Debating getting a Peloton bike

[Focus_on_the_fire]

As the OP, I thought I’d report back that I didn’t buy the Peleton. I couldn’t justify the expense, particularly since I wasn’t sure I was a spin type of person. What I did do was buy a $400 walking desk treadmill. Works great. Perfect fit for me. The discussion was a great read though. Thanks everyone

[use2betrix]

My wife and I have one. I bought it for our home gym when I was recovering from a bunch of running injuries. I was knocking out 15-20 mile rides 3x-4x/wk. On a few 3 day weekends I’d knock out 100 miles.

Some of the classes are a blast. My wife uses it a lot more than me now. I wish I could use it more but I already run 3x and lift 4x/wk. I simply cannot justify more time exercising.

With that in mind, I have the app on my phone/app and LOVE the guided meditations. I’ve done over 200 meditations (generally 10 minutes but they have other lengths).

We bought our peloton around April 2021.

[windytrail]

A long time ago I was reading a voluntary simplicity book that talked about "the Earth gym" and the joys of outdoor exercise.  I think the concept applies to all low equipment, low expenditure exercise, indoors or out.  If you are looking for a new form of exercise, I'd suggest looking for something that is simple and low equipment, rather than spending $2k on a Peloton.

You don't need any special equipment to get adequate aerobic exercise and stretching.  Just move your body an appropriate amount for your fitness goals.  Resistance training often does require more than body weight to do higher levels of training, but you can definitely get started with bodyweight exercises. 

+1.

Not Just Bikes did a video on this called "The Gym of Life" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPUlgSRn6e0).

And of course, how could we forget MMM's own Classic "Muscle Over Motor" https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/12/05/muscle-over-motor/

There are so many benefits to getting outside and interacting with your community - personal as well as societal - that go beyond the immediate physiological benefits of exercise.

[Villanelle]

Back in the day, I used to love spin classes (n a gym, long before Peloton was around). So I'm interested in Pelotons and other similar options.  So, this may be a silly question, but when you use the Peloton app with some of the other options, am I correct in assuming that you lose the self-adjusting features that come with a Peloton bike?  So when the simulated ride goes up hill, you just have to estimate that that goes from a 2 to a 6, and adjust?  (Not necessarily a deal-breaker; just making sure I understand.)

[cannotWAIT]

Unless there has been an update that I don't know about (possible!), the Peloton doesn't self-adjust in the way you're describing. The instructor tells you what resistance and cadence to use, which you can approximate with a Fauxleton by using a cadence sensor and resistance conversion chart for your bike (obviously it's not the same, but it's pretty close). The main thing that you get with the actual Peloton bike is the ability to interact with other users and see how you compare with them, which is very motivating to many people. The bike itself is also very nice.

[EchoStache]

I purchased a brand new Schwinn Airdyne(used once by an 80 year old) for about $200 on FB Marketplace.  Its a fan bike that also has levers that you push/pull with arms for a much more full body workout than a Peloton.  Resistance adjusts instantly based on how much effort you apply.  15 minutes of HIIT consisting of warmup, 20 second sprint, 1:40 rest for up to 7 rounds.  Perhaps one of the most effective cardio and fat burning workouts in existence.

However, it sucks.  By that I mean, it will be one of the most difficult and challenging workout modalities you've ever done.  It's also, as stated, one of the most effective.  One thing that I have found to be true is that whatever kind of exercise one chooses to do, it HAS to be something you enjoy.  Otherwise there is no way to stay consistent long term.  Anyone can force themselves to do something they hate short term.  Therefore I have concluded that the best form of exercise is the one that you will actually do.  If it takes a $2000 Peloton plus another couple thousand in subscription fees over time, its better than the alternative(extreme couching).  Personally, I take the route of the Airdyne for 15 minutes 2-3x/week, coupled with some resistance training.  I don't want to be skinny and weak, since skinny people don't live as long as overweight people.  My BMI is at the top end of overweight but my body composition is much better than most, and I look like pretty normal person, i.e. no one would ever look at me and think overweight, or giant bodybuilder(I'm not), let alone borderline obese.

I also like that the Airdyne fits very well into the world of frugality and Mustachianism.  Bought it used so no newly manufactured "stuff", cheap, and will last basically forever.

Perhaps this is another option for those that want to cycle for overall good health and improved body composition.  The Airdyne will, IMO, provide better results than a Peloton, with the caveat being that you have to be willing to use it.

On the more non-Mustachain side of things, I've been seriously considering buying a C2 rower.  If I ever do, I'll probably buy it new since the used ones I've seen aren't much cheaper than new.  It's another fantastic piece of cardio equipment that offers significant full body strength benefits as well, and doesn't suck anywhere near as bad as using an Airdyne.

I have asthma which has previously been well controlled but is lately becoming much more troublesome.  When I was young and ran slowly for a long time almost daily(forced, when in the military for two years), my lungs became drastically stronger and my asthma all but disappeared.  I hate long, slow cardio and will never do it consistently on my own, so Airdyne, rowing, sprints, high intensity sports such as racquetball for example, are my go to.  I also bought a jump rope.  I haven't quite gotten a routine down yet, but its a goal.

[englishteacheralex]

Update: I just bought a Bowflex C6 from a seller on Facebook Marketplace. The bike is almost new and I negotiated the guy down to $275. It's a lovely piece of equipment, very compact and fits easily into our small bedroom, and the wheel is totally silent--a nice surprise after the old fashioned exercise bikes I'm used to.

I subscribed to the Peloton app yesterday and am trying out the 30 day free trial. Yesterday I did my first ride, using one of the pre-recorded Peloton spin classes. It all worked great and I'm very pleased at having avoided the whole $2k Peloton bike + $40/month app subscription situation. Also excited to try out the many other varieties of the Peloton app workouts. They have such an extensive library! I think it's going to work very well for me. 

[Villanelle]

Unless there has been an update that I don't know about (possible!), the Peloton doesn't self-adjust in the way you're describing. The instructor tells you what resistance and cadence to use, which you can approximate with a Fauxleton by using a cadence sensor and resistance conversion chart for your bike (obviously it's not the same, but it's pretty close). The main thing that you get with the actual Peloton bike is the ability to interact with other users and see how you compare with them, which is very motivating to many people. The bike itself is also very nice.

Wait, so it's just an instructor tell you when to crank it up to 11?  I thought the bike actually made it seem like you were climbing a hill when the app ride included a hill climb.  We have/had (because it is a POS, lemon and never worked properly and now works even less properly) Norditrak elliptical and one cool thing was that when I was hiking the hills of Scotland, it actually felt like I was traversing the geography I was seeing on the screen because the machine adjusted. 

If the Peloton doesn't do that, then there is no benefit at all (to me) to having one, compared to other cheaper options.  I can measure my own cadence and adjust my own resistance. Wow.  Thanks for clearing that up for me. 

Lots of C6s available on marketplace.  I'll have to stalk for a while to find a great deal (most prices seem to be around $500-600) but this may be the next item I add to my home gym. 

[patchyfacialhair]

My wife uses the newer Peloton bike and it automatically adjusts the resistance for her when the instructor says so.

I believe the older version was manual adjustment only.

[Dave1442397]

I'm a road cyclist, and I prefer the feel of an actual bike to that of an exercise bike. I bought a Tacx Neo trainer and subscribed to Zwift a few years ago.

Zwift has everything I like as a cyclist - racing (I don't do that), group rides, tours (good way to explore), free rides, and structured training. The trainer is linked to the app (I use Apple TV), so resistance is controlled by the app and I get to watch my ride on an old 73" Mitsubishi that's still kicking.

[roomtempmayo]

I thought the bike actually made it seem like you were climbing a hill when the app ride included a hill climb. 

I think Zwift actually does that when coupled with a compatible trainer, but Peloton is mostly just a social club.  For what it's worth, pretty much every cyclist I know who rides indoors using a smart trainer uses Zwift.

I burned out on indoor riding about a decade ago, and I've just been doing half hour spins on my old rollers while watching ski races.  If I get back into training indoors, I'll certainly give Zwift a try.

[jpdx]

Buying an expensive bicycle with mostly subscription that doesn't provide any transportation benefit -- this might be the most anti-Mustacian idea ever. I think you made the right choice in passing on this purchase.

Instead, consider a lower-end eBike and use it to replace a substantial number of car trips. Chances are, it will change the way you get around and you'll love it.

[GilesMM]

Now that everyone is back at work there are heaps of lightly used Pelotons for sale online for half price or less. A $2500 Bike+ is going for under $1000 locally.  I might need one for winter...