Peloton cofounder says he originally considered using user-generated content for classes

Peloton cofounder Graham Stanton was recently interviewed by Inc.com about managing fast growth, and there are some interesting stories about Peloton’s past that I hadn’t heard before.

Before Peloton launched, Stanton was considering having user-generated content for classes, meaning anyone could film themselves instructing a class and share it with other Peloton users. At the time, Stanton wasn’t sure what made the company ‘special’ yet, whether that was the software, the bike itself, or the video content.

‘We then realized that it’s the whole package and the experience,’ he said. Rather than going the user-generated content route, the company changed gears and focused on in-house production with great music and professional instructor-led classes. The decision was key to creating the ‘true essence of Peloton,’ Stanton said.

So much of the Peloton experience is about the live studio feel of the classes, but I do wonder if Peloton should consider letting people upload their own content in the future as a way to earn additional revenue for the company.

I could see a model where Peloton lets people upload their own content for free, but also allows people to charge for access to certain classes with Peloton taking a cut of the additional subscription. Currently, there is a lot of free fitness content on YouTube, but this model would allow people to transition into “virtual” fitness training with a clear business model while cementing Peloton as the leader of connected fitness with a growing library of in-house produced content and third-party content.