Looking at my Peloton profile, I see that I’m currently on a 140-week streak. That means that I have done at least one Peloton class each week for more than two years straight. It makes it the most effective exercise tool that I have ever used. I wanted to share the reasons that I love my Peloton bike and some helpful information if you’re considering buying a Peloton bike (or even trying the new option of renting it).
Why I’m a Fan of the Peloton Bike and App
First, I want to dive into why I love this exercise platform. I’m not quite the fan that some people are. I only own the Peloton bike, and I have no desire to visit the studio in person. But I still love it enough to share it with anyone interested.
Insanely Convenient
The app allows me to work out from any hotel room, get a quick stretch in at a rest stop, or even meditate while sitting in a parking lot. When I’m at home, I can use the app on the Apple TV, stream workouts on the iPad, or jump on the actual Peloton bike in the garage and get in a workout.
Tons of Variety
The filters are my friends when it comes to selecting a workout. You can choose anything from a quick five-minute core session to a full 90-minute endurance ride on the bike. You can also stack workouts and put together a full-body routine by stacking a few classes together. There are instructors for every personality, and you can search for the vibe you’re looking for. Maybe you need some metal music to release some anger, or maybe you want a nice yacht rock cruise. There is something for everyone.
Accountability Without Shame
I’m not a fan of the workouts where people are just screaming at me to go harder the entire time. Some instructors have a more hardcore persona on the bike, but many are encouraging and inspiring without making me feel bad. There’s a lot of body positivity in their classes compared to other workout videos I’ve watched. Plus, as a millennial, I love collecting badges and awards. There are fun badges to earn for doing certain programs or classes, and it helps me discover new types of workouts and even new instructors.
Finding New Music
Peloton has access to a ton of music, so you don’t have to worry about repeat playlists. The artist series classes are some of my favorites because an entire class uses music from one artist. The instructor typically gives you some background information about the musician and tells one or two personal stories from concerts or just being a fan.
If you find a song that you like, you can simply hit the “heart” button, and it will be saved to a section in your profile. By linking your Spotify account, it can also create a playlist of the songs you have hearted.
Enjoyable Experience
This is the only exercise-related thing that I have stuck with for more than three months. I’ve done the couch to 5k, P90X, YouTube yoga channels, and more. But there is enough variety and enjoyment in Peloton to keep me coming back at least once a week for more than two years.
Thinking About Buying a Peloton Bike+ or the Original?
I spent over an hour comparing the two options, and I couldn’t find any reason that I would spend the higher amount for the Bike+. It had some important benefits when it was first released, but they have since added those to the original bike as well.
Some people are obsessed with the swivel screen, but you can easily use an iPad or TV to do any non-bike workouts. It also has an auto mode to adjust your resistance based on the instructor’s callouts.
The Necessary Peloton Bike Accessories
When you purchase the bike, you’ll be super excited to just hop on the second the delivery man brings it in the door. I recommend getting a few things while waiting for your delivery so you are ready when it arrives.
Peloton Bike Shoes
I have only tried one pair of shoes, and they have been great, so there’s no reason for me to stray. We bought Peloton shoes with our bike because we didn’t want to deal with getting a different brand and hoping they worked with the pedals. Some people love other brands, but for me, these Peloton ones work just fine.
Purchase your bike through this link and get $100 in free accessories, like the shoes.
Heart Rate Monitor
If you have an Apple watch, your Peloton will sync to it if you download the app on your phone. You can also purchase any Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor, and it’s easy to sync to the bike. We purchased these monitors when we first got our bike (before the Apple watches worked with it), and they are still working today when we want a backup. We haven’t even switched the batteries yet.
Floor Mat
We picked up this one on Amazon for under $40, and it has worked for over a year and is holding up great. The Peloton mat is $75, and for almost half the price, it seems silly not to go with the brandless one.
A Weight Set
Do you absolutely need one of these? No. We started with these 3 lb weights and put them on the back of the bike for arms and light weights workouts. Again, they are about half the price of the ones from Peloton, which are $25 for two. We have added a pair of 6 lb and 10 lb, and my husband just holds two in one hand for hard workouts. We will eventually add a few heavier weights, but you can do that slowly.
Some people love weights like these, especially in a small space. I prefer having the light weights always on the back of the Peloton bike because you’ll be annoyed if you are clipped in and you don’t have them.
Yoga Mat and Blocks
Again, Peloton offers these, but you can find much better options from other sporting goods stores. We have two of these mats and these blocks, and they are great. Even if you don’t plan to do any yoga classes, I still recommend a mat for stretching or strength workouts.
A Small Fan
If you’re anything like me, you’ll want something to clip to the handlebars to help keep some airflow coming your way while you are sweating profusely. We have this fan that was made for a stroller because it’s cordless and fits right on the handlebars.
The Right-Sized Water Bottle
If you have a super large water bottle, it might not sit nicely in the holder. You will need a water bottle like this one. We also add nuun tablets to our water bottles if we are riding for 30 minutes or more. You definitely don’t need the branded Peloton water bottle for your bike.
Decent Towels
You will get sweaty. We got these yoga towels because they have a nice loop to hook on our handlebars. Any towel will work. I like the thin ones, but it’s up to the rider. We leave both of ours hooked on the handlebars.
Things You Should Know Before You Clip In to Your Peloton Bike
There were definitely some phrases I didn’t understand when we first clicked purchase. I had been riding the stationary bike in our apartment cardio room, and the Peloton is very different. Here is some advice I have for you to get started:
First of All, What is Clipping In? And How Do You Get Out?
You’ll get the best workout by purchasing bike shoes that clip into the pedals. That’s how the bike is intended to be used. There are ways to avoid clipping in, but I don’t have experience with that.
Clipping in simply means lining up the clips on your shoes with the pedals and pushing down until they snap into place. That part is pretty easy. I learned quickly that the absolute hardest thing you’ll do on the bike is unclip. So, practice a few times. Many instructors show you how to do it in post-ride stretches (which you should be doing anyway.)
Plenty of people get frustrated and end up leaving their shoes clipped in at all times. They hop on and lace up their shoes on the pedals. I might have tried that method, except that I share the bike with my husband, and we do not have the same size feet.
Get Your Peloton Bike Settings Right
Use the instructions online to set up your bike. If something hurts while you’re riding, it might be due to a setting that isn’t quite right for your size. Peloton stores will do a fitting in the store if you have one that is local to you. There are also instructors and private trainers that offer virtual fittings over Zoom or FaceTime. Make sure to write down your settings in case others use the bike to ensure it’s set at the appropriate spot each time you use it.
Try Multiple Instructors
Each person has their own preferred instructors. I have a few for each discipline. On the bike, I love Dennis, Emma, and Sam. I love the music they pick and how they teach the classes. I know that if I want to get my butt kicked, Kendall and Leanne are better options. If I want an easier ride with some hilarious content, Bradley is always a good choice.
When it comes to strength, I love Rebecca and Selena. Jess Sims is terrifying but also wildly effective. Aditi and Chelsea are my favorites for yoga and meditation. I love Hannah Corbin’s barre classes. There is no right or wrong answer. I recommend trying each person out and seeing who works for you and matches your energy.
Participate in the Challenges
Each month, Peloton puts out activity challenges for miles ridden, miles run, and completed exercise activities. It’s not overly hard to get a medal, and it’s helpful for me if I’m close to getting a badge at the end of the month because it pushes me. There are also specific challenges throughout the year through partnerships or as seasons change. You can see which of your friends is participating, and it’s just an added bonus motivator if you need it.
Every Part of the Screen is Optional
The bike has several information displays, but each one is easy to hide if you aren’t concerned with where you are in the overall rankings or how fast you’re going. Peloton can be a social activity with other riders, but it doesn’t have to be. You choose what you want to see or pay attention to and eliminate the rest.
Compete Against Yourself
One thing you’ll see on the “leaderboard” section of the screen is your personal record for the length of ride you’re doing. You can also see your previous results if you’ve done the same ride multiple times. It’s a fun way to see if you’re improving on your cadence and resistance.
Once You Start, You’ll Want to Talk About It Nonstop
I’ve finally come off my Peloton obsession, and now it’s just part of my day. However, if it comes up in conversation, I’m always happy to chat a bit about favorite rides, instructors, or parts of the app. Because the offerings are so varied, it’s always good to see what other people are vibing with.
Do You Have Any Other Questions About the Peloton Bike or App?
Comment below, and we will share our thoughts and opinions. If you want to try out just the app, you can use this link and get 60 days for free.