Peloton Bike+ or Hydro Rower

[Dean P]

Boys are trying to convince my wife to get the Bike+ while I feel the rower would give more cardio and a full body workout. Seems everyone is talking Peloton and just not sure if it's a phase or not. Cost seems VERY high but what do you think? Any pros or cons on either? Let me know what you think. TIA!!!

 

[mike220022]

Boys are trying to convince my wife to get the Bike+ while I feel the rower would give more cardio and a full body workout. Seems everyone is talking Peloton and just not sure if it's a phase or not. Cost seems VERY high but what do you think? Any pros or cons on either? Let me know what you think. TIA!!!

I have a Peloton...I got it last year so it isnt the +. They are expensive and to be honest youre never done paying for it because the classes are $40/mo. If its used regularly maybe it isnt that bad, just depends on use. I just started riding mine again a couple weeks ago but I have suspended the monthly subscription and just ride the bike without them. You can still get all the measurements on the screen but it wont save and you cant take any of the classes.

 

[2kwik4u]

I'm a cycling guy, I would get the Bike+.

Years ago I would spend 6 days a week in the gym doing spin classes. I did that for about 2.5-3yrs. The base fitness from those spin classes lasted me for literal DECADES. If you can make it a habit, it's well worth it. Having kids, finding the time to get a good spin class in is the hardest part for me. Having a method to deliver those classes to the house would be great. With that said.......I have a bike trainer in the house already, and these devices are pricey up front, as well as the monthly subscription fees.

 

[Wayloncle]

We have a quote waiting fir us to decide to order. The 12 week wait for delivery sucks.
Id be interested in other’s opinions of them.

 

[mike220022]

The price on the base Peloton isnt as bad now that the bike+ is out. I bought a package with bike, mat, earpods (which I cant stand), heart rate monitor (never opened to this day), weights, and a pair of shoes and it was $2626.00 delivered. Then I bought another pair of shoes for the wife separately. I think all of that is priced about $400 or so less now. I do like that the new bike you can turn the screen but not enough for the price difference.

 

[Dean P]

I have always enjoyed riding bikes but it only does the lower part of your body. What do you do for the upper part?

If the rower does the whole body wouldn't that be better? It's like killing 2 birds with 1 stone type thing. There's so much hype about the Peloton; crazy.

Thanks for your comments. Maybe other will chime in too.

 

[CanTex]

Wife and I are about 12 months into our Pelton purchase, we both have a passion for cycling (road biking, mountain biking, and even beach cruiser bikes). I ride the Pelton on days the weather is not accommodating for outdoor riding or during the winter when the evenings are short. Pelton training will improve your fitness level, it did for my wife and I.

Overall happy with Pelton, it complements my exercise program. Wife on the other hand has slowly transitioned to more Pelton and less outside riding. She finds jumping on Peloton easier then prepping her bike and dodging traffic or walkers.

If you have a passion for cycling Pelton can work for you....if you do not enjoy a 30-60 minute spin class I'd say pass Peloton.

 

[2kwik4u]

If you have a passion for cycling Pelton can work for you....if you do not enjoy a 30-60 minute spin class I'd say pass Peloton.

This is REALLY REALLY good advice. I'm a passionate cyclist (or was) when I was doing spin classes. I LOVED being on the bike, and while I was doing spin classes 6 days a week at 5:30 in the morning. I was also putting about 150-200 miles a week on the bicycle. I then took (3) vacations in a row that were cycling centric (Livestrong event in Austin, Lou, KY to Philly, Seattle to SFO).

I would find a local gym and take a couple spin classes as well as use a rowing machine to see if you like those before you plunk down the cash on either. I've found that motivation to make the workout happen is usually a much larger obstacle than proximity to equipment.

 

[BigN8]

I ordered the base model plus two pairs of shoes a few weeks before Christmas. My delivery date is Jan. 13. I'm looking forward to getting started on it. I'm a competitive person by nature, so I think the classes will help me push myself. Wife and I both have fitness reimbursement programs through our work, so once she gets her reimbursement and I get my reimbursement it will almost be free per month

 

[Dean P]

@CanTex @2kwik4u My wife absolutely loved her spin classes (along with her friends - precovid). Most likely I'll end up with the bike because "a happy wife is a happy life"; right? BUT, I'm the lazy one and need motivation to exercise (sad, I know). We do walk the dogs a lot. Does that count???

@BigN8 My son ordered is Bike+ over 2 months ago and is still waiting. One excuse after the other. The latest is the truck broke down. Sounds like BS to me. Hopefully you have no issues.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Like I tell newbies here, great forum to be on.

 

[2kwik4u]

@CanTex @2kwik4u My wife absolutely loved her spin classes (along with her friends - precovid). Most likely I'll end up with the bike because "a happy wife is a happy life"; right? BUT, I'm the lazy one and need motivation to exercise (sad, I know). We do walk the dogs a lot. Does that count???

Depends on the intensity of the dog workout. St. Bernard, probably not. Jack Russell Terrier at full tilt, probably counts double

In all honesty though, there is a very "social" aspect of the spin classes that I enjoyed as well. Having someone shouting at me from the front of the class, and having others next to me that could see if I was slacking or not was a big motivator. Not sure if that is competitiveness, embarrassment, or something else, but it worked. It was a big part of success at that level of exercise. It kept me from slacking off and just showing up.

That goes double for my riding. I attribute a big part of my decline in riding to not having a riding buddy around anymore. He moved to Northern California a few years ago for work with his now wife. When we were riding A LOT (he also was doing that 150-200mi/week with me), we would rarely both have "off" days. Every now and then I wouldn't be feeling it and want to not go, but Jeff was waiting on me. Other times he admitted that he didn't want to really roll out of bed on a wet Saturday morning for a 60mi slog fest, but he knew I was going to be waiting on him, and he didn't want to make that call that he wasn't coming. Over about 10 years I think we might have called off 3 or 4 rides where we both just weren't into it. That kind of motivation (My wife calls it "Having an accountabilibuddy") is huge.

If the Peleton gets you and your wife moving through ANY of those mechanisms, or some other means, then it's most likely worth it. Even it becomes a coat rack by this time next year

 

[Mainah]

One more option is wahoo kickr.

Number one thing that will make time more enjoyable on a bike is proper fit of the bike to you. Number two is a great saddle ISM and Specialized both make some great saddles. Number three is the shoes. Sidi and Specialized are some great brands for the shoes. The saddle and shoes are not someplace to save a buck but rather spend well. Too much padding can be a bad thing especially if spending lots of time riding. Also get some good cycling shorts and chamois butter.

Rowing machines are great total body workouts. Start slow on low resistance to avoid injuries. If you have arthritis this may not be a good machine for you.

 

[Dean P]

One more option is wahoo kickr.

Number one thing that will make time more enjoyable on a bike is proper fit of the bike to you. Number two is a great saddle ISM and Specialized both make some great saddles. Number three is the shoes. Sidi and Specialized are some great brands for the shoes. The saddle and shoes are not someplace to save a buck but rather spend well. Too much padding can be a bad thing especially if spending lots of time riding. Also get some good cycling shorts and chamois butter.

Rowing machines are great total body workouts. Start slow on low resistance to avoid injuries. If you have arthritis this may not be a good machine for you.

That is an excellant point. My wife has been complaining about her arthritis in her hands. She has good days and bad days. This mean rowing (for her) might not be a good idea/option. That'll probably seal it for me in what to choose. She'll have her Bike and I (we) still have the boat!!! Although, this will not help keep me in shape LOL. But, at least we'll both happy...

 

[mike220022]

Wait until they come in and deliver it and you see what goes into the actual delivery and set up. I think bike has the cost built in but the break down I got once I paid showed something, maybe $250, for delivery and set up. It took them maybe 10 minutes and they were gone. They brought the bike off the truck and screwed on the screen and left.

 

[Bluewater272]

We have a Peloton - wife loves it. I had a KICKR SNAP as well, sold it after the peloton arrived. It's simply a much more enjoyable indoor cycling experience. The KICKR was a better device for cycling specific training (back when I did Triathlons and stuff), but for just getting on the bike and sweating out some poor diet decisions, the Peloton is the winner.

We don't have a + model, and nothing about it seems like its worth the price premium over the prior version.

 

[swatski]

That is an excellant point. My wife has been complaining about her arthritis in her hands. She has good days and bad days. This mean rowing (for her) might not be a good idea/option. That'll probably seal it for me in what to choose. She'll have her Bike and I (we) still have the boat!!! Although, this will not help keep me in shape LOL. But, at least we'll both happy...

Rowers are great for warmups, very quiet if with magnetic resistance.
I can't stand spinning but rather just slog at low cadence and high resistance, we have a (IC4?) schwinn that's been great.

--

 

[Chevyguy2021]

I will add to this thread. My husband wanted a peloton and I just wansnt keen on the price. Plus the $40 a month. Wasn't happening lol
So we bought a $600 Schwin and tv for the peloton classes that we stream too. I think its $20 a month.
Its a nice solid bike. Me personally and not a huge spin fan, I did it a few years ago in college. It was fun with friends.
I personally love running. I thought about the Peloton Tread but its like $4.5k. No thanks.
I have a planet fitness 2 miles from my home. So I just go there. Its $50 annually for like a membership renewal and $10 a month. Its super clean and they do a great job with COVID. I feel safe and wear a mask. I go 5 days a week and really enjoy it.
Unless you are an avid cyclist, I personally would start with a road bike to ride outside.
If your goal is to get in shape or a New Years resolution phase, I would start with a cheaper option. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dean P]

I will add to this thread. My husband wanted a peloton and I just wansnt keen on the price. Plus the $40 a month. Wasn't happening lol
So we bought a $600 Schwin and tv for the peloton classes that we stream too. I think its $20 a month.
Its a nice solid bike. Me personally and not a huge spin fan, I did it a few years ago in college. It was fun with friends.
I personally love running. I thought about the Peloton Tread but its like $4.5k. No thanks.
I have a planet fitness 2 miles from my home. So I just go there. Its $50 annually for like a membership renewal and $10 a month. Its super clean and they do a great job with COVID. I feel safe and wear a mask. I go 5 days a week and really enjoy it.
Unless you are an avid cyclist, I personally would start with a road bike to ride outside.
If your goal is to get in shape or a New Years resolution phase, I would start with a cheaper option. Just my 2 cents.

Thank you for your comment.

We actually have a couple of nice bikes. Think we rode them a handful of times. Since they hand from the ceiling in the garage and are difficult to get down, that's where they stay. (we're lazy I know...). My wife would always use the Bike (had a treadmill and she was always on it) and since both my boys have one, I feel compelled. It's just $$, right?

 

[thefortunes]

Thank you for your comment.

We actually have a couple of nice bikes. Think we rode them a handful of times. Since they hand from the ceiling in the garage and are difficult to get down, that's where they stay. (we're lazy I know...). My wife would always use the Bike (had a treadmill and she was always on it) and since both my boys have one, I feel compelled. It's just $$, right?

Road bike with a trainer and Zwift when you can't ride outdoors.

I just got done with a 25 mile ride with 7 buddies from around the country.

Kicked their asses (of course they didn't know it was a race, lol).

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

We went with the NordicTrack S22i - feature for feature the Peloton couldn't compete. Only advantage was the spin classes on the Peloton (better content in that regard). Cheaper price point and more features, it made sense to go with the s22i.