Peloton Recovery Ride and Other Best Rest Day Classes

Sometimes you just need to take a recovery ride. Or do a restorative yoga class. Or just take a rest day from your Peloton.

In fact, rest and recovery are just as important in your fitness journey as active engagement. For example, have you ever noticed at the end of a Peloton ride how the instructor says the last minute is your descending recovery?

Why I need rest, recovery and restorative classes right now

These rest, recovery and restorative classes are top of mind for me right now. I’m more aware of what my body needs for three reasons.

One, I’m continuing to do the Hardcore on the Floor calendar religiously. That means I’m doing glutes and legs classes at least twice a week, upper body classes twice a week, plus barre and pilates.

Two, I’ve decided to do the Tunde Arm Challenge. So, that’s arms and lights weights classes with Tunde three times a week. And, three, I recently slipped and fell on my left side. So, I’m sore. 

I didn’t break anything–I think all of my strength training helped strengthen my bones–and I want to remain active but I don’t want to push it and do anything stupid. So, the importance of taking recovery rides, rest days and doing restorative yoga.

I’ve just explained my personal reasons for embracing rest, recovery and restorative classes on Peloton. But I decided to write this article because I know others have questions. 

So, in this post I’ll address some of those common questions. They include:

• How do you find Peloton recovery rides
• Does Peloton have recovery runs
• What’s the difference between a recovery ride and a low-impact ride
• What should you do on a Peloton rest day
• What is Peloton restorative yoga 
• How to find Peloton recovery rides

How to search for a Peloton recovery ride

Now that Peloton has expanded its search function, it is much easier to find Peloton recovery rides. You can go into the search feature on the bike or the website, and type in “recovery ride.” 

The reason I suggest you add the word ride to your search is because there are recovery runs, too. I want you to get the most accurate search results possible. I’ll talk about recovery runs in a bit.

Also, the reason I suggest you use search versus the class filter is this: recovery rides are not included in the “Class Type” option of the filter. However, two of them are included in the low impact class type on the filter. Go figure.

At one point, I’d included a complete list of the recovery rides. However, with Peloton doing weekly class purges, it doesn’t make sense to include a list since it will change on a weekly basis. Instead, use the search tips I’ve shared to find those recovery rides.

More about stacking Peloton classes here.

Here is my article about power zone training.

Peloton recovery ride vs low impact

When you’re searching for rides to do, you may discover that in addition to recovery rides, Peloton has something called low-impact rides. So, what’s the difference between a recovery ride and a low-impact ride?

What are low-impact rides

Let’s start with low-impact rides. Rides are called low-impact because they are primarily done in the saddle. They are easier on your joints, if you will, because you’re not getting out the saddle and dancing or standing or running. 

That being said, low-impact rides are not low-heart rate rides. A low-impact ride can be intense, even if you’re sitting down the whole time. Consider that a climb ride done in the saddle might be considered a low-impact ride, albeit one that makes you sweat.

If you’re determined to take a low-impact ride, I would recommend looking at those that Matt Wilpers offers. These low-impact rides often involve pedal work, such as pedaling using one leg only. These exercises can make you a stronger rider overall.

What is a recovery ride

Recovery rides are designed to let your body recover while still getting in a ride. You might consider that cool-down rides you do after a hard effort could be a recovery ride.

But, as I’ve explained, above, there are legit recovery rides on the Peloton platform. These recovery rides are there to serve a purpose–helping your body heal.

Here is how Peloton describes recovery rides:

“Speed up your recovery by flushing out your legs and increasing blood flow without adding any stress to your muscles. This ride is perfect for a rest day!”

Other kinds of rides that might mimic recovery rides are the cool down rides. They are either five- or ten-minutes long, and are all about flushing out your legs, too. 

Peloton recovery runs

Now that I’ve covered recovery rides, let’s talk about Peloton recovery runs. You can find recovery runs the same way you did with the rides–using the Peloton search feature.

Type in “recovery run” and you’ll get your results. Like with the recovery rides, at one point, I’d included a complete list of the recovery runs. Again, with Peloton doing weekly class purges, it doesn’t make sense to include a list since it will change on a weekly basis. Instead, use the search tips I’ve shared to find those recovery rides.

Other Peloton recovery classes

If you were to type in just the word “recovery” into the Peloton search, sure you’ll find those rides and runs I’ve already described. However, there are other Peloton classes that fit the recovery theme. This includes:

• walks
• stretches
• yoga

Peloton Restorative Yoga

Did you know that there’s a whole branch of yoga devoted to recovery? It’s called restorative yoga, and Peloton has plenty of classes with this theme.

Here is how Peloton describes its restorative yoga classes:

“In restorative yoga, we hold poses for longer amounts of time and use props to take some or all of the effort out of the poses. Cultivate relaxation, calm the nervous system and feel restored.“

More about all of the Peloton yoga classes here.

What to do on a Peloton rest and recovery day

One of the reasons I love following the Hardcore on the Floor calendar is it includes active recovery days. And the active recovery classes on the calendar are just suggestions.

For example, every Sunday the calendar will include an outdoor walk on the Peloton app. In addition, it will include a shorter yoga flow that focuses on a specific body part, such as your hips or hamstrings.

However, any low-impact activity counts as a recovery activity. So some of the best Peloton recovery classes might be walking your dogs while listening to an outdoor audio class or doing a Peloton stretching class.  Also, if you’ve never checked out the Peloton chair or standing yoga, a rest day would be a great time to do that.

Here are more standing classes from Peloton.

Final thoughts on the Peloton Recovery Ride and Best Rest Day Classes

It is so easy to overdo it when you own a Peloton. Even just using the Peloton app can lead to over exercising. I mean, this tool is available to you 24/7 so you have no excuse not to exercise.

However, rest and recovery are just as important as breaking a sweat. Your body needs time to heal.

So, if you find yourself hitting an exercise plateau or not getting PRs anymore, you may need to take a day or two off from your exercise routine. It doesn’t mean you can’t be active, just active in a recovery kind of way.