After a disturbing storyline in Sex And The City, Pelotons has come back into the spotlight as the safety and security of the Pelotons home gym experience that includes virtual classes.
In the first episode of ‘And Just Like That’, Carrie’s husband Mr Big (Chris Noth) dies of a heart attack shortly after a 45-minute session on a Peloton Bike, the piece of high-end home gym equipment – prices starting at £1,350/$1,495 – that’s become a must-have in affluent homes.
Brand has been also hit by real-life tragedies. These include the $2,400 Tread+ treadmill that was released only in the US. It has been since been recalled.
The accident that claimed the life of a 6-year-old boy in America in March resulted in his death. Details have yet to be released. Another incident saw a three-year-old child, who went on to make a full recovery, suffer head injuries after becoming trapped underneath the machine.
Others have also reported injuries, including abrasions or burns. A family member of a three-year old boy was forced to use a Tread+ treadmill and told him he would be permanently scarred.
In the UK, Peloton customers have reported minor injuries resulting from the use of the £2,295 Tread treadmill, resulting from the screen falling off.
Peloton’s popularity soared when lockdown was in effect and people could not access the gym. However, safety fears have caused concern about the Tread+ ($2,400), pictured. This treadmill was originally released in the US but has been recalled.
Jocelyn Ratliffe (age 6), suffered serious abrasions in her legs when she was sucked underneath a Peloton Tread+. This is what her father, who shared the photo via Good Morning America, revealed to April.
After a disturbing storyline from Sex And The City, Pelotons has come back into the spotlight. The safe and secure Pelotons is a virtual home gym experience that offers live classes. Peloton rides lead to Mr. Big’s death.
Safety fears clouded the brand’s success, which rose during lockdown, when it was impossible for people to access the gyms.
Following the And Just Like That premiere, it was hit with another setback. Shares plunged by 11.35% since the episode aired at 12.01 AM PT (US)
The CSPC (US product safety regulator) first raised concern about Tread+’s safety on April 17 and asked Peloton for its recall.
Company had made the news public about the death of the child, aged six years old, the month before.
Following nearly 40 cases of children getting ‘trapped, pinched, and pulled under the rear roll’ of the Peloton Tread+; regulators stated they must ‘warn people quickly about the danger’.
John Foley was the CEO of Peloton, and he refused.
Peloton did however announce a US recall of the Tread+ on May 5th due to these issues and admitted that it made mistakes in its initial response.
It simultaneously recalled the Tread, which is available in both the US and UK, due to the Tread’s faulty display, which had fallen off and caused injury.
Some 12 minor injuries such as abrasions, cuts or bruises linked to use of the Tread had been reported in the UK at the time of the recall.
Safety of popular brand exercise bikes has also been under investigation.
Due to a safety concern with the pedals, 27,000 Peloton bikes in the US were recalled in 2020
In the UK and USA, the Peloton Tread is still available. The Tread+ is not currently available in the US. In the UK, it was not revealed.
Peloton Bike+ and Peloton Bike+ can be purchased in the USA and UK.
Peloton explained to me how pets and children should stay away from Peloton, and any other home-exercise equipment.
Children should not use the equipment.
THREE-YEAR-OLD BOY LEFT WITH THIRD DEGREE BURNS
The three-year-old boy suffered third degree burns to his back and sides after he became trapped under a Peloton Tread+ in Brooklyn, New York last year
Three-year-old boy was severely burned by third degree burns when he fell under a dangerous and defective Peloton treadmill. A lawsuit filed in July claims.
Sarah and Ygal Saidoun of Brooklyn, New York filed a lawsuit against Peloton at the New York State Supreme Court relating to their son’s severe injuries.
Their son, they claim, was caught under the Peloton Tread+ in 2020. According to the lawsuit, the boy was trapped beneath the treadmill’s “rotating belt” and the machine continued running while he was under it.
As a result, he suffered third-degree burns to his sides and back.
According to the lawsuit, the boy suffered permanent disfigurement and scarring.
They claim that Peloton knew or should have known that the treadmill was extremely dangerous.
Safety regulators issued an April warning regarding the Tread+ model, asking people who have children or pets to stop using it immediately after one child was killed and many were hurt.
The footage showed the boy getting trapped under the treadmill, before he finally wriggled free.
Peloton Tread+ model numbers were recalled and the company agreed to cease selling them in the month that followed.
Peloton is seeking to pay unspecified damages to the Saadoun families for their injuries.
DEATH OF SIX-YEAR-OLD CHILD
John Foley, Peloton CEO and founder John Foley, also shared information about the death in a March letter addressed to Tread+ customers. Customers were urged to use the equipment with caution.
John Foley, Peloton CEO and founder of Tread+, wrote to customers on March 20, 2021. He revealed that a six year-old had died from an accident in which the treadmill was involved.
The accident happened without any details about the family or the child.
But it caused Mr Foley to warn parents that children should not use Peleton’s exercise equipment.
Foley said that although we only know about a handful of Tread+ incidents where children have been injured, they are all devastating and heartbreaking for everyone at Peloton.
Foley is also co-founder at Peloton. He shared the standard safety warnings of the company, including keeping pets and children away from equipment and taking the safety key off the treadmill after a workout.
Foley declared, “We design all of our products with safety and security in mind.”
“But we still need your assistance to make sure that your family is safe when you use Peloton products in their home.
“This is especially true when I believe we are in the final stretch where all people will be at home.”
WHEN PLAYING, CHILD HAS BEEN DRAGGED UNDER A PELETON
A terrifying video was released by US Federal regulators in April showing a Tread+ treadmill being pulled under the child’s feet. They warned that this could lead to injuries and even death. Bottom right: The treadmill was being pulled on the child.
This graphic video depicts a boy struggling to get out of the Peloton Tread+.
A little girl can be seen walking along the treadmill that is being turned on in the heartbreaking video. After a while, he walks in front of the treadmill and takes out a huge pink ball.
LEFT WITH LEG ABRASIONS – GIRL 6, LEFT
Brandon Ratliffe, Jocelyn Ratliffe
According to her father, a six-year old girl sustained severe injuries to her legs from being dragged under his Peloton Tread+ treadmill.
Brandon Ratliffe shared his story to Good Morning America, “It was pretty traumatizing.”
Jocelyn was his child. He posted photos that show severe scrapes, bruising, and severe cuts to her legs.
Jocelyn was taken under the device, according to her dad.
A terrifying video was released by US Federal regulators in April showing a child being pulled under the Tread+ treadmill. They warned people to discontinue using this equipment.
A little girl can be seen walking on a treadmill that is being turned on in this horrifying video.
A small boy runs behind an exercise machine to grab a huge pink ball.
He is holding the ball in his hands and can be seen pulling the ball under the treadmill, moving the boy with it.
The treadmill appears to be stopped moving when the boy lifts the machine slightly from the ground.
While the boy seems to remain stuck, the little girl jumps on the treadmill.
It starts to move again. At first, it seems that the boy resists it. Then it pulls him under the treadmill.
This is when the speed of the machine causes the little boy’s head to shake. The treadmill then resumes at a higher speed and dragged the boy under his head.
He is being pulled down more, until his legs become visible. In an effort to get free, he seems to try to smash his legs.
The boy pulls himself out from beneath the treadmill. He is seen moving away from it.
Peloton dies in shocking fashion – the response of the company
In the premiere episode, Mr. Big frequently referred to Allegra, his favourite Peloton instructor. This fictional character was played by Jess King, who is a real Peloton instructor.
He finally gets to ride his bike towards the end. He is riding his bike, but Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), his wife of ten years, attends Charlotte (Kristin)’s recital at the piano.
Big was seen leaving his gym to go to the bathroom after his workout. As Carrie explains, Big collapses and clutches at his shoulders.
Shocking: The beloved ladies of Sex and the City returned with the first two episodes of the ‘next chapter,’ a 10-episode series dubbed And Just Like That… which kicked off with quite the shocking death
Denise Kelly (Peloton spokesperson) confirmed that King’s role as a fictional instructor was approved by Peloton, according to NBC News.
Kelly stated that HBO didn’t disclose to Peloton the wider context of the scene ‘due confidentiality’.
Peloton had no idea that the bike would appear in the episode. They also didn’t know that Mr Big would pass away.
In response to the And Just Like That storyline, Peloton issued a statement through Cardiologist Dr Suzanne Steinbaum, insisting that Mr Big riding a Peloton bike would have helped delay his fatal heart attack.
Dr Steinbaum, who works for Peloton on its Health & Wellness Advisory Council said Mr Big’s history of cardiac arrest would have put him at higher risk of a heart attack.
Peloton: As DailyMail.com exclusively reported in August, it was revealed at the end of the premiere that Mr. Big (Chris Noth) died of a sudden heart attack, shortly after exercising on a Peloton bike
A Sex and the City fan expressed sadness at Mr. Big’s death and provided details in a Peloton statement.
Steinbaum said in her US Weekly statement that “I’m certain SATC fan, like myself, are shocked by the news Mr. Big has died from a heart attack.”
‘Mr. Big lived what many would call an extravagant lifestyle — including cocktails, cigars, and big steaks — and was at serious risk as he had a previous cardiac event in Season 6.
His likely causes of death were his lifestyle choices, and his family history which is often a major factor. His death may even have been delayed by riding his Peloton bike.
Steinbaum revealed, “more than 80 per cent of cardiac-related deaths can be prevented” by altering one’s lifestyle and exercising.
According to her, 25% of all heart attacks occur in people who’ve had one before (like Mr. Big), but even so, these are treatable.
“It is important to speak to your doctor and get checked. Also, it’s important to have a good prevention plan. Peloton tracks your heartbeat while you’re riding, which makes it safer.