Peloton is a popular in-home, connected exercise program that has exploded in popularity over the last 12 months. It is not cheap, though, and maybe a significant investment. “Is Peloton worth it?” is one of the most often asked questions.
That is a topic we shall attempt to address in this article, but first, a spoiler: it depends on your scenario.
Is Peloton Worth It?
It depends as to how much you use it as it does with so many other purchases.
Without a doubt, Peloton is well-liked. The service was initially launched in 2014, but it swiftly gained in popularity and was made public in 2019. The COVID-19 epidemic benefited Peloton even more, as gym warriors rushed to home-based workouts. Even in the post-pandemic era, we expect this pattern to persist.
Peloton’s commercials may be found on anything from internet videos to billboards, thanks to a strong marketing budget. The peloton had over 3 million paying subscribers as of late 2020, but more are registered members who may or may not be recurring subscribers. Peloton has a healthy income source at $40 per month. But, as a gym enthusiast, you’re more concerned with your monthly subscription price and if you’ll receive your money’s worth.
Peloton’s Cost
Let’s begin with Peloton’s price, which is not trivial. The cost of a Peloton cycle has decreased in the last year, but it is still prohibitively pricey. Expect to pay $1,500 or more — without any extras like shoes or a floor mat (this compares to over $2,200 per bike a few years ago). That’s a big chunk of coin for a piece of workout equipment that only functions once you’ve paid much more on the membership. You can acquire a decent entry-level road bike with a carbon frame & disc brakes for the price of getting a Peloton bike.
Peloton’s Benefits
The perks of Peloton are what encourage individuals to look past the price and go all-in. In the end, if you’re going to ride a Peloton cycle consistently, it could be worth the money. Peloton has a few features that make it appealing to fitness enthusiasts.
For starters, the monthly subscription grants you unrestricted access to all of Peloton’s exercises through streaming. If your schedule permitted, you could do two-a-days; there is no limit. When you consider that a spin class at a studio may cost $20, $39 for the month would not seem like a terrible value if you use it. The ease of a home-based exercise isn’t unique to Peloton; anything from Mirror to smart bike trainers (more on that below) to basic streaming workouts on a tablet is available, but Peloton appears to have reached a critical mass of customers and courses that places them in the top tier.
Are There Any Downsides of Peloton?
Let’s leave the expense, the most obvious disadvantage, aside for the time being. From a variety of perspectives, the Peloton concept has several major drawbacks. First, aside from Peloton’s $40-per-month subscription, the bike isn’t really useful. It’s unlikely that you’d just get on a cheaper peloton bike and ride for the fun of it, and you can’t take it outdoors and hit the trails with it. If you spend two grand or more on this bike, it will only be used for Peloton courses. The bike does not have numerous functions, at least not in the manner that a real bike does.
Conclusion
If you enjoy spin classes and want to be able to obtain great workouts at home, and you have the financial means to purchase a Peloton cycle, Peloton may be right for you. Many customers we speak with swear by Peloton because it allows them to work out at home when they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
If money is tight, or you prefer free passes or riding your bike, some of the other solutions we discussed may be more suitable.
