How to Stream the Peloton App Without Blowing Your Life Savings On A Peloton Bike

Thanks to Covid, gyms are so 2019. Which is why many of us have figured out new ways to stay in shape without boring ourselves to death—all while keeping socially distanced. To wit, the biggest personal fitness trend this year has been streaming live and on-demand classes.

You stream movies and TV shows, so it only makes sense that you stream your fitness too. Right now, our favorite streaming exercise app is Peloton, which is an extremely reasonable $13 a month after a 30-day free trial. You may remember the trendy exercise brand from its stylized commercials, though its 2019 Christmas ad was maligned as sexist and lampooned by Ryan Reynolds. It started with a spinning studio in NYC, perky instructors and a line of upscale exercise bikes, but during the pandemic, the stand-alone Peloton app blossomed into a streaming destination for all kinds of fitness—from yoga to weight training to barre. All of which can be done with or without equipment.

And, to keep interest and subscriptions high, Peloton recently added the Beyonce Artist Series collaboration, which features a series of streaming classes set to Queen Bey tunes–including a Beyonce Ride, Yoga Flow and even an Outdoor Run. Instructors got in the high spirit wearing Beyonce-inspired outfits, like VP, Fitness Robin Arzon’s Adam Selman Sport tiger-print leggings, $95 (by the way, Robin plays the very best music AND hosts a Hamilton ride which cannot be beat) and the sheer stretch lace crop top on Ally Love, also known as the in-arena host for the Brooklyn Nets.

Of course, with the holidays on their way, you may be considering adding a home exercise bike to go with the app—if you haven’t already done so. Yes, Peloton offers its namesake bike, starting at $1900 which includes a generous 22-inch display to stream classes. But one thing to consider before you splurge is the extra $40 per month you’ll have to pay for the Peloton All-Access Membership to compete on the Peloton Leaderboard Board during live classes as well as download advanced performance data from your workout.

However, if you’re working on a budget, t’s just as easy to purchase a less expensive bike, download the Peloton app for significantly less, and enjoy it on one of your own screens (Peloton is available on iOS, Google Play and in the Roku store).

So, for those of you who are hoping to nab a lower-priced option, here are three of the best Peloton bike alternatives this season for under $1000. You may not get the big, fancy screen, but you can use your phone, tablet or TV to stream those videos or join in the live classes just as easily. And, with the full schedule of festive Peloton holiday rides starting December 7, you can still pick a fun user name. Though if you’re thinking @isweatforeggnog, sorry that’s taken.

Echelon Connect, $497

This Echelon EX-1 LE Bluetooth connected bike is a solid alternative to Peloton and quite a deal right now at Walmart for under $500, down from $840. You’ll have to follow the accompanying video to assemble it yourself, but we promise, it’s not out of your league. It also comes with weights which can be stored in the rack behind the adjustable seat. A built-in holder lets you supply your own screen and even includes a handy charging port, but you won’t be apprised which of the 32 resistance levels you’re on because there’s no digital console. Echelon does offer its own monthly FitPass with live and on-demand classes, and Walmart is throwing in six months for free, though the cheapest plan is $20 a month if you want to keep going.

Buy the Echelon Connect bike at Walmart

buy the echelon connect bike at echelon

Sunny Health & Fitness Evolution Pro Cycling Bike, $680

No, you won’t get an electronic display to keep you updated on resistance or speed, but the magnetic resistance is smooth and silent and can be easily controlled—and the assembly is straightforward. Both the handlebars and the seat adjust up and down as well as side to side, though the caged foot pedals mean you won’t be able to clip in cycling shoes. Comes with an adjustable bottle holder and you can place your device between the handlebars, though it’s missing a specified holder.

buy the sunny health & fitness evolution pro cycling bike on amazon

buy the sunny health & fitness evolution pro cycling bike at Walmart

Bowflex C6 Bike, $999

This mid-range option from the trusted fitness brand, owned by Nautilus, includes free shipping, Bluetooth connection and connected backlit metric console which logs your resistance out of the 100 levels, speed and even your heart rate if you strap on the included Bluetooth heart rate monitor. The Bowflex C6 bike is easy to put together, has an adjustable seat and handlebars, and comes with a pair of three-pound weights. The pedals are dual-sided so you can use regular sneaker or clip-in with bike shoes and a built-in device holder on the handlebars also has a USB outlet for charging.

buy the bowflex c6 bike at bowflex

MYX Fitness Bike, $1300

Though it’s more expensive than the other alternatives, MYX Fitness is still significantly less than Peloton and comes with a 21.5-inch screen. It also differs by offering a more personal fitness approach rather than a competitive one, along with a sturdy, customized version of a Star Trac bike, a Polar heart rate monitor and a limited time holiday gift bundle including a water bottle, tote bag and neck gaiter worth $75. Like the other bikes, set-up is simple, but unlike the others, you’re paying extra for the expansive display. So, if you decide to choose MYX Fitness, you’ll also want to seriously consider paying the $30 per month for it’s targeted on-demand cycling classes as well as Barre, core, dance cardio, foam rolling, HIIT, kettlebells, kickboxing, mobility, meditation, Pilates, postnatal and prenatal, sculpt, stretching, strength, and yoga.

Buy MYX Fitness Bike at MYX fitness here