Peloton sparks sexism mockery over commercial
12-03-19, 03:41 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by billridesbikes
I‘ve done some Soulcycle classes and ridden a Peloton at hotel gyms, usually the class is 80-90% women. I think a lot of women like the idea of riding a bike for exercise but are fearful of riding alone on trails or being hit by a car in the road. Also, group led exercise is more motivating and has higher appeal for some people than solo activities. Soulcycle class three times a week would run you $2~3K/year, this is Peloton’s intended target audience. I don’t think they’ve priced themselves out of their target market at all. The bike itself seems like a solid piece of gym equipment and if you went and purchased a ‘smart’ trainer bike like a Neo smart bike or Wattbike it would be a similar amount.
What I dislike is the whole recent thing of fitness shaming on social media (MAMIL anyone?). I’m sure this woman feels better and stronger after avidly riding her Peloton for a year. Good for her. I bet her FTP is way higher than anyone who is leaving a negative comment on YouTube.
What I dislike is the whole recent thing of fitness shaming on social media (MAMIL anyone?). I’m sure this woman feels better and stronger after avidly riding her Peloton for a year. Good for her. I bet her FTP is way higher than anyone who is leaving a negative comment on YouTube.
I think it would be pretty foolish to think that they have priced themselves out of their target market. They basically invented their product category and have been one of the great marketing success stories.
As to your last paragraph, that's pretty silly. You do realize that the people in commercials are actors reading scripts, right? I'm sure the woman feels better (if not stronger) after getting her paycheck, but nothing about the commercial is real.
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12-03-19, 03:47 PM
#52
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Originally Posted by JanMM
Although I spend some time on recumbent machines at our YMCA in the winter (I ride recumbent bikes) I can't get too worked up one way or the other about exercise bikes of any sort. Or about advertising for such things.
I use the elliptical at high resistance when I have to use a machine. It's more of a full-body workout, and burns calories faster. If I'm on a bike, I want to go somewhere.
I'm sure I'd hate their product because I can't stand that cheerleading/yelling bit, plus the leaderboard thing would annoy me because I can't think of anything I less want to get competitive about. But I'm just not their target audience.
12-03-19, 03:51 PM
#53
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Metieval
did you run out of enough safe space? or something...
12-03-19, 04:01 PM
#54
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Wait a minute- social media is outraged about something?!? I am shocked!***
I have seen that commercial a bunch of times, but its always an abridged version- I hadnt seen that the husband gave it to her for christmas. I always wondered(not really) why she was videoing herself then sharing it at the end.
1- That commercial sucks. Just plain sucks, whether you choose to see sexism or not. Its stupid.
- Why is she nervous to start riding it in her own home?...thats odd.
- Why keep the bike in the middle of their modern open concept main floor?
- Who keeps a vlog of their activity for a year to then splice and share with their spouse?!? I thankfully have actually important things to do- even laying on the couch is more important that that. My wife would agree with this too.
- If she didnt realize how the gift would change her, then why did she commit to vlogging the experience?...makes no sense.
2- After reading the article and some twitter outrage, I am convinced that those who find the commercial to be misogynistic or domineering or whatever are projecting. They are projecting their frustration, insecurities, or whatever onto the commercial's characters. A husband gets a present for his wife and she ends up using it a bunch and thanks him. Oh the horror!
- Perhaps they were at the mall, she saw the Peloton kiosk, and commented in an interested manner. Husband then decided to get it since she commented in interest. How is that bad?
- Perhaps she mentioned to her husband that she was struggling to dedicate time to exercise with all of life's responsibilities so the husband thought this would make exercising easier and more frequent. How is that bad?
- etc etc etc. There are tons of very realistic scenarios where this is a nice present and none of the cynicism projected by the outraged applies.
3- luxury item commercials always suck because the scenarios and situations seem absurd to most of us since, you know, they are absurd.
I have seen that commercial a bunch of times, but its always an abridged version- I hadnt seen that the husband gave it to her for christmas. I always wondered(not really) why she was videoing herself then sharing it at the end.
1- That commercial sucks. Just plain sucks, whether you choose to see sexism or not. Its stupid.
- Why is she nervous to start riding it in her own home?...thats odd.
- Why keep the bike in the middle of their modern open concept main floor?
- Who keeps a vlog of their activity for a year to then splice and share with their spouse?!? I thankfully have actually important things to do- even laying on the couch is more important that that. My wife would agree with this too.
- If she didnt realize how the gift would change her, then why did she commit to vlogging the experience?...makes no sense.
2- After reading the article and some twitter outrage, I am convinced that those who find the commercial to be misogynistic or domineering or whatever are projecting. They are projecting their frustration, insecurities, or whatever onto the commercial's characters. A husband gets a present for his wife and she ends up using it a bunch and thanks him. Oh the horror!
- Perhaps they were at the mall, she saw the Peloton kiosk, and commented in an interested manner. Husband then decided to get it since she commented in interest. How is that bad?
- Perhaps she mentioned to her husband that she was struggling to dedicate time to exercise with all of life's responsibilities so the husband thought this would make exercising easier and more frequent. How is that bad?
- etc etc etc. There are tons of very realistic scenarios where this is a nice present and none of the cynicism projected by the outraged applies.
3- luxury item commercials always suck because the scenarios and situations seem absurd to most of us since, you know, they are absurd.
12-03-19, 04:21 PM
#55
So it is
Originally Posted by mstateglfr
Wait a minute- social media is outraged about something?!? I am shocked!***
I have seen that commercial a bunch of times, but its always an abridged version- I hadnt seen that the husband gave it to her for christmas. I always wondered(not really) why she was videoing herself then sharing it at the end.
1- That commercial sucks. Just plain sucks, whether you choose to see sexism or not. Its stupid.
- Why is she nervous to start riding it in her own home?...thats odd.
- Why keep the bike in the middle of their modern open concept main floor?
- Who keeps a vlog of their activity for a year to then splice and share with their spouse?!? I thankfully have actually important things to do- even laying on the couch is more important that that. My wife would agree with this too.
- If she didnt realize how the gift would change her, then why did she commit to vlogging the experience?...makes no sense.
2- After reading the article and some twitter outrage, I am convinced that those who find the commercial to be misogynistic or domineering or whatever are projecting. They are projecting their frustration, insecurities, or whatever onto the commercial's characters. A husband gets a present for his wife and she ends up using it a bunch and thanks him. Oh the horror!
- Perhaps they were at the mall, she saw the Peloton kiosk, and commented in an interested manner. Husband then decided to get it since she commented in interest. How is that bad?
- Perhaps she mentioned to her husband that she was struggling to dedicate time to exercise with all of life's responsibilities so the husband thought this would make exercising easier and more frequent. How is that bad?
- etc etc etc. There are tons of very realistic scenarios where this is a nice present and none of the cynicism projected by the outraged applies.
3- luxury item commercials always suck because the scenarios and situations seem absurd to most of us since, you know, they are absurd.
I have seen that commercial a bunch of times, but its always an abridged version- I hadnt seen that the husband gave it to her for christmas. I always wondered(not really) why she was videoing herself then sharing it at the end.
1- That commercial sucks. Just plain sucks, whether you choose to see sexism or not. Its stupid.
- Why is she nervous to start riding it in her own home?...thats odd.
- Why keep the bike in the middle of their modern open concept main floor?
- Who keeps a vlog of their activity for a year to then splice and share with their spouse?!? I thankfully have actually important things to do- even laying on the couch is more important that that. My wife would agree with this too.
- If she didnt realize how the gift would change her, then why did she commit to vlogging the experience?...makes no sense.
2- After reading the article and some twitter outrage, I am convinced that those who find the commercial to be misogynistic or domineering or whatever are projecting. They are projecting their frustration, insecurities, or whatever onto the commercial's characters. A husband gets a present for his wife and she ends up using it a bunch and thanks him. Oh the horror!
- Perhaps they were at the mall, she saw the Peloton kiosk, and commented in an interested manner. Husband then decided to get it since she commented in interest. How is that bad?
- Perhaps she mentioned to her husband that she was struggling to dedicate time to exercise with all of life's responsibilities so the husband thought this would make exercising easier and more frequent. How is that bad?
- etc etc etc. There are tons of very realistic scenarios where this is a nice present and none of the cynicism projected by the outraged applies.
3- luxury item commercials always suck because the scenarios and situations seem absurd to most of us since, you know, they are absurd.
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Originally Posted by rubiksoval
It's never about getting comfortable. It's about getting capable.
12-03-19, 05:05 PM
#57
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I won't touch the alleged sexism, but that Twitter thread was pretty hilarious at times. 
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RUSA #7498
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
12-03-19, 05:08 PM
#58
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
I’m with the critics on this one. It is an asinine commercial.
what makes it asinine to you?
12-03-19, 05:23 PM
#59
Disco Infiltrator
Just dropping by for my occasional observation that Peleton is a bike racing word but it's used for a spin-class product, while Zwift is a bike-racing product whose name sounds like a food delivery app
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
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12-03-19, 06:33 PM
#60
Senior Member
The ad seems a bit dull and stupid to me. But offensive seems a stretch beyond all reason.
Or maybe the Peloton marketing team is absolute genius - WAY more people have seen this ad due to the furor being raised than would every see a 'reasonable Peloton commercial'. Are all these Twitter/Whoever folks being paid by Peloton (or is all this being driven by fake accounts?).
dave
ps. Now that I think about it, you only need to 'seed' social media a couple of 'trigger postings' and you are off to the races.
Or maybe the Peloton marketing team is absolute genius - WAY more people have seen this ad due to the furor being raised than would every see a 'reasonable Peloton commercial'. Are all these Twitter/Whoever folks being paid by Peloton (or is all this being driven by fake accounts?).
dave
ps. Now that I think about it, you only need to 'seed' social media a couple of 'trigger postings' and you are off to the races.
12-03-19, 06:47 PM
#61
Senior Member
At least it's not one more ad where the white male is the stupid, clueless buffoon.
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12-03-19, 07:04 PM
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I personally wasn't offended by it as a fairly socially liberal man. And it had me wondering, are these same writers and people who were upset by the Peloton ad also protesting the SI Swimsuit Edition, or everything Victoria's Secret has ever done? Women are objectified by all manner of industries. This Peloton thing isn't news, it's old hat.
My objection to Peloton is that with around $2400 or so, a person could get a nice bike with 105 or Rival (CF) or even maybe Ultegra or Force (Al) and then be able to actually enjoy riding a real bike. Add a cheap trainer and Zwift and you're all set.
My objection to Peloton is that with around $2400 or so, a person could get a nice bike with 105 or Rival (CF) or even maybe Ultegra or Force (Al) and then be able to actually enjoy riding a real bike. Add a cheap trainer and Zwift and you're all set.
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12-03-19, 07:16 PM
#63
The dropped
Originally Posted by bpcyclist
I personally wasn't offended by it as a fairly socially liberal man. And it had me wondering, are these same writers and people who were upset by the Peloton ad also protesting the SI Swimsuit Edition, or everything Victoria's Secret has ever done? Women are objectified by all manner of industries. This Peloton thing isn't news, it's old hat.
My objection to Peloton is that with around $2400 or so, a person could get a nice bike with 105 or Rival (CF) or even maybe Ultegra or Force (Al) and then be able to actually enjoy riding a real bike. Add a cheap trainer and Zwift and you're all set.
My objection to Peloton is that with around $2400 or so, a person could get a nice bike with 105 or Rival (CF) or even maybe Ultegra or Force (Al) and then be able to actually enjoy riding a real bike. Add a cheap trainer and Zwift and you're all set.
12-03-19, 07:17 PM
#64
Advocatus Diaboli
Originally Posted by DrIsotope
Tell that to Wahoo. The KICKRbike is listed at $3,499. Most of the smart trainer market hovers around $1,200, and you still need a bike, and all of the tech to pipe in Zwift, TrainerRoad, etc.
In the cycling world where $15k bikes and $600 derailleur cages are actual things, a $2,200 exercise bike doesn't seem so crazy to me.
In the cycling world where $15k bikes and $600 derailleur cages are actual things, a $2,200 exercise bike doesn't seem so crazy to me.
Seen the Elite Fuoripista? $17K at CleverTraining.. Hurry while supplies last
12-03-19, 07:27 PM
#65
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
pfft.. $3.5K is nothing.
Seen the Elite Fuoripista? $17K at CleverTraining.. Hurry while supplies last
Seen the Elite Fuoripista? $17K at CleverTraining.. Hurry while supplies last
12-03-19, 07:27 PM
#66
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
At least it's not one more ad where the white male is the stupid, clueless buffoon.
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12-03-19, 07:35 PM
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It's a silly commercial but no more silly then any other commercial. I can't see anything offensive about it. Anybody who feels offended is because their minds have been poisoned by political correctness bull****.
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12-03-19, 07:43 PM
#68
Non omnino gravis
Originally Posted by Sy Reene
pfft.. $3.5K is nothing.
Seen the Elite Fuoripista? $17K at CleverTraining.. Hurry while supplies last
Seen the Elite Fuoripista? $17K at CleverTraining.. Hurry while supplies last
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12-03-19, 07:51 PM
#69
The dropped
Originally Posted by wolfchild
It's a silly commercial but no more silly then any other commercial. I can't see anything offensive about it. Anybody who feels offended is because their minds have been poisoned by political correctness bull****.
12-03-19, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Unca_Sam
Challenge your preconceived notions and explore where they come from. Another term for "politically correct", as it's frequently used in conservative circles, is empathetic.
Politically correct has become a culture of oppression and intolerance. There is a world of difference between feeling empathy for others, and trying to tell everyone else how to run their lives.
I am old enough and have seen enough to know the difference between the two.
Last edited by eja_ bottecchia; 12-03-19 at 08:08 PM.
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12-03-19, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Unca_Sam
What cheap Zwift option are you talking about? I was under the impression that there lowest cost for that was $500 for a connected mag trainer.
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12-03-19, 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
pfft.. $3.5K is nothing.
Seen the Elite Fuoripista? $17K at CleverTraining.. Hurry while supplies last
Seen the Elite Fuoripista? $17K at CleverTraining.. Hurry while supplies last
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RUSA #7498
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
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12-03-19, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Unca_Sam
Challenge your preconceived notions and explore where they come from. Another term for "politically correct", as it's frequently used in conservative circles, is empathetic.
12-03-19, 08:03 PM
#74
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Originally Posted by Unca_Sam
What cheap Zwift option are you talking about? I was under the impression that there lowest cost for that was $500 for a connected mag trainer.
https://www.kurtkinetic.com/zwift-compatible-trainers
12-03-19, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by bpcyclist
Yeah, I am certainly no expert, but it does seem like there are some more affordable options these days than there were a couple of years ago. One that comes to mind off the top of my head is the Tacx Satori. Depending on what kind of shopper you are, you can find it for around 200-270 bucks or even less, sometimes--if you time it right.
Here are some: https://www.kurtkinetic.com/zwift-compatible-trainers
