Gamification, the process of turning mundane activities into games, has permeated many parts of modern life. Online dating has been overturned by Tinder, Duolingo helps people learn new languages, and mobile trading apps have opened the stock market to new players around the world.

While Zwift may rule the roost when it comes to gamifying indoor cycling, especially with its Zwift PowerUps offering, Peloton has announced a radical new gamified experience to cater to its users. Specifically, they announced Lanebreak.

Essentially, this new Lanebreak experience turns the system from an instructor-led, home-based online spin class to a sweat-inducing, arcade-style workout. Think vintage Ridge Racer, but with Tron-like graphics and so many calories that you'll probably need a few mushrooms to restore your power afterward.

Users select their favorite workout, typically between 2 and 20 minutes, based on difficulty level, music genre, or specified workout type. They then use the Peloton exercise bike's resistance knob to change between the five lanes in the game, challenging them based on maintaining a set cadence, being in the correct lane, or maximizing their power output in a short period of time.

Like any decent game system, there are high scores available to encourage pushing past the lactate threshold, but it appears to lack the classic four-letter name entry system when you hit the leaderboard.

This may be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow road for Peloton, which has seen a notable drop in its stock price over the past few months.

While this is not necessarily a reason to buy a Peloton bike, it certainly opens up the platform for existing users and makes it a more comprehensive package overall. The ability to jump on the short game will be a boon for busy customers, and there is certainly room for further development if this concept takes off.

'Interested in indoor cycling' We have a comprehensive guide that will guide you through everything you need to know.