A Working Mom’s Review of Peloton Bike: Worth the Hype or Not?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of the Peloton bike. You’ve seen the commercials and ads. So, is it worth the hype? I bought the original Peloton bike on December 27, 2017, and it was delivered in the first week of January 2018, a little over six years ago. Throughout those six years, I have been inconsistent with it. However, whenever I get back on track, I fall in love with the bike and the workouts all over again.
This blog post is all about a working mom’s review of Peloton Bike!
What is a Peloton Bike?
The Peloton Bike is an indoor cycling bike with a 21.5-inch touchscreen tablet attached. It offers a comprehensive workout experience and is designed as an all-in-one fitness solution on a high-quality cardio machine. The original Peloton Bike allows you to hop on and experience an immersive, motivating cycling class from the comfort of your home gym.
The original Peloton bike versus the Peloton Bike plus
Peloton introduced the Bike+ in September 2020 as an enhanced version of its original Peloton Bike model. The Bike+ offers a larger 23.8-inch touchscreen that can rotate 180 degrees, an upgraded sound system, a front-facing camera with a privacy cover, and integrated Apple GymKit support. One unique feature of the Bike+ is Auto Follow, which adjusts resistance based on instructor cues and personal metrics identified from previous rides.
Bike Hardware and Design
The bike measures 59 inches long by 53 inches high by 23 inches wide and has a 4-foot-by-2-foot footprint. The flywheel weighs 38 pounds, which is respectable against industry standards. The bike requires a minimum ceiling height of 8 feet and 24 inches on all four sides for ample room to ride. It has wheels on the front for easy portability.
The bike is WiFi—and Bluetooth-enabled and the 21.5-inch HD touchscreen displays all the workouts with pristine crispness. The platform has limited integrations with other apps and devices, including Fitbit and Strava.
Cost and Membership
How much is a Peloton bike?
The original Peloton Bike costs $1,445, and the Bike+ costs $2495. Both bikes include a 30-day free Peloton’s class subscription trial, delivery, and setup. You can also rent the bikes now. You can rent the original Peloton bike for $89/ month and the Bike+ for $119/ month. You can also purchase the rental if you decide to keep it after the rental period.
Buy the Bike on Amazon
Buy the Peloton bike on OnePeloton.com
How much is the Peloton Membership?
The Peloton All-Access Membership is $44 per month, plus tax, and access to Peloton content and features on both the original and the Bike+ is required. This is what gives you the Peloton experience, which includes:
- Live and on-demand classes, like strength training, yoga, and more
- In-workout metrics, progress, and performance across workouts
- Training programs ranging from beginner to advanced
- Gamified workouts and scenic classes
- Stream TV shows, movies, and live sports with Peloton Entertainment
- Access to the Peloton App with the ability to take workouts from your phone, smartwatch, tablet, and TV
- Individual profiles for your entire household
If you are not ready to pay $44 monthly, do not get the bike. There is no point in this because this makes the Peloton bike unique and worth the purchase.
Peloton App: No Bike required
The Peloton app allows you to stream non-cycling and cycling classes on iOS or Android phones or tablets. The app has three membership tiers: free, Peloton App One ($13/month), and Peloton App+ ($24/month).
You can also try my Guest Pass and try the App for free.
Is the Peloton Membership Worth It?
I think the monthly fee is worth it because I also have the Peloton Tread and Peloton Row. My husband, sister, and I are all enjoying the All-Access Membership. The Peloton account can be used by 20 users at the same time. Peloton’s only criterion to be fulfilled is that all users who use the user account should have the same residential address. If I compare my previous gym subscription and Orange Theory, I was spaying over 120 a month.
Indoor Cycling Experience
Riding a Session on the Peloton Bike
The bike provides a smooth ride and a unique training experience. It also offers a comprehensive workout experience. A Peloton ride can provide a great aerobic workout that improves cardiovascular health and strengthens the lower body. I personally prefer boot camp classes for strength and cardio workouts.
Peloton Classes
The classes range in length from 5 to 60 minutes, class type (beginner, low impact, climb, HIIT, and more), music genre (they have them all), and instructor (there are 61 of them!). If you don’t feel like being coached, you may take a scenic ride to explore the world from the comfort of your home while pedaling to your own beat. Or you can take a gamified workout!
In addition to viewing the instructors on the bike’s touchscreen, you can also see your performance metrics and compare yourself to others with a leaderboard. Your overall score is based on a combination of your cadence and resistance, showing the energy you are generating. You can compete in real-time with others in live classes or with past participants in on-demand classes.
Watching yourself move up and down the leaderboard during class allows you to compete with a larger group than in a physical studio. You can even filter the leaderboard by age and gender to see where you rank in your demographic.
I have never had a bad experience in any class, and you can mute the volume if you prefer to follow along on the screen for guidance. If you are particular about your workout music, you can preview the songs in most on-demand classes, but the song list is unavailable for live classes.
A Working’s Mom Review Reasons to get a Peloton Bike
Peloton could be the perfect fitness solution if you are overwhelmed by the planning and mental strain of working out. The top reason to invest in a Peloton is that it’s right in your home, ready to use whenever you please. Why bother with the hassle and cost of hiring a babysitter while you work out? Forget about the commute to the gym and the distractions in the weight room.
With a Peloton at home, you can work out at any time, save on babysitting fees, and significantly reduce the time it takes to complete your exercise routine. Speaking from experience as a parent, I struggle to find time to leave the house, so having a Peloton in my home gym is the solution for a busy working mom. With any of my Peloton machines, I can sneak in a workout while my son is sleeping, or better yet, I do the strength classes and workout with him.
One of the best parts about Peloton is that I no longer have to waste time and energy planning my workouts. I simply hop on the bike and let the instructor lead the way. I no longer worry about which exercises to do or track my progress. Peloton is a fantastic option for those who just want to get their workout done without the stress of planning.
Working Mom Peloton Tips
BEFORE YOU BUY, GET A CODE!
All members of the Peloton community receive a unique referral code to share with new members, allowing them to save $100 on any accessories or boutique purchases. If you decide to use my code, you can enjoy this discount. When you use my code, both you and I will receive a $100 credit. It’s a win-win situation!
DIY the Original Bike to Pivot the Screen
If you already have the Original Peloton Bike and want to upgrade to the Bike+ because of the pivot screen. Then just get the TFD The Pivot for your Peloton Original. I DIY’d this almost three years ago and it works great. I would only recommend this if you are no longer covered under the warranty, otherwise this would void it.
Customize Your Peloton Cycling Shoes
The original Peloton cycling shoes tend to run smaller. So, look at the reviews and size charts carefully. I would recommend for you to size up. I didn’t and the shoes were uncomfortable during my workouts. I initially experienced numbness in my feet, but after shifting the position of the ball of my foot, I felt much better. While the shoes and clip-in system may seem complicated at first, all you need is a wrench to make adjustments. To make it easier for yourself to get in and out of the clip-in system, just leave your shoes clipped in on the bike, especially if you have knee issues.
Best Cycling Shoes for Peloton (Peloton dupes)
Make Your Goals About Consistency
After giving birth to my first son it was very hard for me to get back into my workout routine before pregnancy. I had zero motivation to get back on the bike because I could no longer do the same workouts. I had to remind myself that I now had a different body and needed to give myself compassion.
Focus on simply showing up for your workout. Set a goal for the number of times you want to work out each week and stick to it. Don’t worry about your speed or performance compared to others, just showing up is an accomplishment.
Engage with the Community
Join Peloton community groups on social media for support and motivation. Follow your favorite instructors on Instagram or Facebook for daily positivity. Being part of these communities can help you stay motivated and connected to others on the same fitness journey.
Workout With Your Kids Around
Finding time to exercise while your kids are awake can be challenging, but it opens up more options for workout times. Try placing something your child enjoys in the same room as your workout area to keep them occupied while you exercise. This can help you have uninterrupted workout sessions and make it easier for your child to agree to let you exercise.
When my son was less than a year old, I would use the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss. I enjoyed the bouncer and I got a great 30-minute workout! Now, that he is almost two, I do the Bootcamp or Strength classes to work out with him and make it a fun activity for us to do together.
Final Verdict of Our Peloton Bike Review
As a working from home mom, I have found that investing in a Peloton Bike has been a game-changer for my fitness routine. With the convenience of being able to work out in the comfort of my own home, the Peloton Bike has provided me with a top-notch boutique cycling experience that fits perfectly into my busy schedule.
The Peloton Bike offers a comprehensive workout experience with its high-tech features and live and on-demand classes. The instructors are motivating and the community aspect of the platform adds an extra layer of accountability and support. I have found that the variety of classes available has kept me motivated and engaged, allowing me to switch up my routine and challenge myself in new ways.
However, as a working from home mom, I understand that budget and time constraints can play a factor in whether or not the Peloton Bike is worth it for everyone. There are more affordable options available for those looking to get a good workout at home.
Overall, the final verdict of our Peloton Bike review is that it is worth it for those who prioritize a top-notch cycling experience in their home and are willing to invest in their fitness routine. As a working from home mom, I have found that the convenience and quality of the Peloton Bike have helped me stay consistent with my workouts and achieve my fitness goals.
This blog post was all about a working mom’s review of the peloton bike.
