The 17 Best Peloton Instructors, According to POPSUGAR Editors
The Peloton app is a gift to anyone who can't always make it to the gym (or those who prefer to sweat without leaving the house). The platform prides itself on motivating you to feel your best, largely thanks to the comforting presence of its always-there-for-you trainers. Peloton instructors are some of the best in the industry, with inspiring personal stories, top-notch credentials, solid workout playlists, and the kind of energy that radiates through the screen. Whether you're taking classes with legends like Robin Arzón, Ally Love, and Cody Rigsby or newcomers such as Camila Ramón and Logan Aldridge, you're bound to grow stronger from the inside out.
While there are more than 60 trainers to choose from, it's worth noting that each Peloton instructor has their own vibe. Some are better for tough love or nonstop workout motivation, while others are more gentle when you're having a tough day. Some are serious about the workout they're throwing down, whereas others turn every sweat sesh into a party. And while some do their best work on the Peloton Bike, others can only be found on the yoga mat. Depending on your fitness goals, you might be wondering which popular Peloton instructor is right for you. That's where we come in.
To help point you in the right direction, we asked POPSUGAR editors about their favorite Peloton trainers. Considering Peloton is already one of our editor-approved workout apps, the recommendations did not disappoint. Read on for our curated list of the 17 best Peloton instructors (although truthfully, we could have gone on and on). Whether you're new to the streaming service or just looking for more instructors to try, keep this list handy to see which Peloton trainer might be your next favorite.
Samantha Brodsky is a former assistant editor at POPSUGAR. She uses her gymnast background to inform her sports and fitness coverage, powering through Peloton videos in her free time.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Mazzo and Chandler Plante
Best Peloton Instructor For Scoring a Laugh: Cody Rigsby
There's a reason Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby has gone on to have his own Peloton "variety shows" including "LOL Cody" and "XOXO Cody" — the latter of which is now the name of his recent book. As Senior Fashion Editor Sarah Wasilak puts it, his classes are "pure entertainment." Whether you want to be hyped up or you need a good laugh, Rigsby will say all the right things to keep you feeling fierce and entertained through the last second of your sweat sesh.
Peloton classes you can take with Rigsby: cycling, bike bootcamp, dance cardio, meditation, stretching, and strength
Follow Rigsby on Instagram: @codyrigsby
Best Peloton Instructor For Feeling Empowered: Robin Arzón
Robin Arzón is Peloton's vice president of fitness programming and one of the best Peloton instructors, according to many — including me. Arzón is an ultramarathoner whose laugh moves through me and lifts my spirits when I'm working out. She also calls her Peloton class attendees "hustlers," which I absolutely love because it makes me feel like I'm part of a community. Training with an instructor who encourages you to embrace your strength makes your workouts much more beneficial because you learn to harbor empowerment on your own.
Peloton classes you can take with Arzón: cycling, running, strength, bike bootcamp, outdoor running, walking, stretching, prenatal
Follow Arzón on Instagram: @robinnyc
Best Peloton Instructor For Building Strength: Adrian Williams
In my eyes, Adrian Williams is one of the best Peloton instructors thanks to his intense strength workouts and sense of humor. He isn't afraid to admit during a session, for example, that he totally regrets programming the workout the way he did because he's having a hard time getting through it — and he reminds us that it's OK to scream it out if we have to. I also like the closing he often uses in his classes: "You are kind, you are powerful, you are strong."
Peloton classes you can take with Williams: running, cardio, outdoor running, walking, strength, tread bootcamp, and stretching
Follow Williams on Instagram: @adrianwilliamsnyc
Best Peloton Instructor For Mood-Boosting Workouts: Jess Sims
To Wasilak, Jess Sims is one of the best Peloton instructors — especially when she needs a pick-me-up. "Jess Sims's mood and mindset brighten my day the moment I see her face on my screen, and I love that she's so humble even though she's incredibly strong," she says. Sims's 60-minute bootcamps got Wasilak through 2020, and the editor is also a fan of her bike bootcamps. "She'll crack you up with her 'visits to the shoe store' in between cycling and floor when she switches from cycling shoes to sneakers," Wasilak adds.
Peloton classes you can take with Sims: running, cardio, outdoor running, walking, stretching, strength, tread bootcamp, and bike bootcamp
Follow Sims on Instagram: @jesssims
Best Peloton Instructor For Getting Centered: Aditi Shah
"I spent years telling myself yoga just wasn't for me and swearing it off whenever someone suggested I try a class for my anxiety," Wasilak says. But Peloton trainer, Aditi Shah, changed her mind. "Aditi's calming presence is what inspired me to change my relationship with my body. She's taught me through her classes that moving slowly can still make you feel strong."
Peloton classes you can take with Shah: yoga, meditation, Pilates
Follow Shah on Instagram: @diti22
Best Peloton Instructor For Building a Tougher Mindset: Selena Samuela
Some of my favorite lower-body and upper-body strength classes have come from Selena Samuela. She utilizes a lot of compound movements, and she has a tagline at the end of her sessions that resonates with me: "Stay humble; work hard; always be true to your heart; and never, ever give up." I also enjoy her HIIT cardio sessions because she's a former boxer and incorporates punches frequently. During her pregnancy in 2022, she also recorded tons of walking workouts perfect for any level.
Peloton classes you can take with Samuela: running, cardio, outdoor running, walking, stretching, strength, tread bootcamp
Follow Samuela on Instagram: @selenasamuela
Best Peloton Instructor For Running Inspiration: Becs Gentry
"She is so inspiring and definitely one of the Peloton instructors who has challenged me to become a better runner," Wasilak says of Becs Gentry. "Through her classes, Becs has helped me improve my overstride." Wasilak notes that Gentry's accomplishments, especially the trainer's sub-three-hour marathons, fuel her own running goals.
Peloton classes you can take with Gentry: running, outdoor running, walking, stretching, strength, and tread bootcamp
Follow Gentry on Instagram: @becsgentry
Best Peloton Instructor For Workouts That Fly By: Matty Maggiacomo
Wasilak is particularly excited about Matty Maggiacomo's classes because the instructor refers to working out as a "body party." If Wasilak is looking for a workout that flys by and will put a huge, giddy smile on her face, she takes a class with Matty. You'll also learn about music history and his dog named Luther when sweating together.
Peloton classes you can take with Maggiacomo: running, outdoor running, walking, cardio, stretching, strength, and tread bootcamp
Follow Maggiacomo on Instagram: @mattymaggiacomo
Best Peloton Instructor For Self-Love: Ally Love
"It feels cheesy to say, but I think Ally Love is really amazing at cultivating self-love during her workouts," Mazzo says. "She's supremely talented (she has like 10 jobs!) and oozes gentle 'I've got this' energy that's absolutely contagious during her classes. Not to mention, I've had the pleasure of meeting her, and she's just as wonderful IRL." Join her "Love Squad," and you'll feel yourself pushing through the toughest part of a ride without thinking twice.
Peloton classes you can take with Love: cycling, barre, dance cardio
Follow Love on Instagram: @allymisslove
Best Peloton Instructor For Epic Playlists: Jess King
"I always liked Jess King's cycling classes, but after talking with her about her fertility journey, my admiration reached a whole other level," former Senior Fitness Editor, Lauren Mazzo says. "And it feels like she always knows exactly what to say during the toughest moment of a workout and which song I'll need her to put on next." King just started DJing in addition to teaching at Peloton, so you know her playlists have got to be good. (Pro tip: Her 2021 "Jess King Experience" series pulls out all the stops — lights, costumes, a live DJ — for workouts that are truly unique.)
Peloton classes you can take with King: cycling, running, walking, outdoor walking
Follow King on Instagram: @jesskingnyc
Best Peloton Instructor For Workouts in Spanish: Camila Ramón
Born in Argentina and raised in Miami, Camila Ramón brings the perrea party to both Spanish and English classes. "I turn to her whenever I need a blast of positivity in my day or I want to take a class in Spanish," Mazzo says. "I appreciate her real talk about body image — no Tía Tóxica here! — as well as her fantastic reggaeton playlists. There's also a genuineness to her that I really appreciate. She's not just putting on a show: she's right there with you, getting her sweat on, and making it really fun at the same time."
Peloton classes you can take with Ramón: cycling, running, walking, stretching
Follow Ramón on Instagram: @milamariana
Best Peloton Instructor For Adaptive Workouts: Logan Aldridge
All-around athlete Logan Aldridge, Peloton's resident adaptive training consultant, has a commanding-yet-welcoming energy that's guaranteed to give you a good workout. "His strength classes are smartly designed and perfectly tough. Plus, his focus on accessibility and inclusivity means you can show up as you are and he'll coach you through making the workout right for you," Mazzo says. "Not to mention, his personal story and what led him to Peloton is nothing short of inspiring." Confident, clear, and just really darn likable, Aldridge should be part of your Peloton workout rotation.
Peloton classes you can take with Aldridge: running, cardio, strength, stretching
Follow Aldridge on Instagram: @loganaldridge
The Best Peloton Instructor For Expanding Your Yoga Practice: Kirra Michel
Cue up Aussie yoga instructor Kirra Michel for a flow experience "that feels completely different every time you put on a class," Wasilak says. Her style is perfect for intermediate yogis who already feel comfortable with the basics and want to get deeper into the mind-body practice. "Not only does she have the most calming voice of reassurance, but her transitions are also incredibly unique — which is what she's become known for as a yoga instructor at Peloton," Wasilak adds.
And if you find yourself relaxed by her voice, try out her meditations next. Wasilak's ultimate recommendation? "A 30-minute yoga class followed by a meditation on your back, going straight from Shavasana into a mind-settling exercise with your Stack."
Peloton classes you can take with Michel: yoga, meditation
Follow Michel on Instagram: @kirramichel
Best Peloton Instructor For Encouragement: Kendall Toole
With a past in professional cheerleading (not to mention boxing, dance, and gymnastics), Kendall Toole is there to cheer you on. Her upbeat classes are usually accompanied by a rock n' roll playlist and programming inspired by her boxing background. She's also gone viral for shutting down leaderboard trolls and making sure her classes are always a respectful, safe space filled with positive energy.
Peloton classes you can take with Kendall: cycling, shadowboxing, strength
Follow Kendall on Instagram: @kendalltoole
Best Peloton Instructor For Challenging Yourself: Tunde Oyeneyin
Former Fitness Deputy Editor Jennifer Fields says Tunde Oyeneyin is her go-to Peloton instructor, especially when she wants a really challenging ride. "Her workouts are no joke, but I can always count on her for a perfectly timed pep talk that helps me push through whatever high-intensity madness she's programmed," Fields said. "I'm also so inspired by her very relatable journey as a Black woman finding her way in mostly white spaces. And she will always have a special place in my heart for using her platform to speak out about Black Lives Matter. Her words, music choices, and smile have been a light in a painful time."
Peloton classes you can take with Oyeneyin: cycling, strength, bike bootcamp
Follow Oyeneyin on Instagram: @tune2tunde
Best Peloton Instructor For Chilling Out: Chelsea Jackson Roberts
"I love Chelsea Jackson Roberts's chill vibe and the joy that just seems to radiate from her (look at that smile!)," Fields says. "She always has fun music and creative and accessible sequences. But it's her warm and welcoming personality that brings me back to the mat. No matter what is going on in my life, she helps me connect with my breath and center myself, and I'm always emotionally better off for the time I spend in her space." During her pregnancy in 2022, she also recorded prenatal yoga classes that are ideal for expecting parents.
Peloton classes you can take with Roberts: yoga, meditation, prenatal
Follow Roberts on Instagram: @chelsealovesyoga
Best Peloton Instructor For Positivity: Rebecca Kennedy
As a former bootcamp instructor, Rebecca Kennedy does not come to play. Still, she makes sure to infuse even the toughest workouts with a healthy dose of positivity, reminding you to be kind to yourself and teaching you how to build confidence. Follow along for motivation and uplifting fitness inspo you can take with you even after you finish your workout.
Peloton classes you can take with Kennedy: Strength, bootcamp, running, full-body training
Follow Kennedy on Instagram: @rebeccakennedynyc