Whether you're at home, in the office, or somewhere in between, it can be challenging to make your own health and wellness a daily priority. That's why we reached out to our Members to learn how they're making time each day to focus on themselves, from five-minute meditations before work to 20-minute walks during lunch. That's because Peloton supports their physical and mental wellness. In fact, nearly 65 percent of Members surveyed report improved mental health and feeling more focused at work.
Check out the four easy steps below for inspiration on building and sticking to your own routines. And if you think your whole company would benefit from what Peloton has to offer, you can learn more about Peloton Corporate Wellness. Because we know that when PR sweats with HR and colleagues can inspire each other, it benefits them all. (Click here to learn more.)
Break It Up
If you’re used to sweating it out on the Bike for 45 minutes at once or squeezing in a 60-minute Tread run each day, figuring out how to work these classes into your new normal can be challenging. But here’s the deal: You don’t have to get all your exercising done at once.
The American Heart Association recommends adults get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity. This can also be a mix of both, ideally spread throughout the week.
If you’re into cardio, that could mean a 20-minute HIIT ride before showering in the morning, a 20-minute power walk outside on your lunch break and a 10-minute low impact ride when you get home from work, done up to three times a week.
“Walking outside with Matty Maggiacomo and Jess Sims is the best desk break,” says Peloton Member Robin R., of Port Washington, New York. “It feels as if you are walking with a bestie and a great mood enhancer.”
The same goes for strength. With scores of shorter classes available, you can sneak in an equipment-based class before or after work, and do a bodyweight or light weights burner in your office or at the park during your lunch break.
“I have a mat and light weights at work,” says Member Emily B. of Sausalito, California. “If I have time, I'll squeeze something in like a 10-minute arm strength class or Pilates or barre.”
Don’t Forget Mental Health
You may want to supplement your cardio and strength workouts with a meditation class. Sure, it feels good to get the heart pumping and sweat dripping, but there are benefits to staying fit mentally as well. In fact, meditation has been shown to reduce stress and make people more self-aware, a great state of being as you return to the office.
Whatever you’re feeling the need to focus on, there’s a class on the Peloton App for you. Maybe you squeeze in a 10-minute morning meditation before you leave for the office. You could also try a quick breathwork or body scan meditation class while sitting at your desk during the day. And the evening is perfect for sleep or deep relaxation meditations, of course.
Prep Your Body
When you’re back in the office, you may find you’re sitting more than you were when working from home (especially if you used to be up frequently to wrangle your kids or pets!). To improve your posture and keep your core strong, try incorporating Pilates into your routine a few times a week. Yoga and stretching are other great options for folks who sit all day, which can lead to tight hip flexors and shoulders. Even a quick 10-minute class can be beneficial.
“The best part of Peloton is that even if I only have 10 or 20 minutes, I can always squeeze in a quick workout or meditation,” Robin says. “The app makes it super easy to take the content anywhere. If I am stuck at my desk or just need a quick stretch, I turn to Chelsea Jackson Roberts and Ross Rayburn. The Yoga Anywhere series provides the best pick-me-up, and their 10-minute meditations leave me ‘Zen in 10.’”
Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to make sure you actually exercise during the day? Use the app to schedule your classes ahead of time or make a stack of the workouts you want to take during the day. And pro tip: Asking a friend to join you helps too.
“I block off time in my calendar,” says Member Courteney M. of Boston. “Wherever I am, whether I can squeeze in one of the ‘anywhere’ classes or if I know I want to do a ride, it's always blocked off so nothing can get in the way. I also love to coordinate ride times with friends, live or on demand. You can't bail if you're ‘meeting’ someone on the Bike or for another class!”
