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Peloton Bike Vs Treadmill - Which Device Should You Get?

Carlos Glover
February 22, 2024

Peloton produces two exercise machines. The bicycle is for those who want to build some muscle, work on their resistance, and like the adrenaline rush of riding. However, If you like to run and develop your agility, mobility, and resistance, the treadmill is made for you.

I already had a Peloton bike when the Peloton Tread came out last year. I was very interested in getting it. However, due to having a space issue, I couldn't. That didn't stop me from trying it out at my local gym and I really enjoyed the experience. Since then, it has become one of my main training activities twice a week.

In this article, we´ll be comparing how the Peloton bike vs treadmill compare against each other in many aspects of the fitness world. Join me as we take a closer look.

Comparison Between Peloton Bike vs Treadmill

The Peloton bike and Peloton Tread are two signature products that Peloton offers together with their app. Let´s take a look at how they compare with one another.

Peloton Bike vs Treadmill

Comparing the Peloton bike vs treadmill is a bit like comparing an elephant with a gazelle. Nevertheless, they have certain similarities and differences.

Product Price Weight Dimensions Screen Special Features More Information  
Peloton Bike $ 1,495  135 lbs. L: 59" x W: 23" x H: 53" 22” Touchscreen 100 Resistance Levels,
Has a Great Number of Workouts,
Dedicated to It in the Peloton App
CHECK PRICE cycling shoes for peloton
Peloton Tread
$ 3,495 290 lbs. L: 68” x W: 33” x H: 62” 24” Touchscreen Can Incline and Recline,
It Also Has Speed Adjustment Levels,
Big Control Panel
CHECK PRICE gallery-01

Price

Let´s start by taking a look at the price the products fetch.

Peloton Bike

The original Peloton bike is available for around $1,500 and the Peloton bike plus is available for about $2,500. There are also certain similarities between them, if you´re interested in them, please check out this article.

Original Peloton Bike | Indoor Stationary Exercise Bike with Immersive 22' HD Touchscreen (Updated Seat Post)

Peloton Treadmill

The Peloton Tread costs $3,495 which is quite a bit more than the bikes. However, the components in both machines are very different. The treadmill is considered one of the most complete models in the industry, which has plenty of features like incline and recline, speed adjustment, and a wide running deck. What makes the Peloton treadmill unique is its iconic wide running deck and its full compatibility with Peloton workouts and unique accessories that make it worth your money.

https://www.onepeloton.com/shop/tread

Classes

One of the most important factors in deciding which product is better than the other is the compatibility with classes. Here is where you can see the real value of Peloton products.

Most classes in the Peloton App are made for the Peloton bike. However, as Peloton introduced more products such as the treadmill, more classes have been introduced for them. Nowadays, the Peloton App has expanded to such a degree, that they offer even meditation and yoga classes.

Peloton Bike

The best classes for the Peloton bike are riding classes. There are a lot of categories under the "bike classes" concept. You can take anything ranging from a traditional class (power zone ride) to a more intense workout (HIIT Ride). You can even take a scenic ride if you wish to relax.

The Peloton bike also combines quite well with some on/off bike cardio workouts such as Bootcamp classes. You can join live and on-demand classes. In these, you can ride and pursue your fitness goals while talking to a friend.

In short, the Peloton bike is great for individual classes or it can also be paired with a dual workout. The only classes you can´t take with your bike are off-bike classes like yoga or meditation and running classes.

Peloton Treadmill

The Peloton Tread has quickly adapted to the market, presenting lots of refreshing, modern, and fun classes. Much like the Peloton bike, the treadmill can work amazingly by itself, but also couple quite well with exercise classes such as Bootcamp classes.

The Treadmill is very fun to use, but there isn´t so much material as there is with the bike. Additionally, running and other off-bike exercises can seem more single-toned than cycling and doing those same exercises.

Space

Another important factor worthy of consideration is the product´s dimensions and how they fit in your space.

Peloton Bike

The Peloton bike is the smaller of the two. It is no secret that a bike will always be smaller than a treadmill. So, these are very practical to have in your home gym.

The bike´s dimensions are: 149 cm L x 135 cm H x 58 cm W

Peloton Treadmill

The Peloton Tread is the bigger of the two machines. However, if you have the space it is a great machine to have in your living room.

Here are the tread´s dimensions: 173 cm L x 157 cm H x 84 cm W.

Adjustability/Accessibility

If you want to get some quality exercise done, it´s important that you feel comfortable while you´re doing the exercise. Otherwise, your training might be counterproductive and you could even injure yourself.

Peloton Bike

In terms of adjustability, the Peloton bike offers an adjustable seat and handlebars. This should allow for the rider to feel comfortable regardless of size or height. Additionally, the seat can hold up to 300 lbs. of weight.

In regards to training, you can adjust the bike´s resistance levels with the resistance knob on your bike for maximum efficiency.

Lastly, you´ll need to use cycling shoes to ride your bike. You can change the pedal to match the cleats you want to use.

Peloton Treadmill

Since you´ll be standing up the whole time, the Peloton Tread doesn't have a lot to offer when it comes to comfort. However, in the front of the treadmill, there is a handlebar you can hold for stability while running. The treadmill can also hold up to 300 lbs of weight.

Much like the Peloton bike, the tread also has a resistance knob but in this case, it is used to regulate speed.

Exercise Productivity

Many people are interested in getting a Peloton device mainly to lose weight. However, since, the Peloton treadmill and bike are fundamentally different, the results won´t be the same.

Peloton Bike

The average indoor cyclist can burn around 450-750 calories in one hour. This number can vary depending on the type of workout you´re doing and other factors like age, gender, and weight. If you´re looking to shed some body weight this number of calories per day will eventually help you reach your fitness goal.

Peloton Treadmill

Running is also a quite complete workout. In an hour, at a 5mph speed, the average person can burn around 600 calories (this varies by gender, age, weight, and other factors), meaning you can burn as many calories as you could by doing indoor cycling. Additionally, running will not only help you lose weight but will affect your muscle development in a way that is different from cycling.

The Peloton treadmill includes the ingenious incline feature, which simulates running in an uphill direction to make workouts more challenging.

Similarities and Differences Between the Peloton Bike and Peloton Treadmill

Knowing the similarities and differences between the two should help you get a clearer picture of what every product offers.

Similarities

  • Both are compatible with the Peloton App
  • They are made out of the same material: steel
  • Same color scheme
  • Both the Peloton bike and tread are considered some of the best machines in the field
  • Both machines couple nicely with a variety of classes and workout programs
  • Screens are similar
  • Same weight capacity
  • You can choose your workout difficulty

Differences

  • There are some mechanical differences between the products
  • You need special cleats to ride the bike. You can run in tennis shoes
  • The type of exercise you´ll do is different
  • Different dimensions and weight
  • You´ll work out different types of muscle
  • You won´t have the same amount of calories burned

Pros and Cons

Peloton Bike

Pros

  • Good quality
  • A wide variety of classes made for this machine
  • You can work the lower body well
  • Ideal for cycling and HIIT rides
  • Couples well with many off-bike workouts
  • There are plenty of competitors

Cons

  • It is a bit expensive compared to other spin bikes but still cheaper than the treadmill
  • It needs the app to offer good value
  • It only works out the lower body

Peloton Treadmill

Pros

  • Great for full-body workouts
  • Fantastic in combination with the app
  • At the top of the industry in terms of accessories
  • Couples well with off bike workouts

Cons

  • A smaller variety of classes when compared to the bike
  • Very expensive
  • Although this can vary widely depending on factors like age, gender, and weight, one hour of training on the bike can burn a few more calories compared to the treadmill.

Use Cases for Each Exercise Machine

Knowing some of the use cases for each machine might also help you get a better idea of what every product offers and what it´s for.

Best Workouts for Each Exercise Machine

Peloton Bike

The best workouts you can possibly do with the Peloton spin bike are naturally cycling classes. Peloton cycling classes have a wide array of options, both light and intense. You can take anything from a low impact ride to a more intense HIIT or Tabata ride.

Peloton Tread

The Peloton Treadmill is made for runners. The best classes you can take on the treadmill are power zone classes and HIIT runs as they´re quite fun and dynamic and will certainly make your move. Taking classes on this fitness equipment will not only help you lose weight, but you can also do plenty of aerobic exercises and do a full cardiovascular workout.

Using Peloton for Health Purposes

Both the Peloton bike and the Pelton treadmill are great for helping you keep a good fitness and health level. The lessons are for you to develop your physical capabilities, such as anaerobic breathing and resistance.

Additionally, Peloton bikes are also great for weight loss, as you´ll be able to take many different classes and burn calories in a fun way. The treadmill burns potentially 500-600 calories every hour. While it is also great for losing weight, it´s best to use it to develop agility and mobility. When it comes to calories, the better workout machine is the bike.

Keep in mind that a good diet, sleep, and a healthy lifestyle will also take a big part in your fitness.

Using Peloton for Weight Loss Purposes

The Peloton Bike or Treadmill helps provide the unique experience of using an app to workout from home. There are other brands, but Peloton has set the bar. If you want to shed some body weight, a great way to do this is by constant indoor cycling or running classes.

With the app, you´ll have access to thousands of live and on-demand classes you can take, so you´ll never be bored while doing some exercises. The average class in the Peloton App lasts for about 1 hour, and you´ll burn around 600 calories. The amount of calories burned mostly depends on you.

Targeting Specific Areas

When it comes to developing specific areas of your body, one device could be more useful than the others. Here´s a guide on which device is best for every body area:

Treadmill

stationary bike
  • Legs
  • Quads
  • Hamstrings
  • Calves
  • Hips
  • Glutes

Bike

  • Calves
  • Quads
  • Hamstrings
  • Abdomen
  • Back

Experience Level

The Peloton treadmill classes are usually a bit tougher than cycling classes, as running will put a bigger strain on your body than riding a bike. If you go with the treadmill, you should learn everything about the product and the classes it has to offer. When you have more experience, you can train with a higher intensity.

Safety

Both the Peloton bike and the Treadmill are safe to exercise machines. That being said, there are always some injury risks or hazards that come included in using the products. Just be sure to use the machine responsibly and as instructed to avoid any kind of injuries.

Some of the most common incidents are slipping and sliding off the Peloton treadmill, with the bike, most incidents have to do with parts getting damaged due to extreme weight and pressure.

Performance

Peloton bikes and treadmills are known as some of the best exercise machines in the industry. Therefore, their performance goes unquestioned.

The Peloton bike has over 100 levels of magnetic or digital resistance, depending on the bike. The treadmill has a knob to adjust speed as well.

Enjoyment

Both machines are ideal for doing exercise and losing weight. The best part is that it can actually be quite an enjoyable experience in and of itself. You´ll have plenty of videos and classes to keep you motivated and entertained.

Mobility

When you´re talking about mobility, the Peloton treadmill wins the battle. On any spin bike, most of your movement will be on your lower body sitting down. When you´re running, you´ll also be moving your whole body. If you have a bike, you can try getting a mixed class, such as a Bootcamp workout to work on your whole body and thus, burn more calories.

About the Products

The first product Peloton released was the Peloton bike in 2014. The exercise bike was met with tremendous success and demand, thus resulting in a newer model (Peloton bike plus) coming in 2020.

Original Peloton Bike | Indoor Stationary Exercise Bike with Immersive 22' HD Touchscreen (Updated Seat Post)
CHECK PRICE

In 2021, Peloton added a Treadmill to its exercise equipment menu. This attracted a whole other kind of crowd (runners). In addition, Peloton began to offer running classes in the Peloton app. This combination was the recipe for another successful, yet different product.

In short, both products have enjoyed tremendous success. However, they are very different and meant for different kinds of crowds.

https://www.onepeloton.com/shop/tread

Peloton Tread vs Other Treadmills

Let´s see how the Peloton tread compares to a traditional treadmill. One that isn´t Peloton.

The Peloton Tread is considered to be at the top of the pyramid when it comes to product quality. With it, you should be able to do plenty of non-Peloton and Peloton workouts. However, these workouts can still be done on non-Peloton products. The main differences between other machines and Peloton products would be product quality, compatibility, and attention to detail.

Here´s a list of how other products compare to Peloton´s:

1. NordicTrack T Series

NordicTrack T Series 6.5S Treadmill + 30-Day iFIT Membership ,Black/Gray
CHECK PRICE

NordicTrack is one of Peloton´s biggest rivals, not only in the stationary bike world but also in the cardio equipment industry and with treadmills as well.

This Particular treadmill costs around $2,000. NordicTrack can be paired with iFit instead of the Peloton app. The bike also comes with a 10-inch touchscreen and has a 10% incline feature.

In terms of exercise, you´ll also have classes that will guide you across the workout. The exercise part is on you.

Overall, the experience compared to the Peloton Treadmill is quite similar, but significantly cheaper.

2. Branx Fitness Elite Runner Pro

Branx Fitness Foldable 'Cardio Pro' Touchscreen Console Treadmill - 17km/h - 6hp - 0-15 Level Auto Incline - Body Fat Readout - Soft Drop System - Smart Deck Suspension Points
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When it comes to foldable treadmills, one of the best rated is the Branx Fitness "Elite runner pro", which is available at around $1200.

With this treadmill, you´ll still be able to run, move your body and burn all the calories in the world. However, when it comes to pairing it to an app, it just doesn´t reach the level the Peloton treadmill has.

The treadmill can reach speeds up to 21 kmh. Furthermore, what truly makes this treadmill special is the fact that it can be folded making it very convenient for small spaces and indoor gyms.

Comparing it to the Peloton treadmill, it is a simpler device with fewer accessories. Your experience will certainly be different. However, you can still do quality exercise, as the rest is up to you.

3. Mobvoi Home Foldable Treadmill

Mobvoi Home Treadmill Incline 3HP Folding 15% Inclines with Bluetooth Workout App Easy Assembly LED Monitor Walking Running Machine for Gym Indoor Exercise Fitness 25 Preset Program
CHECK PRICE

The Mobvoi Foldable Treadmill is another quite beloved and popular treadmill on the market. Much like the Branx treadmill, it can also fold, which makes it a convenient piece of equipment.

The technology on this treadmill is also quite good, reaching speeds of up to 20 kmh. It is also a bit of a budget option at $500.

On this treadmill, you´ll also be able to run and do decent exercise. However, you might have a hard time pairing it with a fitness app. In the end, it is a more accessible option, but the quality of the device can´t compare to what Peloton offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peloton Bike or Treadmill a Better Workout?

You´ll burn approximately the same amount of calories on both pieces of equipment: Bike and Treadmill (up to 400-750 calories going at a moderate pace in one hour of training), a bit higher on the bicycle. However, the muscles you´ll work out and the intensity of your training will vary. The superior machine for training movement and agility is the treadmill. For strength, go with the bike.

What Burns More Calories: the Treadmill or Peloton Bike?

Both the Peloton bike and the treadmill have a similar amount of calories burned at around 450-750 per hour of exercise (this is greatly impacted by extra factors like age, weight, and physical development). Odds are you´ll feel more tired after an hour of running than one hour of cycling, but that´s up to you.

The average 1/2 hour long bicycle ride will burn up to 600 calories while one hour on the treadmill at a 5mph speed will burn around 600 calories. This can vary based on effort and body weight.

Is a Treadmill or Bike Better for Belly Fat?

When it comes to weight loss, if you have to choose between the Peloton bike or the treadmill, you´ll be able to burn slightly more calories by riding your treadmill. Furthermore, it should be as physically tiring as riding your bike.

However, targeted fat loss isn´t possible. As you exercise your body will begin using its fat reserves, but it could be from any part of your body.

However, you´ll still be able to burn fat by doing any kind of physical activity and by burning more calories than what you consume in one day.

Finally

The Peloton bike and treadmill focus on very different fitness areas. Both have their respective pros and cons. Nevertheless, you should choose which to get based on your personal priorities and what you´re looking to train.

Each of these machines is particular in the way it works and will provide unique benefits. Finally, if you´re on a tight budget, going for the Peloton bike might seem like the more sensible option as it is much cheaper.

Carlos Glover
About the Author
I took up cycling in high school and haven’t looked back since. My love of cycling eventually evolved into an obsession with bicycles. From road bikes to mountain bikes, I have tried them all – and have the scars to prove it! I love sharing my findings with the rest of the cycling world as unsolicited as they may be.
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