Long before quarantine, and long before bloggers started giving them away like candy on Instagram, I’ve been obsessed with getting a Peloton bike. But reality hits hard when you realize that the price tag is over $2,000. I’ve done the math, and I’ve done all the research so I get why everyone believes the Peloton bikes are the holy grail of at-home cycling. I’m sure they are great, but I think it’s smart to weigh other options too. Over the past few months, I’ve been highly researching indoor cycling bikes. Today, I’m excited to share with you which one I landed on.
Hint: It’s not a Peloton
I love to ask my audience on Instagram their opinions on products, and boy did they come in strong with their suggestions for stationary bikes. The overwhelming majority of them said “PELOTON. PELOTON. PELOTON.”
And I get it, I bet Peloton bikes are the Mercedes-Benz of stationary bikes but aren’t you left wondering how the other mainstream cycling bikes on the market measure up?
Could you be saving $1,500 by going with a more budget-friendly bike that still gets the job done? You’re about to find out!
Best Stationary Cycling Bikes
Last year, I fell in love with cycling through a boutique studio here in Birmingham, AL called Three15. The last time I traveled to Miami, I visited another popular cycle studio called SoulCycle to see how the experience and the bike compared. I tell you this to let you know that I do my research before posting about things on this blog!
I’ve been a cycler for a little over a year now and have become obsessed with the experience and workout that professional studios like Soul Cycle and Three15 are able to provide. After gyms shut down during quarantine, many (myself included) started looking for ways to spin at home.
I was determined to find a Peloton alternative that could give me a similar spin experience for a whole lot less money. Even after Peloton dropped their prices in September, the retail was still around $2,000 and that’s a big investment for some.
Here’s how I created a DIY Peloton for under $600 from Amazon!
How to Create Your Own At-Home Cycle Studio
Here are all the pieces of equipment, technology, and subscriptions you’ll need to create a professional-feeling cycle studio in your own home. These are exact links for the things I have.
DIY Peloton Bike:
- Amazon Indoor Cycling Bike… $369
- Heavy Duty Equipment Mat… $50
- SPD Clips / Pedals (Optional — but highly recommend)… $80
- Cycle Shoes with clips (Optional — but highly recommend)… $130
- Tablet Holder for Bike (Optional)… $20
- Online Cycling Classes… $12/mo
- Wireless Ear Buds (best purchase ever!)… $20
BONUS GEAR: Best Sports Bra Ever, and I also love their cropped leggings and tights as well. They run neck and neck with my other favorite workout leggings (Lululemon Align II) and are a little bit cheaper. WINNING!
Watch my Sunny Cycling bike review on YouTube to see my complete set up!
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