Sam Yo Drops Another Beloved 80s Video Store Ride with an Epic Movie Playlist

Peloton instructor Sam Yo added a new installment to his growing collection of movie-soundtrack cycling classes on May 2, 2026, and the stellar playlist alone is worth talking about.

The 30-minute class landed on the Peloton platform on the morning of May 2 and quickly caught the attention of fans who have been following Sam Yo’s unofficial video store-themed ride series since its first installment. While Peloton does not officially brand these classes as a named series (even though they should!), devoted members have recognized the pattern: cycling classes built around iconic film scores and pop hits , complete with Sam’s signature calm delivery and, at least in this case, his aviator sunglasses as a nod to the Top Gun Anthem on the playlist.

A Playlist Pulled Straight from the Decade

The 10-track playlist for the May 2 class reads like a greatest hits of 80s cinema. The full lineup:

1. “Back to the Future” by Alan Silvestri
2. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds
3. “Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti
4. “Flying” (from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) by John Williams
5. “Main Title: The Terminator” by Brad Fiedel
6. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
7. “The Goondocks (Goonies Theme)” by Dave Grusin
8. “Top Gun Anthem” by Harold Faltermeryer and Steve Stevens
9. “Playing with the Boys (12″ Version)” by Kenny Loggins
10. “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes

The range here is chef’s kiss. From the propulsive energy of Rocky’s “Gonna Fly Now” to the sweeping pull of “Up Where We Belong” from An Officer and a Gentleman, the class moves through the full emotional range of the decade’s film landscape. Kenny Loggins makes two appearances in spirit, with both the Top Gun Anthem and “Playing with the Boys” representing that iconic soundtrack.

The Series So Far

This new class adds a sixth ride to Sam Yo’s beloved format. The previous installments were:

• July 31, 2021: 45-minute 80s Ride
• November 13, 2021: 30-minute 80s Ride
• June 21, 2022: 45-minute 80s Ride
• November 12, 2023: 30-minute 80s Ride
• March 6, 2024: 45-minute Power Zone Endurance 80s Ride
• May 2, 2026: 30-minute 80s Ride

The Clip Out covered the series in depth in 2024, tracing its origins and cataloging the earlier classes. That piece also noted what makes these workouts distinct: the movie-soundtrack theme gives each class a connective thread, turning a cycling workout into something closer to a curated film marathon for your ears.

Why Sam Yo Keeps Coming Back to the 80s

There is a reason this format has stayed in rotation for nearly five years. The 80s film soundtrack canon is deep and immediately recognizable. Scoring from composers like John Williams, Alan Silvestri, and Brad Fiedel carries built-in emotional momentum, which translates well to a cycling class structure where energy levels rise and fall. Pop crossovers like “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” and “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” add variety and broad familiarity.

Sam Yo’s instructional approach fits this material well. His pacing tends toward the deliberate rather than the frantic, which lets the music drive the experience rather than compete with it. A class built around E.T. and Back to the Future scores lands differently when the instructor isn’t talking over the best parts.

For members who have been working through the previous five classes, the May 2 installment is a natural next stop. For anyone new to Sam Yo’s 80s catalog, it is as good a starting point as any. But, we highly recommend working your way through the others, as well.

Did we miss a Sam Yo Video Store ride?  Let us know so we can added to the list!

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