We’ve all seen the memes and videos mocking the “Peloton Cult” that has grown at an accelerated rate over the past year. There are entire instagram accounts, and huge YouTube channels dedicated to the concept. As an owner of the Peloton Bike, I have to admit that these jokes are not only hilarious, but also generally applicable.
At this point in my life, I am well over a decade into my journey through the gym. I’ve spent years dabbling in different pillars of what the fitness industry has to offer. When I tell you I’ve tried it all, I mean it. I’ve done the yoga classes, the bodybuilding splits, the powerlifting style training, the PowerCycle spin classes, and just about everything in between. For me, I found my therapy in hardcore weight training.
When Peloton first hit the scene, I was sold. It wasn’t until a few years later, however, that I actually pulled the trigger and purchased the Peloton Bike. As someone who has intense resistance training sessions 5–6 days a week, I loved the idea of balancing out my lifts with a ride on the bike. As I approach my one year mark behind the handlebars, I’ve finally had time to evaluate exactly what works, what doesn’t, and what could be better; all from the perspective of someone who’s spent more time in the gym than even the bro-est of “gym bros”.
Design & Function
The most obvious way to begin a Peloton Bike review is with the physical bike itself. It is easily the best looking spin bike on the market. The design is well thought out, and expertly executed. The biggest thing that surprised me was just how heavy it actually is. The entry level bike is a solid 135 pounds. Moving it is not as effortless as you’d hope, even with the help of wheels on the front.
Besides the bike itself, the packages include add-ons and equipment to enhance the whole experience. I opted for the mid-tier package and got the shoes and weights with it. My main regret of the entire purchase is that I should’ve sized up. The clip-in shoes are narrow. That being said, they are a necessity. I will admit, clipping in takes practice. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. I promise it gets easier. I found that leaving them clipped in and just sliding my feet into the shoes whenever I want to ride is the best option for me.
I have never once touched the weights; all whopping 6 pounds. In hindsight, they weren’t a necessary purchase, so I can’t recommend adding them to the cart. The seat is firm, and the saddle-soreness is real! It will pass, but I’d recommend investing in either some padded shorts, or a bike seat cover with added padding.
All-in-all, the Peloton Bike is well designed, as long as you plan on parking it in one spot and clipping in from there.
Disregard the Clutter: Find What You Like & Go For It!
The Peloton interface is simple, and extremely user friendly. However, it does take a bit of getting used to. The nearly 22 inch touchscreen is responsive and easy to use. You can go as deep, or surface level, as you want. The tabs show your home base for classes, riding options, and stats. Once you are in the ride, you can dismiss what you don’t want to see, or view it all.
Finding the perfect ride, is like finding a movie to watch on Netflix. There are too many options. The biggest piece of advice I would give to someone just starting out: find what you like and explore that. If you’re into calm, scenic rides, then have at them. If you’d prefer an intense HITT workout, go for the instructors. If you try to do everything, you’ll get burnt out.
All the Bang You Get for (a lot) of Bucks
Talking about costs and money is a tough one. It’s all relative to the individual, so I won’t say whether it’s overpriced or not. Instead, I’ll simply present the facts of my experience, and leave it for you to decide.
Without a doubt, Peloton’s real asset is the Instructors. I’ve tried several classes with different instructors and each brings a unique version of sweat to the ride. Of all the things on the list that impressed me the most, it was the people on the screen.
When you purchase the Peloton Bike, you’re signing up for so much more than just a piece of equipment. That also means, your wallet is too. The entry bike alone begins at just under $2,000. Comparing other spinning bikes, that’s on the higher end of things. The price, however, does not include the monthly fee for the classes. That will cost you an extra $40 a month.
To put all of this into perspective, I currently have two gym memberships: one totaling $30 a month, the other $50 a month. They both offer great equipment, but obviously no instructors to come along with it, and no convenience of an at-home workout. The company does offer financing options, which will add to the monthly cost if you choose to go that route. It’s not the most expensive membership, but by far the one with the least amount of amenities.
Here’s the Deal…
The Peloton Bike offers a chance to bring fitness into your home, with world-class instructors on demand. But the Bike itself isn’t going to do the work for you. For all the effort the company puts into bringing you back for more, the real challenge of continuously getting on the bike is up to you. This is by far Peloton’s biggest downfall. For me, I love the atmosphere of a gym. There’s something about the community of going to a place to reach your fitness goals amongst other individuals who are doing the same. In this digital age, Peloton has achieved a sense of that here, but it falls short of the real thing. There’s just no way to match the feeling of being with other people, and the energy that a weight room provides. So from my perspective, the “convenience” of an at-home workout just simply doesn’t live up to the hype.
As the Peloton site itself says:
“This experience is built for your best effort. So go ahead. Give it your all.”
For those wanting to purchase the Peloton Bike to transform their lives, it’s going to take a lot more than just a bike and some instructors on a screen. Clipping in is a positive step in itself, but if you’re not willing to hold yourself accountable, it’ll just be a sleek, heavy, $2,000 conversation piece displayed in your home.
