Even when John Foley cut the price of Peloton bikes by 20% in 2021, Peloton remains a prohibitively expensive option for indoor riding. At a lower cost and with additional features, several excellent alternatives may serve as a Peloton bike
at a fraction of the cost. Despite the abundance of nearby fitness centers and spin studios, working out at home on your own time and in your own space has several advantages.
It costs $1,495 to $2,495 for a Peloton Bike, Bike Plus, or Peloton All-Access membership. There is also a $39 monthly membership fee for Peloton’s extensive library of classes. Is this really necessary?
Fortunately, there isn’t one. Instead, you can get great on-demand workouts on an indoor cycling bike for a lot less money. I’ve compiled a list of Peloton alternatives below, including one that’s “free” to try out. In the meantime, I’ll keep this site up to date with my experiences with the rest of them. Then, of course, you could make your own Peloton bike or buy a cheap spin bike with an integrated smart trainer in the short term.
6 Best Peloton Bike Alternatives
Let’s look at some of the most incredible indoor exercise bikes on the market today and discover which one is perfect for you. Unfortunately, when it comes to finding a Peloton replacement, you may just have to click. There are several options for a great original bike experience, but I’ve done the legwork to highlight some of my favorites so you can choose the best exercise bike for your requirements.
Prices are subject to change at any moment, so be sure to double-check before making a purchase. Also, keep in mind that many of these retailers also have financing options. If you’ve already tried one of these models, let us know what you think in the comments section.
Read also: Best Peloton Tread Alternatives
#1 NordicTrack S22i Indoor Bike
When you ride up a simulated hill, it feels more like a real hill because of the mechanical shaft used by NordicTrack’s bike. In addition, teachers and ride leaders can change the height and resistance of your bike from afar, so you don’t have to keep fiddling with settings.
Another reason why the S15i stands out from the crowd is because of its features. However, although the flywheel itself is almost completely quiet, the rest of the machine becomes noisy if you change your training routine. On the other hand, the built-in fan is so loud that it’s almost unbearable even at its lowest setting.
A 22-inch touchscreen allows access to thousands of classes, virtual rides, and off-bike routines. Also, it includes high-intensity interval training and kickboxing, all of which can be accessed through the iFit software built into the exercise bike.
Unfortunately, the UI is a bit of a pain. There’s no way to organize or search the information, which isn’t even classified in any meaningful manner, and scrolling is laggy and jerky. So, for example, if you were looking for a yoga session, you’d have to scroll down the list many times before finding the yoga area. Fortunately, iFit now provides thousands of classes in addition to live ones.
And the first year is upon us. There is a one-time fee of $39 per month or $33 per year if you want to prepay. If you’d prefer to watch Hulu instead, you can’t lay your iPad on the bike since it’s too small.
Except for the bulky-looking arm-mounted screen as one of its original components, the bike is pleasant to ride, simple to modify, and somewhat appealing. You can swivel the screen for off-bike sessions, which is a benefit.
I had a great time exploring virtual worlds and trails without any difficulty levels with the hardware or software while having instructors adjust the bike’s resistance and angle. The S15i is your best pick if you’re looking for a workout like that.
#2 Home Fitness Studio – Myx II
For the time being, Myx Exercise has the closest thing to an exact Peloton bike clone on the market with its 21. 5″ cycle and its own in-house fitness programs. The Myx II stationary bike, on the other hand, costs merely $1,399 and has a subscription fee that starts at $29. So, although it’s not the cheapest choice on the list, it provides a considerable value.
In my opinion, the $1,599 Myx II Plus isn’t worth the extra $1,599 for additional Peloton Bike Accessories like bike mats and weights. You can get the same fitness equipment piecemeal rather than all at once for the same price or less.
This bike is built to last with reversible pedals, height and depth adjustments for the handlebars, and a monitor that can tilt and swivel. Compared to Peloton, this final feature offers a significant benefit since it lets you position the screen at a perfect spot for off-bike lessons. Similarly, NordicTrack’s S15i performs the same but costs more and has a smaller display.
The built-in Polar wristband heart rate monitors or Apple Watch synchronization can measure your heart rate, but the bike does not gather or show riding target metrics like speed, distance, and resistance. For this reason, teachers won’t yell at their students, “Speed up to 22!” or something along those lines, during on-demand cycling classes; instead, they’ll direct them to gradually raise the resistance. You’ll have to make a judgment call on the relevance of those stats.
You’ll also have to determine whether or not you wish to take live courses; there are no live exercises available via BeachBody’s BODi service, and Myx only provides on-demand sessions as part of its basic Openfit membership for a fee. Prerecorded Myx exercises worked well for indoor bike owners like me. They made me feel like I was working out with a personal trainer rather than a random individual in a huge group. Cycling was more enjoyable for me when I didn’t have to keep track of my pace and resistance.
Its touchscreen user interface is also excellent: sleek, quick, and straightforward. Hundreds of courses are available, and more are being introduced every week.
It is suitable for biking and weight limit training, yoga, meditation, etc. In addition to Myx Media content like news and coach blogs, virtual trail rides are also accessible.
Peloton and a few other bikes seem like they’re all about competition: data, leaderboards, original components, etc. For those who aren’t interested in racing yet want a fantastic riding experience and a big screen, the Myx bike is a perfect deal.
Read also: Best Peloton Heart Rate Monitors
#3 EX3 – Echelon Bikes
The Echelon is an excellent alternative to the more expensive Peloton indoor cycle. The same provider offers live and on-demand classes, but the gear is less costly. A one-year membership to the EX3 costs $1,200, or you can buy it for $800.
With its enormous 22-inch screen, Echelon’s newest EX5s ($1,600) comes close to replicating the genuine Peloton bike gear. However, for the EX3 and other models in the series, you’ll need to provide your own screen in the form of an iPad or other tablet computer. Despite the smaller display, it allows for activities like reading books or watching Netflix, which are not accessible on the Peloton.
However, if you want real-time numbers, you can’t use Echelon bikes with third-party cycling applications. The Echelon app is the only way to connect the bikes at this time. Even though it offers similar features as Peloton, the monthly costs are pretty similar.
#4 Bowflex C6 Indoor Bike (Non-subscription)
Other bikes in this area all have one thing in common: they all need a membership to take full advantage of the fitness equipment. However, the Bowflex C7 is compatible with various fitness apps to measure your fitness level, including Peloton’s, through Bluetooth. With the lowest price of any “connected” bike, you’ve got a strong competitor. Add to that the lowest price.
In addition to a few illustrations, the supplied assembly manual gives nothing in the way of practical instruction. It took me around 45 minutes to put the bike together using these instructions, with just a few moments of confusion. It’s a shame that Bowflex doesn’t provide a paper copy of the more extensive online handbook. The control panel isn’t referenced at all in the print edition of the manual. Even still, there isn’t nearly enough information on connecting to Bluetooth.
The C7 spin bike seems to be a bit less solid than other cycles, but it is surprisingly stable and quiet while you’re riding it. With toe cages, the pedals are compatible with clip-in bicycle footwear. My handlebar post wobbled somewhat even after I had adequately tightened it, but it didn’t bother me while I was on the road.
What bothered me was the tablet mount’s inability to modify the screen’s angle. You can see six important target metrics on this mount, just below the bike’s control panel, which comes to life as soon as you start pedaling. A rechargeable forearm monitor provides pulse measurements. Two 3-pound weights and two capacious water bottle containers are also supplied.
As previously stated, the C7 is compatible with an extensive range of third-party applications. Many, like Peloton and Bowflex’s Explore the World, have been tested for this purpose.
Pedal your way around the globe in this virtual reality experience, which syncs movie playback to your pedaling pace. However, it’s great that you can try this and other apps to find the one that works best for your personal preferences when you’re training indoors.
Because of its versatility and low price, the C7 is a good choice for bikers on a tight budget.
#5 VeloCore Indoor Bike from Bowflex (Best Overall)
This indoor cycling bike is hardly a “cheap Peloton bike alternative,” costing $1,700 with the 22-inch screen and $2,200 with the 24-inch screen. However, the name of the VeloCore tells you all you need to know: it protects your core.
The VeloCore, unlike the NordicTrack S15i, allows you to lean to one side or the other. Thus, it mimics the motion of riding up and down slopes. Even while pedaling hard, the complete bike chassis may be unlocked to swing left and right, making it seem like a genuine bike. On specific courses, or if you want to ratchet up the intensity of your ride, you may feel the lean in your arms and abs.
This isn’t just a gimmick; I put the VeloCore through its paces and discovered that it has significant value thanks to its learning capabilities. The NordicTrack’s mechanically-adjusted inclines don’t seem as natural as riding in this manner.
The bike frame has a robust high-end feel with magnetic resistance pedals, regular and clip-in cycling shoe compatibility, and an almost quiet operation. However, there are five control buttons located behind the screen, but they aren’t labeled in front, so you’ll have to memorize which one does what and reach them by feeling alone. Design flaws galore.
For the most part, I was pleased with Bowflex’s JRNY software and customer service. Beautiful and simple to use, the UI offers a combination of instructor-led and virtual coach sessions, picturesque virtual rides, streaming radio stations, etc. However, these are just recorded studio classes, not live ones. Another feature I’d like to see other cycling platforms include is the option to connect to streaming services like Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus. Data from other cycling applications, like Peloton and Zwift, may also be synced with JRNY.
It costs $20 per month or $149 per year to use the service. Even if you don’t have it, the bike will still work, but you won’t have access to most of the previously listed functions. It costs $39 a month to subscribe to Peloton.
For those who don’t care about live courses or leaderboards, the VeloCore is an excellent Peloton bike alternative. Thanks to the lower membership cost, you’ll also save money in the long term.
#6 ProForm Studio Bike Pro (Best Price)
However, ProForm’s bargain is genuine, and it’s a fantastic one: IFit membership is $39 a month, and you get a free bike. So even though you’ll have to retain the membership for three years, your total out-of-pocket expense will be roughly $1,400. Many motorcycles would cost you that much upfront, and then you’d also have to pay a monthly charge.
The Studio Bike frame looks like the NordicTrack S15i, which I haven’t yet ridden. Nothing is surprising about that. In addition to NordicTrack and ProForm, Icon Health & Fitness, the parent company, owns iFit.
If you want to take lessons off the bike, it has a 10-inch touchscreen that can rotate 180 degrees in either direction, an adjustable seat and handlebars, and a quiet flywheel. It also has digital resistance levels and a 3-pound hand weight capacity.
Here, iFit is the same as above regarding the entire library of courses. In addition to riding, the facility offers high-intensity interval training, strength training, yoga, and other activities. Virtual rides and “Live” resistance knob (for adjustable resistance levels) are two of my favorite features.
The Carbon E7 elliptical from ProForm is also available for $0 down and $39 per month for 36 months.
Read also: Best cycling shoes for peloton
FAQs Regarding Peleton Alternatives
What features should I look for when purchasing a stationary bike for my home?
Before making a purchase, think about the price, bike size, bike weights, screen size, fitness goals, and whether or not you’ll need to spend on monthly membership fees on particular indoor bike workouts machine. Those who want a bike that mimics an outdoor scenic ride will want to look no further than the NordicTrack S15. It has a genuine road bike feel and can imitate the ascent and drop of hills. The ProForm Studio Bike Pro, on the other hand, is an excellent option if you’re looking to get the most for your money.
When compared to the Peloton, which bike comes closest?
The $1,399 Myx II stationary bike comes the closest to a Peloton bike with its 21. 5-inch screen and wide range of bike workout sessions. You can save even more money by using the $800 Echelon EX3, which offers lessons similar to those at Peloton but with a more luxurious style — but you’ll need to provide your own monitor for this option.
Is a built-in or BYO screen indoor bike better?
The big, high-definition touchscreen is the most attractive feature of the Peloton workout cycle. Naturally, this is also a significant factor in the bike’s high price; many of its rivals’ indoor spin bikes come with smaller or nonexistent screens. For example, the Bowflex C6 does not have any kind of display. Instead, it comes with a tablet stand. With a tablet, you can do more than just view indoor cycling videos of on-demand classes, such as reading novels, watching Netflix, Apple TV, or going on virtual trips. Both built-in displays and BYO screens have their advantages and disadvantages.
Is it necessary to sign up for a subscription?
Some of these bikes may leave you scratching your head if your objective is to avoid the high cost of gym or class-type subscriptions. While Peloton costs $39 a month, Myx Fitness is just $29, while Echelon’s programs vary from $20 to $40, as previously mentioned. For the first year of service, you receive a free NordicTrack cycle, and it costs $39 a month after that. You can, of course, ride any of these bikes without taking a lesson from its digital on-demand library.
It’s possible to ride an indoor bike without paying for a membership or a fitness app, but if you don’t, certain bikes won’t gather or show statistics about your rides, such as speed and distance. On the other hand, the $40 monthly membership fee is less than you’d spend on just two or three drop-in cardio training sessions at your favorite indoor cycling studio.
When planning your budget, always keep that additional cost in mind and shop around for yearly prepaid memberships to get the best deals.
