The Peloton Row is the latest addition to the company’s expensive product line. Peloton machines include bikes and treadmills that are internet-connected and come equipped with built-in touchscreens with a display for viewing purposes during a workout. They also offer a set-top box with a camera that will track your body movements during strength-training workouts.
Although The Peloton Row will not ship till December, it is officially available for preorder and costs a total of $3,195. Peloton’s app experience is one of their most popular and unique selling points. The connected fitness company has always encouraged its users to take advantage of the classes and content they provide. However, Peloton Row’s hefty price does not include the All-Access Membership, valued at $44 per month.
Peloton Row is open for pre-order with shipping in December
Tom Cortese, co-founder, and the chief product officer of the company issued a statement on the announcement of the launch. He stressed the company’s ‘premium’ experience to be the reason for their high price tag.
“We’re pricing it for what it is. It is truly a premium experience, and it’s priced as a premium experience. I mean, this is a conversation we’ve had a lot over 10 years. When we came to the market with the Peloton bike, I used to hear, ‘I could buy a bike for $250 on Amazon.’ Great, go buy a bike for $250 on Amazon. The value of Peloton Row is, we believe, unparalleled in the market.”
In recent years, rowing has gained a lot of recognition as a more efficient full-body exercise that puts reduced stress on the body.
The Peloton company had been working towards commercializing their row machine for some time now but faced manufacturing and supply-related delays due to the pandemic.
Check also: Calories burned rowing calculator
Peloton CEO defends price despite criticism from fans
Some fans took to their social media accounts to express their disapproval of the price set by the company.
“I was a rower in a past life (been rowing since I was 13, came in 6th in the nation in HS and rowed D1 in college) and put myself on a list for the Peloton row when it became available,” wrote a user. “BISH, THAT BEAST IS $3200. I can get a C2 for $1k. That price is just DUMB.” a fan wrote.
“Listennnnn. I love my Peloton. Literally the best investment I made over the past couple of years. I was stoked for the Row, but they’re really making their critics’ points w the high cost & zero financing options,” tweeted another user.
Peloton CEO Barry McCarthy defended the company’s decision despite the backlash for the high price of their rowing machine.
“We’ve got a premium offering because, let’s face it, you’re not price-sensitive,” he told an analyst via CBS News. “And people like you weren’t price-sensitive. And if we have a great product, they’re going to buy it regardless.”
“Today, the category is shrinking. Will it shrink over the long term? I don’t think so. I think that’s a post-COVID phenomenon where people are traveling, going back to gyms, sort of rediscovering the lives that they’ve gotten away from,” he said. “But in the fullness of time, living a healthy lifestyle, I think, is part of our value system, part of the fabric of today’s aging economy.”
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Now that they are finally nearing the product release, buyers will need to cough up the extra dough if they want the rower, which is priced more than three times higher than its competitor Concept2 Inc.