Fitness enthusiasts who want to save both space and money, it’s your lucky day. Exercise company Peloton on Tuesday launched its first foldable — and least expensive — treadmill, capitalizing on a global running boom and rebuilding momentum from its pandemic-era success.
Peloton also launched two more treadmills, plus new AI tools for runners, walkers and hikers on its Peloton IQ platform. The new treadmills include the foldable Tread Flex ($2,200), Tread Vision ($3,500) and Tread Plus Vision ($6,700) and go on sale Oct. 1.
With marathons across the US enjoying a surge in competitors, Peloton CEO Peter Stern said in a press release that his company hopes to “connect with a much wider audience” through its new treadmill models and AI features.
Peloton, which combines internet-connected exercise machines with streaming and on-demand workout classes, has been on a bit of a roller-coaster ride since launching its first stationary bike in 2014. Revenues climbed quickly in the first few years, driven by online instructors who developed an enthusiastic following among home cyclists. Sales topped $4 billion in 2021 as the COVID pandemic ignited a home-fitness boom.
But after the pandemic ended and exercise enthusiasts went back outside and returned to gyms, Peloton struggled. Slumping revenues, mass layoffs and several safety recalls drove its stock price down from a peak of $151.72 per share in December 2020 to its current price of about $5 per share.
With people buying fewer machines after the pandemic, Peloton focused on selling app subscriptions, which you can use even without a bike or treadmill. For a monthly fee, you can access thousands of digital classes in cycling, running, yoga, Pilates, Barre and more.
App subscriptions now account for nearly 70% of the company’s revenue, up from 20% at the start of the pandemic. Peloton announced at its earnings call last month that fiscal year 2026 was its “first full year of net profitability.”
Folds to half the size
Peloton said the Tread Flex can fold to 50% of its floor footprint, a benefit for people with small apartments or workout rooms. The machine is better suited for walkers, hikers and people seeking lower-impact exercise than runners.
The Tread Flex’s price could be a major lure for fitness shoppers, says Anna Gragert, senior editor on CNET’s Health and Home team.
“That’s where Peloton could gain new users, by releasing its products at prices more people can afford,” Gragert said. “While Peloton might never return to its pandemic peak, I could see more people pay attention to its products based on price alone.”
The Tread Vision model — geared toward walkers, joggers, runners and strength trainers — features a 23.8-inch swivel screen with Sonos-tuned speakers and a camera integrated with Run Analysis, one of the new AI features in Peloton IQ.
The Tread Plus Vision is “built for high-mileage training and elite athletes,” the company says. The machine utilizes a slat-belt deck and a ball-bearing system and includes all the new AI features. It’s an upgraded version of the Tread Plus, which CNET rated as the best luxury treadmill for 2026.
CNET Senior Editor and Peloton loyalist Laura Michelle Davis liked the Tread Plus’s large screen, 15% incline and tread width exceeding 3 feet. But her main complaint was the machine’s bulky size and heavy weight, which made it impossible to fit in smaller spaces.
More AI for Peloton IQ
In addition to the new treadmills, Peloton members will have more AI tools at their disposal with Peloton IQ, the AI-powered software suite and personal training assistant that the company launched last October.
Run Analysis analyzes cadence, vertical oscillation and stride length to help runners increase efficiency. IQ Pace Targets enables runners to set speed targets and receive suggested speeds from the AI. Heart Rate Zone Workouts integrates heart rate data from smart watches or bands to personalize training targets.
Other new AI features include ReRuns, which lets members sync the inclines from their outdoor running routes via the Peloton app, and Sled Mode, which adds up to 300 pounds of resistance to your Tread for strength training.
Peloton also said people who use the Whoop biometric data app can integrate it into Peloton IQ. Customers have already been able to integrate Apple Health, Fitbit and Garmin Connect.
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