First Peloton Pilates Acquisition: Skōp Deal Bolsters R&D

The Peloton Pilates acquisition of Skōp marks the company’s first direct investment in connected reformer hardware, adding patent-pending form-tracking technology to its R&D pipeline at a moment when demand for the modality is accelerating fast. Peloton member engagement with Pilates grew 48% year-over-year in Q3 FY2026, and this deal signals the company intends to build on that momentum rather than simply ride it.

Skōp developed its reputation as an early innovator in connected reformer Pilates, creating technology that delivers real-time form feedback to users during workouts. That focus on precision is exactly what Peloton says drew it to the company.

“Pilates is a category ripe for the same kind of experiential reinvention we brought to cardio,” said Peloton CEO Peter Stern. “Form is everything in Pilates, so we are taking a purposeful approach to ensure we develop the most effective, safest, and fun experiences possible — ones people will keep doing for life.”

CEO Peter Stern discusses the Peloton Pilates acquisition of Skop and the importance of Pilates to the Peloton platform as a whole.

Why the Peloton Pilates Acquisition Makes Sense Now

The timing of the Peloton Pilates acquisition reflects a measurable shift in the fitness landscape. The 2025 Sports and Fitness Industry Association report identifies Pilates as the fastest-growing fitness modality in the United States, with participation up nearly 40% over the past several years. Google search data places “Pilates” as the third most popular fitness search term nationally, behind only Running and Yoga.

Peloton’s own platform data tracks that curve. Over 400,000 members participated in Rebecca Kennedy’s HiLit Training Plan in Q3 alone, contributing to that 48% year-over-year growth in the category. The company has also expanded its Pilates instructor roster, onboarding three new instructors last quarter as part of a deliberate effort to deepen the offering.

Research adds further context. A study published in the Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy links consistent Pilates practice to measurable improvements in flexibility, balance, and mobility, reinforcing the category’s appeal across a broad range of members.

What Skōp Brings to the Deal

Skōp built its product around one central problem: form. Its patent-pending technology tracks movement in real time and delivers corrective feedback cues during workouts. The reformer also compacts to a footprint smaller than a treadmill when not in use, a practical consideration for the at-home fitness market.

That precision-focused approach aligns directly with how Stern described the acquisition. Peloton is not adding hardware to a catalog. It is adding specialized knowledge about how to deliver accurate, safe, and repeatable Pilates instruction through connected technology.

The press release frames Skōp as contributing “differentiated technology and specialized knowledge” to Peloton’s R&D team. No product launch date or timeline was announced, placing this firmly in the development pipeline rather than the near-term product roadmap.

A Pilates Strategy Years in the Making

Pilates launched on Peloton as a subset of Strength in 2020 and was elevated to its own top-level modality in January 2026. The company has grown its instructor lineup, integrated a Pilates Challenge into monthly opt-in programming, and watched member engagement scale at each step.

The Skōp deal adds a new dimension to that progression. Previous investments centered on content, instruction, and platform access. This one targets the hardware and technology layer of the experience, pointing toward a more immersive connected Pilates offering in the future.

No acquisition price was disclosed.

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