Peloton Holiday ad sparks criticism

[Anonymous]

So I am currently putting off my life changing Peleton workout by reading through this thread.

I thought the ad was weird but not triggering. I thought the twitter responses were really funny.

I like my Peleton but I think the ads are over the top. It has nothing to do with the fact the woman is already thin or because she seemed nervous. The thought of documenting this "life changing" journey when it really is just a piece of exercise equipment feels like the brand is taking itself WAY too seriously.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It's a luxury fitnesss brand...did they think it was going to be a bunch of chubby people touting Jenny Craig microwavable meals? Like wtf. It's a dumb commercial but I don't get why people think a brand that's aspiration based - people buying a Peloton aspire to be thin - should use overweight people.

Bc she was already very thin. Her aspiration to be even thinner is what has people bashing the ad.

The ad didn't say one word about being thin. Not one. It didn't mention weight once. Everyone complaining about "aspiration to be thinner" is projecting their own feelings onto that fictional woman.

Ok well this was an explanation based on comments from people viewing the ad. You saw what you wanted and so did others.

Not really, no. I viewed the ad, and reported what was actually in it - the actual words used. As I said, no mention of weight or size. That's not seeing what I want, it's a factual description of what was in the ad.

The people who think this is about her wanting to be thinner, on the other hand, did see what they want - or what they fear, I guess.

Well then please go share your thoughts with the many people on Twitter who explain what they dislike about the ad. I’m sure your thoughts will be well received.

No thanks. I have a hard enough time explaining things to the dimwitted on DCUM - I know better than to try that on Twitter.

And in case you were wondering, yes, I am referring to you.

You didn’t explain anything to me but did show how you aren’t ready to step outside your comfort zone. I’m not vicious and have no desire to drag you the way Twitter would. So you are smart to stay in your safe space. You are amongst your bubble here.

Your time would be better spent trying to lose the weight you apparently think you need to.

Go post on Twitter. And make sure to include a picture of yourself. You’re a strong enough person right?

[Anonymous]

The ad is perfect for their brand. They’re not selling bikes. They’re selling what people want to believe about themselves, their lifestyle and their place in the world. That’s why people are willing to pay $2200. Don Draper would have been all over this.

[Anonymous]

The best twitter thread ever is the one commenting on pelagic ads-from last year i think. Find it, read it, you won’t regret it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its a bad ad if they are unable to convey the message they want then.
If they wanted the focus on MENTAL health, they could have easily thrown that in there. perhaps the wife says it is hard to get out of bed during the first few sessions, mention not enjoying things she used to. Then in the end show her happy adn talking about feeling refreshed and like herself again.

Anything other than a husband getting a 120lb woman an exercise bike and then that same woman saying she wants to make him proud by not giving up? WTF

She’s meant to be something of a blank slate so that people can project their own desires/goals onto her, whether it’s to treat anxiety, lose weight, have a daily activity that’s just for them, improve their cardiac health, etc. Instead, some people are projecting their own body image issues, which is fine, but those people probably were never going to buy Pelotons anyway so who cares?

The problem is she's not a blank slate. She is making expressions and doing weird stuff that seem at odds with the activity she's engaging in, so we're all wondering why she's such a weirdo instead of imagining how well a Peloton bike could improve our lives and ourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a luxury fitnesss brand...did they think it was going to be a bunch of chubby people touting Jenny Craig microwavable meals? Like wtf. It's a dumb commercial but I don't get why people think a brand that's aspiration based - people buying a Peloton aspire to be thin - should use overweight people.

Bc she was already very thin. Her aspiration to be even thinner is what has people bashing the ad.

The ad didn't say one word about being thin. Not one. It didn't mention weight once. Everyone complaining about "aspiration to be thinner" is projecting their own feelings onto that fictional woman.

+ 10000

It would have been way worse if the ad had shown an overweight woman who had been gifted a Peloton from her husband. I read this ad as featuring a woman quite like myself - one who is ALREADY into fitness and gets "hooked" on the Peloton. When we got ours, I woke up at 6 am because I couldn't sleep, I was so excited to get on my Peloton. And no, I wasn't using it to lose weight. I was already at a great weight when we bought it, I maintained my figure through lifting and eating well, and frankly added the Peloton in because I knew I needed more cardio for my heart health and mental health.

My DH got me our Peloton for Christmas last year (though it was not a surprise, we picked it out together) and I'm now talking about getting a Peloton Tread. I'd be THRILLED if he got me one for Christmas!!

You’re the target audience. You probably had your “carpenter build a $9,000 finished wood riser for my Peloton bike in my glass-enclosed zen garden/home gym.” However, most of society isn’t, hence the bashing.

Here's one better. I actually have a Peloton room. When I was buying my house, I needed a room specifically for my bike. We refer to it as such. And yes, I love my Peloton. I don't use it to lose weight because I don't need to lose weight. I just love the thing. Ok? There you go. Better than a riser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its a bad ad if they are unable to convey the message they want then.
If they wanted the focus on MENTAL health, they could have easily thrown that in there. perhaps the wife says it is hard to get out of bed during the first few sessions, mention not enjoying things she used to. Then in the end show her happy adn talking about feeling refreshed and like herself again.

Anything other than a husband getting a 120lb woman an exercise bike and then that same woman saying she wants to make him proud by not giving up? WTF

She’s meant to be something of a blank slate so that people can project their own desires/goals onto her, whether it’s to treat anxiety, lose weight, have a daily activity that’s just for them, improve their cardiac health, etc. Instead, some people are projecting their own body image issues, which is fine, but those people probably were never going to buy Pelotons anyway so who cares?

The problem is she's not a blank slate. She is making expressions and doing weird stuff that seem at odds with the activity she's engaging in, so we're all wondering why she's such a weirdo instead of imagining how well a Peloton bike could improve our lives and ourselves.

When I am on my Peloton I sing loud and everything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a luxury fitnesss brand...did they think it was going to be a bunch of chubby people touting Jenny Craig microwavable meals? Like wtf. It's a dumb commercial but I don't get why people think a brand that's aspiration based - people buying a Peloton aspire to be thin - should use overweight people.

Bc she was already very thin. Her aspiration to be even thinner is what has people bashing the ad.

The ad didn't say one word about being thin. Not one. It didn't mention weight once. Everyone complaining about "aspiration to be thinner" is projecting their own feelings onto that fictional woman.

+ 10000

It would have been way worse if the ad had shown an overweight woman who had been gifted a Peloton from her husband. I read this ad as featuring a woman quite like myself - one who is ALREADY into fitness and gets "hooked" on the Peloton. When we got ours, I woke up at 6 am because I couldn't sleep, I was so excited to get on my Peloton. And no, I wasn't using it to lose weight. I was already at a great weight when we bought it, I maintained my figure through lifting and eating well, and frankly added the Peloton in because I knew I needed more cardio for my heart health and mental health.

My DH got me our Peloton for Christmas last year (though it was not a surprise, we picked it out together) and I'm now talking about getting a Peloton Tread. I'd be THRILLED if he got me one for Christmas!!

You’re the target audience. You probably had your “carpenter build a $9,000 finished wood riser for my Peloton bike in my glass-enclosed zen garden/home gym.” However, most of society isn’t, hence the bashing.

Here's one better. I actually have a Peloton room. When I was buying my house, I needed a room specifically for my bike. We refer to it as such. And yes, I love my Peloton. I don't use it to lose weight because I don't need to lose weight. I just love the thing. Ok? There you go. Better than a riser.

Would’ve been better if you had a zen garden or a glass room looking out to the mountains.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best twitter thread ever is the one commenting on pelagic ads-from last year i think. Find it, read it, you won’t regret it.

The half-gay husband with the combat boots and Architectural Digest was my fave

[Anonymous]

All the criticism boils down to one thing: envy of the rich and thin.

[Anonymous]

I saw the ad with DH a couple nights ago, hadn't read the article. Both of us were full on wtf. Like its weirdness pulled our attention from our conversation and we stopped to watch it. And it had nothing to do with her thinness.

As other posters have said its how she looks weirdly upset the whole time. And it seemed unprompted as a gift so a weird message to send your hot wife. That coupled with the bizarre end of year presentation of her journey just honestly seemed like a super effed up relationship.

I say that as someone that needs to get in shape post pregnancy and would actually love a peleton. And DH is a super active and in shape guy.

Clearly there's something off about these people, lots of people see it. I have been tempted by peleton for awhile and this ad isn't going to sway me one way or another but it is a super bizarre ad, no getting around it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the criticism boils down to one thing: envy of the rich and thin.

Nah for me it is concern for someone who seems like she's insecure and married a d!ck

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a terrible ad but the satire & skewering is hysterical. My take is that a wide variety of people find upscale, wealthy perfectionists an easy target for mockery and I am totally there for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a luxury fitnesss brand...did they think it was going to be a bunch of chubby people touting Jenny Craig microwavable meals? Like wtf. It's a dumb commercial but I don't get why people think a brand that's aspiration based - people buying a Peloton aspire to be thin - should use overweight people.

Bc she was already very thin. Her aspiration to be even thinner is what has people bashing the ad.

It’s about fitness and confidence, not fat. This isn’t hard to understand.

[Anonymous]

I don't get the obsession. Running is free. You just need a good pair of shoes.