Wow just wow, what a piece of technology the Peloton Bike+ is. Yes, you likely heard the price tag right, it’s not cheap, but when you compare the cost to some gym memberships, the Peloton Bike+ is potentially better value for money (in my personal opinion). I’m going to tell you why in this Peloton Bike+ review, plus how to get yourself £100's worth of free bike accessories.
Here's my referral code that will get you £100 of accessories FREE with your Bike purchase: 6F5UTJ (and I'll receive £100 voucher for apparel too, win-win)
I’ll go into detail about the bike's features, its cost compared to other versions of the bike and more about Peloton classes available with the membership.
Quick verdict of the Peloton Bike+
My rating for the Peloton Bike+: 5 STAR!
The Peloton Bike+ is the polished Lamborghini of indoor bikes. A very high-quality, smooth operating and technologically-advanced fitness tool to turn at home training into something magical.
My Peloton Bike+ is my favourite shiny toy that I get excited to wake up and use each and every morning not just for cycling, but for strength work, yoga and meditation via the membership.
If you're thinking of purchasing a Peloton Bike or Bike+ yourself, here's my referral code that will get you £100 of accessories FREE with your Bike purchase: 6F5UTJ (and I'll receive £100 voucher for apparel too, win-win)
Pros of the Peloton Bike+
Compact frame
Sleek design
Easy to set up
Thousands of classes to choose from
Plenty of ride stats post-ride
Ability to automate resistance
Interaction with other users
Leader board filtering options
Ability to race against your previous self
Quiet functionality
Smooth transition between resistance levels
Easily adjust bike's seat height and depth as well as handlebar height
Rotating screen perfect to take classes other than cycling
Connectivity with Apple Watch or other heart rate monitors
Bluetooth earphone or speaker connectivity
Padded seat
Cons
Um…. Not enough hours in the day to use it more!
How did I choose Peloton and get my Peloton Bike+?
I’m a dance teacher by trade and have been for over 20 years, however the UK Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns really had an effect on my physical health; I was teaching less, moving about less, and like many people, finding comfort in additional food and alcohol. As you can imagine I gained a fair amount of weight over a period of about a year.
In March 2021 I had got to the point where I was so unhappy with the way I felt and looked that I had to do something about it. In the past I’ve had gym memberships, I’ve had courses with PTs, I’ve calorie counted, I’ve tried Joe Wicks meal plans and many more so-called ‘solutions’, but sometimes, it was just a little overwhelming or a lot of faff and hassle with food prep. I was craving a way to improve my health in a holistic manner for longevity, making sustainable life changes rather than ‘I’m on a diet’ changes.
My journey to improving my physical and mental health began with a book called Mind. Body. Miracle. by Jacqueline Dunne (you can read my full review here). In March, off the back of the knowledge I’d picked up from the book, I began eating more whole foods, ensuring I had plenty of fibre in my diet, I cut out most refined sugar and general white flour-based foods. After these eliminations, the second step to my journey would be adding some additional exercise.
After watching many engaging ads of ‘normal people’ enjoying using Peloton equipment, I decided to download the digital app and get a free trial to see what all the fuss was about.
To my pleasant surprise and enjoyment, the app gave me a great start to my journey to getting fitter. I was able to use my budget Argos indoor Bike for some of the cycling classes, even without the statistics. I was able to try yoga and some strength classes too, I even started meditation.
I used the Peloton app every day for 5 months, then my dad knocked on my door and said he had a surprise for me. He opened up the back of his van and there it was, the Peloton Bike+ (family package).
I had spoken before about wishing I could afford one of these beauties, yet I never dreamt I would ever own one, but here it was, my early birthday present from my dad, and a very extravagant gift at that. Wow, wow, wow, was I grateful! In fact, I cried and hugged him so hard I’m surprised he could breathe.
The Peloton Bike plus fits perfectly in my spare room along with the Bike mat, the workout mat, and some accessories too. I have used the Peloton Bike+ and the workout mat every day since and I am now on my 129th week streak using the app and Bike.
I’m excited to write this review of the Peloton Bike+. I feel I have a 'real-user' perspective that enables me to share with you the difference between the digital app and the Peloton All-Access membership with the Bike+. Read on to find out all the juicy offerings of the Peloton Bike+.
Since using Peloton classes (March 2021) riding the Peloton Bike+ and eating more whole foods:
- I have dropped over 3 stone in excess weight
- I have vastly improved my cardiovascular endurance
- I have vastly improved strength endurance in bodyweight exercises
- I have improved muscle definition
- I have increased flexibility
- I have less irritation from a knee injury than I did prior to taking Peloton classes
- I get excited to wake up in the morning to workout
- I feel post-workout highs most days
- I feel more confident in my body
- I fit back in my favourite clothes
- I feel great buying and wearing new clothes
- I feel empowered and limitless!
Price of Bike+
The Peloton Bike+ is available on the Peloton website in different packages as follows (prices correct in August 2021):
Bike+Basics £1995
Just the Bike+ itself
Bike+Starter £2195
Bike+, cycle shoes, light weights, bike mat and sports bottle
Bike+ Ultimate £2275
Bike+, cycle shoes, light weights, bike mat , sports bottle, 1 set of dumbells and workout mat.
Peloton sell the original Bike in packages for between £1345 and £1625
DON’T FORGET: If you're thinking of purchasing a Peloton Bike or Bike+ yourself, here's my referral code that will get you £100 of accessories FREE with your Bike purchase: 6F5UTJ (and I'll receive £100 voucher for apparel too, win-win)
Peloton Bike+ payment options
Peloton offers either a pay-now option or pay over 12 months with zero interest with Klana, or over 24, 39 or 43 months at 14.99% interest (correct at time eof writing). Repayments start at around £54 a month for the Bike+ basics package. Do note, however, all Peloton Bikes require you to have some form of their membership in addition to the cost of equipment, the main one being the All-Access membership, but more on that later.
Peloton Bike+ features
With the Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+ to choose from, what warrants the additional £600+ for the Bike+? Let’s look at the features that the Bike+ has over the original Bike:
Rotating touch screen:
The main reason I was first interested in the Peloton Bike+ over the original Bike was the rotating touchscreen. The screen on a Bike+ rotates a full 360° making it much easier to see the screen for other Peloton classes that are off the Bike.
As you can see in my room set up, I am limited for space so it’s great that I can turn my screen 90° to take part in strength and yoga classes. The original Bike screen does adjust up and down but does not rotate, so for someone like me that would’ve been difficult to use.
Bigger screen & better sound:
The touchscreen on the Bike+ is 1.3in bigger than the original Bike screen and has a four-channel audio output with subwoofers, unlike the original Bike. The volume is pumping, I can vouch for its epicness when I’ve turned it right up on those rides where you need to have the music pumping to get you through, however, I’m not sure my neighbours are as happy about the upgraded speakers as I am.
Auto-follow:
This feature is incredibly handy for on-demand rides. Auto-follow is a feature where with one ‘tap’ it will make your Peloton Bike+ follow the resistance set by the instructor automatically. This is not just great for ease of use but also helpful on those days where perhaps you’re not feeling as awake and you could be and are more inclined to choose an easier resistance just to get through the ride. The auto-follow helps to push me to be the best athlete I can be and not ease up on my resistance, I always feel great for it afterwards.
Apple Watch Pairing
Unlike the original Peloton Bike, you can now pair your Apple watch and Bike+ with a simple tap of the watch icon on the top of the screen at the start of a ride. Allowing you to share heart rate, output and other workout details between devices.
Reduced-reflective and anti-smudge coating
Upgraded screen features allow for sweaty hands not to make as much of a mess on your screen. I have my Bike situated by a window and the glare does not affect my screen during a ride I can see it all perfectly.
USB-C Charging port
The handy port at the back of the screen allows you to charge your other devices while you’re riding. This feature has been handy for me while on longer rides.
8-megapixel front-facing camera
This is not a feature I use, but for those of you who want to use the Bike to chat with friends too, you’ve got 3 megapixels better quality than on the original Peloton Bike.
Smarter and tidier unit
The seat and handlebar adjusters are more user friendly, quicker and smoother to use and the Bike+ cables are tidier and more tucked away than the original. Having easy to use height adjusters helps personalise quickly for multiple household members using the Bike+.
Peloton Bike vs Bike+.
Is it worth upgrading to Peloton Bike Plus?
Is Peloton Bike+ worth the extra?
For me, yes the upgrade is worth the money as my workout space requires me to be at a right-angle to the Bike+ for off-Bike classes so I need to rotate the screen. As I do classes every day that’s worth the investment for me.
I also use the auto-follow resistance for on-demand classes, which I do 2-3 times per week. OK that feature isn’t essential, but I enjoy having the feature on.
Being a dance teacher, I love music pumping, with the bassier and louder Peloton Bike+ speakers they satisfy my need to really ‘feel’ the music.
If you have a large space for your bike, and an area for your off-Bike classes which is next to it, facing the same direction as the bike, and you plan on using your Bike with Apple Airpods or other wireless earbuds, then I’d suggest considering the original Bike. Even though I enjoy the auto-follow feature, I would probably have considered the original Bike if I had more space.
Is there a Peloton Bike+ Weight Limit?
Yep, both the original Peloton Bike and Bike+ have the same user weight limit which is 135kg (21 stone 3 lbs)
What is the Peloton Bike+ Weight?
The Peloton Bike+ is very similar in weight to the original, just 2kg heavier at 63kg.
What are the Peloton Bike+ dimensions?
Both the original Bike and the Bike+ have the same floor footprint which is 120cm by 60cm. Peloton recommends having 60cm of space around all four sides of the Bike. I totally agree on the 60cm for the lateral sides; Interval and arms rides that use the Bike weights require you to raise your arms out at 90 degrees to the sides and you don’t want to feel restricted.
How much does the Peloton subscription cost UK?
To use the full features of your Peloton Bike+ you need the All-Access Membership which is £39 per month.
This All-Access membership allows for multiple members of your household to have their own login and record on the Bike and other Peloton classes. The membership gives you access to not only the cycling classes, but all of the other offerings from Peloton live and on-demand including strength, stretching, yoga, meditation, boot camps, outdoor runs and much more.
What Is The Difference Between The Peloton Digital Membership and The Peloton All-Access Membership?
The 2 key differences are:
1. The digital membership is intended for an individual, (not the whole household), who doesn’t have a Peloton Tread or Bike and who wants to use their own equipment to enjoy the library of classes. The digital membership is £12.99 per month.
2. One of the many great things about the Peloton Bike and Bike+ is the live in-ride stats for cadence, resistance, output, power zones, calories, heart rate and much more which can only be logged with the all-access membership.
What’s my opinion of the Peloton classes online via the Bike+?
Easy to follow
Motivational instructors
Great instructions for the best technique
Huge variety of music, level, length and objectives in class.
Great stream quality
The ability to change the ‘mix’ between music and instructor is nice for music led rides.
Always something on the live schedule throughout the day I fancy taking
I love to stack my classes (pre-select them to run consecutively)
Overall Peloton offers the best online platform I’ve ever tried in regard to quality, variety and user experience.
Conclusion on the Peloton Bike+
If I’d known how great the Bike+ was when I first started this journey, I would’ve purchased one back then regardless of the financial investment as it would’ve been the best investment in myself I’d ever make. Thanks to a very generous dad however I’m lucky enough to own a Bike+.
You can feel the quality of what you’re riding; it feels expensive in a good way when you’re in the saddle, it’s smooth, it’s seamless in resistance transition, it’s silent, it’s a quality home work out.
The adverts are true; a high-five received from other Peloton members during a ride and the friendly competition on the leader board is super motivating, and I do feel part of a community with Peloton.
I’ve also received three shout-outs to date from instructors during live classes when I’ve reached milestones in rides and strength classes, what a buzz to know they see you and your hard work too!
I had a budget Bike from Argos when I first started and the Peloton Digital app, and don’t get me wrong, it was awesome at that level, but since having the Peloton Bike+, wow, what a piece of kit! I love my mornings (my Peloton time), I get excited to wake up and jump in the saddle. Come ride with me, my handle’s ‘MorningPelo_Jen’ see you there future fellow Peloton-er!
Need a Peloton Discount / Referral / Promo code UK? Want your £100 of freebies with your Bike purchase?
Use mine: 6F5UTJ This will get you £100 of accessories FREE with your Bike purchase: (and I'll receive £100 voucher for apparel too, win-win)
Thanks for reading
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Jen - Author of Tried and Loved
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