The Surprising Perks of Being at the Bottom of the Leaderboard

As a psychiatrist who specializes in women’s mental health, particularly in how broken social systems impact women’s emotional lives, I am deeply interested in the complicated relationship people have with their health and fitness pursuits.

I’m the first to admit that I am not a fitness person by nature. So when I got my Peloton Bike last spring, I was not surprised to find myself living at the bottom of the Leaderboard. As someone who has never identified strongly with athletic prowess, my lack of ranking didn’t bother me, but it got me thinking: How do other Members feel about being at the back of the pack?

In fitness, it’s natural to focus on external metrics, such as how many times you get on the Peloton Bike or Peloton Tread, the PRs you hit or how high you rank on the Leaderboard. Goal-oriented workouts are great for some, but others may do better by focusing on what’s on the inside: how you show up, the way you move through those stressors and the enjoyment you feel when you exceed your own expectations.

If you’re just getting started with your Peloton journey or are struggling with your position in the pack, I hope these strategies can help you tune in, adjust as needed and enjoy the ride.

1. Swap Goals for Values

It’s easy to confuse goals with values, but the two are very different. Think of goals as a destination; somewhere you hope to end up in the future, like Disneyland when you were a kid, that seat at the table in a career-defining meeting, the finish line of your first marathon. In the world of Peloton, a goal might look more like your 100th or 500th ride. These milestones are celebrated daily, and you can collect badges for all your achievements along the way in a virtual trophy cabinet. These goals can be incredibly motivating.

Values, on the other hand, are the desired qualities we live by in the “now” and on an ongoing basis, such as curiosity, gratitude and/or a sense of wonder. You can live by your values while you’re working toward your goals. In my line of work, acceptance and commitment therapy is a form of behavior therapy that explores what it means to lead a values-focused life, where the journey gives you more fulfillment and satisfaction than the destination.

Putting this into practice, I encourage you to focus on your own values when you work out, which, in turn, can help take you out of the comparison game. I acknowledge that identifying your values can be challenging, especially if you’re the perfectionistic type. I struggle with perfectionism myself. Instead of getting caught up in a Type A or goal-oriented mindset, think about how you want to behave or show up in the world on a daily basis. For example, one of my core values is authenticity, which has led me to my writing and advocacy work. Using this approach, you’ll be able to reframe the story about your ranking on the Leaderboard and still feel successful, even when you’re at the bottom.

2. Track How You Feel Instead of the Numbers

When it comes to a new practice—whether it’s your first time on the Peloton Bike or a change in your usual routine—one way to decrease the pressure to perform is to allow yourself to simply “collect data.” I often give this advice to my patients when they’re attempting to master a new skill or find themselves in an unfamiliar situation. Before giving in to an unproductive, self-critical narrative about failure or not being good enough, pause to observe what’s really happening and take inventory as objectively as possible. This can help you understand what’s working (or not) and why.

So instead of asking yourself, “Am I winning or losing? Am I doing a good job or bad job?”, I encourage you to reframe the query to “How does this make me feel? Do I like this activity? What do I like about it?”

You can apply this lesson to the Leaderboard too. Think of this as an opportunity to discover what you like. Rather than focus on a PR or a milestone, consider keeping a daily or weekly journal about how you felt after each workout. Allow yourself to reflect on which types of classes leave you feeling stronger and more emotionally grounded. This will help you develop a healthier attitude toward self-accountability. Remember, you don’t have to love every class, every instructor or accomplish every big goal. You’re here to try new things and see what feels good for your body and your mind. Fitness is about developing a relationship with yourself.

3. Aim for Fun Over Frustration

As a physician who has spent more than a decade training to become a board-certified psychiatrist, I’ll confess that finding time to play has never come naturally to me. Similar to the way some people approach exercise, in my years of medical training, I latched on too closely to the idea that hard work pays off. The reality is, it has paid off, but over the years, I’ve come to understand that this go-hard-or-go-home approach can be counterproductive. We shouldn’t underestimate the power of the fun factor, especially when it comes to one’s mental and emotional well-being.

Your fitness routine is a perfect opportunity to turn a so-called chore into a healthy release. One way to tap into the effortless joy of movement we felt as kids is to embrace your vulnerabilities. When you’re open to new activities (like that Barre or Tabata class you’ve been eyeing) and you come to it with no agenda or judgment, you might surprise yourself. I recently tried a 15-minute Tabata ride for the first time, bringing zero expectations to the Peloton Bike. Yes, I was at the bottom of the Leaderboard (as per usual), but I had so much fun trying something new. Plus, it was my intro to instructor Hannah Frankson, whom I love!

Pooja Lakshmin, MD is a Peloton Member and paid consultant member of the Peloton Health & Wellness Advisory Council. Dr. Lakshmin is a board-certified psychiatrist, founder of the women’s mental health digital education platform Gemma, and author specializing in women's mental health, with a focus on how broken systems impact women's emotional lives. She is a frequent contributor for The New York Times and is working on a book with Penguin Life, forthcoming in 2023, in which she discusses the tyranny of self-care and offers a framework for women to build authentic and sustainable well-being in the face of systemic stressors. Sign up to receive her guide to women’s well-being resources and follow her on Instagram.

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized advice. It is not intended to replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician for questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. If you are having a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately.