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Getting fit can be a rather expensive process. Gym membership costs are high, and you have to find the time to commute and keep up with the schedule. Getting a Peloton alternative that you can hop on to in your home can be a good way to get started with your fitness journey and get ahead of that New Year's resolution.

It'll cost you quite a bit less if you get one now instead of waiting until the new year rolls around because we're seeing tons of discounts on fitness equipment right now. Both of our favorites that made it to the list are currently discounted, but these discounts typically don't last too long, so we recommend you buy one while the sales are still on.

Although the Peloton is the most popular exercise bike, it may not be what everyone is looking for. There may be better options to fit your needs. We rounded up this list with alternatives that can be better options if you don’t want to commit to a Peloton.

Assembly

The perks of owning a Peloton are that assembly is included with your delivery. If you decide to buy a Peloton alternative, be prepared to assemble it on your own. We looked at the options the exercise bike brand offered or included assembly. For those bikes we had to assemble, we considered how clear the instructions were and how long it took to build the bike.

Features

Similar to the Peloton, these alternatives include a subscription to access their classes. We looked at whether the member subscription is essential to your indoor cycling experience or if there’s an option to just ride or connect to other third-party apps. We also looked at how the bike’s features compare to a Peloton.

Functionality

During the testing experience, we examined how well the exercise bike functioned compared to a Peloton. We considered whether any pieces arrived broken or if parts of the bike didn’t function correctly. We also observed how intuitive it is to use as a first-time rider since a Peloton is relatively easy to use.

Warranty

When making a big purchase like a Peloton alternative, it’s essential to know the warranty in case anything breaks. We looked at the warranty's length and what parts of the exercise bike it covers.

Testing a Peloton alternative means it needs to meet a few basic benchmarks to see how it measures up against the Peloton. While testing these bikes, we took into consideration assembly, the types of classes offered and the features while comparing it to the true Peloton experience. We looked at the following:

Size, stability and comfort: This includes ease of assembly (if needed), the size of the bike, how much noise it makes, whether it wobbles and how comfortable it is to sit and ride. 

Software features: As a Peloton alternative, it must provide a similar experience to the Peloton bike. This includes heart-rate monitoring, a wide variety of workout types through its workout subscription, plus an app and/or a built-in screen to access these workouts.

Ease of use: Peloton alternatives should be easy enough for a beginner or advanced rider to use. If they’re too complicated, they can’t be Peloton alternatives.

Schwinn IC 4:

The Schwinn IC 4 left much to be desired because the console arrived broken and wouldn’t turn on. This is a traditional exercise bike that I have used in the past and like overall. But I wouldn’t label it as a “best Peloton alternative.” It doesn’t have a touchscreen, so you’ll need a tablet to use it and follow along with your favorite third-party workout apps. We will update this review once we receive a replacement.  

ZWIFT Ride with KICKR Core

I didn’t think the ZWIFT Ride with KICKR Core was appropriate for a Peloton alternatives list since it’s unique enough to be in its own category and was designed for serious cyclists who want an indoor trainer experience. The bike’s frame is a smart bike that connects to Wahoo’s KICKR Core, which automatically controls the resistance on the bike. Since this bike doesn't have a touchscreen, you will need a tablet or smartphone to use the ZWIFT companion app. 

The ZWIFT workout imagery design resembles a cross between the Sims and Mario Kart video games without the special effects. If you plan on using a different cog other than the KICKR core, you have to make sure it is ZWIFT compatible first. This is a better option as an exercise bike instead of a Peloton alternative.

Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle

The Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle was a straightforward exercise bike overall, but I wouldn’t consider it the best option for a Peloton alternative. It didn’t come with broken parts and was on the easier side to assemble, so I would recommend this to someone who wants a simple and reliable bike. It does connect to the Peloton app and others, but lacks a touchscreen and high-tech features. A plus is that this exercise bike has a lifetime warranty. 

We test new products throughout the year to update our best lists. For Peloton alternatives, we are currently testing and considering the following exercise bikes:

BowFlex C6 Bike: This is BowFlex's newest exercise bike that is compatible with the Peloton app. We previously tested the BowFlex IC Bike SE and named it our Peloton alternative budget pick. (See Updates below for news about BowFlex.)

Peloton is considered the best of the best when it comes to exercise bikes. Other exercise bikes allow you to do the same workouts with some differences. For example, there may be bikes that have their own version of a touchscreen and cycling classes. Most workouts you do on a Peloton can also be done on a Peloton alternative. Some exercises you may want to try include:

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): If you're used to riding an exercise bike, you're familiar with HIIT rides. You use short bursts of energy followed by a rest period, and you can play around with the resistance to make the ride harder or easier. Additionally, it's a good way to get a quick workout in less than 30 minutes.

Hills and sprinting: If you're focusing on improving your stamina and endurance, practicing cycling uphill with heavy resistance and sprinting on little to no resistance on an exercise bike is a good way to do so. You should also have the option to “Just Ride,” similar to Peloton, which doesn’t require connecting to a class. 

Other group fitness classes: As a Peloton member, one of the perks is access to workout classes beyond cycling. You should be able to take similar classes with a Peloton alternative.

Adjust the bike to your needs: Before using a Peloton alternative, you’ll need to adjust the seat and handlebars. This will vary per person, but ideally, you want the seat to be hip height.

Wear the right shoes: Peloton alternatives may allow you to use clip-in shoes (just like Peloton), while others only have cages that can fit any sneaker. If you’ve never used clip-in shoes, you should practice getting on and off the bike with them first, since they have a bit of a learning curve.

Know your bike: It's helpful to learn where the resistance is located on your Peloton alternative. For example, on most bikes, you turn a knob to adjust the resistance level. If your device has a touchscreen, it's helpful to know how to access the classes you’ll want to participate in, adjust settings like volume, and set up user profiles and other features. Finally, you’ll want to know how to stop the bike in case of an emergency.

":"Which bike is Peloton's biggest competitor?","answer":"

This is a tough question to answer because it depends on what kind of exercise bikes you’re into. But based on the popular exercise bikes and the bikes that resemble Peloton the most during testing, it would have to be NordicTrack, BowFlex and Echelon.

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You’ll want to consider cost, size, display screen and whether you want to pay for a monthly subscription. If your main goal is to simulate the experience of riding a Peloton, you’ll want to get a bike that offers similarities, like the NordicTrack S24.

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Indoor cycling is a full-body workout. It targets your core, upper body, back, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and lower legs. Some bikes also include weights so you can more specifically target muscle groups in your arms.

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The most eye-catching aspect of the Peloton exercise bike is its 21.5-inch HD touchscreen. For a Peloton alternative, you want the exercise bike to have a screen or tablet compatibility. Some exercise bikes like NordicTrack and Echelon come with the large touchscreens, but other brands like BowFlex require you to use a tablet to access classes. The smaller screen may not draw you in as much, but it’s a personal preference whether you want the touchscreen.

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Peloton charges $44 a month for its All-Access membership. As you can tell by the Peloton alternatives list, other brands offer similar memberships through their app subscriptions. You can use any of these bikes independently, but if you want to get the most out of a bike, you may want to consider signing up for a membership as well. The other plus is most of these exercise bikes connect to third-party apps, so there are different ways to use them.  

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This depends on the type of experience you’re looking for. An Echelon is a slightly more affordable option ($300 cheaper), and it’s easy to follow like a Peloton. But a Peloton has a rotating screen, and its instructors tend to be more high-energy than Echelon’s. If the classes matter the most to you, an Echelon membership is slightly cheaper than Peloton’s, so you may want to spend the extra money on the classes and bike if it’s in your budget.

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Editor’s note, June 10, 2024: BowFlex filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024, and the brand is now owned by Johnson Health Tech, which also owns Horizon Fitness and Matrix. You can still buy BowFlex products through its website and via retailers such as Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Editor's note, Jan. 1, 2025: We'll be updating this page periodically in the new year. There are currently new machines in the testing stages, as you'll see noted below. Some brands we're considering that weren't tested previously include Schwinn, Aviron, NordicTrack, Horizon and Zwift Ride.

Editor's note, June 30, 2025: This whole page has been overhauled and updated with new products and testing.