Peleton - genius or waste of time and money?

[Nina1013]

Any opinions one way or the other?

In my head, it’s more accessible, more straightforward to jump on and do a quick session.

Hoping husband and tweenager might also use it if it’s there and shiny and fun….

But it may also end up an expensive coat hanger. I’ve heard more negative in real life than good (people buying and not using), but I have been for a demo and really like it so I almost want to be convinced that I’m just getting the experiences of a disproportionate minority.

If you have one, do you like it/do you use it? I enjoy spinning and am a regular gym goer so already fit and active if that makes a difference.

I absolutely love mine, I’ve had it about three years now

I have a bike + and use it consistently. I use it to cross train (running is my main activity). I live at least 1/2 an hour away from any decent spin classes / gyms so it makes sense for me. I use the spin classes, strength and outdoor classes. I like the content but I suspect if I had a more convenient gym I might not use it as much. Once the bike's been paid for the membership is probably about the same as the council leisure membership.

I love mine so much. Couldn't recommend it highly enough.

I got a 3rd hand bike on FB marketplace. I love it! I am not a sporty person, but have been exercising almost every day now for 6 months.

What works for me is that I can do as short a class as I want (and once I’ve been exercising for 5 mins I’m generally up for keeping going with another short class).

i used to love going to the gym but it was a faff with getting there, finding parking, packing a bag, remembering my padlock and my water bottle, the classes I liked were at weird times, etc.

I have complex caring responsibilities and it works so much better for me to be able to just hop on the bike for 15 mins here and there at my own convenience, and a longer class when I have the luxury of time.

I generally only do workouts with 1 or 2 instructors who don’t irritate me. I like the strength workouts and the power zone cycling classes and the bike boot camps.

With a used bike and the standard Peloton app membership it’s worked out cheaper than my gym was.

See, I’m easily bored and no way would I get as good a work out doing my own thing. The consistency, progression, range of activity, enthusiastic instructors helped me go from and asthmatic, long covid sufferer who does nothing to being a pretty fit runner / gym goer.

I love it. Best investment I've made. Bought a cheaper (still decent) bike before and did Peloton classes via the app. Really enjoyed them but felt I was missing out. So pleased I bought an actual Peloton bike. Discovered I wasn't working as hard as I thought I was. Love the ability to interact with other people in classes too. I managed to get the bike on Amazon for £1100 in a summer sale. Haven't seen it so cheap since. Had to build it but that was worth the saving. Not sure if you can still save money that way.

I recommend the extended warranty though. Had to get them out to replace the belt after about 18 months.

The strength classes and programmes are brilliant too.

Had mine for three years. Love it. No problems. Use it at least three times a week. Wouldn’t be without it!

The last two years they’ve posted a loss of £115 million and £94 Million. Given they rely on a fairly expensive subscription service I would feel a bit wary in case things go tits up.

I bought an Echelon treadmill at Christmas. It's amazing. Also got an Echelon bike, but that gets used less than the treadmill.

Definitely look at Echelon - they're cheaper but still v. good.

I’m obsessed with mine! We rent ours, we got it before the price increase so it’s only £100 a month, we split it 50/50 so it’s cheaper than a gym membership. We also have the option to buy the bike outright eventually, think we’ll make a call after a year. DH hasn’t used it for months, however he's in the office and out of the house 12+ a day whereas I wfh regularly so it’s easier for me to just jump on in my lunch break. I use it three times a week, mostly cycling but I also really enjoy the weighs classes.

I have had mine for nearly 5 years and I still use it everyday. As well as cycling, I do yoga, strength, stretching and meditations. I use the app on my phone when I’m away from home and using hotel gyms.
I have not had one problem with it and it’s so easy to jump on when you have a spare 10 minutes without having to look presentable or travel anywhere.

Should add I got the standard one then bought the aftermarket swivel

Noooooo! This can’t be allowed to happen. Tunde is my best friend - I can’t lose her!

@Nina1013 FWIW there are tonnes of YT vids to ride to on a spin bike. Very good ones by teams etc, too. I followed a lot before and during Covid to supplement my own training. I'd buy a decent bike, but skip any sub. Save your money!

No experience with peloton… but used a similar method with my concept2 rowing machine.

I loved being able to exercise at home. For me gyms were a pain the ass from start to finish and I never wanted to shower twice in a day. For me their (concept2’s) challenges plus the fact that in the morning I could change from jammies into grungies, work out, then shower was so much easier.

I had a couple of apps that I used with Concept2’s website that made tracking everything a breeze. And I joined a team for the team challenges.

I really only stopped after I screwed up my back and then other health factors have kept me out of the game. I do intend to address everything and get back to it.

I’m assuming Peloton is similar (and more!) so thought I could at least comment 😁

I had one and absolutely hated it, I found it too flimsy and far too weak resistance wise/wobbly when standing up (and I’m tiny so not due to that).

Thanks so much - definitely more positive than negative!

I have (and will continue to have) a gym membership and a gym close by where I have personal training sessions 3 x a week. This would be for something in between.

Thanks so much for the Concept 2 info too - I love their rowers and didn’t realise they offer workout ideas. That’s a good option too (or maybe as well).

Just get a decent spin bike and use the app....far more cost effective!
The FB groups I'm on suggests the bike needs a lot of maintenance and the membership is far more expensive than just using the app.

I love ours, I would buy 2nd hand personally, there are enough people selling hardly used bikes for a 3rd of the price. I got one that was less than 2. Years old & only 30 rides for £550. Both me & my partner use it & sometimes DSD. I think the £39 a month subscription for all 3 of us is worth it. The classes are so fun & engaging too.

I use the app for non-machine classes (strength, Pilates, etc) and like them. They’re never going to be as good as a structured lifting program, but they get me doing something. Might be worth trying to see if you like the instructors/ format?

We keep on toying with getting the bike, but I don’t think we’d use it enough to justify the cost of the monthly subscription (DH is a runner and I prefer weights)

We have a Wattbike Atom which i prefer as you can try out different platforms and choose which one who wish to subscribe to. I'm always cautious of all eggs in one basket software.

The membership is the same, the extra is paying for the bike which you can do upfront or run the repayment for just 2 years or whatever it is. Mine is now just the monthly subscription (30? Can’t remember) and I’ve never had to maintain my bike in the three years I’ve had it. I have a friend who has had his four years and had to replace one thing which cost him 50 quid but I suppose some will be luckier than others.

I jumped on the mat today for 60mins full body. If I had to look half decent, drive to the gym, find a space, wait 5-10mins outside the class (or in traffic), engage in compulsory chitchat after and drive back I’d probably double that time! Sometimes I do the core workouts or quick bodyweight ones in my PJs 😂

also if a meeting gets cancelled and I fancy a rare lunch break I can squeeze one in. Honestly the best money I’ve ever spent.

I bought myself a second hand spin bike and use it about 3 times a week. It’s brilliant but what’s great is that my gym have online spin classes so I just put one of those on and off I go. It’s next to my desk in my office, during a meeting when I’m only required to listen I might jump on it for 20 minutes in the same way that someone might walk on a walking pad or literally go for a walk and listen in.
Also when I get home from the office and it’s pissing it down I’ll get on it then too. Do 3 spins a week plus a few extra bits here and there. Bought it instead of a peloton because I wasn’t sure if I’d be that fussed about it but it’s brilliant and fits the bill for me - plus it was about £60!

@HeyItsPickleRick if you have a peloton bike the membership is £39 p/m.

The app is £24... it used to be £12.99 but that now only allows you to access a limited number of classes.