Do you want to know if it’s possible to access the Peloton tread and bike features without a subscription? Then, you’ve come to the right spot.
The simple answer is, yes, you can use Peloton without subscribing. If you choose not to pay the $39 a month subscription, you’d have access to three pre-recorded classes and the “Just Ride” feature, which shows real-time ride statistics on your screen.
Our extensive research and hands-on experience with peloton bikes make us experts. So, sit back and read on as we;
- Throw more light on what you get with Peloton without a subscription,
- Show you how to use Peloton without a subscription, and
- Clear the air on Peloton subscription and the digital app
By the end of this piece, you’d be able to decide whether you need that Peloton subscription or not.
Table of Contents
Can You Use Peloton Without Subscription?
We understand your worries.
From our findings, it’s either you already own a Peloton bike or tread and worry about the steep subscription plan or you are one of those who have heard of the wonders of Peloton. You wonder if there is a way to enjoy these features for free since the equipment is much more expensive than others in its category.
Whichever group you belong to, the answer to your question is that you can use Peloton without subscribing to the monthly subscription fee of $39. All you need is a peloton bike or tread to access any of the three select on-demand classes or use the “Just ride” mode.
The peloton fitness studio subscription plan provides live cycling and running classes from the comfort of your home. This makes it so different from other stationary fitness bikes and treads you can get out there.
Without the subscription, however, you won’t have access to the Peloton community, over 24,000 content classes, and Peloton events and programs.
Additionally, you won’t be able to create a member profile that automatically saves your ride history, achievements, badges, and overall progress.
So, in essence, all you have will be the Just ride feature. Although this feature allows you to track output (KJ), resistance and calories burned, you, unfortunately, won’t be able to save these metrics and gauges.
Here is a list of other great features you’d be missing out on without the Peloton membership subscription
- Scheduled classes with instructors to fit your workout schedule
- Scenic routes numbering 232 to make your workouts more fun and feel less stationary
- Listening to songs directly through the app
- Interacting with professional trainers directly
- Yoga, meditation, strength training, and tons of additional content that do not require a Peloton bike or tread
- An interactive community of subscribers and the ability to see your metrics on the leaderboard against other subscribers.
Now that you’ve seen all that Peloton premium offers, here is a table showing the major differences between the three types of Peloton users.
| Connect Fitness Membership | Digital App Membership | No Membership |
| Costs $39 per month | Costs $12.99 monthly | Free |
| Unlimited profiles | You can only create one profile | No profile |
| Access to leadership board and workout stats | No access to leadership board and stats | No stats history or access to community |
| It can be viewed on a wide range of devices and Peloton screen | Accessed via smartphone, tablets, laptops, and smart TV only | You can only view three exercises on the Peloton screen only |
| Over 20,000 content classes and 232 scenic routes | More than 20,000 content classes | Access to only three classes |
How to Use a Peloton Bike Without Subscription?
Now that you know it’s possible to use your peloton bike without subscribing, the next question on your mind must be, how do I go about it?
Don’t stress. This step-by-step guide details how to use the Peloton bike without a subscription. You’d need a working internet connection, a heart rate monitor, and probably your earphones.
Step 1: Power the Device
This is standard procedure. Insert the power cord into the power jack of the Peloton bike and connect the cable to a power outlet. Once properly connected, the LED light will turn green.
Now, check the back of the Peloton bike; behind the screen, you will find a button that powers the screen. With the screen on, you would see available Wi-Fi networks. Choose yours, enter the password and proceed to step 2.
If, however, you already are a previous subscriber and wish to cancel the subscription on your peloton account, visit the peloton website using your mobile, PC, or tab. Log into your member profile and click on cancel subscription.
Step 2: Select any of the pre-recorded Classes and Just Ride Feature
Now that you’ve successfully canceled your subscription or skipped the registration process, you can proceed to access any of the three on-demand classes and the just ride feature. The three classes include a 10-minute warm-up, 18 minutes ride class, and a 20-minute cooldown.
To access these classes, swipe the screen of your Peloton device from left to right. “Just ride” mode is available on the bike and bike+, and it allows you to ride for up to 6 hrs at a go. It displays;
- Distance
- Speed
- Time
- Cadence
- Calories burned
- Average output
- Total output
- Resistance
This makes it perfect for personalized workout plans. So, there you have it, the complete breakdown of how to use Peloton without subscribing.
Is Peloton Worth It Without a Subscription?
Peloton is always better with a subscription. With a subscription, you get access to many exciting features that will surely take your fitness and home workout exercise routine to a whole new level.
If you belong to this group of people, then a peloton subscription is worth it.
- People who need the motivation to work out. The leadership board and performance data are great motivators.
- People who enjoy a variety of workout classes.
- Novice to workouts and exercising in general
- Large families or households with members who are willing to train. You can add up to 20 profiles.
- People who need help with progress tracking. Your performance data saves automatically.
The peloton subscription might not be worth it if you belong to the listed categories below.
- People who want to run and need no motivation
- People on a budget with no cash to spare.
Is a Peloton Subscription Per Person?
Peloton subscription isn’t per person. With a single peloton subscription, all household members can enjoy the benefits of an All-access membership.
The Connect Fitness membership (all-access), as Peloton calls it, supports up to 20 users and even allows you to use a single subscription for both the peloton bike and tread.
However, we cannot say the same cannot of the bike and bike+; both types of equipment will require separate subscriptions.
Which is Better, Peloton Digital App or Subscription?
In this article, you might have seen the name peloton digital App pop up. You may wonder what exactly this app is, and is it better than the Peloton subscription?
The digital app from Peloton is Peloton’s way of offering users some Peloton only features. It’s software that can be run on most mobile devices, PCs, and tablets.
The best part is you do not need to own a Peloton bike or tread or pay the all-access subscribers fee. With it, you can get access to most of the features the all-access subscribers enjoy.
Here are some of the benefits the digital app has over the Peloton subscription;
- It costs less than the all-access subscription; about $26 less
- No need to pay the heavy peloton bike or tread cost. You can opt for something less expensive
- You can use the digital app from your tabs, phones, and devices with internet or Wi-Fi connectivity
Drawbacks of the Peloton Digital
- You cannot create multiple profiles; only one profile is allowed per device.
- Unable to track performance, view leadership board and metrics
- Access to classes is limited to mobile devices
It comes down to preference. The digital app subscription will be the clear choice for folks who are always on the go since they might not have access to a Peloton bike or tread. But for people who own a Peloton bike and plan to use it.
Conclusion
There you have it. Can Peloton work without a subscription? The answer is a resounding yes. However, if you’ve subscribed before, it will only be a matter of time before you realize that the whole purpose of owning a Peloton bike or tread is the subscription. Without a doubt, the subscription makes all the difference. So unless you do not have the cash to spare, do well to subscribe to Peloton or opt for the digital app. The benefits are immeasurable.
Also, do well to get the Venzo unisex indoor cycling shoe, it’s our recommended Peloton bike riding shoe. You can check out the best spd pedals to pair with your shoes as well!
