SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
If you’re in the market for at-home workout equipment, you’ve probably thought about Peloton. With its signature Peloton Bike and Bike+, the company promises a full-body cardio workout with motivating classes taught by instructors with big personalities and a sense of community.
But the Peloton experience comes with a steep price tag. If you buy directly from the company, a Peloton costs $1,695 for a new Bike while its upgraded counterpart, the Bike+, is $2,695.
Is Peloton worth it? Here’s what you need to know if you're considering buying a bike as well as how it might fit in your budget.
What is a Peloton? The Bike vs. Bike+
When they say “Peloton,” most people mean a stationary exercise bike with a touch screen that makes it seem like you’re in the front row of cycling or other exercise classes. Peloton also makes treadmills and a rowing machine, but we’re focusing on the bikes, the company’s primary product.
Peloton bikes come in two models. The Bike is compact and features a large, 21.5-inch swivel HD touch screen. You can pair your Apple Watch or heart rate monitor to get personalized stats.
The Bike+ adds a bigger, 23.8-inch swivel HD touch screen, which makes strength, yoga and other off-bike workouts convenient.
The resistance knob on the Bike+ automatically adjusts along with the instructor, so riders don’t have to take their hands off the handlebars. Riders have to manually adjust the resistance on the Bike.
Meet MoneyNerd, your weekly news decoder
So much news. So little time. NerdWallet's new weekly newsletter makes sense of the headlines that affect your wallet.
How much does a Peloton bike cost? Buying vs. renting
Peloton offers the option to buy a new or refurbished bike as well as to rent a Bike+. Rental bikes are a mix of new and refurbished that have been “thoroughly inspected,” according to Peloton.
Here’s a cost breakdown by model if you buy directly from Peloton (prices may vary elsewhere):
| Peloton Bike | Peloton Bike+ |
|---|---|
| Buy new: $1,695. Buy refurbished: $1,145. Rent: Not available. | Buy new: $2,695. Buy refurbished: $1,995. Rent: $124.99 a month. |
The buy price includes delivery and setup (renters pay a one-time $150 fee) along with a one-year limited warranty. The rental price includes a Peloton membership ($49.99 value), a pair of cycling shoes ($125) and the option to cancel or buy out your bike at any time.
How much does a Peloton membership cost and do I need one?
A Peloton membership provides access to a large library of classes, including cycling as well as strength training, yoga and Pilates. The All-Access Membership requires a Peloton bike, while the app memberships can be used with any model of bike or no equipment at all.
All-Access Membership
At $49.99 a month, this is the top-tier Peloton membership typically purchased when you buy a Bike or Bike+. You can access unlimited content on your bike’s screen and through the Peloton app. It is meant for a household to share with up to 20 user profiles.
Peloton app memberships
For these memberships, designed for a single user, you’ll need to download the Peloton app.
- Peloton App One ($12.99 a month or $129 annually) offers a selection of classes, including programs, challenges and live classes.
- Peloton App+ ($28.99 a month or $289 annually) takes what the other App membership offers and adds unlimited equipment classes, cadence tracking and real-time metrics from third-party devices.
After a free 30-day trial of the App One and App+, you’ll be automatically billed for the membership. You can upgrade (or downgrade) your membership or cancel at any time.
Is Peloton worth it? Pros and cons
Making a list of what’s important to you is a good way to figure out if the cost of a Peloton is worth it.
Pros of a Peloton Bike
- Convenience: You don’t have to leave your home to work out, which means you could save time and money on a gym membership.
- Space saving: The Peloton is popular for its low profile. The company says the 4x2 foot Bike is “smaller than your average yoga mat.”
- Variety: There are many class options at various durations, and the mix of instructors and music genres could keep your workout routine fresh.
- Metric tracking: You could get a good feel for how your body performs by connecting your Apple Watch or heart rate monitor.
- Community: The live classes could help you feel like you’re working out with a group even though you’re at home.
Cons of a Peloton Bike
- Cost: The Bike and Bike+ aren't cheap, and you’ll likely need accessories such as cycling shoes ($125), light dumbbells ($25), a protective floor mat ($75) and a heart rate monitor ($34).
- Customer service complaints and safety issues: In 2024, the Better Business Bureau website noted a pattern of complaints about defective or broken Peloton equipment and parts, along with difficulty in getting them fixed. There were also voluntary recalls issued by the company in May 2023 and November 2025 for problems with the seat post.
- Not built for every body. The weight limit for each Peloton bike is 297 pounds. If you live in a bigger body, there might be more inclusive equipment options for you.
How Peloton might fit your budget and ways to cut the cost
Before purchasing a Peloton (or anything else), it’s important to consider your budget. Try using the 50/30/20 framework, in which 50% goes to needs and debt minimum payments, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt paydown beyond the minimums. Here, a Peloton would fall into the “wants” category.
Budgets are flexible and represent your priorities. If you’d like to make room for a Peloton, take a look at other expenses in your “wants” to see how you might save money.
How to reduce the cost of a Peloton
There might be ways to offset the cost of the full Peloton experience.
- Replace your gym membership with the cheapest Peloton app membership.
- See if you can use an employer stipend to offset the cost of the bike or membership fee.
- Consider the rental option. Renting gives you the chance to try Peloton without the long-term financial commitment.
- Check out Facebook Marketplace or a neighborhood group for a secondhand Peloton. You might be able to negotiate for an even better deal.
- Check your credit card benefits. Some cards may offer extra points on Peloton purchases.
Cheaper alternatives to Peloton
A Peloton isn’t the only way to get a challenging cycling workout. Here are some ideas to get you in motion:
- Piece together a comparable workout experience by using a bike you already have paired with the Peloton app.
- Look for cycling classes that you can pay for without a membership fee.
- Dig out that old Schwinn from the garage. If the weather allows and you feel safe riding in your neighborhood, you might be able to work up a Peloton-level sweat.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
