The Peloton App Has Thousands of Classes—And You Don't Need the Bike


Updated

Peloton's reputation is built around the bike, but the app is a completely separate product. You can access Peloton's entire class library on your phone or TV without owning a single piece of Peloton hardware. 

That includes cycling classes on any stationary bike, strength sessions with dumbbells or bodyweight, yoga, running, stretching, meditation, and more. The app has three subscription tiers depending on which categories you want access to, and a 30-day free trial on all of them.

Peloton app logo

Peloton

  • Price: From $9.99/month (Strength+) | $12.99/month (App One) | $29.99/month (App+)
  • Free trial: 30 days
  • Platforms: iOS, Android

The class quality is much better than free alternatives


Most fitness apps at the lower price points feel like YouTube with a subscription fee. Peloton's classes feel like the real thing. Instructors are well-coached, energetic without being grating, and their cues are specific enough to be genuinely useful. The production quality is noticeable, with better sound quality, camera work, and pacing that are all consistent across the library. New sessions are added weekly, so the catalog doesn't go stale the way a fixed library does.

Peloton app showing full slate of live and on-demand classes available without a Peloton bike
Peloton's class library covers cycling, strength, yoga, running, stretching, and meditation — all accessible through the app without hardware.
Image: Angelo Ilumba | WhistleOut

The community features add an optional competitive layer through leaderboards and user challenges. If you're motivated by knowing other people can see your output, Peloton's community is large and active. If you prefer to train quietly, the leaderboard is easy to ignore.

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Streaming Peloton classes from your phone adds up on a metered plan. A T-Mobile MVNO gives you T-Mobile's 5G network at a fraction of the carrier price. 

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The three subscription tiers, explained


Peloton's app pricing is tiered by workout category access, which is a sensible structure if you know what you want. Here's what each tier covers:

Tier Price What's included
Strength+ $9.99/month Strength, yoga, cardio, meditation
App One $12.99/month Everything in Strength+, plus cycling, running, and outdoor classes
App+ $29.99/month Full library, scenic rides, hardware integration

App One at $12.99/month is the tier most people will find the best value. It unlocks cycling and running on top of the strength and yoga classes, which include the workout categories most people actually use. App+ at $29.99/month makes most sense for Peloton hardware owners who want to unlock the full connected experience.

Workout tracking syncs with your existing watch


Peloton syncs with Apple Watch, Android-compatible fitness watches, and Fitbit. Heart rate and activity data show up in both your Peloton summary and your watch's health app after each session. You don't need to buy Peloton's heart rate monitor to get accurate data, whatever watch you already use will work.

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Is Peloton worth paying for without the bike?


It really depends on your workout habits. But you can at least try out the 30-day free trial before you decide. The class quality is consistently better than comparable free fitness content, the library is large enough that you won't run out of sessions, and the structured programs (like the beginner running plan) are well-designed. 

Strength+ at $9.99/month is a reasonable entry point for anyone who primarily wants strength and yoga sessions. App One at $12.99/month is the tier worth starting with for most people.

See how Peloton compares to the other apps in our best health and fitness apps guide.

WhistleOut logo How I tested Peloton

Peloton was evaluated based on class quality, platform availability, pricing, free trial terms, subscription tier structure, and watch integration capability. App store reviews and current user reports were used to supplement hands-on evaluation. All pricing and feature details were verified at the time of writing.

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Peloton: FAQ


Do you need a Peloton bike to use the Peloton app?

No, you don't need a Peloton bike to use the app. The Peloton app works on any phone, tablet, TV, or compatible smart bike. None of the app subscription tiers require Peloton hardware.

How much does the Peloton app cost?

Three tiers are available: Strength+ at $9.99/month, App One at $12.99/month, and App+ at $29.99/month. A 30-day free trial is available on all tiers.

Does the Peloton app work with Apple Watch?

Yes, Peloton works with Apple Watch. The heart rate and activity data appear in both your Peloton summary and your watch's health app.

Is the Peloton app worth it without a Peloton bike?

If you don't want to pay for a gym membership, then yes, the Peloton app is worth it even if you don't have a bike.

Jessica Santero

Staff Writer

Jessica Santero
Jessica is a Staff Writer for WhistleOut and the site’s resident app expert. Her coverage frequently includes hands-on comparisons of popular app categories, such as translation, navigation, and dating apps, to evaluate how they perform in real-world mobile use.

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