I installed the Peloton app on my TV because it’s free for three months and you don’t need to give them your credit card number. It has the best on-demand spin classes I’ve ever done, some of the workouts even have live DJs! There is no way I would pay over $2k for a bike from them though. I have a used Schwinn that cost me $199 at Play it Again Sports. You can get a Sunny spin bike new on Amazon for $300 and when the Peloton app charges again it’s about $15 a month. It’s well worth that to me already.
Anyway I’m starting to feel like my favorite instructor, Robin Arzon (she’s mildly famous, I’ve seen her covered on Jezebel), is a friend. (I’m also doing some Zoom workouts but they’re expensive so I don’t do them as much.) The other day Robin did an at-home workout and she made me cry! She said she’s lost both of her uncles to covid and that she was upset that she couldn’t even go to their funerals. Robin has this impressive way of giving pep talks while seeming genuine.
I don’t know if I was going to share this today but I feel like I should because I know this is going to help someone out there. I’ve lost two uncles in the last five weeks, the second this week. My mom has lost two brothers and we’re all being robbed of ritual right now. From weddings to funerals to proms to graduations to retirements to jobs. When the ground is really shaky we have to create our own rituals. Being a human is so messy. It’s so messy, but one thing I’m able to control is getting on this bike and being with you. Together we go far. It’s always been more than a bike.
[From Peloton App, 10 minutes before end of “30 minute together we ride,” aired 5/2/20]
I had to watch that again for this story and it made me cry again so hard. She was so vulnerable and then she turned it around and perfectly explained what fitness means to so many of us. This is something we control, this is something we do for ourselves and we’re going to move past this into something new. We can still grieve for what we’ve lost.
USA Today did an interview with Robin about a month before the lockdown. She’s now the VP of programming at Peloton and she used to be a lawyer. She switched careers when she realized that she was using fitness for wellness and how much that meant to her. She’s done an ultra marathon of 100 miles(!) and she also had this wonderful quote when she was asked about balance. “What you haven’t achieved yet is worth getting uncomfortable and digging into, and that’s not always going to be a feeling of balance.” I’m definitely a fan.
Here’s a segment from that!
. @RobinNYC made me cry during an at home workout pic.twitter.com/EywBHR8ZRr
— celebitchy (@celebitchy) May 7, 2020
Robin is my favorite! I’ll wake up early on the weekends just to do a live ride with her.
I did that ride and I cried too because I lost my grandfather at the beginning of March and we haven’t been able to have a funeral.
I’m sorry for your loss. It’s so sad for NYers! We lost my dad in April (but in my hometown) and had to have a private burial- just my mom, brother, sister in law, and me. It was really somber and bleak (as all funeral are) but so devastating to not be able to share with family. And we felt so fortunate to have been able to put my dad to rest since so many of my NYC loved ones are not even able to do that. Sad, scary times.
So sorry for what you’re going/been through
I love her!!!! I love my peloton actually and all the instructor (life saver during lockdown) but she’s my favorite. I love how she talks about owning your “too much.” As in, has anyone told you you’re too much? Lol. As a very opinionated strong willed loud woman who grew up in a conservative religious upbringing, I was always told things like “well, tell us you how really feel” when i expressed an opinion. Or told i had a strong personality or I was ambitious- clearly insults. Quiet women were upheld and much as I want to accept myself, I still always feel a little guilty I’m so loud. So man I love her! She’s the best! And the workouts are the best too! So hard.
When I first read the headline, I was nervous that it was gonna be gyms are closed and we’re being robbed of that. I unfollowed a pilates studios in the OC because they’ve decided to reopen on the 15th, saying they’re not a gym, so they should be able to reopen.
Wow it’s so weird to see her covered here!! She used to run on the same running team as me (back when she was a lawyer- fun fact she was already a Nike model back then!) She’s a truly delightful person.
I love Peloton.
My ultimate fave is Andy Speer. I have like a huge crush on him. He’s an incredible instructor yet he seems to struggle to sell himself in social media. It’s hard for him and it shows but that makes him even more adorable. Plus, I find him attractive af.
My Peloton has been a sanity saver during this lockdown. All the instructors are actually amazing and all guns a way to motivate me, but Robin is at the top of the list. I would encourage anyone to download the app. Their outdoor run content is also great!
My peloton has been a lifesaver! I love Robin too! So much positive energy.
The fact that people can’t even attend their loved ones’ funerals really fucking sucks. It’s so terrible. That’s a lot of salt in a fresh wound.
I love Robin’s pep talks. And I adore Cody! My Peloton has been the biggest lifesaver through this for our whole family (along with Yoga with Adriene on youtube.) I’ve been doing the mediations with Kristin McGee with my son-just 5 minutes and a great way to wind down at night before bed.
I cried during this ride and I haven’t lost anyone close to me during the pandemic. Love her instruction and her rides!
Robin’s origin story is more intense and incredible than this. She was a victim of an awful crime and it inspired her to start running. Google it. It’s awe-inspiring.