Update on “Just Run” mode for Peloton Treadmills (Tread+) without subscription

As most people know by now, both the Peloton Tread & Tread+ are currently under a recall notice. The new Tread is expected to have a fix possibly by the end of July, while the fix for the Tread+ is expected to take months.

As an interim solution to allow members to keep using their devices, Peloton rolled out a software update for the Tread+ called the “Tread Lock”. This new safety feature requires users to input a pin code before the treadmill can be used, and auto-locks after 45 seconds of inactivity.

It appears this update has had an unintended side effect. Namely, the Tread Lock is preventing users who don’t have a current subscription from being able to use their Peloton Tread+ as a “dumb” Treadmill – or just use it to run on without Peloton classes using the “Just Run” mode.

Since the new Tread Lock has rolled out, this has no longer been possible for members without an active subscription – leading to claims that Peloton has been bricking people’s Treadmills in order to force them to buy the subscription. Peloton support is confirming they are aware of the issue, but don’t have an estimated date for the fix.

Here is one example message Peloton support has sent to members:

We care deeply about the safety and well-being of our Members and we created Tread Lock to secure your Tread+ against unauthorized access. Unfortunately at this time, ‘Just Run’ is no longer accessible without a Peloton membership. At this time we don’t have an estimated date to when this will be fixed. If you would like to return your Tread, you may do so here.

Peloton goes on to note that they are automatically granting all Tread+ owners 3 months of free subscription (as announced by John Foley in an earnings call) – which should get users by for the next few months. However, it’s not clear how quickly the above issue will be fixed.

When reports of this issue first started happening, Peloton would not specify whether this was an issue they planned to fix at all. However, over the last few days Peloton has started to explicitly state that they DO plan to provide an update so that Tread Lock & Just Run will be available on the Tread, even without an active subscription, as shared with Gizmodo:

“We understand that this is an inconvenience for some and are working on updates to Tread Lock that will allow us to make Tread Lock and Just Run available without a Peloton Membership,” the spokesperson went on to say.

Given that members are able to return their Tread+ for full refunds if they wish, Peloton is currently suggesting this as a solution to the problem for impacted members as well.

This issue isn’t likely to impact too many people – as it’s only if you are still trying to use your Tread+ without an active subscription, however, for those it does impact, it is likely to be a big issue.


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Chris Lewis
Chris Lewis is the creator & founder of Pelo Buddy. He purchased his Peloton in 2018, and uses all the different devices: Peloton Bike, Tread, Row, and Guide. He has been involved in the fitness industry for more than a decade - previously co-founding the websites Mud Run Guide & Ninja Guide. You can find him on the leaderboard at #PeloBuddy.

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