Peloton (reduced price) or Peloton+?

[Googleplexian]

Spin virgin here with serious amount of weight to shift. Friends are evangelical about the Peloton. Should I buy the regular older one now that it’s £1350 or stump up £2k for the Peloton bike plus? Is the price difference worth it for a screen that pivots?! (Amex also has 15% off offer if you spend £1500 or more which either model would exceed once you add accessories).

I’m not convinced, seems like a fad and that’s a lot of money! Which goes no way to answering your question I know, sorry.

I'm an avid Peloton app user (we have an old Life Fitness spin bike), and I can't quite get with (a) the cost of the Peloton bike and (b) the increased monthly membership cost.

I currently pay £12.99 a month, and get access to all live and on demand classes, but obviously don't get the leaderboard. It's a big jump in the monthly cost for the metrics TBH.

I'm actually staying in a hotel tonight that's got a Peloton bike, so I'm hoping to jump on a live class to see how it compares.

The bike is a lovely bit of kit, and I think the Bike + also gives automatic calibration of resistance in time with the class, which is pretty cool. Speakers are also a bit better I think, so not just a swivel screen. But still a big jump in cost.

I have had the standard model for a year now and have never regretted not spending more on the plus - you can buy an after market fitting (£70 ish) to make the screen spin if that is important to you. I tend to use the app on my phone and cast to the TV though.

It has totally changed my life! I always found an excuse before but it’s so easy just to jump on for a 20 min class if that’s all you have time for.

If you want a referral code, let me know. It will get you £100 off accessories and I get a £100 voucher to spend in the clothing store any other questions, shout!

Weight loss is mostly done in the kitchen. Fix your diet first. Eat less. Then look into exercise.

I have both the original and the plus - to be brutally honest I do not think the plus is worth the extra money now that they have dramatically reduced the price of the original. I bought mine a far few years ago when the original was over £2k and it was reduced to £1750 and now it is reduced again. The plus has a swivel screen but as a PP pointed out you can buy a bracket to add to the original from Top Form Designs (it will invalidate your warranty though of the bike). I would go for the original and check you love it first - the content of the classes is the most important thing, which you get with both.

Also, the bike plus does have auto resistance (which you can turn on or off) but it only works in an on demand class, not a live class. So if you end up doing a lot of live classes then it is pretty redundant. Just something else to think about.

I lost a stone as a teenager in the late 80s by spending 45 minutes each night on my mum's exercise bike from Argos, with Abba on full volume on my Matsui 'walkman' headphones 😂

From what you say, the upgrades aren't worth it. If it does everything you need it to, no point paying for extra bells and whistles.

@SpeckledlyHen that is very, very useful advice. I don’t think I would be able to keep up with the auto resistance setting initially anyway and according to other reviews I’ve read, those at the high fitness end are frustrated as they want higher resistance than it offers!

Can I ask why you stream it to a TV rather than using the screen? I can understand when using the non-cycling classes but would seem easier to just turn it on and use the screen?

@COVIDhelp thanks for the info. How has it changed your life? Are you much fitter? Were you a spin fan before? I have a cross trainer that I’ve recently started using again but it’s only impact has been to make me a bit more active and happier (not bad I know) but zero effect on my waistline!

I hear you @Tippexy. I’ve tried. Any change needs to be sustainable. I’m currently trying not to eat till midday. Not a big drinker. Never have seconds (we use Gousto and I try to pick lower calorie meals). What would you recommend?

@MorrisZapp I agree with your assessment. A friend pointed out you can more than buy an additional iPad with the savings!

@Googleplexian People stream to a tv for the non bike content - if you have the original and the screen is fixed you can't easily do the floor type content or yoga. So go for the original, get a swivel bracket if you want or cast to a tv screen for the floor exercises would be my advice.

We went for the original one because it was cheaper and available almost immediately. Never regretted this decision - don't think the bike + is worth the extra money. Had it nearly a year, and still love it.

@Googleplexian

I hear you *@Tippexy*. I’ve tried. Any change needs to be sustainable. I’m currently trying not to eat till midday. Not a big drinker. Never have seconds (we use Gousto and I try to pick lower calorie meals). What would you recommend?

Simple - reduce your calories (and I don't mean to something stupid like 1200), and make sure you get five portions of fruit and veg a day!

I'm fascinated how anyone who isn't really quite wealthy has 2 grand to spunk on a exercise bike! And yet everyone seems to have one!

I have a bike+ and absolutely love it, however if I was buying now with the massive price difference, I think I would just go for the original. The swivel screen and auto follow on the resistance are good, but not £100s good!

If you work for the NHS then they will give you a free accessories pack (I arranged this on the phone after we had ordered- contained shoes, weights, headphones).

I would recommend sizing up on shoes, I’ve now bought superreps which are compatible with peloton delta cleats, as I was getting numb toes when riding.

If anyone needs a peloton referral code, mine is:

RPRRWB

I love my Peloton and the basic model is perfectly fine. I do the power zone programmes and auto resistance doesn't work for them anyway. I wouldn't bother spending the extra money for the +. As a pp says you can get a gadget which spins the screen which is handy for bootcamps and strength classes.

Please do not get it though to lose weight - you'll be very disappointed (experienced yo yo dieter of 20 years here). Get it because exercise is GREAT for you and the Peloton classes are pretty enjoyable!

If you use a discount code you will get £100 of any accompanying accessories - mat, small dumbbells, cycling shoes etc. My referral code is DJ5DH4 is if you want it.

@Googleplexian - I'd be tempted to buy a non peloton spin bike and use the app to see how you get on with it. The app only is £12.99 per month rather than £39 per month subscription that you need to pay on a peloton bike. With the app only you still get full access to every class, you just won't get the metrics from the bike or the leaderboards - I don't need those to get a good workout - I know when I'm working hard (I have a heart rate monitor) The peloton classes are fantastic, great instructors, great music (every genre you can think of) and good fun. The great thing about spinning is that it really does suit all ability levels as you are the one that is in charge of how much resistance you use and how fast you pedal - as you get fitter you can add more resistance and take part in longer classes. If you really get into it you can always treat yourself to a peloton bike in the future.

Don't know if you have access to Costco but they have a good deal on a spin bike at the mo;

Spin L3 exercise bike

Oh and obviously you'll need your own ipas/tablet to play the classes on or you can cast to your tv.

Yes @Trappedinflatandskint I have barely managed to shift anything by picking up exercise but wondered if it was because I was slacking off in terms of intensity. What worked for you in the end? I don't want to be thin. I just don't want weight to be a distraction or the first thing people notice about me.

@googleplexian weight loss surgery and subsequently lots of reading about why diets don't work, metabolism and ultra processed food. I was 10 stone overweight having lost six stone, putting it back on, losing eight, putting it back on, losing four etc etc. I'd had enough and after doing research about surgery realised it was the best option. I suppose it depends how much to lose. If not as much as me I'd recommend reading Andrew Jenkinson s book why we eat too much. Lots of info about his theories on Mumsnet and people following his advice. I now exercise to be stronger and I enjoy it though often can't be arsed but do it anyway because it helps me feel mentally better if nothing else. Good luck. Get the Pelo if you think it will be exercise you can keep up (a regular spin bike wouldn't work for the classes I do, although I know some do do that with the app. I'd be wary of cheap ones though, you might end up not liking it and spending more on the Pelo in the end anyway)

That is absolutely amazing @Trappedinaflatandskint. I could drop four stone and be still be a bit chunky. Totally agree exercise elevates my mood and I know I’m fitter than some much thinner people.

I shall look up your recommendation on the book too. Which surgery did you have in the end? If you have a recommended surgeon let me know.

And agree on going for the Peloton. I will use a cheaper bike as an excuse not to do it and I also need something that’s seamless so I just jump on rather than having to connect devices.

I bought NordicTrack bike couple of weeks ago and it came with one year subscription to iFit. It has live lessons and loads of routes to bike. I really enjoy the routes but haven't tried live lesson yet. The resistance changes automatically on the routes. I bike one route every day.

I had a gastric sleeve through Healthier Weight, surgeon Jon Loy though I think they'll all be great. It's not risky surgery and they do it every day. Do not get a band!

Three friends have had the same op and none of us have had an issues and think it's the best thing that we've ever done.

Also have a read of the research done by Herman Pontzer on metabolism and exercise.