‘I tried the Peloton Bike+ to see if it’s worth the money – here's my honest review’
When it comes to at-home fitness kit, one brand reigns supreme: Peloton. Since its UK launch in 2018, the American company, which gives access to boutique fitness classes at home through its high-tech exercise equipment, has amassed a cult following.
Though Peloton is best known for its exercise bikes (the original Bike and the souped-up Bike+) the line-up also includes the Peloton Tread, an AI-powered strength training guide and a rowing machine (only available in the US for now). Today, Peloton has over six million subscribers and a string of celeb fans, including David Beckham, Richard Branson, Michelle Obama and Beyoncé. (We won't mention that Sex and the City storyline.)
Yet, despite its widespread popularity, I’ve always been a tad sceptical. How could dialling in to a remote class from my living room replicate the buzz of being in a studio? Is Peloton really better than the standard equipment you find in most gyms?
To find out if it’s worth all the hype – and the hefty price tag – I put the top-spec Bike+ through its paces over a three-month period. Read on to discover how I got on, plus everything you need to know about Peloton.
What is the Peloton Bike+?
In a nutshell, the Peloton Bike+ is a stationary exercise bike fitted with a 23.8inch HD rotating touchscreen, a four-speaker sound system and an 8-megapixel camera. It also has an auto-adjust feature, which allows the bike to turn the resistance up and down automatically.
For a £39 monthly subscription, you can stream live classes daily from the brand’s London or New York studios, or choose from thousands of on-demand sessions. Cycling aside, the vast catalogue of workouts spans yoga, Pilates, meditation, strength training and cardio.
Peloton offers a range of accessories – including a workout mat, dumbbells, resistance bands and yoga blocks– but all you really need to get started is some cycling shoes and Delta-compatible cleats (triangle-shape bits of plastic which attach to the bottom of your shoes and clip into your pedals). These allow for a smoother, more stable ride.
My Peloton Bike+ review
The Bike+ scored an impressive 88/100 in our Good Housekeeping Institute tests, with users praising the smooth ride, responsive touchscreen and huge range of workouts available – click for the full review. But I was keen to try it for myself – these are my thoughts after 90 days of pedalling.
The pros
Set-up is straightforward
Thankfully, there’s no need to faff around with screws and bolts, or follow complicated YouTube tutorials. The team who deliver the Bike+ also assemble it for you, so you don’t have to lift a finger. The whole process took around half an hour, and they even helped me set up the software and log into my Peloton account.
When you switch on the screen for the first time, there are step-by-step video tutorials on how to adjust the saddle, handlebars and seat height, and how to clip and out of the pedals. It comes with a detailed user guide, but chances are, you won’t need it – using the Peloton is pretty foolproof.
It’s a pleasure to use
As a health and wellness writer, I’ve tried a lot of exercise bikes in my time, and I have to admit, not many can compete with Peloton. I was worried it would be an eyesore in my kitchen, but the Bike+ is a stylish machine and feels like a sleek addition to my living space.
Good looks aside, it really is a dream to use. It pedals smoothly and almost silently, there’s no wobbling during speedy sessions, and the automatic resistance adjustments mean you can keep up your cadence, without having to fiddle around with a resistance button.
Thanks to the built-in speakers (the audio quality is excellent) and large, bright screen, you almost feel as though the peppy trainers are in the room with you (more on that later).
Just like the set-up process, using the bike couldn’t be easier – you simply filter through the search function or opt for one of the suggested classes on your home screen, which is based on your previous activity.
The variety of classes is incredible
I like to mix up my workouts – my weekly exercise routine usually consists of running, strength training and yoga – so I was concerned Peloton would get boring quite quickly. But, with a bank of over 30,000 (!) classes, I needn’t have worried. Plus, there are plenty of engaging instructors to choose from, so you’re bound to find a few you like (read: can tolerate!). My personal favourites are Leanne Hainsby-Aldis and Hannah Frankson from the London studio. They’re calm, encouraging but not OTT and exude positive vibes to help you get through the session.
You can choose a class based on your goals, your music taste, your favourite instructor and how long you’ve got (most sessions fall between 15 and 45 minutes). If you’re completely new to fitness or recovering from an injury, they’ve got you. Want to push yourself hard with high-intensity interval training? They can do that, too. Just need something to brighten your mood after a stressful day? There’s a themed class waiting for you, whether you fancy riding along to Taylor Swift’s Folklore album or reliving the 80s with a club classics playlist.
Alternatively, there are scenic rides to choose from (you can peddle through vineyards and valleys in Tuscany or enjoy a route along the beach in California) as well as the option to zone out and stream Netflix as you go.
You get a full body workout
One of the best things about the Bike+ is the swivelling screen, which rotates 180 degrees left and right. It allows you to hop off the bike and get into one of the many floor-based workouts on offer, without having to crane your neck to see the screen.
It may not sound revolutionary, but this clever bit of tech means the Peloton Bike+ doesn’t just offer a convenient alternative to studio spin classes, but it can easily replace a gym membership, too.
During my 90-day trial, I certainly found myself schlepping to the gym a lot less than normal. What was the point when I could get in an effective workout from the comfort of my living room floor? I tried a number of strength sessions, switching between bodyweight and dumbbell classes, and I loved ending my day with one of the yoga sequences, complete with soothing playlists and lots of lying down. Beyond that, there are lots of cardio classes (suitable for all levels), as well as categories dedicated to stretching and meditation. Essentially, it’s impossible to get bored.
It’s seriously convenient
I have a pretty hectic schedule – I’m up and out of the door early and I often don’t get home until around 7.30pm most days – so carving out an hour to go to a fitness class or lace up my trainers and head out for a run can be easier said than done. But thanks to Peloton’s array of snappy, 10-, 15- and 20-minute classes, I was able to incorporate some movement into each day, and I felt so much better for it, both physically and mentally. If, like me, you’re time-poor, having the bike at home could be game-changing.
And great for motivation
If you’re someone who’s spurred on by numbers, you'll love Peloton's live leaderboard, which allows you to track your performance and compete with fellow riders. I certainly found it encouraged me to keep pushing and set new personal bests, but if it’s not for you, you can choose to turn it off and stay in your own lane.
The community aspect is also a huge plus. You can virtually high-five people during a class, join hashtags to connect with those with similar interests and schedule classes with other Peloton users. There are also a variety of challenges you can join to help you stay on track, whether you aim to hit 50 miles on the bike in 30 days, or simply exercise consistently for five days in a row.
Cons
It’s expensive
There’s no getting around it – the Bike+ comes with a hefty £2,199 price tag, along with a monthly £39 subscription fee, which simply isn’t accessible for everyone.
But, when you consider the quality and what’s included (a high-res screen, unlimited classes and virtual PTs), you do get a lot for your money – especially compared to pricey £20-a-pop spin classes and fancy gym memberships. Plus, multiple people can use one subscription, so the whole family can take advantage of the bike.
If you don’t want to commit to buying it outright, the brand now offers the chance to rent the Bike+, too. There’s a £200 joining fee, then it's £125 per month for the bike and membership. This includes installation costs and Peloton shoes.
It’s bulky
The footprint of the Peloton Bike+ is 120cm x 60cm. You’ll also need at least 60cm of space on all four sides around the bike, plus room for an exercise mat nearby to do your floor workouts.
As someone who lives in a small flat, I found it did take over my living space a bit, but on the plus side, the sleek design meant I didn’t mind having it on show. If you live in a house and have a spare room, then you shouldn’t have any issues with setting up inside.
Final verdict: Is Peloton worth it?
It’s official, I’m a Peloton convert. After three months of consistent use, I truly understand the hype. It's well made, seriously convenient and a total joy to use. Well, maybe not when you're mid-spin class, but it made it so much easier to incorporate movement into my days and best of all, it never felt like a chore.
The big question: Is the Bike+ worth the investment? That does depend on your circumstances. If you need exercise to fit in with your hectic schedule or you don’t enjoy working out in traditional gym environments and your budget stretches, then it’s undoubtedly worth considering.
The Peloton Bike+ is available to buy from Amazon, John Lewis and Peloton.
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