How Much Do Peloton Instructors Make? [2024]

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What makes Peloton different from other indoor bikes? Yes, you guessed it. The instructors.

Peloton community is quickly growing particularly after the lockdown the company gained a lot of popularity all over the world. It has thousands of employees including instructors located in different countries across the globe.

Peloton instructors are particularly well-known as each one of them has a specialty and is trained to offer streamlined workout classes to their students.

That makes us wonder exactly how much these instructors make. Almost all Peloton instructors are easily making a six-figure salary annually with Cody Rigsby being the highest-paid instructor earning $700 per class at Peloton.

If you are wondering how much Peloton instructors make, you are in the right place. Here we will look at the instructors’ job role and their salaries and why exactly they are paid so well.

So, let’s get started.

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How Are Peloton Instructors Paid?

Peloton currently has a total of 33 instructors belonging to different categories. How does Peloton decide how much to pay each of them? Well, the salary depends on an individual instructor’s skill level, experience, and area of specialization.

Some instructors are more popular than others and have hundreds of students working out together in their live class. These instructors would definitely be higher paying than others based on their popularity and how they are contributing to the company’s success.

Robin Arzon is another high-paying instructor at Peloton, other than Cody Rigsby, as he is also the Vice President of the company.

However, the salaries of all Peloton instructors fall in the range of $500 to $700 per class and their monthly income depends on how many classes they take per week. If an average Peloton instructor takes ten classes a week, he or she can easily make up to $5000 on a weekly basis and somewhere around $250,000 a year!

Peloton Job Criteria for Instructors

Peloton has released its audition process which every instructor goes through and is employed only if he or she fulfills all the requirements of becoming a Peloton instructor.

It’s definitely not easy to become a Peloton instructor because you have to show extraordinary skills and a successful track record in the fitness industry. Only highly qualified and experienced individuals are selected because only these people will actually have an impact on the Peloton community.

Moreover, the instructors are required to represent and stick to the company’s values and priorities so that Peloton would gain more popularity with each passing day.

Peloton either approaches the instructors themselves or allows them to apply for an instructor’s job. Either way, they are required to go through a process through which the company judges their capabilities. Some instructors may not be able to deliver their best on their first audition but still, it is quite sufficient to see if they are Peloton material or not.

The audition process is there to help these instructors demonstrate if they can actually connect to their students, keep them motivated, and see an improvement on the Leaderboard. Peloton wants each and every instructor to showcase their individual skills and not copy anyone else.

Peloton specifically wants its instructors to infuse some practicality into their classes. The users must be able to apply what they learn during the class in real life. All Peloton instructors are expected to express their feelings publicly. They must be able to connect to their students on a personal level.

Peloton looks for people who are not afraid to think outside the box. They must not shy away from creating something new, something innovative with their students. And finally, all instructors are expected to show respect and love towards the entire Peloton community, understand their needs, and be appreciative of how hard they are trying to meet their goals.

How to Become a Peloton Instructor?

Do you think you possess the qualities to become a Peloton instructor? There is no harm in trying because as you must have guessed, there are no hard and fast rules to becoming eligible to apply.

However, a few qualities that you must possess include;

Having a passion for fitness
Having a clear idea of your area of specialty
Being able to represent the core values at Peloton
Being capable of creating unique fitness programs
Showing confidence to talk while you work out
Being self-assured about your capabilities
Being able to pass multiple interviews and tests

If you are a fitness freak and have the right expertise to become a Peloton instructor and want to earn a six-figure income like other Peloton instructors are earning, it’s time to leave your comfort zone and take the big leap.

The NASM Exam

Peloton calls their instructors Certified Personal Trainers or CPTs who are certified through the NASM or National Academy of Sports Medicine. These are trainers who receive professional training to teach others how to work out.

Not everyone is an expert when it comes to helping others achieve their fitness goals regardless of their knowledge and experience in the fitness industry. That is why it’s important to pass this test along with a series of interviews to become a Peloton instructor.

Among other things, CPTs are able to plan workouts that would benefit all body types. They are trained to offer both beginner and advanced level workouts to their students depending on how much they know and how much they need to learn. They are also responsible for teaching the individuals “why” a particular exercise is good for them in addition to “how” to perform it.

If you would like to be selected as a Peloton instructor, the first step is to take the NASM certification. It shows that you understand the concepts that need to be applied when you start taking actual classes. The same certification is useful even if you want to apply elsewhere as a fitness expert whether it’s related to becoming a physiotherapist, group fitness instructor, or any other job in the fitness industry.

According to Rebecca Kennedy, NASM was effective in teaching her how to build fitness programs according to different goals. She considers it an in-depth certification that helps you envision your fitness program in a larger picture and see how it would contribute to the fitness level of each individual attending the class.

NASM also teaches trainers a fundamental vocabulary so they know which body part to place their focus on. It offers a way to fine-tune your fitness programs so they work for all individuals regardless of their current fitness level and experience.

There are study guides and online quizzes available to help you prepare for the certification and the exam. It is supposed to be a very comprehensive test, so don’t just expect to go and take it without actually sitting down and studying for it. It is a concept-based test, so you have to understand the materials, make notes, and take the practice exam first in order to pass it.

If you already have the certification, you are all set to become a spin or cycling instructor at Peloton. Peloton doesn’t require its trainers to be Peloton bike or tread experts. If they have the NASM certification, it is enough to show their credibility to become a Peloton instructor.

How to Apply for NASM Certification?

You need to apply with a high school diploma or GED test score along with a CPR certification or automated external defibrillator certification. These certifications can also be taken through NASM.

If you want to apply for a Peloton instructor, take these certifications and join a gym to teach. You will be required to hand out your credentials and then wait for an interview. Recommendations from personal trainers you know can increase your chances of landing a job as a Peloton instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is the most popular Peloton instructor?

There are many Peloton instructors who are popular in their respective areas of specialty. For example, Cody Rigsby is popular for spin classes, Becs Gentry and Jess Sims for running, and Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts for yoga and meditation.

Do Peloton instructors prepare and plan their own workouts?

Yes, this is part of their job and probably one of the main reasons why they are earning so much. This was revealed by Kendall Toole, a popular cycling instructor at Peloton. According to her, it takes about 2 hours to prepare a workout and they have to do it daily to come up with a unique plan for their students.

How much does a Peloton instructor make?

Depending on their skill level, experience, and the number of classes they take per week, any Peloton instructor can make anywhere between $250,000 to $500,000 yearly. The most popular instructors are making more money because they are in high demand and a lot of people join their classes. Almost all Peloton instructors have six-figure salaries.

Who are Ben Alldis and Leanne Hainsby?

Ben Alldis and Leanne Hainsby are both Peloton cycling instructors who recently got engaged to each other. They had been dating for three years before taking this big decision. Both are London-based instructors and they announced their engagement on social media for all their fans to know.

Is the audition process to become a Peloton instructor terrifying?

Some instructors have put the audition process like that of a terrifying experience but it doesn’t have to be. If you are self-confident and have years of experience in the fitness industry with a passion to transfer your knowledge to your students and help them achieve their goals, it shouldn’t be difficult.
However, it’s recommended that you prepare for the series of interviews and follow some tips to make sure you are selected. Peloton wants people who are able to connect to their students and make a difference in their lives.
Since teaching and pedaling at the same time are not easy, these people must have practiced talking while they work out. It takes time but once you master it, you actually start enjoying the classes.

Are Peloton instructors employed on a permanent basis?

Yes, all Peloton instructors are employed on a permanent basis and they also receive all the incentives and benefits of permanent employment. They receive bonus offers time and again on outstanding performance. They also get paid leaves when they have a family business to attend to or any other emergency or a special event in their life. All these perks make the job of a Peloton instructor all the more prestigious.

Wrapping Up

Peloton instructors are no ordinary instructors; in fact, they have become celebrities for fitness enthusiasts and are often featured in magazines and social media articles. Simply search up a name on any social media platform and you will find crazy followings on their accounts.

These instructors are paid quite generously just as any Peloton user would be able to guess. These instructors help their students individually to achieve their fitness goals and they serve as their primary source of motivation.

These trainers are like family to Peloton users who invite them into their homes on a regular basis. The workout sessions become more fun and less tiring when you have your favorite instructor in front of you.

All Peloton instructors come from different walks of life but they have a few things in common that make them unique and highly valuable. Some instructors teach yoga, others are dedicated to strength training, cycling, or HIIT. Depending on their popularity, skill level, and the number of classes they take per week, they are paid accordingly.

A Peloton instructor’s job is not easy and we should not forget the robust audition process through which each of them had to go through. Keeping in view these criteria, Peloton instructors’ salary is quite justified.

After knowing how much your favorite instructor makes on a monthly basis, you must be feeling even more charged and motivated to start your next workout. All the best with your future rides!

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