188: Home Fitness
Working out from home has been a focus of mine during the pandemic. You may remember my weight-vest purchase on Day 19. In the past month, I’ve joined the Peloton community and have been doing rides in my garage. It’s been great. I really like the Peloton for these main reasons:
I don’t have the leave the house. Getting a quick 20 minute workout in while still being available for questions from the kids is fantastic.
The community is great. I’ve got family and friends all doing rides and workouts so I’m constantly comparing scores and working out with someone.
It’s pleasant on the knees. I have old man knees so running was starting to hurt. The cycling has been a nice change.
The workouts are fun and motivating. There was one “Price Ride” where the two instructors wore purple, played all Price music and dropped Prince trivia while I sweated it out.
This whole industry of home fitness is booming, and I can see why.
Peloton’s Q4 earnings showed a 172% YoY jump in revenue, with subscribers were up 113% YoY. I think this is just the beginning for them as the service is fantastic.
Last week Apple announced its virtual fitness product (Fitness Plus), available to the 1B+ Apple devices out there which is like Peloton but you use your own equipment and an iPad/iPhone.
Lululemon has a connected mirror where the mirror on the wall has video and instructors who can help you work out and do yoga. They have already upped its projected revenue for from $100m to $150m for this year.
Zwift, an indoor training app, raised $450m last week
These apps have instructors helping you through an in-home workout whether it’s with weights, running, biking, doing yoga or even just walking. This is so much better than going to a gym - which are all closed which. In fact in just the past few months these all filed for bankruptcy: Gold’s Gym, 24-Hour Fitness, SNFW Fitness (Steve Nash’s), and New York Sports Club).
So, I’m bullish on the whole movement and if you happen to get a bike, let me know your screenname so we can race.
At My House
We’re getting outside and enjoying the clean air. We had a great hike this weekend although my kids aren’t used to using their legs. A week and a half of being forced to stay inside took its toll.
Other Stuff
School Update
The Univ. of Colorado - Boulder is moving to all online classes for at least 2 weeks as nearly 1000 confirmed cases have occurred. I’m sure it all go great - especially after reading this…
It does seem like rapid testing would be pretty important once we do in-person schooling
The World & Corona
We hit the milestone - nearly one million people have died of the virus around the world.
Europe is experiencing a new surge:
France reported 13,498 new cases on Saturday, its highest daily increase.
Spain, one of the hardest-hit European countries, has had one of the largest resurgences. Cases have risen to more than 10,000 a day on average.
At home here in Marin we’re down to only 20-30ish cases a day which is what we were around in June. So we’re getting down there, which is great.
A good thread that recaps all we know about transmissions (thx Barrish)
That’s it everyone. Have a great Tuesday.
Only 64 more days to go