Final Verdict
We chose Peloton as our top choice because of its rewarding classes, affordability, and strong community. Peloton has captured millions of people worldwide with its energetic, humorous, and motivating instructors. The use of metrics and leaderboards adds a healthy dose of competition to classes, and while the Peloton bike isn't necessary to enjoy classes, it is expertly designed for comfort and functionality.
Guide to Choosing Online Cycling Classes
Online cycling classes are either live-streamed or on-demand workouts that you can do on your stationary bike at home. Participants view the instructor on their phone, tablet, TV, or on a screen mounted to their bike and follow along, just as they would in an in-person cycling class. Some classes are audio-only, so you can just listen to instructions without having to look at a screen.
Music has helped several online cycling classes take off, especially compared to other fitness programs. “Music is innate to us all," says Ridge Davis, a personal trainer, and former cycling class instructor. "Once we can connect to it, it stimulates a surge of serotonin and endorphins that fuel your workout." That's why, he says, when you can sync music to your ride, it helps you push through even challenging rides. "You have this mind-body connection where you focus on the beat and rhythm, which is incredibly cathartic," he adds. So that means choosing a cycling class with music that inspires you.
When looking for a stationary bike, Davis also emphasizes the importance of finding one that’s adjustable so that multiple people can use it: “The bike should have several adjustments on the seat, handle depth, and height to make it suitable for all riders who might be sharing the program at home.”
What to Look for in an Online Cycling Class
When it comes to choosing an online cycling class subscription, your personal fitness goals and workout style are top priorities. For example, if your primary goal is to build endurance, a subscription to Les Mills OnDemand is ideal, whereas a CYCLED! subscription is perfect for those who prefer upbeat classes centered around music. For a little bit of everything, Peloton is hard to beat.
Other factors you may wish to consider when choosing an online cycling class include:
- Cost
- Additional equipment required, such as weights or resistance bands
- Class duration
- Scheduling and class frequency
- App pairing for your smartwatch, tablet, or computer
- Other classes offered, such as HIIT or yoga
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Online Cycling Classes Good for Beginners?
If you're new to indoor cycling, online classes are an excellent way to get started. Finding free classes geared toward beginners is easy and allows you to learn the basics, such as how to set up your bike, without fronting any money. Newbies will appreciate trying out classes at home to learn the moves and lingo before going to a studio for an in-person class.
What Equipment Do I Need for Online Cycling Classes?
Online cycling classes are taught using upright bikes like the ones that you would see at an indoor cycling studio or gym that offers Spin classes. Some participants purchase a special Spinning bike to use at home, while others use a traditional upright stationary bike. These bikes require you to clip into their pedals, so if you’re planning to buy one for home use, you’ll also have to get spin shoes with cleats. You can also use your regular road bike by mounting it on a bike trainer.
Is 30 Minutes of Cycling Enough Exercise?
For general health and fitness, the American Heart Association recommends exercising for 150 minutes per week at a moderately intense pace. You can accomplish this by cycling for 30 minutes per day, five days per week. In addition to boosting your heart health, each 30-minute cycling session can burn around 200 to 300 calories.
Methodology
After reviewing over a dozen online cycling programs, we chose a mix of free and subscription-based workouts. All of the paid programs we reviewed offer a free trial period ranging from seven to 30 days. We also considered the equipment needed to take an indoor cycling class. All of these courses are compatible with any type of bike (road bike on a trainer, stationary bike at a gym or at home, or a specialty bike such as a Peloton). Another goal was to provide both audio-based classes, as well as visual courses, and more specialized programs.