Is Investing in a Peloton Bike Justified? A Comprehensive Review
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The Value of a Peloton Membership
Peloton stands out as a comprehensive fitness platform, but the real question is: how frequently will you utilize it for the $44 monthly fee, in addition to the equipment expenses?
Peloton Bike+ alongside weights, blocks, and a mat.
With its 15th anniversary approaching in 2027, I became a Peloton member in June 2020, acquiring my first bike. Since then, I have upgraded to the newer “Bike+” model, which offers enhanced features. I have completed 1,399 classes, including 552 cycling sessions, 502 meditation practices, 158 stretching exercises, and 67 strength workouts. While I truly enjoy my Peloton experience and engage frequently, the investment raises the question: is the $2,500 bike, coupled with $528 in annual fees for access to the extensive class library, worth it when considering my usage?
The Peloton Experience
The platform boasts an exceptional library of classes and provides unlimited access. Each month, users can choose from hundreds of live and on-demand workouts, with cycling being a major draw for me.
It's important to note that the primary attraction of Peloton is the ability to exercise in the comfort of your home at your convenience. Personally, having the bike in my living room motivates me to work out, whether it's first thing in the morning, during a break in the afternoon, or while watching TV in the evenings.
However, if you thrive in larger environments with more equipment and prefer being in a group setting at a cycling studio, then Peloton may not be the best fit for you.
Membership Costs
Paying $44 a month is reasonable for the breadth of classes Peloton offers. However, this price point is higher than many conventional streaming services—consider Netflix at around $10–20/month, YouTube Premium at $12/month, and HBO Max at $15/month. Yet, at $1.46 per day, it’s a small price to pay for daily guided workouts and premium features available through the Peloton app, Bike, or Guide camera.
If you prefer to access Peloton content solely through the Guide, it costs $24 a month. Alternatively, app-only access is available for $15 a month. The Peloton Guide is a webcam device that tracks your movements during strength workouts and other compatible classes. It generally performs well, although it may struggle to capture all movements in poorly lit spaces.
A feature I'd love to see is a “dual mode” for partner workouts on the Guide, which would allow tracking for both users during strength classes. Since an All-Access Peloton membership can be shared among up to 20 people at no extra cost, enhanced functionality for working out with a friend would be a valuable addition in future updates.
Equipment Costs
The most economical way to experience Peloton is through the app alone for $15 a month. However, the true appeal lies in accessing the Bike, Tread, or Guide hardware. App-only access effectively serves as a “fitness streaming service.”
You have the option to finance Peloton equipment purchases at 0% APR through Affirm, or you can buy upfront. At present, the Peloton Bike+ is priced at $2,495, while the original Bike costs $1,445. The Peloton Tread starts at $3,495, and the latest addition is the Row, starting at $3,195.
The Peloton Guide offers a cost-effective entry point to the ecosystem and enhances the experience of strength classes at home, featuring all the movement tracking capabilities. Priced at only $195, it makes sense for those eager to dive into the Peloton world.
Conclusion
In my experience, Peloton classes provide some of the most effective at-home workouts available. The diverse roster of instructors is outstanding, each bringing their unique, motivating personality to the sessions.
As someone who also uses Apple Fitness+, the EQX+ app, and has a membership at Equinox, I find Peloton to be the most motivating platform for guided workouts from home. I participate in classes nearly every day and thoroughly enjoy it, so I plan to continue my Peloton journey month after month.
If you're considering a Peloton purchase and would like a referral code, you can use my referral link for $100 off any Peloton equipment or enjoy a free 60-day app access with my guest pass.
To connect with me on Peloton for added motivation, feel free to follow my profile: @jack_armstrong.
Looking forward to seeing you on the bike!
Chapter 2: Evaluating Value
In this video, "Is getting a Peloton bike worth it in 2023?" we delve into the cost versus benefits of owning a Peloton bike.
This video, titled "Is The Peloton Bike Worth the Money?" explores whether the investment is justified based on user experiences and overall satisfaction.