Riding with Peloton from Big and Tall to lululemon
I’ve been riding with Peloton on this journey since early 2017.
When I first thought about creating Legally Fit, I drafted a list of certain posts I planned to write about which reflect upon the most meaningful aspects of my fitness journey. One that came to mind right away was my journey from shopping at big and tall stores to achieving my dream of fitting into lululemon. At the time, I had no idea that I’d have the lululemon Members’ Weekend to write about that just I attended this past weekend. But first, let me talk about the journey for a minute . . .
When I put on a lot of weight many years ago, there came a time that I had to buy all my clothes at big and tall stores (from the big section, not the tall). I kept going up in size – even at big and tall stores – over the years. By the time I started losing weight, I had a way to go before I was able to shop anywhere else. Losing weight was a slow and steady process, but even before my body showed it, I got fit. Workout clothes from the big-name brands like Nike and Under Armour were always easy to get, as they made clothes that fit football players too. But all I wanted was to fit into lululemon! To be clear – I’m not saying that I wanted them to make my size, I’m saying that I would visualize myself fitting into their sizes.
I built up a workout routine that included several Peloton classes a week along with my strength training. Peloton instructors inspired me to go harder. Early on it was Jennifer Jacobs, Jenn Sherman, Alex Toussaint, and Robin Arzón (who is also a lawyer!) for most of my rides. They were my first fitness follows on social media. I learned fitness from them, and we shared similar tastes in music. No one could top to Jennifer Jacobs’ love for Guns N’ Roses, but Jenn Sherman and I matched each other’s passion for Pearl Jam! Then Emma Lovewell – and so many other greats including Kendall Toole, Ali Love, Olivia Amato, and Tunde Oyeneyin – joined Peloton. They were all a community I followed, learned from, and could ultimately even anticipate their quotes during rides. I’m still not entirely sure what “be firm like cheesecake” means when Emma says it during low impact rides, but I love it!
Early on in my fitness journey, I’d go into lululemon – not to see if it fit, but to see how far away I was from fitting into it. I wasn’t close just yet – except in my mind. The mind is a powerful thing. I saw myself in lulu. My clothes kept getting baggy, and it didn’t take long to happen again after buying new ones. Then, one day, I went to the big and tall store, and I realized that their smallest size was too big on me. I’d been so used to shopping there, I didn’t think about trying anything else at the time. It occurred to me that it was a good time to go back to lululemon – and wow, I fit into it! lululemon had been my white whale! I went on a spree, buying as much as I could – perhaps not realizing that only a few months later I would have to buy it all in a smaller size, and then a few months after that in an even smaller size.
Another white whale has always been doing a studio Peloton ride with Emma Lovewell and getting a milestone shoutout from her. Then, these came together at once, as I received an invitation to lululemon’s first ever Member’s Weekend at the Peloton studios while I also happened to be at Peloton ride #999.
Props to lululemon for putting this event together. I only ever wanted to fit into lulu, but who knew I’d be a lululemon Member attending some of the coolest fitness events on the planet? Kendall and I said hi to each other in passing, although I didn’t quite have the chance to show her this picture of us from early 2020 . . .
February 1, 2020 after Kendall’s Low Impact Ride
Jenn Sherman and I chatted Pearl Jam for a minute. I told her about my four shows, and she, of course, knew how great the Seattle shows were. She actually said that she was jealous of me!
I also got my white whale – a shoutout from Emma in the studio for my 1000th ride!
After the class, I had time to chat with Emma during a photo-op and let her know how much she inspires me.
Post-ride chat and photo op with Emma.
Finally, the weekend ended with a Wrap Up Party that featured Peloton’s Tread/Strength/Row instructor, Adrian Williams. He gave a short talk to the group ending by relaying a message that embodied my journey, telling the audience of fitness enthusiasts to “invite people in who may not look like they belong.” A perfect ending that sums up my journey, as Adrian and I chatted much more about the need to do this, not just for ourselves, but for everyone. He invited me back to the studio to take his classes, and I will most definitely take him up on that as soon as I can sign up!
Great chat with Adrian Williams about welcoming all people into fitness — especially those who may not look like they belong.
Peloton is a huge part of what ultimately got me from big and tall to lululemon, and then lululemon got me into Peloton for this memorable event. The first time I ever went to the Peloton studio in 2019 (at their former location) to ride with Olivia, I couldn’t have imagined the destinations that I’d achieve going forward.
November 23, 2019 after Olivia’s Low Impact Ride
At the time, I already felt fit on the inside and was thrilled to take part in the class, but I also stayed hidden on a bike in the back of the room. This time, I got myself into the front where I might even be on video during the class.
In the front row during Emma’s 30 minute HIIT & Hills class on June 7, 2024
Thanks, lululemon and Peloton for being a huge part of my journey and inspiring me along the way. The world of fitness apparel has opened up to me, and there’s so much more that I will discuss about it later. But lululemon is a leader on my list, not just for their amazing comfort and the special place they hold in my journey, but also for their Membership which offers more than any other!
Aaron