Peloton is a best-in-class option in the cycling space. But splurging on a Peloton bike isn’t the only way to get an excellent at-home cycling workout. There are tons of great exercise bikes, and if you’re not looking to spend a small fortune, there are several budget-friendlier bikes you can pair with fitness accessories to DIY your own luxe workout experience for less.
The key is to find a bike that meets your needs. If you’re an avid cyclist who loves a challenge, you may want to snag a high-tech bike with varied resistance settings. And if you’re just getting into cycling, it might make sense to stick with a simpler bike and pair it with a few accessories to make the experience feel authentic. When choosing an exercise bike, be sure to consider the size and sturdiness of the bike, as well as how comfortable you feel in the seat. Look for features to adjust the bike’s resistance and incline, in addition to its seat and handlebars.
Reviewed & Approved
NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle earned our top spot for its sleek, sturdy design and interactive touch-screen training workouts. For a budget-friendly indoor bike, the Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike is a solid option.
We evaluated each exercise bike for its size, incline range, resistance level, and weight capacity. Other things we looked for were exercise bikes that could be modified to include Peloton-like features, such as adding a tablet or cadence meter, or changing the pedals.
Based on our reviews, these are the best Peloton alternatives on the market today.
NordicTrack’s Commercial S15i Studio Cycle is our top pick because this sturdy, high-tech exercise bike has all the bells and whistles you’ll need for a challenging indoor cycling experience. The bike’s ride is smooth and quiet due to its inertia-enhanced flywheel and silent magnetic resistance. The impressive 22 digital resistance levels can be adjusted on the touchscreen while you ride. For uphill and downhill cycling, the bike offers inclines up to 20 percent, and declines to negative 10 percent.
Best Overall
NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle
Large, rotating screen
Built-in speakers
Ships with a pair of 3-pound dumbbells
Comes with a free one-year iFit membership
Better when paired with an iFit membership ($180/year after first year)
Expensive
Large
The rotating interactive touchscreen displays beautiful routes for an immersive outdoor experience. The bike is also loaded with helpful add-ons that make it easy to track your distance and speed. With a sturdy steel frame, the bike has a 350-pound capacity. Other notable features include an ergonomic saddle and adjustable handlebars, as well as a pair of three-pound dumbbells and two built-in speakers.
When paired with an iFit membership (sold separately), your Commercial S15i Studio Cycle will give you access to tons of live and on-demand workout classes—which you can stream directly to your bike’s touchscreen.
You’ll also have the option to enable automatic trainer control—meaning you can let an iFit trainer take over your bike’s resistance and incline settings to make sure you’re pushing yourself as hard as possible every time you work out.
Price at time of publication: $1,300
Dimensions: 60 x 22 x 58 inches | Incline Range: negative 10 to 20 percent | Resistance Levels: 22 levels | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds
What the Experts Say
“Having an at-home exercise bike can be beneficial for many different reasons. From my perspective the accessibility and freedom to hop on when you want to, in the comfort of your own home, is unmatched.” —Stevie Vladic, instructor for CycleBar GO
ProForm’s Smart Power 10.0 Exercise Bike offers some of the best value around. Though the bike isn’t as high-tech as some of its competitors (you won’t find any incline/decline options here), it’s still packed with useful features that will help you log a great workout. Plus, its less-expensive-than-average price point makes it more accessible than some of the fancier options on offer.
Best Runner-Up
ProForm Smart Power 10.0 Exercise Bike
Large built-in touchscreen
Built-in transport wheels
Ships with a pair of 3-pound dumbbells
Comes with a free 30-day iFit membership
Better when paired with an iFit membership ($39/month after first month)
No incline or decline settings
For starters, the bike boasts 22 different resistance levels, which is more than you’ll find on most exercise bikes. And it comes equipped with a 10-inch display screen, which you can use to stream workout classes right to your bike.
To get the most from your workouts, you’ll want to pair your bike with an iFit membership. (ProForm will give you your first 30 days for free.) This membership will give you access to tons of trainer-led workout classes (some cycling-related, some not). And if you enable automatic trainer control, iFit will automatically adjust your bike’s resistance settings for you, giving you an experience that mimics a personal training session or an in-person cycling class.
Price at time of publication: $1,999
Dimensions: 52 x 21.9 x 56.5 inches | Incline Range: None | Resistance Levels: 22 levels | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
YOSUDA’s Indoor Cycling Bike isn’t your average budget-friendly bike—and that’s exactly what we love about it. Whereas other budget-friendly bikes may be foldable or flimsy, YOSUDA’s bike is genuinely sturdy. The bike’s frame is crafted from durable steel, and it’s capable of supporting up to 270 pounds at a time.
Best Budget
YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike
Budget-friendly
Sturdy steel frame (particularly durable for a bike at this price point)
Built-in device mount
Platform-agnostic
No incline or decline settings
Resistance is adjustable, but the bike doesn’t offer specified resistance levels
The bike also boasts a built-in resistance dial, which you can adjust to make your workouts more or less challenging. However, this dial doesn’t correspond to discrete resistance levels. Instead, it corresponds to a sliding scale of resistance that you’ll have to feel out as you pedal.
One thing this budget-friendly bike doesn’t have? A built-in display screen. That said, the bike does boast a basic LCD monitor and a built-in device mount, so you can stream your favorite fitness classes directly to your favorite device and mount it on your bike.
Price at time of publication: $440
Dimensions: 40.16 x 21.65 x 46.06 inches | Incline Range: None | Resistance Levels: Adjustable (but not specified) | Weight Capacity: 270 pounds
We’d be remiss not to mention the SoulCycle At-Home Bike in a round-up of Peloton alternatives. SoulCycle is known for its best-in-class cycling workouts, and though its At-Home Bike will cost you a pretty penny, it promises to capture some of the magic of an in-person SoulCycle class.
Best Splurge
Equinox + SoulCycle At-Home Bike
Massive touchscreen
Built-in speakers
Comes with a free one-year Equinox+ membership
30-day free trial period
Better when paired with an Equinox+ membership ($39.99/month after first year)
Expensive
Large
Resistance is adjustable, but the bike doesn’t offer specified resistance levels
The bike comes equipped with a built-in resistance knob that should be easy to reach in the middle of a cycling class. But since it doesn’t correspond to precise resistance levels, you won’t be able to adjust your resistance discretely.
The bike also comes equipped with a massive touchscreen and a built-in speaker system—two features which promise to make your workouts feel immersive. Pair your bike with an Equinox+ membership (sold separately) to stream fitness classes directly to that touchscreen, and let your bike transform your home gym into a cycling studio every time you work out.
Price at time of publication: $2,500
Dimensions: 62.2 x 22.2 x 53.5 inches | Incline Range: None | Resistance Levels: Adjustable (but not specified) | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds
If you prefer your cycling workouts with a side of cross-training, the MYX Plus is an excellent option. The all-in-one fitness system ships with an adjustable exercise bike—plus a range of accessories, an interactive tablet, a plush mat, a six-piece dumbbell set, a kettlebell, a foam roller, and a resistance band. That’s enough equipment to outfit an entire home gym.
Best All-in-One
Myx Fitness The MYX II Plus
Large swivel screen
Adjustable frame
Ships with tons of fitness equipment
No incline or decline settings
Resistance is adjustable, but the bike doesn’t offer specified resistance levels
Expensive
Verywell Fit FYI
MYX Fitness issued a voluntary product recall on November 3, 2022, for their MYX I, MYX II, and MYX II Plus bikes due to potential injury risk if the bike’s pedals are not properly installed or tightened. For your safety when using MYX indoor cycling bikes, MYX Fitness advises customers to tighten the pedals on their bike before their next ride, and every time they ride the bike for the following six weeks. If the pedals of your bike have previously detached from the crank and you have not yet set them in to get repaired by the MYX team, MYX urges you to contact the team and schedule a free in-home repair using the information provided on their website.
Since the MYX Plus package also includes a MYX membership, you’ll also gain access to tons of workout classes that will help you put that equipment to work during cycling workouts, cross-training routines, and more.
Price at time of publication: $1,599
Dimensions: 54 x 21 x 47 inches | Incline Range: None | Resistance Levels: Adjustable (but not specified) | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds
Bowflex’s VeloCore Bike is a high-tech exercise bike that promises to make your cycling workouts even more dynamic than they already are. The bike boasts two different exercise modes: stationary mode and leaning mode. In stationary mode, the bike will stay stable—the way any exercise bike would. But in leaning mode, the bike will tilt from side to side as you ride, mimicking the feel of outdoor cycling. This unique feature should level up your workouts, leaving them feeling both dynamic and challenging. And if you’re craving something more traditional, you can always switch back into stationary mode.
Best High-Tech
Bowflex VeloCore Bike
Features two different cycling modes (stationary and leaning)
Built-in speakers
100 resistance levels
Ships with a pair of 3-pound dumbbells and a fitness tracker
Comes with a free one-year JRNY membership
Better when paired with a JRNY membership ($149/year after first year)
Expensive
Large
Of course, this is only one of the many high-tech features the VeloCore Bike offers. The bike also boasts 100 resistance levels. And if you spring for a JRNY membership (sold separately), you’ll get access to on-demand fitness classes, adaptive workout plans, virtual coaching, and more.
Price at time of publication: $2,200
Dimensions: 59.8 x 24.1 x 55.3 inches | Incline Range: None | Resistance Levels: 100 levels | Weight Capacity: 325 pounds
If you’re just getting into cycling, you may not want to splurge on a high-tech exercise bike or commit to a specific workout library. And with Schwinn’s IC3 Indoor Cycling Bike, you won’t have to do either.
Best for Beginners
Schwinn IC3 Indoor Cycling Bike
- Built-in device mount
- Beginner-friendly, no-frills design
- Platform-agnostic
- Dual SPD pedals (work with cycling cleats or gym shoes)
Though the bike is sturdy and reliable, it boasts a no-frills design. You won’t have to worry about juggling incline/decline settings, managing a touchscreen, or syncing to a built-in speaker system. Instead, you can hop on the bike and focus on your workouts. Use the bike’s adjustable resistance dial to scale your resistance up or down, and track your progress using the built-in LCD monitor.
If you want to pedal along to a virtual fitness class, rest assured knowing you’re not out of luck. The bike features a built-in media rack, which you can use to store your go-to device. Stream fitness classes directly to this device, and follow along with them as you work out. Since the bike isn’t compatible with one specific program, you can experiment with different fitness platforms until you find one that works for you.
Price at time of publication: $799
Dimensions: 45 x 23 x 49 inches | Incline Range: None | Resistance Levels: Adjustable (infinitely variable) | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Exerpeutic’s Folding Magnetic Exercise Bike is one of the budget-friendliest options on offer. And even better: It won’t demand much space in your home. When fully assembled, the bike is just 4 feet, 7 inches, and its footprint demands about 37 square feet. (For context, some other bikes are 4 feet, 10 inches, and demand 110 square feet of floor space—so 37 square feet is hardly anything at all!)
Best for Small Spaces
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike with Pulse
Budget-friendly
Foldable
Incredibly small-space-friendly
No incline or decline settings
No built-in screen (though there is an LCD monitor)
To make matters better, the bike folds in half, so you can easily stow it away between workouts. The bike also boasts eight magnetic resistance levels, a feature that can be hard to find at such a budget-friendly price point. And it comes equipped with a built-in LCD monitor you can use to track your rides.
Price at time of publication: $190
Dimensions: 31 x 18 x 46 inches | Incline Range: None | Resistance Levels: 8 levels | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
The Marcy Fitness Equipment Mat makes it easy to train hard without disrupting your housemates or downstairs neighbors. Crafted from EVA foam, the mat should give your bike a slip-resistant surface to rest on. And since it promises to cut down on noise and vibrations, you can tackle tough workouts without worrying about making too much noise.
Best Mat
Marcy Fitness Equipment Mat
Relatively budget-friendly
Available in two sizes
Noise-reducing, impact-absorbing, and protective
May be tough to get under your exercise bike (especially without help)
May wear out faster than some more expensive options
The mat isn’t just noise-reducing—it’s also impact-absorbing. So you can use it to keep your floors in tip-top shape as you tackle intense workouts on your exercise bike.
Price at time of publication: $32
Looking for an easy way to make your cycling workouts feel more immersive? Add a device holder. With the Jubor Bike Tablet Holder, you can outfit your bike with an interactive touchscreen that you already own. So you can easily stream TV shows, fitness classes, or anything else you want to watch during your workouts.
Best Device Holder
Jubor Bike Tablet Holder
Budget-friendly
An easy way to upgrade your exercise bike
Compatible with most phones and tablets
May need to be paired with speakers to feel truly immersive
Fixed neck means you can’t swivel your screen from left to right
Whereas other device holders simply give your device a shelf to rest on, this one grips your device from top to bottom, so you can rest assured knowing that your phone or tablet should stay firmly in place once you’ve fastened it to the holder.
Price at time of publication: $18
Mimic the immersive experience of your favorite cycling classes by outfitting your bike with Avantree’s Cyclone Portable Bike Speaker. The portable Bluetooth speaker promises to produce up to 10 watts of sound. (For context, that’s louder than the average clap of thunder). And it comes equipped with a bracket that you can easily strap onto your bike.
Best Portable Speaker
Avantree Cyclone Portable Bike Speaker
Small and portable
Surprisingly loud and powerful, despite its small size
Easy to strap onto your bike
Needs to be paired with another device (like a phone or tablet)
One charge lasts about six hours
Since the speaker promises to be splash-proof, you can take it on outdoor adventures whenever you feel like it. And you can also repurpose it for parties, events, and other activities outside your cycling workouts.
Price at time of publication: $50
Take your workouts to the next level by customizing the pedals on your ride. If you’re a fan of the clip-in pedals you find at many cycling studios, consider swapping your pedals out for a similar pair. (Yes, you can actually do that—though you’ll have to double-check whether your bike can handle new pedals and whether the pedals you’re eyeing are compatible with your bike).
Best Pedals
BV 9/16’’ SPD Pedals with Toe Clips
Flexible enough to be used with clip-in shoes or standard sneakers
Ship alongside a pair of cleats you can use to outfit your cycling shoes
Expensive
May not work with all exercise bikes
Since BV’s Bike SPD-Compatible Pedals were designed with exercise bikes in mind, they’re a pretty solid choice and are likely to work with many different exercise bikes. And since they’re suitable for clip-in cycling shoes and casual gym shoes, they’ll give you the flexibility to work out how you want to on any given day.
If you’re interested in swapping out your pedals with a clip-in pair—or if your exercise bike came with clip-in pedals—you’ll need to invest in a pair of proper cycling shoes, like Tommaso’s Pista Indoor Cycling Shoes. Crafted from durable synthetic leather and breathable mesh, the shoes promise to provide both support and comfort. And they’re lined with Velcro straps that make it easy to get a snug, precise fit.
Best Cycling Shoes
Tommaso Pista Indoor Cycling Shoe Bundle
Crafted specifically for indoor cycling
Durable, comfortable, and breathable
Come with SPD cleats already attached
Expensive
Not compatible with all clip-in pedals (so double-check to ensure your cleats are compatible with your pedals)
Because the shoes were designed with indoor cycling in mind, they come with SPD cleats already installed. So you won’t have to worry about chasing down yet another piece of equipment. Instead, you can simply clip into your pedals and get to riding.
Price at time of publication: $110
Dumbbells offer an easy way to level up your at-home fitness routine. You can use them before or after your indoor bike rides, during your cross-training sessions, or even while you’re on your bike like you would during a Peloton or SoulCycle class.
Best Lightweight Dumbbells
SPRI Vinyl-Coated Dumbbells Set of 2
Budget-friendly
Comfortable and easy to grip
Floor-friendly
Available in 13 different weights
Vinyl coating may tear or chip over time
If you’re looking for a starter set of dumbbells, SPRI’s Vinyl-Coated Dumbbells are an excellent pick. They’re vinyl-coated, so they promise to be both floor-friendly and easy to grip. And since they come in 13 different weights between 1 and 20 pounds, you can easily find a set that meets your needs.
Price at time of publication: $13
If you’re in the market for a heavier set of dumbbells, Yes4All’s Adjustable Dumbbells are sure to do the trick. The adjustable dumbbells are available in five total set weights between 40 and 200 pounds. And since every pair is adjustable, you can score an even more nuanced weight range using just one pair. The 40-pound set, for instance, is made up of four 5-pound weight plates, four 3-pound weight plates, and two 4-pound dumbbell bars.
Best Heavier Dumbbells
Yes4All Adjustable Dumbbells
Adjustable design
Space-efficient way to build strength over time
Available in five total weights
Lots of pieces to keep up with
May not be as durable as some other dumbbells
This makes it easy—and space-efficient—to start at a lower weight and work your way up over time. And if you’re looking for an even wider weight range, you can snag one of the heavier sets instead.
Price at time of publication: $400
A ridiculously easy way to upgrade your workouts? Snag a water bottle, and keep it nearby. Many exercise bikes come with water bottle holders, so it should be easy to keep your water bottle on hand. And even if your exercise bike doesn’t come with a water bottle holder, you can store your water bottle on a nearby shelf—or even on the floor.
Best Water Bottle
S’well Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 17-Ounce
Sleek and space-efficient
Keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold
Available in three sizes
Smaller than some other water bottles
Doesn’t come with a hook or loop you can use to easily carry it
S’well’s Stainless Steel Water Bottles are a fan favorite, thanks to their ability to keep cold drinks cold for up to 36 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 18 hours. And since the brand’s signature water bottle is available in more than 40 colors, prints, and patterns, you can easily find an option you’ll love.
Price at time of publication: $35
What Our Editors Say
“Staying hydrated while being sustainable is a priority, no matter where my day takes me, which is what drew me to this 17-ounce S’well bottle. While the bottle’s a bit heavy for leisure day trips, it doubles as a hand weight when hiking or taking recreational walks. I picked a vibrant coral color, ‘Birds of Paradise,’ which also increases nighttime visibility during evening walks. I also appreciate the fact that its narrowly designed mouth minimizes spills, especially when taking sips during a car ride.” —Tori Zhou, Associate Health Commerce Editor
What to Look for in a Peloton Alternative
Dimensions
Before buying any piece of fitness equipment, it’s useful to know how big it is. And since exercise bikes can vary from small-space-friendly to very bulky, it’s worth it to double-check the dimensions before making a purchase.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a more well-rounded fitness system, you can’t go wrong with MYXFitness’ the MYX Plus (view at MyxFitness). The package ships with a quality exercise bike, a fitness class membership, and all kinds of equipment you can use for cross-training. And if you’re hoping to recreate a luxe experience for less, you can also DIY your own fitness system by piecing together some of the budget-friendlier items in this piece.
Incline Range
Some exercise bikes offer incline and decline options, in addition to speed and resistance settings. This feature will simulate the feeling of biking uphill and downhill, giving you yet another way to make your workouts more dynamic.
Resistance Levels
Speed isn’t the only way to increase the intensity of a cycling workout—resistance can turn a leisurely ride into a full-blown challenge. Some exercise bikes offer discrete resistance levels you can toggle between. Others come with built-in knobs you can turn to adjust the resistance level on a sliding scale, and others offer no resistance settings at all.
Weight Capacity
Some exercise machines can support more weight than others. So it’s always a good idea to check a machine’s weight capacity (sometimes called its maximum training load) to ensure it can handle your body weight plus any weights you plan to use while on the bike.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the benefits of indoor cycling?
- Indoor cycling is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise. Performing your cycling indoors allow you to exercise in a convenient way while avoiding bad weather. You can use an indoor cycle while watching TV or whenever you can find some spare time.
- Learn More:
- Overview of Indoor Cycling
- Is indoor cycling good for weight management?
- Indoor cycling is good for weight management because it provides a low-impact, high-intensity cardiovascular workout that helps with calorie balance and improves several markers for health. The American Heart Association recommends adults do at least 150 minutes of cardio exercise per week and cycling provides an excellent option to meet these recommendations.
- Learn More:
- How to Use a Stationary Bike for Weight Management
- What muscles does indoor cycling work?
- Indoor cycling works your back, arms, hips, glutes, core, and legs. How much effort you need from each muscle group depends on your position on the bike and how you emphasizes the push or pull of the pedals and handles. As well, higher resistance will require more muscle power than lower resistance.
- Learn More:
- What Muscles Biking Works
- Can fitness trackers track indoor cycling?
- Many fitness trackers can track indoor cycling. Some can sense the motion of cycling and will track it automatically while others allow you to choose the exercise type you will perform. If your tracker does not have either option, it will still track basic information such as your heart rate and calories burned.
- How do you clean your indoor bike?
- Clean an indoor bike with a soft cloth and cleaning spray or mild soap. Be careful of cleaning electronics with liquid and follow any advice for cleaning in the bike’s manual.
Indoor cycling is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise. Performing your cycling indoors allow you to exercise in a convenient way while avoiding bad weather. You can use an indoor cycle while watching TV or whenever you can find some spare time.
Indoor cycling is good for weight management because it provides a low-impact, high-intensity cardiovascular workout that helps with calorie balance and improves several markers for health. The American Heart Association recommends adults do at least 150 minutes of cardio exercise per week and cycling provides an excellent option to meet these recommendations.
Indoor cycling works your back, arms, hips, glutes, core, and legs. How much effort you need from each muscle group depends on your position on the bike and how you emphasizes the push or pull of the pedals and handles. As well, higher resistance will require more muscle power than lower resistance.
Many fitness trackers can track indoor cycling. Some can sense the motion of cycling and will track it automatically while others allow you to choose the exercise type you will perform. If your tracker does not have either option, it will still track basic information such as your heart rate and calories burned.
Clean an indoor bike with a soft cloth and cleaning spray or mild soap. Be careful of cleaning electronics with liquid and follow any advice for cleaning in the bike’s manual.
