Peloton announces new Guide smart tech to help you build muscle

Woman doing a Peloton Guide strength training workout

(Image credit: Peloton)

Peloton's connected exercise bike is one of the most popular fitness products of recent years. It comes with an integrated tablet, allowing you to join the company's live and on-demand workout classes.

It comes at a premium, but the Peloton Bike is one of the best exercise bikes available right now to many people. Over the past few years, the company has expanded its range to help you stay fit at home.

The firm's latest offering, Guide, is not exercise equipment but a smart camera for your living room that will 'guide' you through weight lifting and strength training routines.

Compared to the Bike or Tread (Peloton's connected treadmill), Guide is a space-saving option. The unit looks like a small webcam and can sit near your TV. The only other thing you need is a set of the best adjustable dumbbells.

Once powered on, the camera uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to track your movements as you perform each move. This enables Self Mode, allowing you to see yourself on the screen and follow along with the guided workouts.

This helps you focus on your form, which is an essential part of any strength training routine. You're also encouraged to progress with the Movement Tracker feature, which 'gives you credit for following along.'

If you've ever used Apple Fitness+, the workout subscription service heavily integrated with the Apple Watch, the overall on-screen experience will be pretty familiar.

Based on early images, your performance metrics will be shown on the screen alongside your virtual class, including your heart rate. However, as Peloton doesn't offer a fitness tracker, you'll need to wear a heart rate monitor strap.

The camera also has privacy-focused features, as you need to slide the cover to activate the system. Once you're done, close the cover, and it'll disable the camera and microphone.

You won't have to push buttons on the camera itself, as Guide comes with a remote control for selecting, starting, and ending workouts and adjusting settings.

It's an interesting approach that stands out from the competition. Other smart home multi-gyms, like Tempo or Tonal, are all-in-one devices with everything you need but are large and very expensive.

Peloton Guide is one of the company's most affordable options, retailing at $495 plus a monthly $12.99 Peloton Guide Membership. Unfortunately for those hoping for fitness-focused gifting this holiday season, Guide is currently slated for release in 'early 2022.'

Fortunately, Peloton isn't the only way to stay fit without heading to the gym. The best workout equipment for home includes budget-friendly options like dumbbells, kettlebells, and the trusty pull-up bar.

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James is a London-based journalist and Fitness Editor at Fit&Well. He has over five years experience in fitness tech, including time spent as the Buyer’s Guide Editor and Staff Writer at technology publication MakeUseOf. In 2014 he was diagnosed with a chronic health condition, which spurred his interest in health, fitness, and lifestyle management.

In the years since, he has become a devoted meditator, experimented with workout styles and exercises, and used various gadgets to monitor his health. In recent times, James has been absorbed by the intersection between mental health, fitness, sustainability, and environmentalism. When not concerning himself with health and technology, James can be found excitedly checking out each week’s New Music Friday releases.