-
Follow Us
On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Peloton Bike review: Everything to know before buying
This content should not be considered medical advice. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any health conditions. Consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine or taking any new supplements.
Whether you’re exercising for weight loss, to build strength, to increase your cardiovascular health or to improve your mental and emotional well-being, regularly riding a Peloton could help. Purchasing at-home gym equipment is often a large investment, and a Peloton is up there at the top. Although it’s not the most expensive at-home spin bike on the market, the lowest-cost bike runs around $1,445 with the addition of a monthly subscription fee.
Our Peloton bike review dives into everything you need to know about this bike, including the price, the app, who can benefit from this home spin bike, and possible reasons this bike might not be for you. Keep reading to decide whether the Peloton is the right purchase for your home gym.
What is the Peloton Bike?
The Peloton bike is an indoor spin bike that offers an immersive experience with a 22-inch HD touchscreen that brings you thousands of spin classes, scenic rides and other workouts when subscribed to the Peloton app, all without leaving your home.
The original Peloton bike offers 100 levels of resistance that you can manually adjust as desired or at the suggestion of the class instructors to make your workouts as challenging as you’d like. You can also adjust the handlebars, seat and screen to make your ride as comfortable as possible for your height. If you upgrade to the Peloton +, you’ll have auto resistance controlled by the instructors in-app and a larger 24-inch screen. To use the bike, you’ll need delta-compatible spin cleats, which clip into the pedals.
To monitor and track your metrics and workouts, you can pair the Peloton bike to your Apple watch and any ANT+ heart rate monitor or track right in the app. You can view in-class metrics like cadence, resistance, output, heart rate and distance and keep track of goals and workouts directly on the screen.
Using the Peloton app
While you can use the Peloton bike without the app, you’ll be severely limited on features, rides and the entire Peloton experience. The app, which costs $44 per month for all access, has thousands of workouts available, including more than just cycling. There are various spin classes and scenic bike routes, ranging from beginner to advanced and quick 10-minute rides to an hour or longer. You can also access running, yoga, strength, meditation, stretching, walking and other cardio classes.
You can access the app and all of its classes on the bike's screen as well as any iOS or Android device and pair it to your Apple watch. Within the app, you’ll also be able to create schedules, stack various classes and keep track of your workouts and metrics.
How much does a Peloton cost?
There are currently two different Peloton bike options to choose from, both of which come with a variety of packages.
For the original Peloton bike, the starting price is $1,445. The bike starter package, which comes with a pair of spin cleats, a set of light weights, a water bottle and a bike mat, is $1,650. The bike ultimate package includes everything in the starter package in addition to two extra sets of weights (with the option to select from 5 to 30 pounds) as well as a reversible workout mat, and costs $1,940.
If you choose to upgrade to the Peloton + bike, which has the autoresistance feature as well as a larger screen, the price is $2,495. The starter and ultimate packages include everything the original Peloton bike packages have and will cost you $2,700 (starter) and $2,990 (ultimate).
If you want to use any Peloton bike to its full potential, the Peloton app is required. Without a subscription, you’ll only have access to two pre-recorded rides and manual mode.
Pros of the Peloton Bike
Stationary bikes offer a low-impact workout that can help build cardiovascular health and strength from the comfort of your own home. Research has found that using a stationary bike alone for three months can increase aerobic capacity. Combining diet and biking results in improved lipids, weight loss, and lower blood pressure. If weather, schedules, traffic, or anything else keeps you from hitting the gym as often as you’d like, having a Peloton at home could increase the number of workouts you’re able to fit in, having a bigger benefit on your strength, fitness and goals.
What makes the Peloton stand out from other stationary bikes is the abundance of classes and resistance levels you can choose from while working out at home. With on-demand classes, you’re not reliant on class schedules and won’t let bad weather or traffic get in the way of your workout. Exercising more regularly and consistently is easier with a Peloton bike at home. The instructors will guide your resistance levels with the original bike or automatically change them for you with the Peloton +, keeping your workouts challenging and motivating. For even more motivation, connect with friends and other members for friendly challenges and to hold each other accountable.
Compared to other spin bikes, the Peloton is more easily adjustable for the most comfortable and effective ride for your individual height. You can easily adjust the handlebars, seat, and screen so that each person who rides can have a safe and effective workout.
What to consider
While a Peloton bike may not be the most budget-friendly option, with its higher price tag and $44 per month all-access subscription, it might make sense depending on how much you’re currently spending on a gym membership or spin classes or how many people in your home will be using it. Each person who rides the Peloton will also need to acquire special delta-compatible cleats, which adds to the price of using this bike.
Anyone taller than 6’4” or over 300 pounds would benefit from a different piece of exercise equipment, as these are the size limits for the Peloton bike. Also, anyone shorter than 4’11” may have a difficult time using the bike as it’s not made to adjust for a frame smaller than this.
FAQ
Is Peloton still worth it 2023?
Peloton is an interactive way to get an effective and challenging workout at home, with a wide variety of spin classes and scenic rides to choose from. If you bike often or take spin classes outside of the home, the Peloton is a great way to stay in shape and could even save you money, depending on the cost of your gym membership or classes.
Can you use a Peloton without a subscription?
Without the Peloton subscription, you will only have access to two pre-recorded classes and the Just Ride feature, which allows you to complete a manual ride. All of the studio courses and scenic rides require a subscription to the Peloton app.
Is a Peloton good for knees?
Using a Peloton or other stationary bike is a low-impact exercise that can help people improve their cardiovascular health and strength without putting excess stress on the knees. Research has found that using a stationary bike can help relieve pain and improve sports performance in people with knee osteoarthritis.
References
Bicycling. The Nutrition Source. (2023, October 26). Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/bicycling/
Chavarrias, M., Carlos-Vivas, J., Collado-Mateo, D., & Pérez-Gómez, J. (2019). Health Benefits of Indoor Cycling: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 55(8), 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55080452 Retreived from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6722762/
Luan, L., Bousie, J., Pranata, A., Adams, R., & Han, J. (2021). Stationary cycling exercise for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical rehabilitation, 35(4), 522–533. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215520971795 Retreived from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33167714/
