Use These 'Active Recall' Techniques the Next Time You Study

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news.

---

One of the worst parts of reading anything is when you realize you zoned out, but your eyes kept moving over the words—now, you have to go back and reread everything. It happens to the best of us, but it's especially frustrating when you're trying to study—and that's why simply rereading material and notes won't cut it when you have a test coming up.

Instead, tap into the power of active recall. This technique is all about actively retrieving content from your memory instead of just reviewing it passively.

What is active recall?

Active recall is exactly what it sounds like: You’re consciously forcing your brain to retrieve information. You're actively recalling it. This does two things for you: It helps you move the information into your long-term memory and identifies concepts you’re having a harder time with.

Active recall has been the subject of a number of research studies, and they have found that actively engaging with retrieved memories, as opposed to passively reviewing content, helps you retain more information. That makes sense when you think about it. When you're taking a test, you'll need to pull that information out of your memory, right? Getting in the habit of doing that—of forcing yourself to focus on and recall something—can only help you during crunch time.

How do you use active recall to study?

We use active recall all the time in real life. For instance, when someone asks you what you did two days ago, you pause to retrieve the memory. When a website asks for your login password, you do the same thing. You consciously direct energy to the retrieval process, which makes it easier to get the info next time you need it, too. (Think about how, once you enter the same password in enough times, it starts to come automatically.)

To engage in active recall while you study, try these methods:

• Use flashcards to quiz yourself, especially the Leitner method of flashcard review, which forces you to wait longer intervals between studying concepts you think you have a grasp on and tests if you really do have that grasp yet.

• Summarize chapters, notes, or lectures in your own words, either out loud or on paper. Known as blurting, this technique relies on your ability to remember material without checking your reference materials. You can check your summary against your notes and chapter when you're finished writing or saying it to see what you missed, but you'll need to go off-book to actively recall as much as you can first.

• Take a practice quiz. You can ask ChatGPT to generate one, but if you're going the AI route, I recommend Google's NotebookLM, which generates quizzes and flashcards, but only based on materials you upload. Input slide decks, PDFs, links, and YouTube videos from your professor to make sure you're only studying what you're supposed to be.

• Explain the concept you’re studying to a friend or family member who knows nothing about it. This is called the Feynman method and it'll put your active recall to the test. Not only do you have to repeat the content, but you have to explain it in a way that makes sense to someone unfamiliar, forcing you to make connections and drill down on key details. This works best when you give them the chance to ask you follow-up questions, which can further test how well you actually understand the material.

Each of these tasks forces you to retrieve the information from your brain, think about it, and communicate it in some way, which is what active recall is all about. Like I said, taking a test is also an example of engaging in active recall—so practice doing this as many times as you can before your test to make it second nature by then.

How Peloton's New Line of Fitness Equipment Stacks Up Against the Existing Models

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news.

---

Peloton announced this week, among other things, that all of its devices are getting a bit of an overhaul. While the Bike, Bike+, Tread, Tread+, and Row each got some improvements, this doesn't necessarily mean you have to upgrade your equipment just yet.

Comparing old Peloton models with the new Cross Training Series

First, the basics: Peloton unveiled all-new versions of its classic at-home fitness equipment Wednesday. Collectively, they're known as the Cross Training series—the equipment itself is the Cross Training Bike, the Cross Training Bike+, etc. Like before, there are still five models—two bikes, two treadmills, and a rowing machine—but the new versions have features that make them more compatible with cross training and are just a little better than their predecessors overall.

Peloton Bike vs. Peloton Cross Training Bike

We'll start with the classic bike, Peloton's bread and butter. The original Bike retails for $1,145 and the new Cross Training Bike is $1,695. Like all the new models, the updated version of the base model Bike features a swiveling touchscreen designed to make it easier for you to segue from cardio on the machine to strength, stretching, yoga, or some other Peloton workout, all while still following along with an instructor on the screen.

Otherwise, what this $200 price hike gets you is pretty basic: There is improved audio in the form of front-facing speakers, better wifi connectivity, and Bluetooth 5.2. It also has an upgraded seat, which Peloton describes as "an ergonomically redesigned saddle with enhanced cushioning and optimized weight distribution." A comfier seat is a bonus, but comfier seats were already available on the third-party market.

There are more similarities between the old model and new than there are differences. Both have manual resistance knobs, a 21.5" touchscreen, a belt drive, and magnetic resistance. To be clear, Peloton didn't set out to reinvent the (fly)wheel here; all of these devices are functionally similar to their predecessors. You cycle on the Bike, run on the Tread, and row on the Row, just as you always did.

Bike+ vs. Cross Training Bike+

I liked the old Bike+ when I tested it out, but the new Bike+ has some significant upgrades over that one. The old-style Bike+ retails for $2,495 while the Cross Training Bike+ is $2,695. You get the swivel screen and the upgraded seat, but you also get a movement-tracking camera that uses AI to make suggestions and correct your form, Sonos audio with a woofer, AI-powered voice commands, a fan, a phone tray, and better software overall. Like the old Bike+, this one has a 23.8" HD touchscreen and the much-loved auto-resistance feature.

I got the chance to play around with the new devices at Peloton Studios this week and, from what I experienced, the company's claims that the hardware and software have been enhanced to improve touchscreen responsiveness and audio quality are accurate. That's true for this new Bike+ and all the newer models announced.

Tread vs. Cross Training Tread

The Cross Training Tread is $3,295 compared to the Tread's $2,995, though both get you a 23.8" HD touchscreen, a maximum speed of 12.5 miles per hour, and an incline up to 12.5%, as well as a soft-touch running belt. That price increase also covers the swivel screen, an upgraded processor, and better speakers and connectivity.

Tread+ vs. Cross Training Tread+

You're going to notice a theme here: The Plus models pack more upgraded features into their upgrades, period. That's true for the Cross Training Tread+, which sees one of the biggest price increases over its predecessor—it now retails for $6,495 compared to $5,995. The similarities are in the 32" screen, slatted running belt, and incline up to 15%. The differences mirror the differences between the Bike+ and Cross Training Bike+: It comes with the movement-tracking camera, swivel screen, Sonos speakers, voice control, fan, and upgraded tech and hardware.

Row vs. Cross Training Row+

The Row is the Peloton device that moved from plain-old equipment to Plus line. Now, the Cross Training Row+ retails for $3,495 instead of $3,195 and comes with all those Plus features, like the rotating screen, movement-tracking camera, Sonos speakers, voice control, fan, and upgraded processor.

Should you upgrade your Peloton device?

Let me start by saying I have only gotten to interact with the new devices for a brief time during a press event, so I haven't formed my opinion based on any extensive use. That said, what I saw at the event was impressive—especially from the Plus line, which is the line that features the much-touted movement-tracking camera.

If you are considering upgrading, your best bet is to go all the way to Plus so you can make the most of all the new features Peloton announced. The movement-tracking camera and voice controls were really slick in the demos I participated in. The camera can correct your form or let you know when lifting a certain way is becoming too easy for you and you should consider moving to a higher weight, for instance. The Plus line also has the built-in fan, which is simply a nice touch.

All of that said, while Peloton rolled out new classes and AI features to accompany these cross training devices, everything except the motion-tracking and voice control works fine on existing equipment. If you have a Bike or even older Bike+, you'll still be able to use the new customized workout scheduling feature, plus all the other features you've already had access to. If you're not in a rush to get rid of your old machine, you don't have to unless you really want the motion-tracking camera and voice commands.

Upgrading to the Cross Training Bike or Cross Training Tread doesn't make sense to me right now, since the only real improvement you get with those is the swivel screen. If I were going to get a new device—and, after almost five years with my beloved Bike, I'm finally considering it—I'd opt for a Plus so I could take advantage of all the new tools and features.

It's worth keeping in mind, though, that whether you upgrade hardware or not, you're going to be paying more as it is. Membership fees for Peloton's app, which allows you to take classes and follow programs on your phone as well as on the company's proprietary devices, are going up as of the new equipment release. The new prices for membership are:

• All-Access Membership goes up from $44 to $49.99 per month

• App+ Membership goes up from $24 to $28.99

• App One Membership goes up from $12.99 to $15.99

Moreover, Peloton has done away with free installation, which we knew was coming. You'll have to spend $150 for assembly of your new device, unless you get a Cross Training Tread+, which will run you $299 in assembly fees. Accounting for all these extra fees is part of deciding if you need new equipment, so take it all in.

Peloton will be rolling out deals for existing members who want to upgrade in the coming days and weeks. For now, don't forget that the company launched its own resale platform earlier this year and, depending on what kind of device you sell, not only do you get paid for the equipment itself, but you get a few hundred bucks off your future Peloton purchase. If you're considering a new device from this upgraded fleet, look into selling your old goods first so you have a better sense of how much money you have to work with.

And if you don't have a Peloton device but want one, maybe think about waiting around a few weeks for all the older models to hit the resale site. Like I said, the new software upgrades work just fine on them, so this could be your moment to get a great deal.

Five Bad Study Habits You Should Avoid (and What to Do Instead)

Instead of using your usual study methods (and getting the same results you always get, for better or worse) this is the year to level up. There are plenty of great ways to review and retain material, but to use them, you have to give up your bad habits first. Here's what to avoid and what to prioritize instead.

Don't just rewrite your work

Rewriting is fine if you’re refining and condensing your material (and you should be rewriting your notes immediately after class for better retention), but it’s not the best strategy for remembering information if you’re simply recopying everything you’ve already written over and over.

The writing center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests condensing notes to the point that they only include key concepts. After or instead of that, try using active recall, a method that requires you to dig information out of your short-term memory to help that information stick around longer. You can use flashcards (ideally by mastering the Leitner method), summarize your chapters and notes out loud (otherwise known as blurting), or take a practice quiz—and it’ll be more helpful than basic rewriting. If you're low on time or motivation, you can generate a custom practice quiz using Google's NotebookLM. That's what I've been doing while I've been reviewing for an upcoming certification exam. You just upload your own materials and the software will create flashcards and quizzes for you.

Don't take linear notes

Writing down what you hear during a lecture is important, but doing it in a productive and beneficial way is even better. And while this might seem like it’s not really “studying,” remember that it’s the first big step toward overall retention. Just jotting down key words and phrases or, worse, every single word, won’t help you identify main concepts or make connections between them. Instead, use a note-taking method like outlining or the Cornell method to actively listen and record the most pertinent information as you go. And don’t forget to revise them right away after class!

The same goes for when you're reading materials on your own. Use a note-taking method designed to enhance your critical reading skills, like SQ3R or KWL, so you can take notes that make sense and serve the bigger purpose of helping you retain what you're learning.

Don't cram

Cramming is an inevitable part of the school experience at some point or another, but it’s not an ideal way to study every single time you have a test. In fact, scholars and researchers have suggested it may even backfire, causing you to remember less for your big test. Instead, schedule your studying out across multiple days. Use the distributed practice technique to create the perfect schedule for your studying based on when your next test is. It takes more discipline, but it will help you remember more material for longer periods of time, which makes it ideal for cumulative finals as well as regular old quizzes.

Don't work nonstop

Take breaks when you study, even if you’re cramming. A key element of distributed practice is breaking the study sessions into chunks. Seriously, it's called chunking and it's a real study technique. You’re more productive when you take breaks, so try using the Pomodoro method to schedule those breaks consistently. Pomodoro is a method that calls on you to work for 25 minutes, take a five minute break, and get back to work four times before taking a bigger break.

You can mess around with methods that work for you, too. For instance, try an app to help you stay focused and schedule your Pomodoro sessions. You can also fiddle with the timing of your sessions. Maybe longer work and break segments work for you or you need shorter time working. Pomodoro adaptations are abundant, so take some time to figure out what you prefer.

Avoid being too granular

If you are really locked in on your content and start obsessing over every detail, you're going to miss the forest for the trees. The University of British Columbia warns its students against over-highlighting, and for good reason: When you make everything a key point, you don’t remember the pieces of information that really are. There are benefits to color-coding your texts and notes, but only if you do it intentionally and carefully—and colorful highlights aren't the only way this can become problematic.

Consider the Pareto principle, which says that 80% of your results come from 20% of your effort. Use one of the reading techniques I mentioned—SQ3R or KWL—to break down your content until you have a good idea of the most crucial elements, then study from there. You don't need to know every single definition of every single word, but you'll need to know how the course material connects so you understand what it's all about. This is also where taking those breaks comes in. If you go too hard for too long, you'll get a little too worked up. Break up the chapter, break up your time, and don't get over-stressed to the point of losing the plot.

If you're worried you're not grasping the overall concepts, try using the Feynman method to see how you're doing. It involves teaching the material to someone who is unfamiliar with it, relying on the idea that if you can teach something, then you understand it. Do this with a friend or a parent or even with ChatGPT. If you struggle explaining it—like if you've spent too much time trying to memorize every tiny detail but can't relay how they all work together big-picture—head back to the drawing board and break the material down more.

Peloton Just Announced New Partnerships and One Acquisition

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source.

---

Peloton announced a whole new fleet of equipment devices and the addition of AI fitness coaching, all in an effort to usher in "a new era of connective wellness." The upgraded Bikes and Treads will probably be the biggest news of the day, but I was interested in another development: the brand's new partnerships and acquisition, which are also aligned with that "connective wellness" goal.

The company deepened its partnership with Hyrox, partnered with two new companies, and acquired Breathwrk, all while also adding more depth to existing elements of "human connection" on its robust platform.

Peloton acquired Breathwrk

Yesterday, I attended the press event announcing all the big Peloton news. For the most part, everything made sense. New devices, better software, and updated classes to go along with them seemed like logical steps for a leading at-home fitness company to take over a decade into its existence. But then a presenter mentioned that Peloton had "acquired Breathwrk." This, it turns out, is exactly what it sounds like: It's an app that guides the user through breathing exercises—like calming breaths, breathing for sleep, and breathing for energy—designed to "unleash your peak mental and physical potential."

Earlier this year, Peloton execs hinted at price increases for memberships and mentioned a plan to roll out more "fitness and wellness experiences." To that end, I've noticed a lot more "wellness," generally, in the app's offerings. Beyond the cardio and strength classes Peloton is known for, I've found meditation, "reflection rides," and nutritional content. It's been obvious for a while that the company's aspirations are greater than dominating the exercise space; they want to go deeper on mental health, nutrition, and everything else that goes into being well-rounded and healthy.

Per Peloton, All Access and App+ members can now access Breathwrk's app by using their Peloton login credentials. Further integrations between the two will be "coming soon."

Peloton's new partnerships

Peloton also announced partnerships with the Hospital for Special Surgery and Respin Health. HSS is a leader in orthopedics and rheumatology. Together, the two will "produce programming focused on musculoskeletal injury prevention and recovery." That's all expected to start rolling out in the next few weeks. It's another bit of news that makes sense. In announcing the addition of an AI coach to personalize every member's workout plan, Peloton's reps pointed out that the software will use users' goals and existing workout data to outline what they should do for the next week—including when they should take rests. While ramping up wellness initiatives, Peloton hasn't overlooked the role rest plays in overall health. I'm interested to see what the HHS programming looks like in practice.

Respin is a platfor, launched by Halle Berry for those going through everything from perimenopause to postmenopause. The two brands will co-create an eight-week program of Peloton classes to specifically target symptom relief and various improvements for members going through those life changes. Again, these are coming in the next few weeks.

Finally, Peloton is doubling down on its partnership with Hyrox. That isn't a new partnership, but it's one that has apparently been fruitful enough to warrant the allocation of more resources. If you don't know, Hyrox is a relatively new sport that involves running plus competing in things like sled pulls and pushes, among other exercises. You have to row, do burpees, and do a farmer's carry, too, all in the name of demonstrating how versatile you are as an athlete. Peloton has had a special Hyrox training program in place for a few months now, but plans to expand its offerings with new branded classes that support training for the various parts of the race.

Improvements to "human connections"

Peloton is also expanding what users can do with its existing offerings aimed at "human connections." Primarily, this involves the addition of Club Peloton and Official Peloton Teams.

Club Peloton is a recognition program that awards users a rank based on how consistently they work out and whether they try new types of exercises. If you check your Peloton app right now, you might find you've already been assigned a rank, like bronze, silver, gold, or legendary. The idea is that your rank will eventually earn you rewards, like discounts on products or early access to classes. You'll also get a profile badge which will be visible to others when you're on a class leaderboard.

Official Peloton Teams is an expansion of Peloton's popular Teams feature, which I already love. With Teams, you join forces with friends and compete with or against them to hit certain goals, like a particular amount of workouts per week. You can also join Teams based on attributes like life stage (like being a new mom) or region (like the city where you live). Official Peloton Teams are the newest part of all that and are helmed by the company's famous instructors. You can join ones like Move for Life, Cross Training, Hyrox training, and Menopause Health.

How to Make (and Share) Your Amazon Wishlist Before Prime Day

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news.

---

With October Prime Day on the horizon, now is a smart time to make an Amazon wishlist to keep track of all the things you plan to buy using your Prime account. You can also share your list with friends or family (hint, hint) in case they need gift ideas in the future.

How to create and add to an Amazon wishlist

To create an Amazon wishlist in your browser, hover over Accounts & Lists in the upper-right corner of the navigation bar and select Create a list from the left column. (You can also access this by clicking Accounts & Lists > Your Lists > Create a List). Enter the name of your list in the pop-up and click Create List.

To create a new list on the Amazon Shopping app, select the profile icon on the bottom navigation bar and click Your Lists. Hit the plus icon next to Your lists and registries, enter the list name, and click Create List.

To add an item to a wishlist, go to the product’s page and look for the Add to List drop-down (simply text on mobile) underneath the Add to Cart/Buy Now box. You can either select an existing list or hit Create a List to make a new wishlist right there.

If you create a public list, its name and contents will be visible to anyone with whom you share the link. Your address, however, will never be visible. Only your city will be.

How to share an Amazon wishlist

All Amazon wishlists are private by default, but you can share specific lists with friends and family. If you're using a browser, open the menu on the top right, find list you want to send, and hit Invite or Send list to others. On the mobile app, find the menu in the bottom row of buttons. It looks like three lines stacked on top of each other. You'll see a button for Lists in the menu; tapping it will bring up all your wishlists, which you can open and invite people to share. Like in other cases, you have the option to allow others to view and edit your wishlist, or view only, and to copy the link to your list or invite other users via email.

If you decide you want to change your privacy settings, update the name of your list, or enable Alexa to add items to your list, simply hover over the three horizontal “More” dots and select Manage list. You can also toggle on Don’t spoil my surprises if you want others to be able to gift you items from your wishlist without you knowing about it. If that box is checked, Amazon won't let you know when something from your wishlist has been purchased for you and the platform will keep that item available on your list. Only if you attempt to buy that item yourself will Amazon reveal the surprise. You can also toggle on or off the option to Keep purchased items on this list, which is helpful if you want more than one of something.

How to Share Your Amazon Prime Membership With Family (Even If You Don't Live Together)

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news.

---

To make the most out of next week's Prime Big Deal Days, you need to be an Amazon Prime member, which costs for $139 per year or $14.99 per month. Being a Prime member comes with a lot of perks, like faster shipping on many items and access to Prime Video streaming, but a lesser-known feature is that you can share all those membership benefits with your family and only pay one membership fee.

You can add one other adult and up to four kids to your Amazon Family, which allows everyone in the group to access all the standard benefits—and you don't have to live together. This feature used to be called the "Amazon Household," but was recently changed with the intention of making it a little less confusing. (A different feature, which allowed Prime members to invite others outside their household to share their free shipping benefits, also officially ended as of Oct. 1.)

Here's how the new Amazon Family program works.

How to share Amazon Prime benefits with your family

To get started, you’ll need an Amazon account and a Prime membership (so here’s how to sign up for Amazon Prime if you don’t have it already). After logging in, head over to the Amazon Family page, which you'll find by clicking Your Account, then Your Amazon Family. There, you'll find the option to add one other adult and up to four kids under age 12. (You used to be able to add up to four teens, too, but as of April 2025, Amazon stopped that practice, stating "Amazon accounts and shopping profiles are intended for adult shoppers." Sorry, teens. However, if your teen was added before April 7, they'll retain their status in your Amazon Family.)

If you want to add an adult, you’ll be prompted to enter their name and the email associated with their Amazon account. You’ll then have to agree to link your payment wallet and choose which types of content—apps, audiobooks, and/or e-books—you want to share. Amazon does notify you if a Family member moves one of your payment methods to their wallet.

From here, they will receive an invitation via email to join your Family. To accept, they’ll click Get Prime Benefits and follow the prompts to agree to wallet sharing (and to cancel their own Prime membership if they have one). Invitations are valid for 14 days. If the person you want to invite doesn’t have an Amazon account, they can create one during sign-up.

Children can’t shop on Amazon, but can access Amazon Kids content and features. From the Family landing page, you can access a dashboard to manage the kinds of content and features they have access to.

A few limitations:

• Amazon Families can only contain two adults and up to four children.

• Families members must have an address in the same country (but do not have to have the same address).

• If an adult has left an Amazon Family, neither adult on the account can join a different one for 180 days.

If you need to remove someone from your Amazon Family, you can do so via the Manage Your Family page.

Peloton Just Announced a New Fleet of Equipment and AI ‘Dynamic Coaching’

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news.

---

As of today, a ton of massive changes just hit the Peloton ecosystem. The at-home fitness giant didn't just overhaul one part of the structure 6 million people rely on for quality workouts—it made improvements and tweaks across its hardware, software, content, and partnerships. Everything is available for members to explore now, both in the mobile app and on the brand's proprietary equipment devices, but I don't blame you if you're not even sure what to start looking first. Here's what you need to know.

Peloton devices got a makeover

Peloton became most famous for its classic Bike, a stationary bicycle with a touchscreen that, since 2014, has allowed anyone anywhere to take a virtual spin class. Since the introduction of the Bike, the brand has rolled out an upgraded version, plus two kinds of treadmills and one rowing machine. The first big announcement of the day has to do with all those products: The five-part lineup is staying the same, but the Bike, Bike+, Tread, Tread+, and Row all got a significant makeover.

Known collectively as the Peloton Cross Training Series, the new lineup is this:

• The Cross Training Bike

• The Cross Training Bike+

• The Cross Training Tread

• The Cross Training Tread+

• The Cross Training Row+

Each of the devices features a swiveling screen (which users of the old Bike+ will be familiar with) designed to allow users to switch more seamlessly between cardio and Peloton's other class offerings, like strength, yoga, and Pilates. That is where the whole "cross training" thing comes in. They also have enhanced audio, better processors for touchscreen responsiveness, and upgraded wifi and Bluetooth, giving them a distinct edge over their predecessors.

Of particular note is what comes with the Plus line, or any device with a "+" after the name. Those all have a built-in, movement-tracking camera that will monitor your form, count your reps, and help the software suggest weights for you to use in your strength workouts. I tested it out yesterday at Peloton Studios in New York and was impressed. (If you recall, a few months ago, Peloton phased out the Guide, a camera that connected to users' TVs and did a much rougher version of what these built-in cameras are now going to do. We should have seen this new integration coming then.)

The Plus line also comes with Sonos audio, hands-free control so you can make vocal commands to adjust your weight or pause a workout, and accessories and features based on users' requests. They have a three-speed fan built in to cool you down, for instance, and the Bike+ finally has a tray that can hold your phone. The Bike and Bike+ have cushier seats, though you can also purchase one of these new seats separately for your older Bike and Bike+ models.

Peloton IQ

The brand also announced the launch of its AI component, Peloton IQ. Remember how I mentioned the Plus line allows for voice commands? You can say, "OK, Peloton, skip this exercise," or "OK, Peloton, pause this workout." That's pretty useful if you're, say, doing a lift or yoga exercise and your touchscreen isn't within reach.

But the AI does more than that. Its real purpose is to provide "dynamic coaching." Basically, your Peloton app got a major redesign (which you can see for yourself by opening it on your phone or Peloton device right now). Across the top, you'll see suggested workouts that are based on your goals, your past workouts, and your schedule. Crucially, this works on older models, too. I asked reps at Peloton Studios about this specifically yesterday and everyone was quite clear that they're not trying to force users to give up existing Bikes, Treads, or Rows.

Still, the most advanced features of Peloton IQ are only available on the new Plus line, since those devices have the movement-tracking camera that enables the AI to give feedback, correct form, count reps, and suggest weights. The Plus line also allows for self-paced strength workouts similar to the ones you can find on Peloton's Strength+ app. Instead of following along with a class and instructor, you can generate a workout plan that simply walks you through a series of exercises and you can go at your own speed. You can pick your target muscle groups, deny exercises you don't want to do, and change the weight you're using for a totally custom experience.

One cool thing I saw during yesterday's demo was that if you nail your form too easily or do more reps than suggested, the AI will automatically tell you when it's time for you to consider using heavier weights. You can accept or deny this suggestion and if you accept, from then on, it will be set so you're always doing that exercise with that weight. You can input any weights you have on hand at home, so even if you only have a set of five-pound dumbbells, the app will tell you when to use them and won't suggest exercises with anything heavier or lighter.

Club Peloton, better Teams, and more

On your Peloton app, you'll also now see something called Club Peloton, which is a recognition program that rewards you for consistency and variety in your workouts. You'll be assigned a level—bronze, silver, gold, or legendary—based on things like workout streaks or trying new types of exercises. Reps told me at the demo event that Club Peloton will eventually evolve to start giving back. For instance, members of a certain level may be eligible for discounts on certain items or to get early access to classes.

Peloton says this is part of its "further investment in human connections." Obviously, the company is famous for making it possible to do complete workouts all on your own at home, but a big part of its success comes from the ways it approximates the in-person feeling by offering virtual group classes, personable instructors, and other features like Teams. You can join Teams with your friends and compete together or against one another or even join Teams based on mutual attributes like being a new mother or living in a certain region, but with today's overhaul, you can now also join something called Official Peloton Teams. These are helmed by Peloton instructors and include options like Move for Life, Cross Training, Menopause Health, and more.

Peloton pricing

Peloton's prices are going up, which isn't exactly a surprise. The company's letter to investors during the last earning period hinted at that and it's to be expected with all these new features rolling out. At least now it finally makes sense why Bikes, Treads, and Rows were being phased out at sporting goods stores a few months ago, and Peloton launched its own resale platform over the summer for people who want to sell their old equipment: We're getting a whole new fleet of devices.

So, the new prices for membership are:

• All-Access Membership goes up from $44 to $49.99 per month

• App+ Membership goes up from $24 to $28.99

• App One Membership goes up from $12.99 to $15.99

The devices are priced like this:

• The Cross Training Bike is $1,695 (plus $150 for expert assembly if you don't want to do it yourself for free)

• The Cross Training Bike+ is $2,695 (plus $150 for optional expert assembly)

• The Cross Training Tread is $3,295 (plus $150 for optional expert assembly)

• The Cross Training Tread+ is $6,695 and you'll need to pay $299 for assembly

• The Cross Training Row+ is $3,495 (plus $150 for optional expert assembly

Final notes and first impressions

I saw all of this at a press event yesterday and was truly impressed, especially because there wasn't much of a hint about what the event was even about before I got there. The brand kicked off today's big launch by adding 2,000 classes compatible with the new AI features and everyone, even people with the lowest-level, app-only membership, can now access most of the new offerings (besides the motion-tracking features). That's a lot to keep under wraps.

From what I saw during demos, these are genuinely solid improvements. Even the swiveling screens, fans, and phone tray are nice touches, since those are the kinds of things Peloton users have been paying extra to third parties to get for years.

This is just the broad view of all the changes and it'll take me some time to work through all the new features and options on my app and Bike, but I'll update my old posts and create highlights for the truly noteworthy changes over the next few days. I already know I'm going to be thrilled by the new integration with Apple Health, for instance, even though I haven't gotten to play with it yet. I've been tracking all my non-Peloton workouts through the Peloton app for weeks, since it's easier than tracking some with Apple Health and others with Peloton. Now, any workout I complete on or off the app will be reflected in my Peloton history and will contribute to the AI's suggestions for what I should do on a given day.

Over the next month, there will be promotions available so anyone who wants to upgrade to a new piece of equipment can do it more economically. As I find out more about those, I'll keep you updated. Personally, after all of yesterday's demos, I'm already pretty sure it's about time for me to retire my classic Bike and invest in the new Bike+.