Anonymous wrote:There have been cult fitness classes for the last 30 years. The overall concept isn't going anywhere. They last as long as they are profitable, so Billy Blanks isn't putting out Tae Bo classes anymore but others have stepped in.
Personally I think people see a bunch of people having success with something and throwing themselves into it and they call it a cult because on some level, they either 1) want to feel superior about whatever fitness thing they do or 2) want to feel better about the fact that they don't do anything at all. And I used to be a number 2!
I have a peloton and am fully in the 'cult' and have been amazed at how much people want to talk down about it. I mean its not hurting anyone, and for a lot of people like me it has changed their life in a very positive way! I really feel like calling these things culty is just a projection of whatever insecurities a person has.
NP. I think you are being overly defensive. To me, Peloton is absolutely a cult and you describe it in a very culty way. It is a specifically branded kind of exercise that is reputed to be better than other kinds. It is expensive. People who are into it talk about it A LOT and if someone is a Peloton person, they let you know about it really quickly. It may have changed your life in a positive way, but frankly, if you asked most cult members about their experience while they were still in the cult.
What all these things seem to have in common is that their adherents elevate the exercise to being above other exercise. You could ride a regular bike and experience success exercising. Peloton clearly works great for you, which is great for you, but you have clearly moved from your own category 2 to category 1.
OP, I like barre and it’s been good for toning for me. I think most fitness fads live on in some way. I have a friend who goes to Jazzercise, which I didn’t even know was possible in 2022!