Should You Reset Your Personal Record?

If you’ve been using a Peloton Bike or Tread for even a short amount of time, chances are you’re familiar with the personal record, or PR. It’s the max output—a combination of resistance and cadence—you’ve achieved during a class.

New Members may find that scoring PRs is relatively easy. But for those who have hundreds of classes under their belts, besting a previous PR can be pretty tough. The good news: Peloton has introduced a new feature that lets you reset your PR so you can start with a fresh challenge. Head to profile settings and click on “Manage Personal Records.” You’ll see your PRs listed by class length. Wipe any PRs you’d like to reset.

Read on to find out why this strategy might be a good idea for you.

You’re Recovering From an Injury or Illness

The last thing you want to do if you’ve had surgery, a medical procedure or are dealing with a strained muscle or sore joint is to overdo it trying to hit a new PR. That’s why resetting an older one that may now be out of reach can be helpful.

Having dealt with significant musculoskeletal issues for several years, New Jersey resident Colleen K. took the opportunity to reset her PR when her Bike+ was delivered recently. Her old 45-minute PR was 636 kj. Her new one? 293.

“I’ve only had my Bike+ a few days, but I feel it’s a touch easier than when I got it,” she says. “Looking at my triathlon friends that are in good shape, numbers on the new Bike are much more realistic.”

You Want a New (and More Reasonable) Challenge

Michelle T., a rider in Vermont, reset her PR after ordering a new Bike and realizing her old PR was unattainable. She tried for a month to get to her previous numbers but could not meet them.

“I am very happy with resetting my PRs,” she says, “as it gives me something more realistic to shoot for. And since then, I have met and surpassed them.”

Goal-setting like this is important, says Brittany A. Johnson, L.M.H.C., a therapist in New Albany, Indiana. “Setting goals allows us to work toward something and adds an additional value to the importance of reaching the goal. It allows us to measure our progress by both showing how far we have come and how much longer we have to go to reach it.”

When You Might not Want to Reset Your PR

It’s important to remember that you may not always perform at 100 percent throughout the year. Whether you’re dealing with fatigued muscles, had a bad night’s sleep or are preoccupied with your to-do list, athletic ebbs and flows are normal. In those cases, you may want to stick with that current PR for the next time you hop on the Bike or Tread.

But if you’ve had major life or health changes or struggle to keep yourself motivated, it may be worth considering resetting PRs occasionally. Doing so can help keep you moving forward and prevent you from comparing your numbers to a previous version of yourself. It’s time to focus on the future as you take your fitness to the next level. You got this!

Ready to set a brand new PR now? Take a class on the Peloton App!