Peloton Bike vs Bike Plus: Which is the Best For You?
As busy people, we know that finding the time to hit the gym can be challenging. That’s where Peloton comes in – a game-changer in the fitness industry that brings the gym to you. Now, we understand the question on everyone’s mind: Peloton Bike vs Bike Plus – how do they compare and which one is the best?
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Before we dive into the details, let’s set the scene. Imagine this: it’s early morning, your home is quiet, and it’s just you, your Peloton, and a virtual high-energy cycling class. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? In this post we’ll go over everything you need to know about the Peloton Bike and Peloton Bike+.
Peloton Bike: An Overview
The Peloton Bike is truly the OG of at-home fitness. It’s sleek, compact, and designed to fit seamlessly into your home without taking up too much space. But don’t let its size fool you. This stationary bike is packed full of additional features that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to bring their fitness routine home.
First up, the Peloton Bike boasts an adjustable seat and handlebars, making it a great fit for multiple users in the household. You can easily customize the height and depth of your seat and the height of your handlebars to ensure a comfortable ride every time.
- Screen tilts to accommodate different heights
- 21.5” HD touchscreen
- 2-channel audio with 2x10 watt speakers
- 4’ x 2’ footprint, smaller than your average yoga mat
- Resistance knob for manual control
The bike features a 22″ HD touchscreen that allow to access almost every workout Peltoon has to offer (with the exception of Treadmill classes – these are only available on the digital app or the Peloton Tread).
With thousands of on-demand classes ranging from high-intensity spin sessions to yoga and strength training, you’re sure to find a workout that suits your mood and fitness level.
The Peloton Bike also includes a pair of 3 lb dumbbells, which fit neatly into a holder behind the seat, perfect for those upper body workouts and classes like light weights and spinning.
Lastly, let’s talk about the community. When you purchase a Peloton Bike, you’re not just buying a piece of fitness equipment. You’re joining a community of like-minded individuals who will cheer you on and keep you motivated.
So, is the Peloton Bike worth it? For those who want a solid, reliable, and versatile workout machine with a sense of community, the Peloton Bike is a fantastic option.
Peloton Bike Plus: An Overview
Let’s switch gears and talk about the newest addition: the Peloton Bike Plus. The biggest difference is that the Bike Plus takes everything we love about the original Peloton experience and kicks it up a notch.
The Bike Plus comes with a larger 24″ HD anti-reflective touchscreen that swivels and tilts, offering even more flexibility when you want to jump off the bike and into a strength, yoga, or cool-down class. Plus, the large screen has a high-fidelity four-speaker sound system, so whether you’re cycling up a pretend mountain or meditating, you’ll have a totally immersive workout experience.
- Rotating screen with 360º of movement to seamlessly shift from cycling to strength, yoga and more
- 23.8” HD, anti-reflective touchscreen
- 4-channel audio with tweeters and full-range drivers that deliver studio-quality sound
- 4' x 2' footprint, smaller than your average yoga mat
- Resistance knob for manual control or Auto-resistance option, which automatically changes your resistance to match instructors’ cues
- Apple GymKit™ integration tracks cycling workouts and syncs your metrics
One of our favorite features – and trust me, it will be your new best friend – is the Auto-Follow resistance levels system. This feature automatically adjusts the resistance based on the instructor’s cues, so you can focus more on your workout and less on the knobs.
The Bike + also features a built-in swivel screen, so when you take a strength class, Bike Bootcamp, or another mat workout, you can move the screen to see it at any angle.
And let’s remember the Apple GymKit integration. If you’re an Apple Watch user, you can seamlessly pair it with the Bike Plus for an accurate heart rate monitor and to keep those Apple Rings closing.
Of course, the Bike Plus keeps the sense of community that Peloton is known for, connecting you with riders around the world, along with live classes and on-demand classes to make every workout exciting.
Peloton Bike vs Bike Plus
When it comes to choosing between the Peloton Bike and the Peloton Plus, it boils down to your personal preference and needs.
The Bike Plus has notable upgrades – a fully adjustable larger screen, enhanced sound system, automatic resistance adjusting, and Apple GymKit integration. These additions seem like minor tweaks, but they can significantly enhance your workout experience, especially if you’re into strength training or yoga classes off the bike.
That said, the original Peloton Bike still holds strong with most of the same features and access to the same fantastic community and variety of classes. Plus, it is a more budget-friendly price tag option, which might be a deciding factor for many.
In essence, both bikes deliver a stellar virtual fitness experience. The Bike Plus offers a few more conveniences, making your Peloton workouts seamless and immersive. However, the original Peloton Bike remains a solid, more affordable choice for those who prioritize functionality and versatility over the latest new features.
It’s worth noting though that while new features roll out to both the Bike and Bike Plus, some features in the future might only be available for the Bike Plus.
What Bike is Best for Who?
So, who’s the Peloton Bike for, and who’s the Bike Plus for home workouts? Let’s break it down.
The Peloton Bike is an excellent choice for those just starting their fitness journey or users on a budget who still want a solid, high-quality workout. It’s also perfect for households with multiple users due to its easy adjustability.
Not to mention, the compact design is a game-changer for those living in smaller spaces. Peloton has begun to roll out most Bike Plus software features to the Bike so if you don’t need\ auto resistance or a swivel screen, the regular Bike would be a good option for you.
Conversely, the Peloton Bike Plus is designed for those who crave a little more luxury in their workouts. The larger swivel and tilt screen is a huge plus if you’re constantly switching between cycling and off-bike workouts.
The Auto Follow resistance system is perfect for those who want to focus solely on the workout, not the settings. And if you’re an avid Apple Watch user, the seamless Apple Watch integration is just the cherry on top.
At the end of the day, the Peloton Bike and Bike Plus promise a fun, effective workout, and a vibrant peloton community. Your perfect match simply depends on your personal needs and preferences.
Adapting Bike to Become Bike Plus
For Peloton Bike users who find the swiveling screen of the Bike Plus enticing, there’s good news! There are third party accessories available that allows your screen to swivel, providing extra flexibility without needing to upgrade to the new Bike Plus. This means you can easily transition between cycling and floor exercises.
The Pivot is an accessory available on Amazon that is easy to install to turn your regular bike screen into a swivel screen. You can read about our experience with The Pivot here!
Please note that this enhancement doesn’t include the Auto-Follow feature of the Bike Plus. However, if the ability to swivel your Peloton screen is a significant motivating factor for you, this may be a better option and a great deal to consider.
More Peloton Articles
Looking for more Peloton tips? Make sure you check. out these articles:
- What is a Peloton Power Zone Ride?
- How to Use Peloton at the Gym
- Peloton Bike vs Elliptical – How Do They Compare?
- What Muscles Are You Actually Using on the Bike?
- How to Train for a Marathon with Peloton
