The best alternatives to Peloton exercise bikes

The Peloton bike is the most in-demand stationary bike of today. Peloton came about in 2012 and launched via a Kickstarter funding campaign in 2013. Since then, it’s come to dominate the at-home exercise equipment market. And the fitness world has sung its high praises, only increasing the bike’s popularity. Peloton offers a studio experience at home with its built-in screen and tons of classes. They range from strength training, yoga, cross training and stretching to name a few. But not everyone wants to or can afford to splurge on a Peloton. The bike can set you back about $2,000. And that doesn’t include the monthly subscription needed to access the classes. So keep reading to find the best Peloton alternatives that’ll give you great results for less of your money.

Echelon Smart Connect EX-3

Echelon Smart Connect EX-3 bike is a less expensive alternative to the Peloton, with features that allow you to adapt the bike to your body.

The bike’s seat is a competition seat, meaning it is narrow and allows for a wider range of motion. The flywheel offers 32 different resistance levels, ensuring you’ll find the level right for you.

Unlike the Peloton, this Echelon bike does not come with a screen, but it does have a built-in mount for your smart device.

The Echelon EX-3 bike retails for $1,039.98, including the Echelon United Monthly Membership. The membership offers a wide variety of workout methods and classes. And you’ll have access to world-class fitness instructors from the comfort of home.

Bowflex C6

If you want access to those Peloton workout classes, but don’t want to dish out for the bike, the Bowflex C6 bike could be a great choice for you.

The C6 bikes comes with dual sided pedals, a pair of three-pound dumbbells and a Bluetooth enabled heart rate armband monitor.

But the major pro of this bike is its ability to connect with different workout apps including the Peloton, Zwift and Explore the World apps. You’ll need a separate subscription for each app, but you no longer have to worry about spending $2,000 on the bike.

The access to these apps will give you so much room to find your pace and the classes you want to take. You can further tailor your workout to your liking, as the bike also has 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels.

The Bowflex C6 bike retails for $999.

The MYX

The MYX bike from MYXfitness is often compared to the Peloton for being a “total fitness system.”

The bike comes with a 21.5-inch, interactive touch screen tablet, that contains hundreds of workouts. It claims to be flexible and adjustable, and easy to switch up for different riders. The rider height range for the MYX is between 4’ 11’’- 6’8’’, and the rider weight range is up to 350 lbs.

MYXfitness does have their own monthly subscription service which you’ll need to reach any of their workouts. The subscription costs $29/month plus tax. Unlike the Peloton, MYX doesn’t offer live classes, but they do add new sessions weekly.

When ordering the bike, you have two options, the MYX and the MYX plus. The MYX Plus includes extra fitness accessories. These include:

• a six-piece weight set with kettlebell.
• an oversized exercise mat.
• an EVA foam roller.
• a resistance band.

The MYX bike retails for $1,299, and the MYX Plus retails for $1,499.

Sunny Health & Fitness Pro II

A stationary bike doesn’t need to be high tech,or fancy to be worth buying. This Sunny Health & Fitness Pro II indoor cycling bike is a great option for a stationary bike, without the bells and whistles of the Peloton.

This bike puts comfort first with a four-way adjustable seat, and caged foot pedals to ensure proper foot placement. The caged foot pedals can also prevent any slippage, especially during high intensity workouts. The bike also features a resistance knob to adjust your workout’s intensity to your liking. Sunny Health & Fitness claims the silent belt drive on the bike will make sure the bike is “quiet enough to be used anywhere with minimal distraction.”

This simple bike does not include a smart screen, but it does have a built-in tablet holder. So you can stream or play whatever workout you choose from your own device. The Pro II bike allows you to track your workout on the onboard performance monitor, while its pulse censor keeps track of your heart rate. Via the performance monitor, you can track: speed, distance, time, calories, odometer, rpm and your pulse.

This model includes a 40-lb flywheel designed for speed and stability to give you a long, smooth ride. The Pro II bike retails for $359.98.