Peloton: A Love Story

I’ll be honest—I never thought I’d be the kind of person who fell in love with a stationary bike.

For years, I struggled to find an exercise routine that stuck. The gym felt like a chore. Running was hard on my joints. Group classes required scheduling I couldn’t keep up with as a busy healthcare professional and mom.

Then came Peloton.

The Beginning

When I first got my Peloton, I was skeptical. It was an investment—both financially and mentally. I’d tried so many things before, and I wasn’t sure this would be any different.

But something clicked.

Maybe it was the convenience of riding at home, on my schedule. Maybe it was the energy of the instructors who felt more like friends than fitness coaches. Maybe it was the music—the playlists that actually made me want to move.

Whatever it was, I kept coming back.

Why Peloton Works for Me

1. It Fits My Life

As a nurse practitioner running a hormone health practice, my days are unpredictable. I don’t always have time to drive to the gym, find parking, and squeeze in a class. But I can wake up 30 minutes early, clip in, and ride before the house wakes up.

2. The Community

There’s something powerful about riding with thousands of other people, even if they’re across the country. Seeing friends on the leaderboard, exchanging high-fives, and knowing I’m not alone in showing up—it makes a difference.

3. Variety

I’m not a one-workout kind of person. Some days I want a sweaty 45-minute climb. Other days, a 20-minute low-impact ride is all I can manage. Peloton has options for every mood, every energy level, and every time constraint.

4. The Mental Health Benefits

This is the part I didn’t expect. Yes, my cardiovascular fitness improved. Yes, I got stronger. But the real transformation was in my mind.

Riding became my moving meditation. A place to process stress, clear my head, and start the day with intention. The endorphin boost carried me through difficult patient conversations, long clinic days, and the challenges of life.

Exercise isn’t just about burning calories—it’s about building resilience.

What the Science Says

Indoor cycling offers significant health benefits, especially for those managing stress, hormonal shifts, or metabolic health:

Cardiovascular health: Cycling improves VO2 max, blood pressure, and heart rate variability.
Mood and mental health: Aerobic exercise increases serotonin and dopamine—key neurotransmitters for mood regulation.
Insulin sensitivity: Regular exercise improves glucose metabolism and reduces insulin resistance.
Cortisol regulation: Movement helps metabolize stress hormones and reset the HPA axis.

For women in perimenopause and menopause, consistent exercise has been shown to reduce hot flashes, improve sleep, and support bone density.

Tips for Getting Started

If you’re Peloton-curious (or just looking for a way to move more consistently), here’s what I’ve learned:

Start small. Don’t aim for a 60-minute Power Zone ride on day one. A 15-minute beginner class is a great entry point.
Find instructors you love. Personality matters. Try a few until you find the ones who motivate you.
Schedule it. Treat your ride like an appointment. Put it on your calendar and protect that time.
Let go of perfection. Some rides will be hard. Some will feel like failures. That’s okay. Showing up is the win.
Celebrate the streaks. Whether it’s 7 days or 700, consistency compounds. Let the milestones motivate you.

Beyond the Bike

Peloton isn’t just about cycling. Their platform includes:

Strength training
Yoga and stretching
Meditation and breathwork
Outdoor running and walking
Core, arms, and mobility classes

This variety keeps me engaged and supports a well-rounded fitness routine that honors what my body needs each day.

The Transformation

Looking back, I realize that Peloton didn’t just change my fitness—it changed my relationship with exercise.

I stopped seeing movement as punishment. I started seeing it as a gift.

I stopped chasing weight loss. I started chasing strength, endurance, and how I feel.

And somewhere along the way, I became someone who actually looks forward to working out. I never thought I’d say that.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t a sponsored post or an ad. It’s a love letter to something that genuinely improved my life.

If you’ve struggled to find movement that sticks—if you’ve written yourself off as “not a fitness person”—I encourage you to keep exploring. Maybe it’s Peloton. Maybe it’s something else entirely.

The goal isn’t to find the “best” workout. It’s to find your workout. The one that brings you joy, supports your health, and makes you feel alive.

At Soluna Vitality, we believe that movement is medicine—and we’re here to help you integrate fitness into a comprehensive plan for hormonal and metabolic health.

Schedule a consultation to learn how we can support your journey.

Have questions about exercise, hormones, or how to get started? Reach out—I’d love to hear from you.