Peloton pauses April’s live classes after an employee tested positive for COVID-19
Peloton has announced that it will stop producing and airing live cycling and running classes until April 30th after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 late last week. The company originally planned to reopen its studios on Tuesday, April 7th, taking the weekend to deep clean its facilities.
“We have decided to pause live production at both our New York and London studios through Thursday, April 30th. In the interim, we will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves,” the company wrote in a message to members on its official Facebook group. In the live classes’ place, the company will air pre-recorded classes as an “Encore” session that allows members to take a class during a specific time of the day and still race other members on a digital leaderboard. “These previously recorded classes offer a fresh Leaderboard to recreate a live experience — and you may even see your Instructors joining to retake some of their favorite classes.”
After the state of New York ordered nonessential businesses to close in mid-March, Peloton continued broadcasting live classes with a “skeleton crew” of just the instructor, production assistant, and cleaning member through the end of last week. (The company said it had gotten approval to continue operating as an essential business.) The decision to host live classes had been met with mixed reactions by Peloton members. While some say they appreciate having live content to work out to while they are stuck at home, others have urged the company to stop filming entirely to protect the health of employees.
In addition to pausing live classes until the end of April, Peloton also announced that it would pledge $1 million to cover two months of content subscription — a $78 value, plus tax — for those who have trouble paying the financing on their Peloton bike or treadmill. Those who have experienced unexpected financial hardship can apply to have their subscription fees waived here, though the company says coverage is not guaranteed.
Peloton has announced that it will stop producing and airing live cycling and running classes until April 30th after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 late last week. The company originally planned to reopen its studios on Tuesday, April 7th, taking the weekend to deep clean its facilities. “We have…
