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Peloton Heart Rate Monitor Band: Honest Review

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Editorial Team
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If you’ve got a Peloton bike or treadmill and you’re looking to make the most of your workouts, consider connecting a compatible heart rate monitor (HRM). You’re in luck—the company’s machines are compatible with any third-party ANT+ or Bluetooth monitor. And guess what? There’s even an armband option available directly from Peloton now.

The Peloton Heart Rate Band costs $90. This smart band utilizes optical technology to measure your pulse accurately. It connects to any Peloton machine via Bluetooth and displays your heart rate right on the screen. What’s more, there are five LED lights on the front, designed in different colors. They provide an instant overview of your heart rate zone, making it super convenient. And here’s the cool part—it’s not just for Peloton equipment. You can also use it with other gym machines and apps, expanding its usefulness.

peloton heart rate monitor band

During testing, the Heart Rate Band proved its accuracy and comfort. Surprisingly, it even outperformed the company’s own $49 chest strap HRM, which they’re actually planning to discontinue soon. This definitely positions the Heart Rate Band as a top choice for dedicated Peloton enthusiasts. Plus, if you’re someone who simply wants an effortless way to keep track of your heart rate zone while sweating it out, this band has you covered.

Comfortable to Wear

The Peloton Heart Rate Monitor band is designed for everyone, coming in small and large sizes. It’s made from a stretchy knit fabric, with a secure material inside that keeps it from slipping. Thanks to its Velcro fastener, adjusting and removing it is a breeze. It’s a bit chunkier at 1.5 inches compared to my usual 1-inch Polar OH1, but still comfortable.

Using Bluetooth, the band connects seamlessly with all Peloton gear – the original Bike, the Bike+, the new Tread, the off-market Tread+, and the upcoming Guide smart strength training system. Plus, it plays nice with third-party apps and Bluetooth-supporting fitness machines.

But remember, unlike Peloton’s chest strap, the Heart Rate Band doesn’t do ANT+. So, if you’re thinking about using it with other gadgets, double-check their Bluetooth compatibility. For the exclusive Peloton experience, you’re good to go. If you’re eyeing other options, consider the $80 Wahoo Tickr Fit or the $89.95 Polar Verity Sense, both of which support both Bluetooth and ANT+.

See your workout in a new light with the band’s five LEDs up front. They keep you posted on your heart rate zone in real-time, a neat trick missing in the Wahoo Tickr Fit and Polar Verity Sense. These lights also tie into the Strive Score, Peloton’s unique way of tracking your effort across different heart rate zones.

peloton heart rate monitor band

With up to 10 hours of battery life, the band is ready to tackle multiple workouts. I’ve put it through three 30-minute sessions and it’s still rocking over 70%. However, compared to its rivals, like the Wahoo Tickr Fit’s 35 hours and the Polar Verity Sense’s 30 hours, it falls a tad short in the endurance race.

How the Peloton Heart Rate Band Works

To start using the Peloton Heart Rate Band, plug in the charger and place the pod on top. Look at the LED lights on the display to see how much battery it has. When you see all five blue LEDs shining on the band, that means it’s fully charged. If the band is sleeping, press the LEDs firmly to see the battery level and put it in pairing mode. Once it’s charged, snap the pod into the armband.

When you’re all set to exercise, put the band around your forearm, about three to four finger widths away from your elbow bend. Make sure it’s snug enough to stay in place, but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable or stops your blood flow. After that, log into your Peloton machine, and the Heart Rate Band should connect by itself.

During my testing, I had no trouble connecting the band to the Peloton app on my iPhone. After the first connection in the Bluetooth Settings, the band paired automatically with the app every time I opened it and started a class. I also had no issues pairing the band with other machines like the MYX II smart stationary bike, the NordicTrack Vault workout mirror, the Ergatta rowing machine, and the Tempo mobile app. Once connected, all the LEDs on the Heart Rate Band light up to show your heart rate zone.

peloton heart rate monitor band

Peloton uses your heart rate zones to calculate your Strive Score. Blue means you’re in zone 1 (up to 65% of your max heart rate), green is zone 2 (65% to 75% of your max heart rate), yellow shows zone 3 (75% to 85% of your max heart rate), orange represents zone 4 (85% to 95% of your max heart rate), and red indicates zone 5 (at least 95% of your max heart rate). There’s also a white LED in the middle to show it’s in idle mode, connected to a device but not picking up a heart rate signal.

Because you wear the Heart Rate Band on your forearm, it’s easy to glance at the LEDs to know your heart rate zone. These LEDs are small, but I could see them both indoors and outside, even in sunlight.

If you’re not using the band for a minute and it’s not connected or reading your heart rate, it will go to sleep by itself. To put it to sleep manually, just press the display firmly for about four seconds.

Optical Accuracy of the Peloton Heart Rate Monitor Band

Much like the Fitbit, Apple Watch, and other fitness trackers worn on the wrist, the Peloton Heart Rate Band employs a clever optical technique to read your heart rate. Think of it as a way to understand your heart without diving into the technical jargon. This method involves shining light onto your skin, gauging the flow of blood to calculate your heart rate.

On the flip side, chest straps operate differently. They pick up on the tiny electrical signals your body emits when your heart contracts. These straps, although less cozy to wear, are a tad more accurate since they’re snugly positioned near your heart, giving a direct reading of its actions.

During my testing, I tried out the Peloton Heart Rate Band, an Apple Watch Series 7, and the Myzone Mz-Switch chest strap. I strapped all three on for a 30-minute outdoor Rock Run class with Peloton coach Andy Speer. According to the Heart Rate Band, my heart peaked at 191bpm and averaged at 171bpm. Meanwhile, the Mz-Switch recorded 187bpm max and 169bpm average, and the Apple Watch indicated 191bpm max and 168bpm average. The numbers were quite close across the board.

weight loss

For a 25-minute full-body strength session using the Tempo Move, the Peloton Heart Rate Band maintained an average and max heart rate of 143bpm and 182bpm, respectively. In comparison, the Mz-Switch reported 149bpm average and 180bpm max, and the Apple Watch displayed averages of 153bpm with a max of 182bpm. These results were similar enough to assure me of the Peloton band’s precision.

Pros

  • Seamless connectivity with Peloton equipment and app.
  • Compatibility with third-party gear and software. A nifty feature is the LED display that shows your heart rate zone.

Cons

  • Absence of ANT+ support.
  • Some might find the strap a tad bulky.

A Heart Rate Monitor for Peloton and Beyond 

If you happen to own a Peloton Bike or Tread, along with their cycling shoes, weights, and clothing, I’d recommend considering the Heart Rate Band as an addition to your Peloton collection. For $90, this monitor easily connects to Peloton’s machines and app. It accurately keeps tabs on your pulse, holds a charge for multiple workouts, and features LEDs that display your current heart rate zone in real time.

What’s even more convenient is that the Heart Rate Band is compatible with other third-party fitness machines and apps that use Bluetooth. So, if you decide to step outside the Peloton realm, you’re still covered.

However, if you’re not a part of the Peloton enthusiast circle, an alternative option to think about is the Wahoo Tickr Fit priced at $79.99. This optical tracker supports both Bluetooth and ANT+ and boasts a lengthier battery life compared to the Heart Rate Band. But keep in mind, unlike the Heart Rate Band, the Tickr Fit doesn’t come with LEDs to indicate your heart rate zone.

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