Have you coveted a Peloton only to have your dreams crushed when you saw the price? Peloton leads the way in comfort, features, and versatility in the exercise bike niche. But if you’re not ready to drop a couple thousand dollars (or far more) on a Peloton, there’s more than one bike to make you sweat.
The best alternatives to a Peloton bike have many of the same features — you can even use some models with the Peloton app. Others offer advanced classes and graphics that make you feel like you’re riding by a beach or through the mountains.
The bottom line: You don’t have to compromise a Peloton-esque workout with alternative bikes. These options let you track routines, stream new fitness classes, compete with friends, and get your sweat on from home without dropping a month’s rent on an exercise bike.
Making the cut
We’re all trying to save a little cash these days, so everything on our list had to cost less than the basic Peloton bike. Keep in mind that price alone does not a good fitness bike make. The bikes on our list also have features that make exercising fun.
Some factors we considered:
- Subscription service. Peloton offers a monthly subscription to its streaming fitness program, as do the makers of several other bikes on our list.
- Connectivity. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities allow you to diversify your workouts by connecting to apps.
- Display. There’s a lot of display variety in exercise bikes these days, from basic backlit LCD displays to integrated touch screens.
- Resistance type. The two most common resistance types, magnetic and friction/mechanical, make our list.
- Resistance levels. Some days you want a challenge and others you don’t. But the more resistance levels the bike has, the more you can vary your workouts.
- Seat adjustment. A bike seat can adjust vertically or horizontally. For the best and most comfortable workout, it should do both.
- Pedals. These vary from simple platform pedals with straps to SPD- or Look Delta-compatible pedals like those found on road bikes.
- Warranty. Exercise bikes are an investment. Some models have extended warranties, while others are covered for only 1 year.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $800
- $$ = $800–$1,300
- $$$ = over $1,300
A comparison of our top picks
| Peloton | Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike | Bowflex C6 Bike | The MYX Fitness Bike | NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle | Echelon EX3 Bike | Pro-Form 8.0 EX | YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Stationary Bike | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,895 | $899 | $999 | $1,199 | $1,599 | $1,039.98 | $799 | $399 |
| Subscription service available | yes + app | no | no | yes + app | 1-year iFit membership included | yes + app | no, but iFit-ready | no |
| Connectivity | WiFi and Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | WiFi and Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | no |
| Display | integrated touch screen | backlit LCD and device holder |
backlit LCD | integrated touch screen | integrated touch screen | integrated touch screen | backlit display with touch controls + device holder | digital display + device holder |
| Resistance type | magnetic | magnetic | magnetic | friction | magnetic | magnetic | magnetic | friction |
| Resistance levels | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 22 | 32 | 25 | adjustment knob |
| Seat adjustment | vertical and horizontal | vertical and horizontal | vertical and horizontal | vertical and horizontal | vertical and horizontal | vertical and horizontal | vertical and horizontal | vertical and horizontal |
| Pedals | Look Delta-compatible shoes required | toe cage and/or SPD-compatible shoes | dual link pedals with toe cages | for use with athletic shoes or SPD-compatible shoes | standard road bike pedals | SPD-compatible with toe cages | pedal with strap | cage |
| Warranty | 12-month limited + 5-year frame | 10-year frame, 3-year mechanical and electrical, 1-year labor | 10-year frame, 3-year mechanical and electrial, 1-year labor | 1-year warranty | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor | 12-month limited on parts and labor | 10-year frame, 1-year parts and labor | 12-month warranty |
| Extras | cup holders extra nonbike workouts available |
3-lb weights Bluetooth-enabled heart rate band USB charging station |
cup and weight holders 3-lb weights Bluetooth-enabled heart rate band |
Bluetooth heart rate monitor nonbike workouts available |
3-lb weights nonbike workouts available provides incline and decline |
nonbike workouts available | onboard workouts | N/A |
Before we dive in, let’s review the basics of a Peloton
Immersive cardio — that’s what Peloton brings to the at-home workout table. A large integrated touch screen lets you watch any of the Peloton workouts available through the monthly subscription or app.
The feel rivals that of a road bike, and the 100 resistance levels work for everyone from beginners to competitive cyclists.
Pros:
- comfortable seat that’s vertically and horizontally adjustable
- access to hundreds of on-demand workouts through a Peloton subscription and app
- access to live classes with leaderboards
- can connect via WiFi or Bluetooth and integrate with a heart rate monitor or smartwatch
Cons:
- pedals work only with (expensive) Look Delta shoes
- has only a 5-year frame warranty and a 1-year labor and electronics warranty
- expensive, considering you’ll still have to invest in shoes, weights, and a monthly subscription
Price: $$$
Buy the Peloton Bike Basics online.
The 7 best Peloton alternatives
Best overall
MYX Fitness Bike
The MYX Fitness Bike doesn’t skimp on quality. Like Peloton, it provides access to on-demand fitness classes and coaching through a monthly subscription. The large integrated touch screen swivels, so you can also do workouts that don’t involve a bike. Let’s face it — sometimes your tushy needs a break.
Pros:
- monthly subscription with access to hundreds of workouts, including nonbike options
- athletic shoe- or SPD-compatible pedals
- 100 resistance levels
- included Bluetooth heart rate monitor
Cons:
- friction-based resistance
- short 1-year warranty
Price: $$
Buy the MYX Fitness Bike online.
Best BYO screen alternatives
Bowflex C6 Bike
The Bowflex doesn’t come with a screen. Instead, you connect it to your own device via Bluetooth. From there, you can access streaming fitness apps or programs you already have. The ride is smooth, and it comes with a few extra perks like dumbbells and a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor.
Pros:
- smooth ride and easy adjustment through 100 resistance levels
- included 3-pound weights and front weight holders
- can pair with your device for use with popular fitness apps
- 10-year frame warranty, 3-year mechanical and electronics warranty, 1-year labor warranty
Cons:
- must provide your own screen
Price: $$
Buy the Bowflex C6 Bike online.
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
This exercise bike has similar options to the Peloton, minus the integrated touch screen display. Once you connect your own device, it can integrate with popular fitness apps, including the Peloton app. It also comes with a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate band, so you can adjust your workouts and resistance level accordingly.
Pros:
- Bluetooth capability to pair your device with the bike to use popular fitness apps, including the Peloton app
- smooth magnetic resistance
- included 3-pound dumbbells and USB charging station
- 10-year frame warranty, 3-year mechanical and electronics warranty, 1-year labor warranty
Cons:
- no built-in swivel touch screen
Price: $$
Buy the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike online.
Pro-Form 8.0 EX
This iFit-ready exercise bike can take you through hundreds of workouts if you already have an iFit subscription. Connect your device to the bike via Bluetooth and you’re ready to go.
But this bike also has 30 onboard workouts. and it’s the only one on our list with that feature. Sometimes you don’t want to mess around with an app. The Pro-Form lets you jump on and go.
Pros:
- 30 onboard workouts for those days you don’t want to mess with a device
- iFit-ready in case you want to stream your workouts
- touch display controls
- 10-year frame and 1-year parts and labor warranty
Cons:
- only 25 resistance levels
- platform-and-strap pedals
Price: $
Buy the Pro-Form 8.0 EX online.
Best bikes with a subscription service
NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle
The NordicTrack doesn’t cost much less than the Peloton, but the purchase might not hurt quite so much — and you get similar (and some better) features.
The NordicTrack’s price includes a 1-year membership to iFit. This bike is fully integrated with iFit and automatically adjusts the resistance level based on the program you use — creepy but cool. It also has incline control, which is a rare find on any exercise bike.
Pros:
- 1-year iFit membership
- live trainer controls adjust the bike’s settings for you
- integrated touch screen
- incline control
Cons:
- pricey
- doesn’t work with other apps and streaming programs
Price: $$$
Buy the NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle online.
Echelon EX3 Bike
The Echelon EX3 rivals Peloton with its own screen and app for an immersive workout experience. Each purchase includes Echelon’s “Fit Pass,” where you can access workouts well beyond cycling. A 180-degree swivel console lets you get the right angle no matter what kind of workout you choose.
Pros:
- access to Echelon’s library of workouts, including many nonbike options
- integrated touch screen with 180-degree swivel
- SPD-compatible pedals
Cons:
- pricey, but still almost half the price of the Peloton
- can only access Echelon’s workout library
Price: $$
Buy the Echelon EX3 Bike online.
Best budget Peloton alternative
YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike
The YOSUDA may be more like a traditional exercise bike, but you’ll spend a fraction of your hard-earned dollars on it as compared to some of the other options on this list.
A table mount lets you watch your device while you work out. The bike doesn’t pair with your device for an integrated workout, but the durable build with a road-like feel and monitored functions like distance and cadence are all there.
Pros:
- table mount for LCD monitor or another device
- cage pedals
- incremental resistance adjustment
Cons:
- short 1-year warranty
- friction resistance
- no Bluetooth
Price: $
Buy the YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike online.
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