards in Chicago included @rociodelmar, @zackmorris1988, @curvyknockout and more.
Thanks to member Keith (@drkeithaaw) for sharing his experiences at this event.
Overall Thoughts
One of the consistent pieces of feedback across all events was how helpful, professional, kind, and fun both the Peloton and lululemon staff were throughout the weekend; and how friendly, approachable, and fun all of the instructors were.
Peloton on Tour 2023 was first announced at the beginning of the summer, and kicked off with Los Angeles before heading to Atlanta. The Chicago itinerary was announced on September 6. Chicago is the last American city on the tour; next Peloton heads to Berlin before concluding in London. If you’re hoping to secure tickets in one of the remaining cities, be sure to check out our guide on what you can expect.
The events of Peloton on Tour have evolved over each stop in the itinerary. If you missed any of our recent articles about Peloton on Tour since it launched earlier this year, you can catch up on all the action via the Pelo Buddy Homecoming page.
Special thanks to all of the members who shared their experiences from Peloton on Tour Chicago!
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