Anyone got a peloton bike?

[Aberforthsgoat]

DH considering one. Eye wateringly expensive. I do not get the hype.
Are they worth it? I can't comprehend how they can be?! Are they magic bikes that will make me immediately morph into some kind of glossy slim athlete the moment I plonk myself down on the seat?

@mrscampbellblackagain Oops
I’ve just read that they do loads of live sessions as well as on demand so at least they provide a bit of motivation.

the classes are fab and still works out cheaper for me than going to my spin classes

Just ordered ours. Hope it doesn't take too long to arrive.

Also watching with interest. Lockdown has me on a downward spiral and weight gain is only part of it. But I’m starting to feel like I have to do something to stop the insidious creep! I baking for distraction and to cheer myself up, I’m cooking richer food as I have more time for elaborate recipes and I’m moody because I’m not getting out enough.

My big question is: does your bum ache loads in your first week? Or is the seat comfy?

Me too @Honesttodog
That's a really good question!

The seat is not comfy and my nether regions hurt for longer than a week but you do get used to it.

Or you can wear padded shorts as some people do.

Thanks mrsc

Guess I need to spend the week before it comes riding our hybrid to get my bum ready. I think I’ve persuaded DH!!!! 🙌🏾

People who own a Peloton, what makes it better than a bike on a turbo trainer? At comparable prices you can pick up a decent quality road bike and a direct drive trainer, with the advantage of having a bike to use outside? Is it a bit one trick pony or does it have some sort of benefit I’m not seeing??

I'm so sorry @Aberforthsgoat missed this - did you order already? If it's not too late and you can still use a code let me know.

@lampygirl I don't know much about turbo trainers - does the cadence and resistance show somewhere? With the Peloton it's all integrated so your cadence and resistance are on the screen and part of the class / in line with what the instructor calls out, and the two combine give you an output which is what's used to place you on the leaderboard. I know people that use their own spin bikes with the Peloton classes on an iPad - I'd imagine that would similar to using a turbo trainer? It does work but you lose interactivity and some metrics.

@honesttodog I bought some padded bib shorts and a gel seat and used both for about the first month - I didn't want to get a sore and then not go on the bike for a few days because I knew I needed to make it a habit. I've been fine since with the exception of really long rides - I just wear leggings now and have no issues.

How much is the monthly subscription?

£39 for the bike subscription and covers anyone using it for the digital app too. For the digital app itself I think it's £12 - that's the one that's free for 90 days at the moment.

@lampygirl a turbo trainer would be quite different. I think there are three different options here:

(1) a Peleton bike
(2) a different spin bike with Peleton app
(3) a turbo trainer on a bike, with turbo trainer app

I looked into all three and went with (2) for two reasons -
I wanted to spin, not cycle
I couldn't afford the Peleton itself

Sorry if you know this but spinning is quite different to using a turbo trainer.

I should clarify that there are other options too, I was being pretty simplistic just to explain the turbo trainer point. But you could also use a different spin bike with a spinning app other than Peleton.

Most of the big London spin studios have set up an app since CV lockdown - 1Rebel have, as well as boom cycle and I think also digme or maybe psycle. Some also have bike rentals set up too.

I went with Peleton on the 90 day free trial but will probably try out some of the others when that expires and then see which to go with on a paid for basis. The Peleton app also gives you access to other sports (yoga, stretching, strength, running etc). But I've done classes at a number of the London studios and they are excellent so it also might make sense to use their app if only want spin.

Is it proper Spinning/indoor cycling in the true sense, or this ridiculous Soul Cycle, workout on a bike type nonsense?

I don't have a peloton bike but I have a spin bike. I got it on eBay for 200 quid. I made my own spin session on Spotify using tracks they used to use in classes at the gym and do it three tones a week. Yes, there is no instructor or accountability but I still push myself hard and really enjoy the work out.

Plus the bike gives you your watts at the end and I try to get a certain number each time so that pushes me too. If you're not able to afford peloton I think it's a good option.

My bike is in our lounge behind the sofa!

We got one 8 weeks ago. I’m a convert. For us, compared to the cost of two memberships of a London gym, this works out cheaper.

I prefer it to studio spinning due to the metrics and feedback from the bike. It’s easy to get absorbed in a class. The other classes - yoga, meditation, strength, running - are excellent, particularly the yoga.

@Tomasinaa it’s proper studio spinning. My husband used to go to Digme (target based/leaderboard style classes) before we got the bike, and that’s what he wanted to replicate. The instructors cover a wide range of styles from performance training to Soul Cycle-ish. You do end up with favourites - I actually find one of English instructors pretty cringy & some of the Americans way less twee

They’re bloody expensive & a total luxury but the set up works for us & we use it a lot. If anyone’s thinking of buying one, I can share a code for £100 off.

@jcurve I would like a code if it’s still valid!

@lampygirl turbo trainers are incredibly noisy & where we live, I’ve got no interest or time for road cycling. I used to be a triathlete when I lived somewhere with safer roads (and better weather) so I’ve done both. My husband was an avid mountain biker before, again, we moved to where we live now.

If you primarily cycle on the road then a Zwift is a good option, but there’s quite a big demographic who prefer the gym due to time, weather, safety on local roads etc which is why the Peloton works for us.

My friend does this and loves it, however she got her spin bike from Costco, think it was £350.

@jcurve could you please send me a referral code?

I’ve had one for 18 months and it’s definitely lived up to the hype. My husband initially treated himself to it for a significant birthday, but I’ve ended up using it the most. Usually everyday I do something - there’s a whole variety of classes you can take, not just cycling - cardio, yoga, walking, running, strength, stretching& meditation. Its been my saviour during lockdown - not just exercise- but the community side of it. You’re rarely riding or working out alone, if that makes sense.
The metrics the bike provides means that you can really track your progress and see where you are improving - I certainly didn’t put this much effort in on a spin class at the gym. I’m dripping in sweat when I come off.

With the monthly subscription, you’re allowed 4 different profiles, so my 2 children also use it (13 & 9). Again - it’s been great for them during lockdown & the UK ladies organise kids rides. There’s also family cardio classes.
If anyone else is looking for a referral code, let me know.

Do you need the peloton bike? Could you use the app and a different bike or are there features which wouldn’t work and if so what wouldn’t work?

@JacobReesMogadishu that's what I do. The only real issue is that obviously your cadence and resistance on your bike are different to Peleton.

Over time I've found my own way to interpret that. So if Peleton say 60 resistance which is mid-heavy I know where that sits on my bike. Cadence you can get devices to measure.