Toughest Peloton Instructor or Ride

[Anonymous]

What’s your opinion?

[Anonymous]

Jess Sims classes are hard. Power Zones classes can be tough too. Matt Wilpur.

[Anonymous]

Jess Sims and Tunde are the hardest for me...but I haven't tried every instructor. Honestly, I like Cody best because he has the widest ranges of skill level on his rides, and it's more accessible for most people.

[Anonymous]

I sort of think it depends on what's hard for you. If you're more of a sprinter, some of the longer Power Zone classes are brutal, because they work lactate threshold and VO2 max. Sweat Steady are similar. But if you're an endurance person, it might be Tabata or HIIT and Hills.

The other factor is how structured the rides are. Some instructors are highly structured and lay out the rides in advance (Matt Wilpers, Hannah Frankson, Robin). Others just throw random stuff in there and so you don't know what's coming (Kendall, Olivia). Each style has its trade-offs in terms of difficulty, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Jess King's 60 minute sweat steady.

Any FTP test. lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jess King's 60 minute sweat steady.

Any FTP test. lol

I’ve never tried a cycling class of hers. Only cool down or stretch classes. I don’t find her voice too appealing but I’m willing to overlook her voice if the class is good and super challenging. Can you tell me the general concept of the class? Are you really riding a steady pace for an hour?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jess Sims and Tunde are the hardest for me...but I haven't tried every instructor. Honestly, I like Cody best because he has the widest ranges of skill level on his rides, and it's more accessible for most people.

Tunde somehow manages to make even the 10 minute arm workouts with 1-3 lb weights grueling. I read a thread on Reddit similar to this and someone said only half jokingly that he felt like Tunde might be trying to kill him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jess King's 60 minute sweat steady.

Any FTP test. lol

I’ve never tried a cycling class of hers. Only cool down or stretch classes. I don’t find her voice too appealing but I’m willing to overlook her voice if the class is good and super challenging. Can you tell me the general concept of the class? Are you really riding a steady pace for an hour?

My therapist recommended her as someone who speaks to your inner monologue (even if at a higher pitch). She is unapologetically too much and knows that she isn't everyone's favorite. That being said, she can kick your @$$ for an hour. Sweat steady is a resistance increasing ride over stepped up intervals--the sweating is what is steady. If I can recall correctly, the meat of the ride (not including warmup, recovery and cool-down) had 3 main climbs broken down into 3 parts each. The climbs were 15 minutes, 12 minutes, and 9 minutes. For the first climb, the first 5 minutes were moderate resistance, second 5 minutes high resistance, and third 5 minutes at very high resistance. Then a few minutes of recovery. The 12-minute climb stepped upped the resistance from the 15-minute climb, but for 4 minutes instead of 5. The 9-minute climb stepped up the resistance from the 12-minute climb bur for 3 minutes instead of 4. By the third 3-minute session of the third climb, you are at your highest resistance (I was in my zone 7). This class was the first time I used the pause button. By far the hardest class I have ever taken, and I have done FTP tests, PZ rides, 90-minute Wilper rides and tons of Tunde.

It's worth trying even if it isn't the hardest class you have ever taken.

[Anonymous]

Tunde is hardest for me. That said, she's also my favorite- she's so motivating. "You can do ANYTHING for 30 seconds."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jess King's 60 minute sweat steady.

Any FTP test. lol

I’ve never tried a cycling class of hers. Only cool down or stretch classes. I don’t find her voice too appealing but I’m willing to overlook her voice if the class is good and super challenging. Can you tell me the general concept of the class? Are you really riding a steady pace for an hour?

My therapist recommended her as someone who speaks to your inner monologue (even if at a higher pitch). She is unapologetically too much and knows that she isn't everyone's favorite. That being said, she can kick your @$$ for an hour. Sweat steady is a resistance increasing ride over stepped up intervals--the sweating is what is steady. If I can recall correctly, the meat of the ride (not including warmup, recovery and cool-down) had 3 main climbs broken down into 3 parts each. The climbs were 15 minutes, 12 minutes, and 9 minutes. For the first climb, the first 5 minutes were moderate resistance, second 5 minutes high resistance, and third 5 minutes at very high resistance. Then a few minutes of recovery. The 12-minute climb stepped upped the resistance from the 15-minute climb, but for 4 minutes instead of 5. The 9-minute climb stepped up the resistance from the 12-minute climb bur for 3 minutes instead of 4. By the third 3-minute session of the third climb, you are at your highest resistance (I was in my zone 7). This class was the first time I used the pause button. By far the hardest class I have ever taken, and I have done FTP tests, PZ rides, 90-minute Wilper rides and tons of Tunde.

It's worth trying even if it isn't the hardest class you have ever taken.

13:39 again, and wanted to note that not all the Sweat Steady rides are climbs. You increase output, yes, but that may come from increased cadence, resistance, or both. Just mentioning that for those who aren't as into climbs--they're still very, very hard rides, but don't have to be done in the climb format. I've taken 45 minute ones that were three 10 minute intervals, with five minutes in between the first and second and then second and third. I used them to prep for my FTP, taking the intervals high Zone 4 (or what I estimated it to be, the first time).

And yeah, I guess the true answer to toughest ride is the FTP. That just sucks. Tabata are my favorite tough rides, because I still want to puke, but the music is better and its more fun than an FTP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jess King's 60 minute sweat steady.

Any FTP test. lol

I’ve never tried a cycling class of hers. Only cool down or stretch classes. I don’t find her voice too appealing but I’m willing to overlook her voice if the class is good and super challenging. Can you tell me the general concept of the class? Are you really riding a steady pace for an hour?

My therapist recommended her as someone who speaks to your inner monologue (even if at a higher pitch). She is unapologetically too much and knows that she isn't everyone's favorite. That being said, she can kick your @$$ for an hour. Sweat steady is a resistance increasing ride over stepped up intervals--the sweating is what is steady. If I can recall correctly, the meat of the ride (not including warmup, recovery and cool-down) had 3 main climbs broken down into 3 parts each. The climbs were 15 minutes, 12 minutes, and 9 minutes. For the first climb, the first 5 minutes were moderate resistance, second 5 minutes high resistance, and third 5 minutes at very high resistance. Then a few minutes of recovery. The 12-minute climb stepped upped the resistance from the 15-minute climb, but for 4 minutes instead of 5. The 9-minute climb stepped up the resistance from the 12-minute climb bur for 3 minutes instead of 4. By the third 3-minute session of the third climb, you are at your highest resistance (I was in my zone 7). This class was the first time I used the pause button. By far the hardest class I have ever taken, and I have done FTP tests, PZ rides, 90-minute Wilper rides and tons of Tunde.

It's worth trying even if it isn't the hardest class you have ever taken.

13:39 again, and wanted to note that not all the Sweat Steady rides are climbs. You increase output, yes, but that may come from increased cadence, resistance, or both. Just mentioning that for those who aren't as into climbs--they're still very, very hard rides, but don't have to be done in the climb format. I've taken 45 minute ones that were three 10 minute intervals, with five minutes in between the first and second and then second and third. I used them to prep for my FTP, taking the intervals high Zone 4 (or what I estimated it to be, the first time).

And yeah, I guess the true answer to toughest ride is the FTP. That just sucks. Tabata are my favorite tough rides, because I still want to puke, but the music is better and its more fun than an FTP.

I’m pp. Thanks for the info. Are you keeping the same cadence while increasing resistance in the 60 min sweaty steady ride? I wish Peloton gave you a roadmap for the on demand rides. Their descriptions aren’t detailed enough for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jess King's 60 minute sweat steady.

Any FTP test. lol

I’ve never tried a cycling class of hers. Only cool down or stretch classes. I don’t find her voice too appealing but I’m willing to overlook her voice if the class is good and super challenging. Can you tell me the general concept of the class? Are you really riding a steady pace for an hour?

My therapist recommended her as someone who speaks to your inner monologue (even if at a higher pitch). She is unapologetically too much and knows that she isn't everyone's favorite. That being said, she can kick your @$$ for an hour. Sweat steady is a resistance increasing ride over stepped up intervals--the sweating is what is steady. If I can recall correctly, the meat of the ride (not including warmup, recovery and cool-down) had 3 main climbs broken down into 3 parts each. The climbs were 15 minutes, 12 minutes, and 9 minutes. For the first climb, the first 5 minutes were moderate resistance, second 5 minutes high resistance, and third 5 minutes at very high resistance. Then a few minutes of recovery. The 12-minute climb stepped upped the resistance from the 15-minute climb, but for 4 minutes instead of 5. The 9-minute climb stepped up the resistance from the 12-minute climb bur for 3 minutes instead of 4. By the third 3-minute session of the third climb, you are at your highest resistance (I was in my zone 7). This class was the first time I used the pause button. By far the hardest class I have ever taken, and I have done FTP tests, PZ rides, 90-minute Wilper rides and tons of Tunde.

It's worth trying even if it isn't the hardest class you have ever taken.

13:39 again, and wanted to note that not all the Sweat Steady rides are climbs. You increase output, yes, but that may come from increased cadence, resistance, or both. Just mentioning that for those who aren't as into climbs--they're still very, very hard rides, but don't have to be done in the climb format. I've taken 45 minute ones that were three 10 minute intervals, with five minutes in between the first and second and then second and third. I used them to prep for my FTP, taking the intervals high Zone 4 (or what I estimated it to be, the first time).

And yeah, I guess the true answer to toughest ride is the FTP. That just sucks. Tabata are my favorite tough rides, because I still want to puke, but the music is better and its more fun than an FTP.

I’m pp. Thanks for the info. Are you keeping the same cadence while increasing resistance in the 60 min sweaty steady ride? I wish Peloton gave you a roadmap for the on demand rides. Their descriptions aren’t detailed enough for me.

I kept pretty much the same cadence. It may have changed a little bit but the focus was definitely on the resistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jess King's 60 minute sweat steady.

Any FTP test. lol

I’ve never tried a cycling class of hers. Only cool down or stretch classes. I don’t find her voice too appealing but I’m willing to overlook her voice if the class is good and super challenging. Can you tell me the general concept of the class? Are you really riding a steady pace for an hour?

My therapist recommended her as someone who speaks to your inner monologue (even if at a higher pitch). She is unapologetically too much and knows that she isn't everyone's favorite. That being said, she can kick your @$$ for an hour. Sweat steady is a resistance increasing ride over stepped up intervals--the sweating is what is steady. If I can recall correctly, the meat of the ride (not including warmup, recovery and cool-down) had 3 main climbs broken down into 3 parts each. The climbs were 15 minutes, 12 minutes, and 9 minutes. For the first climb, the first 5 minutes were moderate resistance, second 5 minutes high resistance, and third 5 minutes at very high resistance. Then a few minutes of recovery. The 12-minute climb stepped upped the resistance from the 15-minute climb, but for 4 minutes instead of 5. The 9-minute climb stepped up the resistance from the 12-minute climb bur for 3 minutes instead of 4. By the third 3-minute session of the third climb, you are at your highest resistance (I was in my zone 7). This class was the first time I used the pause button. By far the hardest class I have ever taken, and I have done FTP tests, PZ rides, 90-minute Wilper rides and tons of Tunde.

It's worth trying even if it isn't the hardest class you have ever taken.

13:39 again, and wanted to note that not all the Sweat Steady rides are climbs. You increase output, yes, but that may come from increased cadence, resistance, or both. Just mentioning that for those who aren't as into climbs--they're still very, very hard rides, but don't have to be done in the climb format. I've taken 45 minute ones that were three 10 minute intervals, with five minutes in between the first and second and then second and third. I used them to prep for my FTP, taking the intervals high Zone 4 (or what I estimated it to be, the first time).

And yeah, I guess the true answer to toughest ride is the FTP. That just sucks. Tabata are my favorite tough rides, because I still want to puke, but the music is better and its more fun than an FTP.

I’m pp. Thanks for the info. Are you keeping the same cadence while increasing resistance in the 60 min sweaty steady ride? I wish Peloton gave you a roadmap for the on demand rides. Their descriptions aren’t detailed enough for me.

I kept pretty much the same cadence. It may have changed a little bit but the focus was definitely on the resistance.

Thanks! I’ll give it a try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jess King's 60 minute sweat steady.

Any FTP test. lol

I’ve never tried a cycling class of hers. Only cool down or stretch classes. I don’t find her voice too appealing but I’m willing to overlook her voice if the class is good and super challenging. Can you tell me the general concept of the class? Are you really riding a steady pace for an hour?

I found her voice annoying at first but she’s become one of my favorite instructors. Her sweat steady classes are hard but so much fun. I absolutely love her!

[Anonymous]

I feel like generally you control how hard a ride is. I set a goal for output pre ride and know basically what I need to do and use the callous as structure but frame my efforts (cadence/resistance) around what the goal is.

That said I think Olivia and Kendall are the “hardest” in their actual callouts but agree that the sweat steady rides are deceptively challenging even though Jess King isn’t really my thing either.

But I ride and PR plenty with Cody…I just scale the efforts to my own fitness.