Bowflex C6 vs. Peloton Bike: What’s the Cheaper Exercise Bike?

Working out from home has become popular in recent years and cycling is one of the top options. Cycling is not only low impact but also offers an incredibly challenging and more effective workout compared to other exercises.

With the rising popularity of cycling as a home workout option it is no wonder that exercise bikes are a top choice for many people looking to work out from home.

Exercise bikes come in many different forms, but it is spinning bikes that have become most popular in recent years due to their unmatched ability to work up the biggest sweat. Spinning bikes are currently kings of the indoor cycling bikes and while they might be less focused on comfort compared to traditional exercise bikes, they tend to offer greater fitness rewards.

Bowflex C6 and Peloton are two of the most popular spinning bikes currently available in the market. Peloton is the clear leader when it comes to the live and on demand workout experience while Bowflex offers a cheaper alternative to Peloton.

The following is a detailed comparison of the two bikes to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Features Comparison

Bowflex C6

• It offers 100 micro-adjustable levels of resistance
• It has an adjustable seat and handlebars that ensure maximum versatility
• It uses magnetic resistance that ensures a smooth and very quiet ride
• It has a tablet rack that allows you to stream workouts on your smartphones or tablet
• It has dual-link pedals that have built-in cages
• It has two water bottle holders
• It is Bluetooth ready
• It has a high-density, race-style foam seat
• It has a backlit LCD metric console
• It syncs with the heart rate armband monitor
• It comes with two 3-pound dumbbells
• It is compatible with multiple workout apps

Peloton

• It has an adjustable seat, screen, and handlebar to ensure the most comfortable ride
• It has a 21.2-inch HD screen with touch technology. The screen is also waterproof
• New + Model Bike offers a rotating screen to
• It has a nearly silent belt drive that lets you ride at any time of night or day
• It has a compact carbon steel frame that’s welded to ensure maximum stability
• It has a 5-megapixel camera that faces the rider and allows for in-class video chat with instructors and classmates
• It has 100 micro-adjustable resistance levels
• It has dual water bottle holders
• It has aluminum delta pedals that are lightweight and compatible with clip-in cycling shoes
• It has a Bluetooth enabled console for automated statistics tracking
• It has a racing-style seat that’s narrow and minimally padded, which keeps friction to a minimum
• It has a companion Peloton app that has an impressive library of both live and on demand workouts. It also allows you to quickly sort through class offerings, track your workout history, and schedule workout reminders.

While both bikes have many great features, we prefer Bowflex as it can work with the Peloton app, as well as many others. If you want the full Peloton experience, then their bike or tread is the way to go, but if you want

• Connectivity with Non-Native Apps: Bowflex C6 managed to turn its greatest weakness, which is the lack of a companion app into its greatest strength. It lets you connect to your preferred app including the Peloton App. In contrast, the Peloton bike doesn’t connect with non-native apps.
• Extra Equipment: If you purchase the Bowflex C6, it comes fitted with two 3-pound dumbbells that are mounted just below the handlebars. In contrast, the basic package of the Peloton doesn’t come with any additional equipment. If you wish to get additional dumbbells with the Peloton bike, you will need to pay for it, but they do offer some really great, high quality add-ons with some of their packages.
• Screen: The Peloton bike has a 21.5-inch screen, but the Bowflex C6 does not. This helps bring the cost of the C6 down a bit, but their are pros and cons to having a built-in screen versus needing to have a tablet or other device to stream your workouts.

Think the Bowflex sounds like a good fit? Learn more below:

Live and On Demand Workout Comparison

Peloton

Peloton is the undisputed industry leader when it comes to live and on demand workouts. Peloton currently offers over 8,000 on-demand rides that range anywhere from 5 to 90 minutes. You can also find about 11 live classes on any given day.

Peloton’s rides, classes, and workout programs are some of the best and are offered by some of the world’s best trainers, which means that if you opt for the Peloton, you will enjoy access to an impressive live and on demand workout experience.

With their new Plus line of treadmills and bikes, you can even take your workouts to another level. These models truly are the total package in terms of getting the most from your Peloton experience.

Bowflex C6

Bowflex (see C6 review) currently does not have its own streaming platform, but you can still use the C6 to access your preferred live and on demand workouts. You can actually use the C6 with a variety of fitness apps, which include Peloton, Zwift, FulGaz, TrainerRoad, Rouvy, and Sufferfest among many others.

All you need to start working out is your tablet or smartphone, connect to your C6 via Bluetooth and start enjoying workouts on your preferred app. It is this that makes Bowflex one of the best and most affordable options when it comes to streaming live and on demand fitness classes.

Price Comparison: Which Bike is Cheaper?

Price in another important consideration when looking for an exercise bike to buy. Peloton offers 4 different pricing packages and options:

Pelton

• Basics Package: starts at $1,895

Bowflex

• The Bowflex C6 starts at $999.

Summary: Which Bike Takes the Win?

Peloton is the undisputed industry leader when it comes to product quality, workout options, as well as features. The main issue that many people have with the Peloton is its hefty price tag, but if you can afford it, they are certainly the best of the best. They also recently lowered their prices, which has made them more affordable for many folks.

On the other hand, the Bowflex C6 is worth considering if you want a bike for under a thousands bucks, that works with the Peloton app, as well as many others. You can learn more about the C6 below: