Peloton Review: Is It Worth It? How I Lost 30 Pounds in 3 Months as a Busy Mom

If you’ve been Googling “Peloton reviews” and are and wondering whether this bike is actually worth the investment, you’re in the right place!

We debated buying our Peloton for months before we actually got it.

As a homeschool mom that works from home, I don’t have extra hours to drive to the gym – and with my husband working in the film industry (a short day is 15 hours), asking for his help with childcare isn’t an option since he’s not home much during the week!

And so, we went for it and got a Peloton because it made sense for this season of life.

So today I’m sharing my honest experience – what I love, what I don’t, what it costs, how I lost 45 pounds in 5 months, and whether I’d actually buy it again.

Disclosure: Affiliate links are used throughout this post. You can read our full disclosure here. Thanks for supporting our blog!

What Is Peloton?

Peloton is a fitness company most well known for its high-tech stationary bikes and streaming workout classes.

They currently offer the following equipment:

Peloton Bike (this is the least expensive option and the one I have!)
Peloton Bike+
Peloton Tread
Peloton Tread+
Peloton Row
Peloton App – for those who don’t own Peloton equipment but want to take their streaming classes!

In addition to fitness equipment, Peloton also offers several different types of memberships to their fitness class streaming service – think of it like Netflix for workouts!

You can chose from the following:

Peloton App One – access to strength, cardio, pilates, meditation, outdoor running classes on the Peloton mobile app plus 3 cycling, treadmill, and rowing workouts per month.
Peloton Strength+ – access to strength classes on the mobile app.
Peloton App+ – access to all cycling, treadmill, and rowing workouts plus strength, cardio, pilates, meditation, outdoor running, & more on the Peloton mobile app
Peloton All-Access Membership – includes App+ membership to be used on a mobile device plus use on all of your Peloton fitness equipment with enhanced features like live metrics, leaderboard, scenic rides, and lanebreak.

With both the Peloton App One and Peloton All-Access memberships, you get access to:

Cycling classes
Strength training
Stretching
Walking & running workouts
Bike, rowing, and tread bootcamps
Outdoor workouts
Yoga
Meditation
Pilates
New live classes added daily

The streaming platform is essentially a workout class library but you can do it at home or on the go.

The only difference between App One and All-Access memberships is the fact that you need an All-Access membership to stream classes onto Peloton workout equipment. It does cost a little more but the metrics are wonderful – I really enjoy seeing my cadence and calories burned on screen while competing with my personal best results.

peloton bike on carpet with mat in white room

Best Beginner Peloton Tips:

Peloton Bike vs Bike+: What’s the Difference?

If you’re trying to decide between the Peloton Bike and Bike+, here’s a breakdown of what makes them different:

Peloton Bike

Smaller 21.5” Full HD swivel screen (the original ones didn’t have this option and its an absolute game changer on this bike!)
Manual resistance adjustment
Lower price point
Great for beginners

Peloton Bike+

Larger 23.8” Full HD rotating screen
Auto-resistance feature (one of many luxurious features on this model)
Upgraded sound
Higher price
A built-in three-speed fan
Hands-free control
Movement-tracking camera for rep tracking and form correction

How Much Does Peloton Cost?

Let’s talk numbers because they absolutely make a difference.

Initial Cost

Bike: Typically around $1,695
Bike+: Around $2,695

If you plan to do mostly cycling and strength training, the less expensive Bike is more than enough – that’s what I have and still use today.

It costs $1,000 less than the Bike+ at the time of writing this review and honestly, I can’t think of one time I wished that I has upgraded to the more expensive unit.

I added a cheap portable fan that costs under $30 to mine and was all set, haha.

Monthly Membership

The Peloton All-Access Membership is required to do classes within the bike’s interface and stream them on the bike’s built-in screen at a cost of $49.99 a month.

The Peloton App+ costs a little bit less at $28.99 a month.

To save some money, you could add a bike tray like this one to your bike and just use a tablet to run the Peloton app from there.

Or if you currently have a Peloton App+ subscription, you can do this while you wait for that to run out before upgrading to the All-Access Membership.

Other Considerations

When you compare your bike’s cost to:

$60 to $150 a month for a gym membership
Gas
Commute time
Childcare

It starts to add up and the investment feels more reasonable – and even more so if multiple family members use it too!

As I said before, the biggest factors in deciding for us were commute time and childcare – a gym membership just isn’t an option at this time in our lives.

Comparing Peloton vs Schwinn, Everlast, Adidas, and Other Spin Bike Brands

I sold my original Peloton bike and bought several different spin bikes including a Schwinn ic4 a few years ago.

At that time, I was looking to simplify expenses and tune out the noise of the world – so, with Peloton engaging in broader social and political conversations instead of staying focused on health and workouts, it didn’t make the cut!

For me, exercise is a break from the world, not a place to debate it and I’m relieved to say that I’ve seen changes on the platform since returning to it 4 years later.

The first bike I bought after Peloton was an Adidas C-21X bike I found on Costco – I liked the low price point and figured anything would be fine to get me back into spin workouts.

I was wrong and immediately noticed that the build quality difference between this and my Peloton was astronomical – the Peloton frame is made form welded carbon steel and is virtually silent when you ride it while the Adidas has a lot of plastic components and squeaks constantly.

It made me feel like there was something wrong with the bike and I didn’t want to take a chance.

I ordered an Everlast M90 next and as inexpensive as it was, it was hard to make such a drastic change after having experienced a Peloton bike – there’s a noticeable difference between the flywheel on this and the magnetic resistance of the Peloton bike. The Peloton is smoother and more comfortable to ride so you actually get excited to use it and of course, this leads to consistency.

Here’s the Adidas and Everlast bikes side by side.

Last was the Schwinn ic4, and as beautiful as this bike was, the build quality of a Peloton is still much better.

There are a ton of pieces to put together out of the box of the Schwinn ic4, so the build was a bit challenging – and I really didn’t like how much of it was plastic for the price either!

As many other Amazon buyers have noted, there’s an issue with the pedals on these things too – my right pedal developed a clunking noise after just a few months of use and it would need constant tightening.

This is what it looks like – as I said, its beautiful but I personally found that the quality deteriorates quickly and the pedals and noises made me feel uneasy.

So, I sold the Schwinn and got another Peloton Bike!

I had zero issues with my first Peloton bike as well as none so far with my new Peloton bike – and for the extra money, that piece of mind is completely worth it to me.

I didn’t feel secure out of the saddle with any of the other bikes I tried but I never even thought about it with my Peloton – I always recommend this bike based on the build quality but the app is nice too.

It’s so good to have the Peloton back!

peloton bike with red sweat towel hanging on arm

Can You Switch from App+ to All-Access Membership?

No, I learned this the hard way but at least I can share that experience!

After I got my new Peloton bike, I contacted Peloton to see if they could switch my App+ plan to an All-Access Membership that I could use within the bike.

Unfortunately, they said they were unable to give me a refund because this was done through the Apple app store – but they did offer me a couple of complimentary months of the All-Access Membership for the inconvenience!

Since the App+ membership cost me $349 Canadian for the year, I’m currently using that with my bike until its up.

I just can’t justify spending $49.99 a month when I’ve already prepaid until the fall.

So, do I think that the Peloton bike is still worth it even if you don’t use the All-Access Membership?

Yes, I do. I’m currently doing that myself!

Another one of my family members has zero membership and still uses the bike for workouts without even turning it on.

Must-Have Peloton Accessories

These are accessories I’d consider mandatory for use with your bike.

Cycling shoes (these bike shoes are great since they come with the Delta Cleats you need to clip them onto your bike)
Bike mat – this will help stabilize your bike more and protects your floors’ from sweat
Heart rate monitor – I have this one
Small portable fan – I’ve used this rechargeable one for years and its still going strong
Sweat towels like these are also a great idea since you’ll need them during hard workouts!
Water bottle – I use an 18 oz Yeti like this because it fits perfectly in the water bottle holders, has enough water for longer rides (45 minutes and up), and the chug cap is super easy to drink from.

My Results Using Peloton

I originally bought my Peloton after gaining weight during pregnancy.

I’d lost weight in the past by doing regular spin workouts, so I knew cycling worked well for me.

Here’s what changed when I brought the bike home:

I worked out more consistently
I worked out for longer because I actually enjoy these workouts
I didn’t skip workouts because of weather or other excuses
I stopped needing to “find time” to drive somewhere
My energy levels improved
My mood improved significantly

Even a couple of 20-minute rides add up when you do them consistently!

And once you do, it’s easier to stretch them out for longer – pushing to 30 minute and then 45 minute workouts as you get stronger and get into a flow that feels comfortable and enjoyable.

And for busy moms? The convenience is everything!

I lost over 45 pounds in 5 months by staying committed to working out on my Peloton bike daily while focusing on improving my nutrition too.

Here’s my before and after.

You can read my full story on how I did it here.

What I Love About Peloton

1. No More Excuses

If you have a spot in your basement, living room, or bedroom, and can get to it at some point during the day (or evening) you can work out!

No commute. No packing a bag. No arranging childcare.

I’ve done rides at 5:00 AM before my kids wake up and quick sessions during homeschool lunch breaks – when you want to make time, you will find the time.

And when you’re committed to getting fit, you find a way to make it work!

2. The Instructors Are Incredibly Motivating

The instructors are encouraging rather than overwhelming and there are a ton of them so you can find someone you enjoy rather than sticking it out with someone you don’t vibe with.

You can filter classes by:

Instructor
Music style
Difficulty
Length

My favorite instructors are Ben and Cliff!

3. Short Classes Fit Real Life

You can choose from Peloton classes that are:

5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
45 minutes+

Sometimes I only have 20 minutes – and that’s fine, it still counts!

4. The Variety Keeps It From Getting Boring

New classes are added every single day.

And not just cycling classes either – on days when you don’t feel like cycling, you can:

Do a strength workout
Take a stretch class
Try a barre session
Go for an outdoor run
Enjoy a light walk

That flexibility is really wonderful and keeps things interesting.

What I Don’t Love – Keeping It Honest

No review is complete without the downsides.

1. The Price is High

A Peloton bike is expensive. And if your budget is tight, it’s a serious consideration.

After trying several other bikes myself before eventually getting another Peloton, I can honestly tell you that build quality of this bike is significantly better than any Schwinn, Everlast, Adidas, or even Echelon (briefly in store) that I tried.

This bike a solid piece of equipment that will last you years – even with daily use.

2. The All-Access Membership is Required to Do Workouts on the Bike’s Screen

Without the Peloton App+, you don’t have access to Peloton’s workout library on your mobile devices.

And without the monthly All-Access membership (which includes App+), you can’t watch those classes on the Peloton bike’s screen.

Like Netflix or a gym membership, this streaming service costs money.

As I said above, I’ve already paid for the App+ for a full year so starting to pay for the monthly All-Access Membership would be a waste of money for me now considering I have access to all classes without the fancy built-in bike features like my burned calories, cadence, etc.

I’m fine watching classes on my ipad until the year is up and then paying for the enhanced experience after that!

3. It Takes Up Space

It’s not huge, but it’s not tiny either. You’ll need a dedicated corner or spot in your room for your Peloton.

As I said before, its a solid piece of equipment but that means its not light or easy to move around from room to room or from one floor in your home to the next!

I have my mini home gym and Peloton set up in my laundry room downstairs and it works great for our space here.

Peloton Ideas for Your Home:

4. It Can Be Intimidating at First

The leaderboard and classes can feel overwhelming for spin class beginners.

But you don’t need to gauge your progress based on other people’s metrics or even the instructors guidelines.

Focus on showing up and do the best you can right now!

Peloton vs Gym Membership

Here’s how I personally compare it.

Peloton:

No commute
Workout anytime
One-time equipment investment
Private environment
Limited equipment

Gym:

Travel time required
Limited hours
Ongoing monthly fee (you don’t own anything)
Public setting (and lineups)
Access to a wide range of equipment

If you love the atmosphere of a gym, Peloton is not going to replace that feeling.

But if you love convenience, Peloton wins every time.

Is Peloton Worth It?

In my opinion?

Yes – if you use it.

I lost 30 pounds in the first 3 months with my Peloton bike by combining spin and strength classes with a healthier diet.

So, to me, I think this bike is absolutely worth it if:

You struggle to stay consistent.
You want guided workouts.
You need something that fits around kids and work.
You prefer home workouts.

If it wasn’t for my bike and staying consistent with the routine I came up with, I would have never gotten this far in my fitness journey.

Now, that said, I’d say that the bike is not worth it if:

You don’t enjoy cycling
You won’t use it multiple times per week (at least 3 to 5 workouts)
You prefer lifting heavy weights or using large equipment that you don’t have access to at home (and is only available in a full gym)

Peloton for Beginners: How to Start

If you’re new to cycling workouts or Peloton, here’s what I recommend:

Start with 20-minute beginner rides.
Try low-impact classes first.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
Add 2 to 3 strength sessions per week – and more when you feel the need to.
Focus on showing up consistently.

You don’t need to go all in on day one – start with one 20 minute beginner ride.

Then, add a 20 minute strength training session a couple of days a week.

Once 20 minutes feels like its flying by, upgrade your workouts to 30 minute rides.

That’s what I did and I feel like it made things more manageable for my lifestyle.

Peloton Accessories I Recommend

If you’re building your home gym setup from scratch, these things will make a big difference. I already mentioned a few above, so here’s a recap of those plus a couple of extras I use:

Cycling shoes (better efficiency) – Peloton makes these ones
Bike mat – this will protects floors and keep your bike more stable on uneven surfaces (I have tiles downstairs in my laundry room and this keeps it from slipping into the cracks in between them)
2 lb dumbbells for the bike – some classes break for weight lifting sessions in between, you’ll need a set like this for those sessions
5, 10, and 15 pound dumbbells for strength training sessions (I like these ones for my small hands – I’m a 5”6 woman who had below average strength when I started out.
Small fan – this one is still my favorite since its super basic and easy to recharge
Sweat towel – I like these ones – trust me, you’ll want to wipe your face and arms down when you start sweating during ride
Heart rate monitor – I use this one and have zero connection issues

FAQs About Peloton

Can you use Peloton without a subscription?

Yes, you can.

The All-Access Membership offers a way more enhanced experience, but you don’t actually need it to use the bike.

You can “Just Ride” or use an iPad with your favorite YouTube spin classes or even the Peloton App+ to save half the cost.

Like I said above, this is what I’m currently doing because you can’t seamlessly switch from an Annual Apple subscription to the All-Access membership.

Is Peloton good for weight loss?

Yes – if paired with consistent use and balanced nutrition.

I’ve never been more consistent with my workouts than I have with my Peloton and that’s how I was able to lose 30 pounds in 3 months.

How many days per week should you ride?

Based on my personal experience, I’d aim or 3 to 5 days per week as a beginner.

When I was most out of shape, that’s what worked for me.

Trust me – there will be days where you wake up more sore two days after a workout than your were the first day after!

Is Peloton good for beginners?

Absolutely.

There are even beginner programs specifically designed to ease you into the Peloton experience!

Look for Low-Impact rides.

Final Verdict: My Honest Peloton Review

If my Peloton were to mysteriously break tomorrow (its built like a tank, so I’m not worried about this, haha), I would absolutely buy one again.

Heck, I did buy another one after experimenting with several other spin bikes for a few years – none of them compared to my Peloton.

My Peloton has helped me to stay consistent in a season of life that’s already very full!

It’s convenient. It’s efficient. And for me, that’s what makes it completely worth investing in – because in the long run that investment is in your health and wellbeing!

I saw an Instagram post the other day that really struck me and it said something along the lines of this: you can either invest in good health now or pay interest for bad health later! Isn’t that the truth?

So, if you’re considering a Peloton, ask yourself this first:

Will this help me remove obstacles and build consistency in my fitness plan? Can I see myself using it at least 3 to 5 times a week?

And if the answers are yes and yes, I think you might end up loving this bike just as much as I do.

I hope you found this review helpful – happy cycling, friend!

– Nikki