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If there is one thing that I know about myself, it's that I hate going to the gym to workout. I hate getting dressed, lacing up my shoes, driving the embarrassingly short distance, and touching the same filthy equipment that everyone else is. Near the end of 2020, I decided I was canceling my membership. I'd been paying for it for years and would go through periods where I'd workout consistently for a few months, then quit. When I canceled, I knew I wanted to get some kind of in-home equipment to try to stay active. I initially thought about getting a treadmill. I think I was actually researching them when I came across people raving about their Peloton bikes. I liked the idea of a bike vs a treadmill because while I love a runner's high, I don't actually love running. Cycling is also more low impact on the knees, which can't be said for running.
After hours of additional research focusing on Peloton bikes, I pulled the trigger and waited the longest three months of my life. In hindsight, it was kind of a dumb decision. I had never taken a serious spin class before, and didn't really know what to expect. What calmed my nerves about the whole ordeal is that they offered a 30 day home trial.
Which bike?
I was super torn about whether to order the original Bike or the Bike+. There is quite a price difference between the two, and I wasn't sure that the additions features that come with the Bike+ would be worth it. I did end up choosing the Bike+ for two reasons: 1) the screen rotates. I wasn't sure what the exact placement of the bike would be in the room it's in, so I wanted this flexibility. 2) Apple GymKit integration. The Apple integration was actually the main selling point that pushed me over the edge. I'm a statistic whore. I love to see streaks, PRs, badges, you name it. The fact that my Apple watch seamlessly tracks my workouts for me has been one hundred percent worth it. If none of that matters to you, the original Bike would likely be just fine. In fact, if the bike doesn't even matter to you, you have the option to use your own non-Peloton bike and use the Peloton app to access their classes. I've never done this, so I'm not sure what the experience is like, but there are a ton of reviews out there from folks out there who have.
Is it just an exercise bike?
The cycling aspect is for sure the main draw for me and what gets me the most excited, but Peloton offers a pretty decent variety of different workout classes. They have yoga, strength training, barre, meditation, cardio, running, stretching, walking- the list goes on. I have really been enjoying pairing the strength and yoga classes with cycling. I've found that upping my core strength really does make cycling much easier. I'd been out of practicing yoga for a while and Peloton classes got me back into it, which I have been loving.
What has been the biggest draw for me regarding the entire experience would be the music and the instructors. There is a really decent range of music available, whether you're into hip hop, country, classic rock, or even oldies. Some of the instructors censor their music and some don't; this definitely has an impact on who I take classes with, since censored music kind of takes me out of it. My favorite cycling instructors for that reason are Alex, Kendall, and Cody. I also love Emma, both Hannahs, Jessica, and Leanne, but the first three are usually my top picks since they are bringing out the best, uncensored jams. I am the kind of person who will put in heavy work when someone else is telling me what to do. I've done a self guided scenic ride without an instructor, and found it's not really my thing. I need someone telling me what numbers to hit, and pushing me to go all out. There is such a great range of different personalities that I really think most people would have no problem finding at least one instructor that they love.
Why is it so damn expensive?
I wish I knew, but like I said, there are other options if the Peloton branded bike isn't feasible for you. Hell, there are other companies out there doing the same thing where you buy the bike and access their workout videos as well. Reddit has a ton of information from folks discussing similar equipment and classes. Peloton definitely isn't the only one in the cycling game. I ended up choosing them since I had seen so many positive reviews and really needed something to get me excited about working out again. I'm happy with my choice in the long run, because I really have found something that I truly enjoy. I love the instructors, I love scrolling through the classes available and seeing what music is speaking to me that day. It's just made working out fun for me in a way that never has been.
It probably is overpriced, but I don't regret my purchase. The quality of the bike is really nice. It is super solid and hefty. The screen is nice and clear, and the music gets loud as fuck, which I NEED. I want to be immersed in what I am doing. I did have a few issues with the first bike I received. After the third service visit, they replaced it with a new bike, which is what I would expect the level of service to be. So far, knock on wood, the new bike is working great. The service techs who have come out have all been lovely. Calling in or chatting with customer service can be hit or miss, but in the end I got what I needed taken care of.
One of the reasons I really wasn't worried about making such a big purchase was the fact that there is a 30 day trial to decide if you want to keep the bike or not. It ended up being no question for me once I received it, but I was glad to have it available just in case.
So, is it worth it?
If it's financially feasible and you know you like cycling (and the other classes they have available), I would say 100%. If it's out of your price range, look into some of the other options out there, and look into using a different bike with the Peloton app. I love the bike, but the classes are the biggest selling point, in my opinion. If you don't know if cycling is for you but still want it, think about whether or not you'd take advantage of the home trial. Speaking only for my experience, this has truly changed my life. It just ticks all of the boxes for me. I have worked out every single week for over a YEAR now. That is unheard of for me. Before, I would drag myself to the gym for a few weeks or a few months, then quit again. I haven't had a major physical transformation so it may not be apparent to others, but that's not what is really important. I feel stronger and my body definitely looks different from when I started. My endurance is way better than when I started, and my clothes have started to fit different. I needed something I could do at home, that I actually enjoyed, and this is exactly that. I throw on a sports bra and leggings, and walk across the hallway to hop on. I have no excuse not to do it. And really, the fact that it was an investment is motivation to me as well. I can't fork out that much cash and use it as a coat hanger.
My favorite accessories
When I first ordered the bike, I thought I'd take the cheap route and get the toe cages to clip into the pedals rather than cycling shoes for my husband and I. I quickly realized that the cages were not great and didn't allow me to cycle at my full potential. We ended up buying shoes directly from Peloton, but there are other brands of shoes that are compatible with the cleats they use.
I just bought this fan a few weeks ago and it is incredible! The airflow is super strong and it keeps me nice and cool during rides. It is pretty loud, but since it's so effective that I can look past it.
Towels are a must for that point about 15 minutes in where my hands start getting really sweaty. I ordered some cheap ones off of Amazon originally but I hated the texture. I finally picked up these larger Peloton branded ones that fit across the handle bars nicely and like them a lot more. Obviously there are a million towel options out there, but these do the job really well for me.
A water bottle is obvious, but the size of the water bottle holder will likely dictate what kind you use. I love a good Hydroflask, and this one with the sport cap holds the perfect amount to get me through my rides. Any water bottle with a cap you can open without your hands is really ideal.
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