Best Peloton Alternatives for 2023
It’s not exactly shocking that Peloton has experienced a categoric rise in the home cardio equipment sphere. The popularity of intensive spin classes, advances in exercise technology and connectivity, and a significant shift in gym culture have contributed to Peloton’s growth. Fitness enthusiasts thrive on community but also love the autonomy of choosing where, when, and with whom they train, which is a large part of the Peloton experience.
But, as you probably learned in economics class, where there is demand, there will inevitably be supply. Enter other cardio equipment manufacturers, like Echelon, who have created their answers to the Peloton by offering their personal spin on the notorious exercise bike.
So, which Peloton alternatives are worth your consideration? In addition to our research, we asked cycling expert Elspeth Huyett—a 2021 Elite National Champion and Level 3 Cycling Coach with 20 years of experience—for her thoughts on our top Peloton alternative picks and how they stack up against the Peloton itself.
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Echelon is known as the “Peloton alternative” because the two bikes are similar in a lot of key areas. However, the Echelon bike is a lot more affordable than the Peloton and has more models to choose from—five to Peloton’s two. The Echelon EX-8s features a 24-inch curved HD touchscreen, 32 levels of magnetic resistance, and an integrated LED flywheel that changes color with your metrics.
With the sizable interactive touchscreen, you can connect to Echelon FitPass and stream thousands of available on-demand workout classes or join one of the 40+ live classes offered daily. Want to train away from your bike seat? The screen rotates up to 180 degrees, which allows for more training variety and a rest-day yoga session. “The screen flip on this is similar to the Peloton +, making it great for cross-training if you’re looking to make your exercise bike the focus of your home gym,” says Elspeth Huyett.
Lastly, the flywheel on this bike is a whopping 38 pounds of stability and the pedals are dual-sided and SPD compatible, so you can switch from your sneakers to your cycling shoes, depending on your preference.
NordicTrack has been in the cardio equipment game for a long time, and for good reason. Aside from the sleek look of the NordicTrack S21i bike, it packs in many of the same features as the Peloton but goes one step further with its massive 27-inch HD touchscreen—the cherry on top of an already impressive machine. The screen also has the ability to rotate, which allows you to take your training off-bike when needed.
NordicTrack uses iFIT programming which offers thousands of on-demand classes that range from HIIT to yoga. The choice is yours for riding destinations, expert trainers, and skill levels. You can take a leisurely beginner-style ride through the streets of Italy or sweat it out during one of the instructor-led HIIT classes. All that to say, you’ll want to connect to iFIT to unlock the full potential of this bike, so you’ll need to factor this subscription into your overall cost.
I have the NordicTrack S22i—similar to the 27i but with a smaller screen—and I swear by it. I love the AutoAdjust that mimics actual terrain as it moves between incline and decline and the engaging trainers that take you on a journey through exotic destinations. I was lacking the motivation to exercise regularly, but now I find myself looking forward to my cardio sessions.
Our cycling expert Huyett drove the point home, saying, “[The NordicTrack S27i] would be my top recommendation. It has a large screen, which I find more engaging than smaller options. The ability to change the incline AND decline makes for a more real-world experience, which can make the hours tick by. Plus, you’ll love the fan if you’ve been on it for more than 10 minutes!”
What We Like
27″ rotating HD touchscreen
Great warranty
30-day iFIT free trial included
Silent magnetic resistance
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
Heavy and can be hard to move
Source: active
