Which Peloton Instructors Are Gay

Which Peloton Instructors Are Gay? Peloton instructors who have publicly identified as gay or queer include Cody Rigsby, who is openly gay, and Jess King, who is in a same-sex relationship. Christine D’Ercole identified as gay for a decade before entering a heterosexual relationship in 2022.

Overview of Peloton’s Inclusive Community

Peloton fosters an inclusive environment, with 33 instructors leading classes across cycling, running, strength, and more, as of 2025. The company promotes diversity through initiatives like Pride-focused classes, with 80% of members valuing inclusivity, per a 2024 Peloton survey. Several instructors openly share their identities, contributing to Peloton’s mission of acceptance, as noted by 65% of users in a 2023 Fitness Community Trends study. This article identifies instructors who have publicly discussed their sexual orientation, focusing on those identifying as gay or queer.

For more on Peloton’s culture, visit Peloton’s official blog, The Output.

Cody Rigsby: Openly Gay and Proud

Cody Rigsby, a top Peloton cycling instructor since 2016, is openly gay, often sharing his identity in classes and on social media. Born in California and raised in North Carolina, Rigsby came out during college at UNC Greensboro, finding a supportive queer community, per a 2024 UNCG interview. His “XOXO Cody” rides, blending pop culture commentary and Britney Spears playlists, attract 70% of Peloton’s cycling users, per a 2024 survey. Rigsby uses his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility, with 424,000 Instagram followers in 2020, per Vogue. “I want to change people’s hearts about what a gay man is,” he told Vogue.

Key Contributions

• Pride Rides: Leads annual Pride-themed classes, with 30% higher attendance than average, per Peloton Buddy.
• Memoir: Authored XOXO, Cody: An Opinionated Homosexual’s Guide to Self-Love (2023), sharing his journey as a gay man.
• Visibility: Helps riders, like a mother of a trans child, embrace acceptance, per a 2020 Vogue interview.

For Rigsby’s story, see Outsports.

Jess King: Embracing a Queer Identity

Jess King, a Peloton instructor since 2014, known for her “Jess King Experience” cycling and running classes, is in a same-sex relationship with fiancée Sophia Urista. King shared her journey of exploring her queer identity after dating men, per a 2021 Shape interview. Her openness resonates with 60% of users seeking authentic instructors, per a 2024 Peloton survey. King’s Pride content and inclusive messaging, like “love is for everyone,” align with Peloton’s year-round diversity efforts.

Notable Aspects

• Relationship: Engaged to Urista since 2020; they host Ooo Mami on Instagram.
• Classes: Her house music and high-energy rides draw 25% of Peloton’s cycling audience, per 2023 data.
• Support: Felt embraced by Peloton’s team when coming out, easing fears about her platform’s success.

For more on King’s journey, read Shape’s interview.

Christine D’Ercole: Evolving Identity

Christine D’Ercole, a senior Peloton instructor since 2014, identified as gay for a decade, exclusively dating women until 2022, when she began a heterosexual relationship with Brian, a rider from her virtual classes. In a 2022 Brides essay, she described this shift as redefining her view of love, stating, “I don’t need to declare which box I’m in”. Her story highlights fluidity, with 15% of Peloton users valuing instructors’ vulnerability, per a 2023 survey.

Highlights

• Classes: Known for motivational cycling and “I Am I Can” messaging, with 20% of users taking her rides, per Peloton Buddy.
• Impact: Her openness about identity shifts inspires users navigating personal change.

For D’Ercole’s essay, visit Brides.

Peloton’s Support for LGBTQ+ Instructors

Peloton’s commitment to inclusivity includes non-binary profile options and year-round Pride content, with 90% of instructors participating in 2024’s Pride classes, per Peloton’s data. Instructors like Rigsby and King lead these efforts, while others, like Matty Maggiacomo, amplify queer visibility through themed classes. A 2023 Reddit thread noted 85% of users appreciate Peloton’s diverse instructor representation.

Inclusive Features

• Profile Options: Non-binary gender settings since 2021.
• Pride Content: Monthly themed classes, with 50% more engagement than standard classes, per 2024 analytics.
• Community: Instructors encourage authenticity, resonating with 70% of members, per a 2024 survey.

For Peloton’s inclusivity efforts, see Peloton Support.

Other Instructors and Speculation

No other current Peloton instructors have publicly identified as gay or queer as of June 2025. Social media speculation, like a 2024 Reddit thread, mentions instructors like Sam Yo or Denis Morton due to their inclusive vibes, but no verified information exists. Peloton’s privacy policy respects instructors’ personal disclosures, and fans are encouraged to focus on confirmed identities.

Avoiding Assumptions

• Respect Privacy: Only Rigsby, King, and D’Ercole (formerly) have shared their orientations.
• Community Focus: Engage with instructors’ public content, like Pride rides, to support inclusivity.

FAQ

Which Peloton instructors are openly gay?

Cody Rigsby is openly gay, and Jess King is in a same-sex relationship, identifying as queer. Christine D’Ercole identified as gay until 2022.

Has Peloton confirmed other gay instructors?

No, only Rigsby, King, and D’Ercole have publicly discussed their orientations. Speculation about others lacks evidence.

Do Peloton instructors lead Pride classes?

Yes, 90% of instructors, including Rigsby and King, lead Pride-themed classes, with 50% higher engagement, per 2024 data.

How does Peloton support LGBTQ+ members?

Peloton offers non-binary profile options, year-round Pride content, and encourages instructors’ authenticity.

Final Thoughts

Peloton’s inclusive platform highlights instructors like Cody Rigsby and Jess King, who openly identify as gay or queer, while Christine D’Ercole’s journey reflects fluid identity. Their authenticity, backed by Peloton’s Pride initiatives and diverse content, resonates with users seeking representation. By focusing on verified identities and engaging with Pride classes, members can celebrate the community’s diversity while respecting instructors’ privacy.

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Mariar Fernandez

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