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Who was the first Peloton instructor?

Since I am somewhat new to Peloton, learning about the backstories of the instructors is always fun. Even though they are virtually coaching me, I still “feel” like I get to know them.

One of my favorite instructors is Jenn Sherman. She was the teacher for the Grateful Dead ride I did a few weeks back as well. She is Peloton’s oldest and longest-tenured instructor. She was recently featured New Jersey Monthly.

Jenn Sherman is quick to tell you she’s the oldest Peloton instructor. And at 51, that’s true. But what’s more relevant is that she was the first Peloton instructor. Peloton hired Sherman in May 2013, when the at-home fitness giant was a startup struggling for funding and operating out of a Manhattan studio that employees affectionately called “the closet.” Peloton went public in October 2019 and now has more than 2.6 million members using its streamed bike and treadmill workouts and digital app.

Jenn does a fantastic job, and she’s a great asset to Peloton. From her comments, she loves what she does.

“People couldn’t go to the gym,” says Sherman, “but they could get on the bike with their community, their friends, and escape.”

Jenn Sherman

Sherman fields hundreds of messages from members of the Peloton community who have been helped and inspired by her classes. The importance of that community was never more evident than during the Covid-19 shutdown, when Sherman and her fellow instructors live-streamed classes from their homes rather than Peloton’s new Manhattan studio. (Instructors have since returned to the studios to teach and film classes, though the facility remains closed to the public.)

It’s important for Peloton to realize that their instructors are a key part of their brand. I know that I tend to take classes from the same few instructors because I enjoy their music selection, how they motivate, etc.

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Avatar for Bradley Chambers Bradley Chambers

Bradley lives in Chattanooga, TN where he manages Apple devices for a private school.

Tips, feedback, corrections and questions can be sent to Bradley@9to5mac.com.