As I look back on this year, it’s clear that my Peloton journey has been a story of two halves. The year started with fiery momentum—big numbers, a solid routine, and relentless energy—but somewhere along the way, that steam started to cool. And you know what? That’s okay. This year wasn’t perfect, but it was honest, and the data tells a story worth sharing. So here’s my detailed reflection—complete with peaks, plateaus, and a renewed promise to make 2025 the year of consistency.
Full Summary of my Dashboard Here:
Peloton Dashboard
Starting Strong: The High of January
Calories Burned Per Day
I kicked off January like someone who had just unwrapped a brand-new Peloton (or New Year’s motivation—either works). The numbers were phenomenal:
- Sundays alone saw 4,116 calories burned.
- Mondays weren’t far behind with a whopping 3,748 calories.
- In total, January racked up over 23,000 calories burned
I was on fire—literally and figuratively—pushing hard every day and logging impressive stats. Whether it was the promise of a fresh start or my pure determination, January set the bar sky-high.
Looking back, this was my “all-in” phase. I hit workouts like clockwork: Mondays were power days, weekends were endurance beasts, and my cycling and running split kept things exciting.
Building Momentum Through Spring
As winter gave way to spring, I found a rhythm. February through May had fewer peaks than January but held steady:
- Calories burned stayed respectable (averaging between 12k–16k per month).
- Workouts per day maintained consistency—Tuesdays and Wednesdays stood out with a balance of cycling and running workouts.
Instructors played a huge role here. Ben Alldis was my cycling cornerstone, helping me build strength and endurance, while Matt Wilpers on the tread pushed my running game to a new level. I remember pushing through PRs in February and smiling through some of Susie Chan’s scenic runs in May.
But looking at the Monthly Overviews, I can see that intensity started to dip as the year went on. The records dropped from January’s high of 200 workouts to a gradual decline. It wasn’t a cliff drop, but cracks started to appear.
The Summer Plateau: Life Happened
By June and July, I felt the first signs of burnout—or maybe it was life stepping in. The stats show clear slowdowns:
- June still had some bright spots (3,989 calories burned on a Sunday, no small feat!), but the record count dipped.
- July was the tipping point—calories dropped to 10,329 total and my workout count halved.
What changed? Routine. The consistent workout schedule I’d built in January was getting harder to maintain. Work commitments, holidays, and general fatigue played their roles. The numbers don’t lie, but they also don’t tell the whole story. I wasn’t slacking entirely—I was adjusting, albeit not as effectively as I hoped.
That said, I still credit myself for showing up. I may not have hit January’s highs, but even when the energy dipped, I kept moving—logging shorter rides and runs to keep the streak alive.
The Autumn Dip: When Motivation Met Reality
By September and November, the downward trend was impossible to ignore:
- My total calories burned hit their lowest at 7,789 in November.
- The number of workouts dropped significantly; December saw only 30 workouts—a far cry from January’s 200.
I’ll admit it—this period felt tough. Motivation was low, and hearing full conversations in group settings (thanks to my tinnitus and hearing loss) left me feeling isolated. The gym or Peloton should’ve been my outlet, but instead, I leaned into slowing down.
However, even in the quieter months, I had some wins:
- Consistent running sessions with Matt Wilpers (who led the pack with 37 classes this year) kept me connected to my fitness goals.
- On the bike, Ben Alldis and Charlotte Weidenbach continued to remind me why I started this journey in the first place.
What I Learned
This year with Peloton was a journey of growth, discovery, and learning how to optimize both the bike and tread for long-term fitness success. Here are the key takeaways:
- Consistency is Key: Tracking my weekly workout frequency revealed that consistency, rather than intensity, drove my progress. While pushing hard occasionally led to PRs, my steady efforts week-to-week ensured sustained improvements over time.
- Balancing Strength and Cardio: Incorporating both tread and bike workouts highlighted the importance of balancing cardiovascular endurance with lower-body strength. I noticed improved power on the bike after sessions focused on incline running or intervals on the tread.
- Variety Prevents Burnout: Exploring a mix of instructor styles and class themes helped me avoid monotony. Classes with Chartlottes rock and techno anthems or Alex Toussaint’s motivational rides added excitement, while Adrian Williams’ strength sessions kept my routine dynamic.
- Data-Driven Adjustments: Regularly reviewing my metrics (output, cadence, and HR zones) enabled smarter training. I recognised a need to target Zone 2 heart rate training more frequently to build endurance without overfatiguing.
- Community and Accountability: Engaging with the Peloton leaderboard fostered a sense of competition and camaraderie. Riding or running alongside others virtually encouraged me to push a little harder, even on tough days.
Goals for 2025: A Year of Consistency
Building on this year’s experiences, my goals for the coming year focus on pushing boundaries while maintaining balance:
- Mileage and Frequency:
- Bike: Hit a total of 5,000 km over the year, averaging 100 km per week with a mix of steady-state and interval sessions.
- Tread: Complete 1,200 km, increasing my weekly average to 25 km by gradually building mileage.
- Power and Endurance:
- Achieve an FTP (Functional Threshold Power) increase of 10%, leveraging structured power zone rides.
- Run a sub-25-minute 5k on the tread by incorporating progressive speed work.
- Strength Integration:
- Commit to three 20-minute strength sessions weekly, focusing on core and lower-body training to complement cycling and running.
- Data Utilization:
- Use Garmin and Strava insights to identify underperforming areas and tailor workouts. Prioritize recovery metrics and sleep data to avoid overtraining.
- Community Goals:
- Participate in a live Peloton challenge (e.g., Power Zone Pack Challenge) and connect with the local Peloton community for in-person events.
- Long-Term Challenge:
- Train for a dual endurance event, such as a duathlon or a virtual Peloton endurance weekend, to push my multisport abilities.
Closing Thoughts
This year wasn’t perfect, but it was real. The data speaks volumes, but so does how I feel: proud of the effort I put in, even when motivation wavered. I know I can do better in 2025, and I will.
Here’s to another year of sweat, learning, and progress—no matter how imperfect. Peloton, you haven’t seen the last of me! 🚴♂️🏃♂️
A Note on the Bigger Picture
It’s important to mention that these stats only represent my Peloton activities—cycling, running, and other sessions tracked within the Peloton ecosystem. Outside of this, I’ve also logged a significant amount of activity on Strava—whether it’s outdoor cycling, running, paddleboarding, or umpiring hockey matches. Combining both platforms would paint an even more comprehensive picture of my year’s fitness journey, but for this reflection, I’ve focused solely on Peloton.
This distinction is a reminder that fitness isn’t confined to one tool or platform. It’s about how we keep moving—whether it’s indoors on the bike or outdoors in the fresh air. In 2025, I’m hoping to better integrate all of my activities, tracking both Peloton and Strava consistently to gain a clearer view of my overall progress.
What’s your game plan for 2025? Have you reflected on your year yet? Let’s do this together. 💪
