Did anyone buy a Peloton during the pandemic? I didn't. I was incredibly skeptical: I've been working on my fitness for more than 15 years and I have reached the home-workouts-are-boring stage of my progress. I did buy the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells. They are very...decorative. So when a friend of mine highly recommended Peloton, I laughed it off. As an increasing number of partners at my old job would share their bike usernames during work calls, my ears perked up. Finally, on the second work trip for my new job, I came face to face with a real live Peloton bike. "Fine. What's the big deal?" I asked the empty hotel gym.
After 10 minutes, I got it.
See, spinning may be a great workout, but it's hard to get started. I tried a few times at the gym. If you don't know what you're doing, it feels like a loose, yet uncomfortable version of a stationary bike. However, the orientation videos on the Peloton get you started quickly. Adjust the seat, the handlebars, foot straps (since I don't have spinning shoes), and it feels okay. Watching and listening to these trainers make the difference. It's not the normal motivational approach...it's church-like.
Cult-like.
Don't believe me? Listen to Denis Morton for 90 seconds...
There's a reason I call him Pastor Denis. He and several others will slip in intense quotes and stories into these sweat session that will blow you away. At first my cynicism wouldn't allow me to take it in; quickly that would change. Two free hotel rides led me to the app. My friend was waiting for me with a 90-day pass and a coupon for the bike. The app was fine for now - I kept using the app on the spin bikes at my local gym. What astounded me and solidified my belief that Peloton is a cult was the fact that each workout was a punishment that I kept joyously signing up for. No other form of exercise for me gave me so few endorphins or instant changes (no pump or anything) but kept me coming back. It became a challenge I wanted to conquer. Plus the music and the trainers made the difference.
Do you know Tunde? How about Cody? Robin? Matt Wilpers? Even Sam Yo sometimes. Each one has their own approaches to making the pedals turn. Their playlist are incredibly different. Yet each will make sure you leave with some encouragement. Even though I work out at night and their "now you can start the day" messages aren't for me, the upliftment reminds me of the charismatic evangelical church I grew up in.
How bad is it? I'm using the Kon-Mari method to clean my apartment of clutter...so I can fit in a whole bike. I'm in.
From a learning perspective, they teach you how to progress in quick, subtle ways. Repeatable instructions as you start and change activities are subtle. Clear. Gentle drill-sergeant. Lesson learned: not all design must be fancy. If this fat rider can progress from low impact to riding with the music rides, anyone can. I've joined. And I encourage you to try it.
I use two Instagram accounts regularly. For #eme6414, I use my public account, dedicated to my holistic health journey @fitby40orelse . Therefore, a Instagram challenge was right up my street. Imagine my surprise when I was playing catch up. Monday, I shared the advice (and pet peeve) of people using their video calling out in public. This is the problem with the use of "intuitive technology" that requires no training...nobody told you that it was rude, did they? Required netiquette classes for all! https://www.instagram.com/p/CfDV7sVD5UU/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Tuesday, I recalled the days of early pandemic when churches were closed and we worshipped at home. I was smart enough to capture on my personal account one communion Sunday when I had no bread or grape juice. With Ritz crackers and orange juice I remembered Christ. As we look at how tech changes our life, I was proud of that moment. https://www.instagram.com/p/CfIiRFcs-MF/?igshid=YmM...
Delving into the Prensky article regarding digital immigrants vs digital natives, I can't get past a quote in the opening paragraph: Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach. Even beyond the concept of comparing learners in a designer's target population based on their entry into Web 2.0, how learners approach life from their variable cultural contexts and dimensions of diversity must inform how technology works in design. What is the point of designing learning within a social media or relflexive content if there are significant barriers to learners accessing the platform? The digital divide is real and separates learners still based on racial and economic terms worldwide. In the corporate context, while companies have an obligation to stratify the equipment and platform access, the time and investment to allows learners access can also vary on the same lines. It's about diversity! Does design get people in, protect th...
I can confidently say that without EME6414 I would have no exposure to the term "folksonomy". However, if you really want to understand how adults learn in the Information Age and this time of Web 2.0, things like folksonomy will be requisite in your exploration. Folksonomy, from what I gleaned from the article in week 4's reading , is the people-driven approach to gathering, classifying, and categorizing information. This at first does not sound intriguing - why do I care what another learner calls or categorizes other information? I have had this sentiment when made to create word-based diagrams for college courses. When reviewing others' work it feels like an amalgam of the same. It's governed by the source of information, right? It should look the same. What's the point? Consider from the designer perspective. To do more than engage learners or create exciting edutainment, to get learners to retain the information, being aware of how t...
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