Best Peloton Instructors (For Beginners and Advanced Riders!)
Sports Bra | Leggings | Peloton Bike | Screen Swivel | Bike Mat | Cycling Shoes
Alright, so you’ve read my thoughts on my Peloton Bike plus maybe my app review, the best themed rides, and my strength class review… but you might still be wondering: who are the best Peloton instructors??
I get it – there are a LOT of them! But please don’t let that overwhelm you! In reality, it’s actually a really amazing thing because it means that there is bound to be an instructor that you resonate with. Fitness can be so personal – my favorite teacher might not be yours! But whether you’re a total beginner to fitness or you’ve been working out for a long time, there are instructors for you. And it doesn’t matter if you want someone to kick your booty, or just lead you through a fun and lighthearted workout. There really is something for everyone!
Best Peloton Instructors
I’ll break these down into the best options for beginners and advanced users, but I thought it might be fun to start with my personal favorite Peloton instructors!
Cody Rigsby
Rides with Cody are nonstop fun. First of all, his commentary will make you laugh the entire time – he’s snarky and silly and has an undying love for Britney Spears. On that note, he also puts together the most fun pop playlists that will make you sing along as you ride. (You’ll especially love them if you grew up in the late 90’s/early 00’s!) I feel like his classes are great options for both beginners and experienced riders because he’s all about feeling good, listening to your body, and having a blast.
Callie Gullickson
Callie is sunshine in human form. Her bootcamp classes have become my absolute favorite because she always has super fun playlists, she helps it go by so fast, and she makes you feel like a badass while you’re at it! I always feel so strong and empowered after her classes – plus she’s hilarious on social media.
Alex Toussaint
Do you prefer less commentary/pop songs and more motivation to hit your personal record? Then get into Alex’s classes ASAP! Not only is Alex pretty to look at (sorry Adam!), but he is also WILDLY motivating. His classes are really hard, yet he somehow always makes you feel like you can handle it. Plus, he has Club Bangers rides that have been really fun this past year without any nights out to anything resembling a club ?
Jess Sims
Jess doesn’t teach regular cycling, but her Bike Bootcamp and strength classes have turned her into one of my favorite instructors. Every single class I’ve ever taken with her has been tough, but I always feel SO good after them! She does a great job of explaining everything, encouraging you to push yourself, and making you feel capable the whole time. My favorite thing she always says is: “You can be a work in progress and masterpiece at the same damn time.” LOVE.
Ally Love
If you’ve heard of Peloton, you’ve probably also heard of Ally Love. I haven’t been taking her cycling classes very much recently, but if you’re looking for someone joyful and inviting – that’s Ally. Especially her 30 Minute Sundays with Love classes! I personally prefer taking her barre classes though. I’ve really missed in person barre classes and she makes doing it at home so fun. I check for new ones every single week!
Tunde Oyeneyin
I was totally sleeping on Tunde until I took her Beyonce ride with Alex – and now I am a such a huge fan! She is so inspiring, her arms are GOALS, and she will kick your booty. I personally like her Arms & Intervals classes and her Bike Bootcamp classes the best!
Olivia Amato
Do not underestimate Olivia’s little petite frame – her classes are HARD. I discovered her amazing core classes a few weeks ago (seriously, they are the hardest core classes ever!) and ever since, I’ve been taking more of her cycling classes, too. I love her fun personality in classes and I am always WIPED after each one.
Emma Lovewell
Emma is super chill, but she also makes really great playlists and will push you really hard! I like her when I need someone a little harder than Cody, but I’m also not in the mood to be destroyed by Alex or Olivia ? She also has really great core classes, too!
How To Choose A Peloton Instructor
Check the difficulty level
Take advantage of the difficulty filters! If you’re brand new, filter the classes to only show Beginner options. Then once you get more comfortable with them, level up to Intermediate or Advanced.
Look for type of class
Don’t forget to filter by class type, too. If you are a beginner or sore from previous classes, filtering to show only Low Impact classes or Groove rides can definitely be your friend. If you want something harder, look for Climb, Intervals, Power Zone, etc. This also works for strength classes, too!
Find Playlists You Like
The last filter you should really pay attention to is Music. You can choose from alternative, country, electronic, hip hop, pop, R&B, and more! For example, Denis Morton teaches a lot of classic rock and jam band rides, which isn’t what I want to ride to… but might be EXACTLY what you want to ride to! Also, I you are taking a class on demand, you can scroll down to preview the exact playlist before you take it. I do this all the time because I think classes go by WAY faster when I like the music.
Make note of personalities that resonate with you
I recommend trying classes with a few different instructors when you first start out – and just pay attention to which personalities and teaching styles you resonate with the most. Exercise is SO personal and they have so many options. You might not love any of my favorites, but that doesn’t mean you can’t become a superfan of another fitness instructor!
—
Best Peloton Instructors For Beginners
Now that you know all of that, let’s talk more specifically about instructors for beginners. Even the really tough teachers teach beginner level classes from time to time and I’d recommend starting there if you’re brand new. But once you start to feel ready for a little bit more of a challenge, I’d recommend trying classes with Hannah Marie Corbin, Cody Rigsby, Hannah Frankson, Christine D’ercole, Matt Wilpers and Jenn Sherman. They are all really welcoming, acknowledge different levels, and generally just don’t feel very intimidating. They just want you to feel your best!
Best Peloton Instructors For Advanced
On the other hand, if you are looking to push yourself and reach personal records, I have a different list for you! I’d recommend checking out Alex Toussaint, Tunde Oyeneyin, Jess Sims (Bike Bootcamp), Kendall Toole, Olivia Amato, and Robin Arzon. All of these guys have really difficult classes, so get ready to sweat and/or modify!
—
Who are YOUR favorite Peloton instructors?
—
PS. You might also like Is Buying A Peloton Worth It, my full Peloton app review, the best themed rides, and my strength class review!
April 30, 2021 @ 7:17 pm
Leanne Hainsby and Hannah Corbin are my favorites! I love Leanne’s positive attitude and British accent, and I love Hannah’s vintage rides featuring ’60’s and ’70’s music (my personal faves). But I agree, trying multiple instructors is the best way to find a favorite 🙂
May 3, 2021 @ 5:30 am
I always enjoy your Peloton posts. Thanks for sharing!