Buying a Peloton workout bike is a real investment and one that is not to be taken lightly! Before considering a Peloton bike, ask yourself: “What are my goals?” Peloton bikes are for those who really want to exercise frequently, build muscle mass, burn calories, and improve their endurance. You will get plenty of chances to reach all of your goals as the variety of classes available on a Peloton is staggering. Whether you want to dive in headfirst or take it easy initially, you need to be aware of what instructors tend to have the most challenging and most manageable workouts.
Peloton offers a plethora of classes in cycling, boot camp, strength, and yoga. Three instructors who really stand out for how they will intensely challenge you throughout each session are Christian Vande Velde, Jess Sims, and Ross Rayburn. If you feel ready for an advanced level class, consider one of these instructors for your next workout.
If you’re used to running, hiking, or biking regularly but you’ve been feeling isolated lately because you are stuck at home, then Peloton might be just what you’ve been needing! Not only do you get to have the highest quality bike or treadmill and instructors around, but you also get a phenomenal and supportive community that will encourage you and cheer you on.
Read on to find out the benefits of moving forward with a Peloton purchase, what classes are hardest, and which instructors for these classes are best.
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How to Tell if You’re Ready for an Advanced Class
Even if you are an avid exerciser, it is not always the best idea to jump into the most advanced class of a sport or type of class that you do not have a lot of experience with. Luckily, Peloton has made this easy for you because they group their classes into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced so you are aware of how intense the session will be.
Whether you are using the bike, treadmill, or a mat, start with the Beginner classes and experiment with those for a few weeks. Gain an understanding of how your favorite instructors train and the pace and expectations of each class. A few great things to try initially are 5-10 minute classes, stretching routines, and classes that cover the yoga basics. You will burn a few calories, get your body moving, and not cause yourself too much stress or exertion.
Once these classes start to feel too easy, take a look at the classes that fall under the Intermediate category. You are guaranteed to break a sweat with any of these and challenge both your strength and cardiovascular endurance. It is recommended that you stay at this level for at least a few months before moving on. The Intermediate classes allow you to develop a better understanding of what kind of exercises you enjoy the most, as well as which ones will most effectively help you reach your goals. Many people join Peloton with various benchmarks to hit, whether they be flexibility, muscle mass, strength, fat loss, endurance, or overall recomposition.
If, after a few months, you feel it is a safe and logical decision for you to move on to Advanced classes, then take the leap and challenge yourself! The most important thing to keep in mind is that you do not want to overwork your body to the point of possible injury. The Advanced classes are meant for people who understand the proper form and technique of various exercises and know when it is time to catch their breath. To ensure that you are ready to be at the Advanced level, start with the shorter classes and see how you feel.
If you feel confident after a few experimental sessions, continue to push and challenge yourself and enjoy where your hard work takes you!
Benefits of Advanced Peloton Classes
HIIT Rides
HIIT stands for “High-Intensity Interval Training.” These classes involve moments of higher-intensity workouts with breaks known as “intervals” for resting. Some studies show that they can lower your blood pressure and improve your endurance on the bike, as you get used to switching steadily from high-intensity workouts to short moments of rest and then back again.
When you are first getting started with HIIT, HIIT Cardio is the way to go. Eventually, move on to HIIT Run and HIIT Intervals for a full HIIT experience!
A notorious class known as Tabata has been making heads spin, especially the ones run by Olivia Amato, as her classes are challenging her riders to a much higher degree.
Bootcamp Rides
These rides range from beginner to advanced, and the time lengths vary from 20 minutes to a full hour. Popular instructors for Bootcamp classes are Robin Arzon and Tunde Oyeneyin, who are more challenging in their classes than some. You’ll want to invest in Bootcamp weights such as kettlebells or dumbbells to feel the full effects and be more likely to see results in increased muscle mass and strength.
You may also invest in sports-style shoes and a yoga mat for your complete Bootcamp experience. Bootcamp classes are great for anyone wanting to focus on both building muscle and burning fat!
Climb Rides
Climb rides increasingly improve your cadence and endurance as you use the treadmill to simulate walking upwards as if on a hill or a mountain. In addition, walking on an incline allows you to lose weight while holding on to the muscle mass that you already have.
You can also easily set specific goals to get yourself on the Leaderboard with Climb rides if that is a source of motivation for you! So whether you’re preparing for the hike of a lifetime or simply want to engage in a really challenging workout, give Climb a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Hardest Peloton Cycling Instructors
#1 Christian Vande Velde
Workout Style: Pro Cyclist
Number of Classes Taught: 14
Difficulty: Advanced
#2 Olivia Amato
Workout Style: High-Intensity and High Endurance Training
Number of Classes Taught: 321
Difficulty: Advanced
#3 Kendall Toole
Workout Style: High-Intensity Endurance Training
Number of Classes Taught: 435
Difficulty: Advanced
#4 Ally Love
Workout Style: High-Intensity Endurance Training (HIIT and Tabata)
Number of Classes Taught: 636
Difficulty: Advanced
#5 Jess King
Workout Style: Theme, Intervals, and Low Impact
Number of Classes Taught: 538
Difficulty: Advanced
#6 Irene Scholz
Workout Style: Theme and Tabata
Number of Classes Taught: 324
Difficulty: Advanced
#7 Robin Arzon
Workout Style: Motivational and Advanced Beginner
Number of Classes Taught: 435
Difficulty: Intermediate
#8 Alex Toussaint
Workout Style: Motivational and High-Intensity Training (HIIT & Tabata)
Number of Classes Taught: 543
Difficulty: Intermediate
#9 Tunde Oyeneyin
Workout Style: Beginner, Hip Hop, and HIIT
Number of Classes Taught: 443
Difficulty: Intermediate
#10 Emma Lovewell
Workout Style: Theme, Intervals, Low Impact, and Beginner
Number of Classes Taught: 532
Difficulty: Intermediate
Christian Vande Velde is a professional cyclist who competed in the Tour de France and USA Pro Cycling Challenge. He certainly shows it through his classes, as they are considered to be the most difficult taught by any cycling instructor! A few of his most popular classes are the 45-minute Pro Cyclist Ride and the 30-minute Pro Cyclist Ride.
Hardest Peloton Boot Camp Instructors
#1 Jess Sims
Workout Style: Heart Rate Bootcamp and Run + Strength
Number of Classes Taught: 194
Difficulty: Advanced
#2 Olivia Amato
Workout Style: Heart Rate Bootcamp and Run + Strength
Number of Classes Taught: 43
Difficulty: Advanced
#3 Andy Speer
Workout Style: Run + Strength
Number of Classes Taught: 121
Difficulty: Advanced
#4 Rebecca Kennedy
Workout Style: Run + Strength
Number of Classes Taught: 83
Difficulty: Advanced
#5 Callie Gullickson
Workout Style: Bodyweight and Theme
Number of Classes Taught: 11
Difficulty: Advanced
#6 Adrian Williams
Workout Style: Full Body and Theme
Number of Classes Taught: 82
Difficulty: Advanced
#7 Daniel Mckenna
Workout Style: Core and Bodyweight
Number of Classes Taught: 11
Difficulty: Advanced
#8 Chase Tucker
Workout Style: Heart Rate Bootcamp and Run + Strength
Number of Classes Taught:130
Difficulty: Intermediate
#9 Cody Rigsby
Workout Style: Bodyweight and Full Body
Number of Classes Taught: 44
Difficulty: Intermediate
#10 Selena Samuela
Workout Style: Run + Strength
Number of Classes Taught: 83
Difficulty: Intermediate
Jess Sims is considered the hardest Boot Camp instructor because she takes it to the next level. She believes in using negative thoughts to power something positive, and that thing is your fitness goal during each of her classes! A few of her most popular classes are the 30-minute Pop Bootcamp, the Saturday 60: 2000s, and the 30-minute Bootcamp: Core.
Hardest Peloton Strength Training Instructors
#1 Jess Sims
Workout Style: Core, Glutes and Legs, and Chest and Back
Number of Classes Taught: 250
Difficulty: Advanced
#2 Rebecca Kennedy
Workout Style: Bodyweight and Full Body
Number of Classes Taught:308
Difficulty: Advanced
#3 Tunde Oyeneyin
Workout Style: Arms and Light Weights
Number of Classes Taught: 19
Difficulty: Advanced
#4 Chase Tucker
Workout Style: Core
Number of Classes Taught: 225
Difficulty: Intermediate
#5 Adrian Williams
Workout Style: Glutes and Legs, Chest and Back, and Core
Number of Classes Taught: 164
Difficulty: Advanced
#6 Andy Speer
Workout Style: Full Body, Chest and Back, and Bodyweight
Number of Classes Taught: 264
Difficulty: Advanced
#7 Robin Arzon
Workout Style: Arms and Shoulders
Number of Classes Taught: 178
Difficulty: Advanced
#8 Olivia Amato
Workout Style: Chest and Back
Number of Classes Taught: 138
Difficulty: Intermediate
#9 Selena Samuela
Workout Style: Bodyweight and Core
Number of Classes Taught: 191
Difficulty: Intermediate
#10 Ally Love
Workout Style: Theme and Barre
Number of Classes Taught: 92
Difficulty: Intermediate
Not only is she ranked as the most difficult with Boot Camp classes, but she will also kill you in her Strength classes as well! Jess Sims has been an athlete for her whole life, and she knows how to make you feel the burn with those weights! A few great classes of hers are the 30-minute Full-Body Strength, the Flash 15, and the 20-minute 2010s Pop Full-Body Strength.
Hardest Peloton Yoga Instructors
#1 Ross Rayburn
Workout Style: Power Yoga and Yoga Flow
Number of Classes Taught: 559
Difficulty: Advanced
#2 Anna Greenberg
Workout Style: Yoga Flow, Power Yoga, and Yoga Basics
Number of Classes Taught: 584
Difficulty: Advanced
#3 Kristin McGee
Workout Style: Restorative Yoga, Yoga Flow, and Yoga Basics
Number of Classes Taught: 636
Difficulty: Advanced
#4 Kirra Michel
Workout Style: Yoga Flow and Yoga Basics
Number of Classes Taught: 165
Difficulty: Advanced
#5 Nico Sarani
Workout Style: Yoga Basics, Yoga Flow, and Restorative Yoga
Number of Classes Taught: 164
Difficulty: Advanced
#6 Denis Morton
Workout Style: Yoga Flow and Power Yoga
Number of Classes Taught: 392
Difficulty: Intermediate
#7 Mariana Fernandez
Workout Style: Yoga Flow, Power Yoga, and Yoga Basics
Number of Classes Taught: 194
Difficulty: Intermediate
#8 Aditi Shah
Workout Style: Yoga Flow and Restorative Yoga
Number of Classes Taught: 557
Difficulty: Intermediate
#9 Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Workout Style: Yoga Flow and Restorative Yoga
Number of Classes Taught: 321
Difficulty: Intermediate
Ross Rayburn will challenge you in every possible way with his advanced-level moves that will help you increase your flexibility and build muscle mass simultaneously. Try a few of his most popular classes, including the 10-minute Chair Yoga, the 30-minute Focus Flow: Floor Poses, and the 20-minute Yoga Flow.
Related Questions
What is the Hardest Peloton Ride?
The hardest Peloton ride is the Tabata, which is the most advanced version of HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training). Unlike regular HIIT classes, Tabata intervals can last for 20 minutes before allowing you ten minutes to recover. Don’t get too relaxed though, because another 20 minutes of work is coming!
Who is the Most Popular Instructor on Peloton?
Many of Peloton’s instructors receive numerous positive reviews, and a few of the top runners are Olivia Amato, Sam Yo, Emma Lovewell, Ally Love, and Cody Rigby. Olivia is praised because she is upbeat and fun while challenging you and testing your limits. People also say that Sam Yo is very clear with his coaching and takes you through well-planned class structures with a lovely smile!
Who are the Easiest Peloton Instructors?
It’s a close tie between Mayla Wedekind and Matty Maggiacomo. Mayla offers Beginner Recovery and Low-Impact rides with difficulty levels between five and seven. Matty Maggiacomo offers Beginner Recovery and Beginner Intervals with an average level difficulty between four and six.