I started using the Peloton app in December 2020 and you can see my first few blog posts here if you’d like to catch up:
- Hopping on the Peloton Trend… Kinda with my non-Peloton bike set up
- My Peloton: 1 Month Check-In with my initial thoughts
- My Peloton: 2 Month Check-In thoughts after using it for 73 days
- My Peloton: 3 Month Check-In with a weight and inches update
I was happy using the Peloton app with my non-Peloton bike for the first 6 months. However, I started thinking about upgrading to an actual Peloton bike for a few reasons.
Why I Decided to Switch from my Non-Peloton to a Peloton Bike
Reason 1 – When I bought my initial non-Peloton bike, I knew that I would have to guesstimate the cadence and resistance call-outs. For the first 6 months this was not an issue at all and really helped me listen to my body to determine how hard I wanted to push each workout. However, after 6 months of consistent riding, I realized I was just kind of coasting and not challenging myself.
Reason 2 – I tried my friend’s Peloton. I didn’t think that I’d care at all about the leaderboard option, but I actually did find that it helped motivate me. However, I was SHOCKED at the cadence and resistance monitors. Even after 6 months of riding, I could barely get the cadence up to 100 on the actual Peloton bike. This is when I realized I hadn’t been working as hard as I thought I was… Her bike also felt super sturdy and MUCH nicer than mine. It was like comparing a Toyota Echo to a luxury vehicle (which I feel confident I can do, having owned a piece of crap Echo for a few years).
Once I started thinking about upgrading, I began checking out used Peloton bikes on Facebook Marketplace, but they still sell for $1,600 – $1900 with no warranty. However, the stars aligned and Peloton sent out a special deal to Peloton app subscribers on Memorial Day weekend. The deal allowed me to purchase a 2021 refurbished bike for $1,495 with free delivery and set up, and a 12 month warranty.
I thought it over and decided to pull the trigger on it. Keeping in mind that my monthly subscription fee would increase to $39 and I would need to purchase clip-in shoes (which I found on Poshmark for $55).
My new bike arrived the first week of June and I have been using it every single week since then – typically 3-4 days a week. I’ve also been keeping up with stretching, yoga or meditation on my off days. Since I started using the Peloton app in December, I have not missed a day in over 8 months!
Some thoughts on the Peloton bike:
The live class and encore option is awesome. I had no idea how fun it was to do a live class. It just has a different energy and I found myself very encouraged to give it my all. The encore classes are great too, because you have a smaller group of people that you can ride along with. I love racing someone near my output level and I really like racing my previous PR to see if I can beat it.
Video chat is so much fun. I don’t have the opportunity to use it often, but I love that you can video chat another Peloton rider while you are riding. For my sister’s rides, we all use Facetime to workout together. However, with the Peloton I can video chat my sister or friends who have a Peloton bike to cheer them on!
I actually enjoy the non-cycling classes too. When I started, I’d feel like my days where I did stretching, restorative yoga or meditation were just lazy filler days. However, after months of regular classes I really appreciate that my body NEEDS a stretch day. Or that a mediation can help me release the stress of the workday so I can fully relax at night. Now, instead of feeling like I’m cheating with my rest days, I really embrace them.
I’m working much, much harder than I was on the bike. I can now consistently get to 100 – 120 cadences without dying. I cycle anywhere from 20 minutes – 45 minutes and I’m still really enjoying it!
The instructors are so fantastic! Not only do they offer a wide variety of different class types from punk rock to Disney tunes, they are great at engaging with riders. I totally swooned when my Pelo-crush sent me a me a message on Instagram:
I am very happy that I started with a non-Peloton bike before making the full commitment. I had never regularly cycled before and it would have been a total shame if I lost interest after a month or two. This way, I was able to stick with it for 6 months and make sure I liked it before upgrading to the Peloton bike. Now that I have a Peloton, I’m super happy with the switch. For now, I’m still keeping my non-Peloton around for my husband to use when he joins me for the occasional workout.
If you’re using the Peloton app or bike, you can find me over there as JoulesGetsFit!
Let me know if you have any questions!