Peloton Holiday ad sparks criticism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem with the ad is that the people in it are weird, not that she's already thin. I think Peloton were right to show that it's not just a weight loss machine but also helps to lead a healthier lifestyle, but it was really strange that the woman seemed so anxious about her bike, and then took all those selfies and then filmed herself doing all her rides, and then at the end showed the movie to her husband. There are plenty of cult-like Peloton owners (I'm probably one of them!) who would take selfies and make movies but I'm not sure that this works as a selling point if you don't yet have one, it just looks bizarre and it does look like she was forced into riding it to please her husband and then made a movie to prove she'd done it.

Yah - it's this. The woman being super skinny to start is something my (overweight) husband noticed and commented on, but that part didn't bother me - exercise isn't all about weight loss. What was weird is how *anxious* she was - what was she so anxious about? She was scared to ride an exercise bike? Or something else? Also where in the house is that bike - right in the front by the door? Isn't that a strange place to put it? And why is she filming herself riding the bike?

They're just *off* - like aliens who are trying to seem human but aren't quite getting it right.

You’re right. The filming of the self, the video diary, then watching it at the end of the year were weird.

Do you have nothing better to do than to nitpick this ad?

[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.

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.

[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.

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Well now you've convinced me that Peloton made a totally normal ad for their exercise bike

[Anonymous]

Eh, I don’t know if I read too much into the ad—just that the woman seemed insecure and that annoyed me for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on. Not nearly as annoying as those Pepto Bismol commercials where the people dress in pink outfits and sing cheerfully about diarrhea, or those awful Grape Nut commercials of yesteryear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Well now you've convinced me that Peloton made a totally normal ad for their exercise bike

Yep. At this point, the only criticism I'm really reading is "why did she videotape herself? why did she put her bike there? why was she nervous getting on it?"

All of that is pointless criticism that has nothing to do with the bike itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eh, I don’t know if I read too much into the ad—just that the woman seemed insecure and that annoyed me for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on. Not nearly as annoying as those Pepto Bismol commercials where the people dress in pink outfits and sing cheerfully about diarrhea, or those awful Grape Nut commercials of yesteryear.

You've never felt nervous about starting something new? A rich, thin person isn't allowed to feel nervous about starting something new?

You all sound like you're real peaches.

[Anonymous]

I'd be curious as to whether people who own Pelotons thought the ad was SO FREAKING TRIGGERING.

I'm guessing not.

[Anonymous]

these peoples heads would explode is they were alive back in the mid to late 80's dealing with advertisements

think about budlight ads with spuds, a dog, beer, and scantily clad women.

[Anonymous]

I saw it and thought to myself "what just happened? she looks the same - started out as thin and fit, and is still thin and fit..."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw it and thought to myself "what just happened? she looks the same - started out as thin and fit, and is still thin and fit..."

because it's not about looks! Sigh. Exercise is much more than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I saw it and thought to myself "what just happened? she looks the same - started out as thin and fit, and is still thin and fit..."

As it turns out, exercising can be about much more than losing weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd be curious as to whether people who own Pelotons thought the ad was SO FREAKING TRIGGERING.

I'm guessing not.

I am not overweight. DH is, but is in the process of losing weight. We own a Peloton bike and tread.

I think the ad could have been clearer about what improvements the woman experienced, but was otherwise totally fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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.

Well now you've convinced me that Peloton made a totally normal ad for their exercise bike

Yep. At this point, the only criticism I'm really reading is "why did she videotape herself? why did she put her bike there? why was she nervous getting on it?"

All of that is pointless criticism that has nothing to do with the bike itself.

The ad is clearly supposed to make us feel like we are going along with this woman on her journey from weirdly anxious (about an exercise bike?) to determined Peloton cyclist, to newly confident with her year of achievement. We are supposed to see ourselves in her - and that means that we're supposed to see the bike in our house. It makes sense that since this is the journey the Peloton people are trying to take us on, that we'd notice where they get details wrong or where the ad seems to fail in its intention. It's just a weird ad, in some ways that are easy to describe - WHY IS SHE SO NERVOUS - and in others that are more inchoate but are obviously three since so many people are noticing the ad's strangeness.

It's cool you don't see it and are so valiant in your defense of the ad. I'm sure a year from now you'll be confident too! Just be sure to put the Peloton by the front door so if you decide you don't want to do it anymore you can run out into the snow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The twitter responses in the HP article are pure gold. Why are people getting so triggered over the criticism? It's a stupid ad. There are many stupid ads. I was just snickering last night at some stupid Kay Jewelers ad that came on during football. Relax a little.

Because we've become a society of coddled cupcakes who can't handle views that differ from their own...

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