Peloton gamifies their bike program with new Lanebreak feature.

Peloton has today announced it’s first gaming-inspired bike experience which for many users of the high-tech bike platform will be utterly different to anything they’re used to. It’s called Lanebreak and looks so very much like a computer game, but uses all the peloton features.

Owners of a Peloton Bike or Bike+ who are all-access members will find Lanebreak in the “More Rides” menu alongside the “Just Ride” and “Scenic Ride” options.

If you don’t know, the Peloton is an extremely high quality standing bike that has a computer monitor built in and using internet connectivity offers up a range of bike exercise options.

A “regular” Peloton activity is like a class, you’re the only student, but the instructor is talking to you. Guiding you through different sessions pushing you to increase and decrease cadence throughout, as well as manipulating the resistance as part of the program.

The recommended cadence and resistance as guided by the instructor shows on the screen as your ride, right alongside your own cadence and resistance settings in real-time.

The Scenic rides are more like a virtual tour you control, while the “just ride” is all about the freedom to just ride:)

Lanebreak though is like Nintendo meets Peloton and you’re the mario-kart.

You choose the style of ride, based on duration and music, and then you ride ride ride.

But like an Olympic athletics track there are several lanes to ride in, you move from left to right by adjusting the resistance dial, and are encouraged to do so to earn points.

Some points by just being in the lane where points (beats) are available, and other times to activate special bonus points.

Bonus points come in the form of “breakers” where you push your cadence up as fast as you can to gain huge percentage advantages, and Streams where you are required to ride within a set cadence level.

At the end of your “race” you get a score, and that’s where the competitiveness comes in. Compete against others for the best score. Simple really.

The software takes full advantage of the bike’s advanced technology – but makes it more competitive than even the standard leaderboards on the Peloton sessions.

Peloton Instructor Emma Lovewell says “The way the cues and movement perfectly match the music is one of my favourite aspects of it. It’s also a great addition to our instructor-led classes. I know some days you need that butt-kicking inspiration from one of us instructors, and other days you just want to ride to some killer music without an instructor. I get it. Now you can have both! So happy I was able to help participate in the making of this new innovative type of content, I think people are going to love it!”

And in a sign of how big a role Music plays in this, Warne Music’s Oana Ruxandra says “The intersection of fitness and gaming is an enormous opportunity that I think each industry has only touched the surface of thus far,”

“Lanebreak combines Peloton’s already incredibly immersive content with the interactivity of games and the power of music, to great effect. We’re happy to partner with Peloton to build these innovative and inspirational experiences as we lead the way forward in this space. I know people are going to love Lanebreak as much as I do!”

Having had a crack at Peloton for the last week, the sessions are intense, so I can see Lanebreak being a great warm up, or different way to hit the bike if an intense session isn’t quite what you feel like.