This Little-Known Peloton Feature Allows You to Customize Your Classes to Suit Your Instructor.
I’ve been teaching cycling for four years, but most of my friends have never taken a class—they just don’t like group workouts. Everyone exercises differently, and group classes are a very specific experience . I take group classes almost every day, whether in person or through Peloton , so obviously I’m a group exercise enthusiast, but I understand why the instructor’s chatter might not motivate some people. However, I recently learned that Peloton offers a solution for those who don’t like all that chatter: you can customize how much you hear from the instructor in the app. So, whether you want to listen closely to the instructor’s cues or hear next to nothing from the instructor, you can create a truly personalized group workout experience.
How to adjust instructor volume on Peloton
If you’re using a Peloton exercise machine, such as a stationary bike or treadmill , look for the volume buttons on the touchscreen. Tapping them not only adjusts the overall volume of the class but also provides access to options like “Boost Instructor” and “Customize .” Tapping “Customize” will reveal a slider that allows you to reduce the instructor volume to near zero or significantly increase it, making it louder than the music in the class playlist.
The mobile app has a similar option for classes that don’t require proprietary cardio equipment, although it’s not always as customizable. First, load an activity (such as stretching or yoga ). A video of the instructor demonstrating the exercise will begin playing. Tap the video itself, and a menu of icons will appear, featuring a phone turned sideways (to play the video full-screen), a volume slider, a Bluetooth icon for enabling AirPlay to other devices in range, and a speech bubble with subtitles. Tap the volume slider , the second icon from the left. This will open the “Sound Mix” window, where you can choose whether to boost the music or the instructor’s voice . You can’t fine-tune the balance between music and instructor’s voice as you can with equipment, but you can at least prioritize the music or the instructor.
Why you need it and what you should consider.
Some Peloton instructors are known for their chatty personality. Personally, I find this endearing and see nothing wrong with the parasocial relationships it creates if they motivate someone to get on the bike more often. Instructors broadcast to hundreds of thousands of homes every month and are akin to celebrities, so it’s good for marketing and engagement if users feel a connection with them, especially since home workouts can otherwise be quite isolating (though Peloton offers plenty of other ways to recreate the connection you get in live classes, such as team challenges ).
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However, some people don’t seek to recreate this feeling; they simply want to exercise independently, without unnecessary conversation. This usually means playing their own music or following one of Peloton’s scenic routes, but in this case, you don’t get a well-designed workout designed by a professional trainer, as you do in a live instructor-led class. You’re trading the suggested resistance and speed for the freedom to perform the exercises yourself, which can negatively impact motivation or effort. By lowering the instructor’s microphone volume and turning up the playlist, you get the opportunity to engage in a real class, follow the resistance and speed prompts on the screen, and listen to a playlist you don’t have to choose yourself. If you don’t care what the instructor had for breakfast but want to follow a 45-minute program with gradual increases in intensity because it aligns with your fitness goals, lowering the instructor’s volume may be right for you.
However, there’s a reason these classes are instructor-led. Instructors are certified for a reason, and those working for reputable platforms like Peloton are highly qualified. They provide safety instructions, explain the playlists and workouts they are designed for , and provide helpful information you can use in your own workouts, as well as motivation when needed. I wouldn’t recommend muting the instructor if you’re a beginner. It’s valuable to hear a professional talk about technique, speed, and your own pace. Muting the instructor is only recommended for experienced users with good technique and a clear understanding of their abilities and limitations. However, if you’re just starting out on Peloton and are concerned about your technique or understanding of the workouts, you might even want to use the feature in reverse, prioritizing the instructor’s audio and de-emphasizing the music. Getting used to the rhythm will come with time, but the most important thing is to do it safely and effectively.
If you’re new and don’t enjoy instructor chatter, I recommend filtering your classes to only those taught by less chatty instructors, such as Ben Aldis, Sam Yo, Matt Wilpers, and Leanne Hainsby. It may take some time to find an instructor whose methods best suit your interests and motivation, but it’s worth it. You can also attend specialized metrics classes, which focus more on performance metrics like cadence, resistance, and power output. These tend to be less chatty.