When Music Drives Your Movement

Peloton Instructor Cody Rigsby dances while teaching a Peloton indoor cycling class.

We’ve all been there. You’re in the final part of a climb - your shirt is soaked with sweat, your legs are burning, and you’re breathing so heavy that you don’t think you can make it another second - and then boom - the beat of a trap song drops and it gives you that extra edge to finish the ride. 

Music has always been part of Peloton’s DNA, and creating an experience that can help push you past your limits – and have fun while doing so – is no easy task. In fact, it takes a village - from content to software and engineering. When we launched Peloton Lanebreak, our very first gaming-inspired fitness experience, our entire team worked closely to create a unique vibe for each level, which starts with finding the right songs that can get you going. Who else could be a better fit for this job than a DJ who knows how to get a party started?

Curating with DJ John Michael

DJ John Michael is no stranger to the music scene. He’s a DJ and Peloton’s Producer of Music Supervision and Programming, which means he not only hosts Live DJ runs and rides and helps Instructors find new music for their playlists, he also serves as one of the key visionaries for the overall sound and feel of the classes he works on. “When I joined Peloton, Robin Arzón taught me that the role of music is different in fitness - how people react and draw energy out of music is different than on the dance floor, so I always have to think two steps ahead,” noted DJ John Michael.

Before any work is started on a Peloton Lanebreak level, DJ John Michael digs into his crate of tunes to create and curate the perfect mix of songs for the ride and develop the right experience. While his knowledge as a DJ certainly helps, building an immersive fitness experience is somewhat different from a traditional dance floor. DJ John Michael takes into account the energy and flow of each song and how they would translate on a level, adjusting the song selection based on the type of ride being designed. A low impact level has a different goal and tempo than a 20 minute HIIT level.  

For DJ John Michael, he believes, “whether it’s pop, EDM, or hip-hop, a perfect level should hook you in with the right tunes, take you on an exhilarating journey, and leave you on a satisfying high at the end of the mix.”

Once the right tunes are set, the thoughtfully curated playlists are sent to the developers and level design team, who visualize the music and bring it to life.

Matching the Moments to the Music 

When mapping out the design of a Peloton Lanebreak level, the development team considers a lot of factors, such as class type and length, music genre, and level difficulty. Peloton’s primary Lanebreak level designer (and former American Idol finalist!), James Durbin - who is no stranger to making magic with music - then begins building the backbone of the level by identifying and matching the Moments - Beats, Streams, and Breakers – to the flow of the music. 

Providing the best fitness experience is always Peloton’s primary goal for Members. As the fundamental ideas of the level are lined up with the mix and its transitions, it’s equally important to look at how this translates into the most interactive fitness experience. The same guidelines that Peloton Instructors use to put you through an intense and rewarding ride are also taken into account, including looking at the cadence and resistance range for each lane and how it aligns with the fitness mechanics of the Lanebreak experience. For example, in addition to defined warm-ups and cool downs where each level starts and ends in the lower resistance lanes, you may notice that many of the Lanebreak interval rides - such as HIIT and Hills - are often paired with high-energy tracks like EDM and Dance Pop where the music aligns perfectly with the Breakers and Streams. All of this aims to help create the right moments to emphasize the music and make you feel like you're pedaling to your own beat - all while giving you a boost of endorphins when you reach the end of that Breaker charge and hit the high point of the mix!

GIF depicting Lanebreaker moment - Breaker

Making a Music Experience That Pushes You

Whether you’re new to Peloton, or love your instructor-led metal music rides, Peloton Lanebreak is another way to enjoy your Peloton Bike or Peloton Bike+. It strikes a delicate balance between music and fitness to ensure we are able to give the best of both worlds. With Lanebreak, you’re in control of how hard you want to challenge yourself, and you’ll be immersed in your cardio while you ride to your own beat.

Music plays an important role in our content and we love crafting new experiences that allow you to discover new artists. We’ve been excited to launch some of our very first levels and keep an eye out for even more levels as we bring a plethora of genres, including Disco, Caribbean, EDM and more, on Peloton Lanebreak in the near future.