Peloton's confusing holiday ad has turned into a viral internet meme — and it's dragging the company through the mud at a critical moment

• Peloton recently released a holiday ad that garnered a lot of criticism online. 
• The backlash to the ad comes amid a crucial shorter-than-usual holiday shopping season.
• The ad has inspired numerous spin-offs and memes poking fun at the commercial.
• In a statement to CNBC, a spokesperson said the company "was disappointed in how some have misinterpreted this commercial."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Peloton's flop of a holiday commercial is turning into a viral meme. 

The ad, which was released on YouTube on November 21 and is being shown on TV, caused a largely negative response online. People criticized the ad for many reasons, including its awkward structure and ambiguous and possibly sexist message.

In a statement to CNBC, a spokesperson said the company "was disappointed in how some have misinterpreted this commercial." Peloton did not return Business Insider's request for comment about the ad.

Raymond James analyst Justin Patterson predicted that the ad would be pulled in a Tuesday note and said his company was interested to see "how Peloton adjusts its marketing strategy given a history of Internet memes."

This social media uproar comes amid a crucial — and shorter — holiday shopping season for retailers. However, Patterson said he does not believe the ad will affect holiday sales.

Different images of the main character in the ad are being meme-ified in various contexts.

SEE ALSO: People are confused by Peloton's new holiday ad, which shows a woman taking selfies while riding the bike over the course of a year

Some are using the ad to make fun of the company itself.

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1201614542687678466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
My face when someone tells me they invested in Peloton $PTONpic.twitter.com/VkfVnyK12oTweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1201692361035829248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
When my husband surprises me with a Peloton bike for Christmas and there is no escape. pic.twitter.com/Uf7KJJCgLm

But some memes don't even seem related to the tech-enabled fitness-equipment startup.

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1201707727900282880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Me when the ex calls and wants to meet up. #peloton$PTON#PelotonChristmaspic.twitter.com/xJNYiw2j3yTweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1201701927106613248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What he sees vs what you see. #Pelotonpic.twitter.com/IQx6GB7MXETweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1201623261618081792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
When you get the CATS screening invite #pelotonpic.twitter.com/4zj2lQHmSv

Even the sporting world has gotten in on the viral trend.

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1202246026146582529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
📝 New York Sports 📝

Giants ➡️ 8 game losing streak
Knicks ➡️ 7 game losing streak
Devils ➡️ 3 game losing streak
Rangers ➡️ 1 game losing streak
Islanders ➡️ 1 game losing streak
Jets ➡️ 1 game losing streak
Nets ➡️ 1 game losing streak pic.twitter.com/pDo2hu5fEj

And a few people made their own spin-offs of the commercial. (Warning: videos contain graphic language)

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1201678484894027776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Here's my contribution to the #peloton#pelotoncommercialpic.twitter.com/VOj3rzl8Ln