Raleigh native with one arm inspires, leads millions of all abilities as Peloton instructor

He’s been a local inspiration for nearly two decades, ever since he lost his arm in an accident.

And since becoming a Peloton instructor last year, Logan Aldridge is now a global fitness celebrity.

Aldridge met his fans in North Hills in August during a brief visit to his hometown. He's now using his passion and his Peloton platform to motivate millions of people.

Aldridge will usually describe what he’s wearing for people taking the class who are blind or have low vision. It might seem like an unusual start to a fitness class.

“…muscle cut tank top. We got some red Peloton shorts on and some white shoes,” he said.

“To know that you’re considered and there’s representation for understanding you and where you are is incredibly impactful and profound,” Aldridge said.

He would know. The Raleigh native lost his left arm after a boating accident when he was 13, in June 2004.

WRAL News has been following his inspiring story since the accident, when Aldridge was at Ravenscroft School.

He had a celebrated return to competitive sports. Aldridge was crowned the Strongest One Armed Man on Earth in 2019. He was previously heavily involved in CrossFit.

So what has changed since 2019?

"Oh boy, so much, so much, in really unique ways that I never would have expected. First of all, I’m a Peloton instructor. That’s incredible. That’s insane.”

Since becoming a Peloton instructor last year, Aldridge is in rare air, reaching 7 million people around the world. His classes emphasize adaptive fitness and exercise that incorporates the needs of people with varying abilities.

Aldridge credits his mom Lisa Brown for molding his indomitable spirit, when she told him moments after the 2004 accident, "it’s just an arm."

"You create that confidence that it’s going to be alright,” Brown said.

"When you sit in the room with him and we’re talking, you’re amazed that your child has such knowledge,” Brown said.

“The split second after she said it, it transformed the way by brain was processing this unfortunate accident,” Aldridge said.

“It’s just an arm” is a mantra he still uses. It's a metaphor, to help people of all abilities on their fitness journey.

“I recognized that there was an opportunity and frankly one that I feel like is my life’s purpose, which is to showcase and not let one feel limited or defined by their varying ability,” Aldridge said.