Here's the problem: Imagine the criticism if the story had been about an overweight woman getting a Peloton from her husband and then losing the weight. Or even if the story had been an overweight woman buying herself a Peloton.

You'd all be complaining about fat shaming.

At first I was onboard with the criticism. But I saw the ad after hearing about the controversy. My initial thought was that Peloton is an exclusive and pretentious company and didn’t want to be represented by a (formerly) overweight person. Like they only wanted to market to rich, perfect-looking people. Reminded me of the Lulu leggings controversy where they said the leggings aren’t meant for every body type. But after reading some of the comments, I really don’t think it’s a big deal.

They certainly aren’t the first company to market fitness equipment as gifts and I see nothing wrong with that. The assumption is that the receiver has mentioned or hinted that they would like to have the equipment. Not that the spouse is saying “Merry Christmas! Drop a few!” I realize she looked surprised, but there are many expensive items dh knows I would like to have but would still be a huge surprise if I got it for Christmas!

Exercise should not always be tied to weight loss. It has many benefits. Maybe that’s the message Peloton was trying to send? Who knows. I know a lot of thin people who are too out of shape to walk a mile. I also know thin people who really need exercise for their mental well-being. I know thin people who train for races, including bicycle races. Her “journey” was not necessarily a weight loss journey.

But watching the videos together at the end was super weird!

Anonymous wrote:The ad was directed at me - a 120lb woman in a $4m house determined to keep my looks together as long as possible with added interest in general health & well being. I do think the uproar is hilarious (love the tweets) & probably useful for the company bc it reminded me that I would like a peloton

I do think people should save their outrage for issues like the fact that the coasts will be uninhabitable due to rising seas, etc.

LOL this reminds me of that Carly Simon classic... "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has owned a Peloton for two years, I was impressed that she rode it five days in a row

The ad didn't bother me, but it did make me think of the weird subculture of people who are obsessed and post incessantly in the Peloton facebook groups about the life changing powers of the bike. Before I had a Peloton I was going to SoulCycle regularly and they had an equally-strange subculture of people who are obsessed. I think some people are just more prone to addictive behavior and exercise is a vice for many.

I’ve noticed this too. Saw people wearing Peloton branded clothing. Is this a thing? People buy that?

I'm sure that some people buy it, but what typically happens is: Peloton assigns referral codes to people who own bikes. You can give your referral code out to friends who are interested. If your friend purchases a bike, you both receive $100 only redeemable at the Peloton store. So a friend of mine used my code and I got a free pair of leggings from the store. (You can't use the code toward your monthly subscription or toward the purchase of a bike.)

Of course. Just like people wear soulcycle clothes, solidcore clothes, etc. All these companies sell merchandise.

Anonymous wrote:I watched the ad, and the fact that she is surprised that she had used it five days in a row suggests that this was not her idea.

I like the parody.

https://twitter.com/evaandheriud/status/1201610153549848580

I love this parody.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has owned a Peloton for two years, I was impressed that she rode it five days in a row

The ad didn't bother me, but it did make me think of the weird subculture of people who are obsessed and post incessantly in the Peloton facebook groups about the life changing powers of the bike. Before I had a Peloton I was going to SoulCycle regularly and they had an equally-strange subculture of people who are obsessed. I think some people are just more prone to addictive behavior and exercise is a vice for many.

I’ve noticed this too. Saw people wearing Peloton branded clothing. Is this a thing? People buy that?

I'm sure that some people buy it, but what typically happens is: Peloton assigns referral codes to people who own bikes. You can give your referral code out to friends who are interested. If your friend purchases a bike, you both receive $100 only redeemable at the Peloton store. So a friend of mine used my code and I got a free pair of leggings from the store. (You can't use the code toward your monthly subscription or toward the purchase of a bike.)

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.

THANK YOU!

Yep. I do think, however, she and her husband seem like obnoxious tools, which has nothing to do with weight.

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.

THANK YOU!

Overweight Peloton user here. No issue with - it's life changing in many non-exercise related ways. I got my runner husband a fancy treadmill one year. Should he freak out?

Thinness aside, even if this were a heavy person, the whole thing is obnoxious with the selfies and the creepy husband.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People get pelotons for reasons OTHER than to lose weight.

+1. I’m pretty overweight myself, but I can’t get upset about this ad. Exercise has a whole bunch of mental and physical benefits beyond just weight management, so the character could have been referring to any number of benefits she experienced besides weight loss.

Agree. When I was younger, working out was always great for weight loss for me. As I have gotten older, it does not help me at all. Still, the benefits are huge. Currently, I have been working out an average of 5 days per week consistently for 6 months (on home exercise equipment, but not Peleton). I have not lost a single pound, but my resting heart rate is down significantly, I am happier, I have more energy, I sleep better, and I am less anxious. I feel a million times better. Still fat.

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has owned a Peloton for two years, I was impressed that she rode it five days in a row

The ad didn't bother me, but it did make me think of the weird subculture of people who are obsessed and post incessantly in the Peloton facebook groups about the life changing powers of the bike. Before I had a Peloton I was going to SoulCycle regularly and they had an equally-strange subculture of people who are obsessed. I think some people are just more prone to addictive behavior and exercise is a vice for many.

I’ve noticed this too. Saw people wearing Peloton branded clothing. Is this a thing? People buy that?

Anonymous wrote:WHY DO PEOPLE SAY GIFTED? i have been wondering this for awhile.

It’s bleeding into ads and it’s so annoying.

Anonymous wrote:WHY DO PEOPLE SAY GIFTED? i have been wondering this for awhile.

They want to feel special. Being “given” or “giving” something just isn’t as pwecious.

WHY DO PEOPLE SAY GIFTED? i have been wondering this for awhile.