Is a Peloton bike worth the money?

As 2021 starts to garner momentum, Peloton continues to grow in membership and available products. However, many consumers have the same question, whether it’s to a friend who owns a Bike or in the forums of r/pelotoncycle. Is Peloton worth the money? Here are some factors you may or may not have considered to aid you in your potential fitness investment.

If you came here looking for a simple yes or no answer to this recurrent question, it’s unfortunately not as simple as shaking a Magic 8-Bball. Much like the fitness journey itself, the decision of whether or not to splurge on a Peloton Bike+ or Tread is completely subjective and relies heavily on a number of considerations.

Fitness familiarity and goals

Before pulling the trigger on a Peloton delivery, it’s important to asses your familiarity with the product, and with spinning in general. It’s a safe bet that most Peloton customers have ridden a stationary bike and/or taken a spin class in the past. It’s important to ensure that you find spinning to be an engaging and effective workout for you, before committing thousands of dollars toward it.

Secondly, assess your fitness goals. How often to you go to spin class now? How often do you plan to ride your prospective Peloton? Do you realistically think you’ll enjoy spinning enough to stick with it and get your money’s worth? Your Peloton can certainly be an effective tool in your fitness journey, but you must consistently use it for results.

Accessibility

The next factor to consider is the accessibility your new Peloton machine will provide you in comparison to your current fitness habits. Are you currently a member of a gym or spin class? How long does it take to travel there roundtrip, and how many days a week are you attending on average?

One of the major benefits divulged from current Peloton owners is the 24/7 access the machine provides in the comfort of their own home. With Peloton, you don’t have to worry about brushing the snow off your car in the winter to drive 15 minutes, look for parking, grab a locker, and check in before you’re late for class. You can simply log on, clip in, and go whenever you want.

Perhaps you’ve previously had trouble making it to spin class on time before or after work, or you simply can’t find the energy to drive there after a long day. Having that bike in the other room is a much shorter trek than getting in the car.

Customization and control

Another tremendous benefit to completing workouts from home with Peloton is the control it offers you as a member. From day one, you have an extensive library of live and previously recorded classes at your fingertips in addition to calm scenic trips.

You are not only able to choose a specific class based off of difficulty, but you can browse through instructors, class length, and even view the song list before you jump in. Bet your current instructor isn’t showing you their playlist before you head to spin class, right?

These vast categories of customized workouts based on your energy, goals, and musical preferences are a huge perk. They’re also a large reason why people find it easier to stick with Peloton rides and thoroughly enjoy them rather than dread them. You’re in complete control of your fitness experience.

Peloton pricing

Yes, there it is. The biggest factor in most major purchases including Peloton, money. As it should be; it’s a steep price for many on paper. Of all the categories, this is the most important factor to consider when you think about your fitness goals and current finances.

First, consider how much you’re currently paying for your fitness routine. Gym memberships vary, but average about $50/month while spin classes average $20-$25/each for urban areas. Add additional costs like equipment rentals (shoes), gas money, and any parking fees. Calculate what you currently spend per month, and what you’re willing to spend per month, then compare it to Peloton’s shopping page.

Peloton’s Bike currently retails for $1,895 with zero accessories, while the new Bike+ with the adjustable touchscreen goes for $2,495. That’s a fair amount of money for a Peloton, but it can easily be worth it if you consistently use it for years. Peloton actually offers a helpful value calculator to help compare your finances and goals against the price of one of its machines over time.

That still may be too much money off the bat for a Peloton purchase, and that’s common for many. If that is the case, Peloton does currently offer financing options of 12-, 24-, and 39-month terms with 0% APR. Again, this financial decision varies by person, and only you can decide what’s best for you and your wallet.

It’s important to note that Peloton does require additional money each month in the form of a subscription for its content. That currently costs members $39/month for unlimited use. That’s about the same price as two to three spin classes depending on what city you live in. So, if you’re riding more than three times a month, you’ll be saving money with your Peloton in the long run ride.

Is Peloton worth the money?

That answer can still only be answered by you. Hopefully after reading the considerations above, you’ll be better equipped to step back and assess your fitness habits, goals, and finances. From there you should have a good idea of whether a Peloton is worth the money for you. If you do decide to try it out, remember – Peloton offers a 30-day home trial for a full refund if you don’t like it. Happy riding!