Peloton: Difference between revisions
m →See Also: fix link |
m Peloton Support Page |
||
| (5 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
Peloton’s policies reflect a larger trend in consumer markets where companies leverage digital connectivity to maintain post-sale control: | Peloton’s policies reflect a larger trend in consumer markets where companies leverage digital connectivity to maintain post-sale control: | ||
*'''Erosion of ownership''': Practices such as activation fees and subscription locks limit consumer autonomy over purchased products. | *'''Erosion of ownership''': Practices such as activation fees and subscription locks limit consumer autonomy over purchased products. | ||
*While Peloton allows you to use a limited set of classes and features on Bike and Tread hardware without a paid subscription, the [https://support.onepeloton.com/s/article/Peloton-Membership-What-Content-Can-I-Access-Without-A-Peloton-Membership?language=en_US cited support article] from their website states explicitly: “''Please note that while metrics may display while in these classes, no metrics, workouts, or progress will be saved to your Peloton profile.''” This prevents users from simply quantifying their metrics over time despite having an active profile that could be used in conjunction with a paid subscription in the future. This is unnecessarily restrictive and anti-consumer in addition to being particularly antagonistic toward users who rely on quantifying fitness performance over time to evaluate their efforts. | |||
*'''Precedent for other industries''': Peloton’s approach sets a concerning precedent for post-sale control, with parallels in other industries. | *'''Precedent for other industries''': Peloton’s approach sets a concerning precedent for post-sale control, with parallels in other industries. | ||
*'''Consumer rights in the digital age''': The rise of devices reliant on cloud subscription services raises questions about consumer protection. | *'''Consumer rights in the digital age''': The rise of devices reliant on cloud subscription services raises questions about consumer protection. | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
===Peloton Used Equipment Activation Fee (2024)=== | |||
{{Main|Peloton Used Equipment Activation Fee}} | |||
In 2024, Peloton announced the introduction of a $95 USD / $125 CAD used-equipment activation fee for purchasers of second-hand Peloton devices in the U.S. and Canada. The introduction of a fee for activating second-hand devices was criticized for undermining the [[first-sale doctrine]] and restricting ownership rights. | |||
===Removal of "Just Run" feature (2021)=== | |||
{{Main|Peloton removes Just Run feature}} | |||
Following multiple injuries and a fatality, Peloton introduced a new feature called Tread Lock as part of a safety recall, which required users to enter a passcode to secure their treadmills but also restricted access to the "Just Run" feature for non-subscribers. This feature was restored a few months after the restriction was introduced following widespread critisicm | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
| Line 27: | Line 34: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Peloton Interactive]] | [[Category:Peloton Interactive]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:50, 20 August 2025
_logo.svg.png){kind=logo}
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 |
| Legal structure | Public |
| Industry | Exercise Equipment |
| Official website | https://onepelton.com/ |
Peloton Interactive, Inc. is a wellness technology company specializing in connected exercise equipment and subscription-based fitness content. Headquartered in New York City, the company operates in the fitness and wellness industry and is best known for its internet-connected stationary bikes, treadmills, and fitness app. As of 2025, Peloton has a significant presence in North America and Europe, with a business model heavily reliant on subscription services.
Consumer impact summary[edit | edit source]
Peloton has faced significant criticism for policies perceived as undermining consumer rights, particularly through restrictive practices that challenge traditional notions of product ownership and resale rights.
Peloton’s policies reflect a larger trend in consumer markets where companies leverage digital connectivity to maintain post-sale control:
- Erosion of ownership: Practices such as activation fees and subscription locks limit consumer autonomy over purchased products.
- While Peloton allows you to use a limited set of classes and features on Bike and Tread hardware without a paid subscription, the cited support article from their website states explicitly: “Please note that while metrics may display while in these classes, no metrics, workouts, or progress will be saved to your Peloton profile.” This prevents users from simply quantifying their metrics over time despite having an active profile that could be used in conjunction with a paid subscription in the future. This is unnecessarily restrictive and anti-consumer in addition to being particularly antagonistic toward users who rely on quantifying fitness performance over time to evaluate their efforts.
- Precedent for other industries: Peloton’s approach sets a concerning precedent for post-sale control, with parallels in other industries.
- Consumer rights in the digital age: The rise of devices reliant on cloud subscription services raises questions about consumer protection.
Incidents[edit | edit source]
Peloton Used Equipment Activation Fee (2024)[edit | edit source]
- Main article: Peloton Used Equipment Activation Fee
In 2024, Peloton announced the introduction of a $95 USD / $125 CAD used-equipment activation fee for purchasers of second-hand Peloton devices in the U.S. and Canada. The introduction of a fee for activating second-hand devices was criticized for undermining the first-sale doctrine and restricting ownership rights.
Removal of "Just Run" feature (2021)[edit | edit source]
- Main article: Peloton removes Just Run feature
Following multiple injuries and a fatality, Peloton introduced a new feature called Tread Lock as part of a safety recall, which required users to enter a passcode to secure their treadmills but also restricted access to the "Just Run" feature for non-subscribers. This feature was restored a few months after the restriction was introduced following widespread critisicm