Peloton says that it’s working on an update to make its Tread Plus treadmill usable without a subscription, after news broke today that a $40 a month membership would be required after a software update. In a support email sent to at least one customer, the company said that its “Just Run” feature, which previously allowed users to use the $4,300 Tread Plus as a normal treadmill sans subscription, is currently inaccessible without a membership.
The Just Run feature now requires the Tread Lock feature, which secures the treadmill with a four-digit passcode and is available only to those with a subscription. The company told The Verge that “due to current technical limitations, Tread Lock is not yet available without a Peloton Membership.” The company does say that it’s “working on updates to Tread Lock that will allow us to make Tread Lock and Just Run available without a Peloton Membership.”
The email sent to a customer after they inquired about the missing feature.
The company hasn’t said when that update will be ready, but it’s giving Tread Plus owners three free months of membership, which will enable the Tread Lock feature.
While the sudden change is deeply annoying to some Tread Plus owners (and a reminder that the functionality of internet-connected machines is always subject to change), Peloton made the update after a string of injuries and even one death led to the company issuing a voluntary recall. If owners want, they can return their Tread or Tread Plus treadmill for a full refund.
Comments
Glad to see they’re fixing the issue, but I can’t see people pay $4k+ for a tread, only to use it without a subscription.
By oghowie on 06.22.21 4:33pm
Actually the Peloton treadmill hardware is practically a steal.
Similar slat style treadmills are almost all over 10k. Though obviously Pelotons are not built to handle the rigours of a 24×7 gym like a Woodway.
But it essentially has the entire personal use slat treadmill niche to itself.
By dockmajestic on 06.22.21 5:15pm
Have yet to run on one, but I’ve heard from a friend it was a lot easier on their knees.
By oghowie on 06.22.21 5:25pm
It takes a bit of getting used to, however the few times I have used one it was a better experience to me.
By eastbayrae on 06.22.21 11:00pm
So either it’s a branded vanity purchase without the subscription or it’s a high quality item sold at cost and subsidized by the subscription. In either case, I’m not exactly sure who is being harmed.
I guess if it’s the latter then Peleton should really sell a high priced version sans subscription. But it seems like other companies already are doing this.
By TheWildGunman on 06.23.21 8:38am
The rest of the household might want to go for a casual jog on high-pollen days? Locking stuff out is a bad way to get brand osmosis.
By andy.gates.9887 on 06.23.21 10:45am
In other words, they’re going to trick people into subscribing with the free three months, and hope people forget when the payments kick in.
By Bluegrass Geek on 06.22.21 4:51pm
HOW?
How, in gods name, is the ability to lock a treadmill through a simple 4 digit pin unavailable to people without a membership?
Peloton, if you’re gonna try and fucking scam your customers, at least try it in a way that isn’t so blatantly obvious. Jesus christ.
By JJ Davis on 06.22.21 5:00pm
It was simply a software bug. (Tech companies’ favorite excuse when users protest loud enough.)
By Intosh on 06.23.21 12:15pm
paywalling a basic safety feature is basically typical cyberpunk corpo scum move. never should have been a subscriber only feature to begin with.
By omo on 06.22.21 5:08pm
I mean, that’s basically OnStar. It’s a great service — notifying emergency services in the event of a crash that deploys the airbags — but that doesn’t come for free. It’s $30/month.
By beehaze on 06.22.21 10:29pm
The better metaphor would be having a car and driving it for years, and then the manufacturer pushing out an update that now won’t let you drive the car unless you have OnStar.
By mrbofus on 06.23.21 1:33am
I would say OnStar is not basic, but sure.
More like, say, making cruise control or seatbelt cost extra.
By omo on 06.23.21 4:51pm
It’s giving members three months free until they fix the issue, so hardly locking them out completely.
By AngryNugget on 06.22.21 6:27pm
It seems like this is genuinely unintended. After all, Peoloton is definitely now losing money over this, as they’re giving 3 free months away, essentially losing $120 per payment account that was going to subscribe anyways.
By OpssYourBad on 06.22.21 7:03pm
Thats not how this works.
They’re giving it away to people who weren’t paying for it in the first place. They may lose some money, but it’ll be a fraction of that per user.
By Narom on 06.23.21 7:20am
Ok, but that’ll be beneficial to them how? Still seems unintended, as this move still costs them money, with no upsides.
By OpssYourBad on 06.23.21 7:53am
Natt will live on forever at The Verge with that one picture being used on every Peloton story.
By captobie on 06.22.21 8:17pm
So basically, they’re sorry they got caught.
By ThePetester on 06.22.21 8:54pm
This Peloton thing is so much trouble. Why not buy a regular threadmill and run like a normal person?
By DecoySnailProducer on 06.22.21 10:05pm
I appreciate it’s not for everyone but I saved $4000 + $39.99/mo by going for a run outside. I’d like to say I saved a similar amount on the Peloton cycle but the IRL bike I bought ate that cost and big chunk more.
By flathunt on 06.23.21 5:44am
I’m an ultra marathoner runner.
Treadmills are a very good tool used to complement outdoor running.
If you can’t afford it it is a binary choice between no treadmill or get a treadmill.
But if you can, its a handy tool to have. I’ll get a lot of use out of my £1000, non peleton treadmill.
By Narom on 06.23.21 7:22am
I like many Peloton Tread + orders will plan to return mine before the window closes. The hardware fit/finish/function are great. The company…….a little cultish ….. not very consumer friendly (especially if you area tiny consumer that gets sucked under).
By William Christian on 06.23.21 10:17am
I took advantage of the voluntary recall. I literally bought a nice Bowflex Treadmill with the refund and then pocketed the other half of the money. Tread+ is a nice treadmill, but I learned that I really don’t like running with other people to music that I don’t curate. Running is a form of meditation for some, and some chick telling me the story of why she picked out every single song on her playlist made me feel all "SHUT UP IM TRYING TO RUN!" lol
There aren’t really that many run-only features. No random hills or a way to make your own incline programs…or a way to watch Netflix.
By Hanoveur on 06.23.21 1:59pm