People who don't have Peloton bikes may still want to take Peloton cycling classes. Can you use a Proform bike with the Peloton app?
The Peloton app is not the same thing as the Peloton subscription. The Peloton subscription is only for Peloton bike owners, but the Peloton app is for everyone.
In other words, using the Proform bike with the Peloton app is possible. The Peloton app offers training and live classes for cyclists, runners, yoga enthusiasts, and more. You do not have to have a Peloton bike to access any of this content, and it is for anyone who pays the subscription.
The Peloton app (for everyone) is a great, cheap way to get in shape. For only about $17 per month, you can attend live classes and not only look at training videos. You can earn achievements with badges, use a leaderboard, and learn all about health and fitness.
I have a Proform bike but use the Peloton app. Again, anyone can do this - you can have any exercise bike (even a non-digital one) and join a cycling class through the Peloton app. The Peloton digital app works on whatever phone or tablet you install it on.
How Do You Get the Peloton App to Work on a Proform Bike?
Simply install the Peloton app on your phone or tablet, turn your Proform bike on, and use the Peloton app while riding your Proform bike. You do not make the Peloton digital app work on your Proform bike's screen. Instead, you run the Peloton digital app on your tablet and ride your Proform bike.
Why Does the Peloton App Work for Anyone?
The Peloton digital app doesn't display on a bike's screen. Even if you have a Peloton bike, the digital app still doesn't display on the Peloton screen. Peloton bike owners do not use the Peloton app - they pay for a separate membership for classes displayed on their Peloton bike screen.
Can You Use the Peloton App Even With a Non-Electronic Bike?
Yes, if you have a non-electronic stationary bike with no screen, you can still use the Peloton app. All you need is a phone, a tablet, or another device to install the app on.
A Tablet is Better than a Phone or Laptop
I recommend using a tablet instead of a phone or a computer. A tablet has a bigger screen than a phone but isn't as awkward to set up as a laptop. You can easily set a tablet up to watch your Peloton app videos while you ride your Proform bike.
Can You Use the Peloton App With no Equipment?
Yes, even if you don't have a bike or any other exercise equipment, you can still use the Peloton app. You could take a bodyweight exercises class or even a meditation class and participate with no equipment.
Do Any Bikes not Work Well With the Peloton Bike?
A bike that allows you to increase the resistance is usually good enough to complete the classes on the Peloton app. Nearly any spin bike is good enough, and nearly any bike on an indoor trainer is. If you can't increase the resistance, you can't really participate in the classes.
The best bikes are spin bikes and bikes with indoor trainers. However, a digital bike other than a Peloton bike works well, and nearly any bike is good enough unless you can't increase the resistance when you are supposed to do this in class.
Can You Take Actual Classes On the Peloton Bike?
Yes, you can take live cycling classes on the Peloton app. You do not need a Peloton bike and Peloton membership to take these classes. Anyone can interact with the rest of the class using a phone or tablet.
How Much Does the Peloton App Cost?
The Peloton digital app currently costs $16.99 per month, which is cheaper than the membership that is only for Peloton bike owners. The Peloton digital app costs $39 per month.
How Do You Set Up Your Tablet?
Since your Proform bike doesn't come with a holder for a smartphone or tablet, you will have to buy a holder to keep your phone/tablet somewhere you can see it. Amazon lists many different tablet holders, some of which work well to hold a tablet up in front of a Proform bike.
Can You Measure Your Speed and Cadence On the App?
Yes, but you will have to make a couple of small purchases. The two products are from different companies and are not officially compatible. However, you can still get your speed on your Proform bike to display on the Peloton app.
You Need to Buy a Speed Sensor and Heart Rate Monitor Separately
To get your Peloton app to record your Proform bike's speed, you need equipment that is neither from Proform nor Peloton. You need to buy a speed sensor that another company makes to record your bike's speed and send the information to the app. Thankfully, this is not expensive or a technical hassle to do.
What Third-Party Sensors Work Well?
What I used is a Wahoo RPM Cadence Sensor, which is a reasonably cheap, reliable product. You can easily use it to send information from your bike to the Peloton app. Some other people recommend the Garmin Cadence Sensor which is probably also a great product for people with Proform bikes.
Get a Heart Rate Monitor as Well
You don't have to go overboard with third-party sensors that keep track of everything, but you want to know what your heart rate is. If you are increasing your maximum heart rate, you know you are getting in better shape.
You can also measure your fitness progress by attempting an old workout and seeing if you can complete it with a lower heart rate than before.
If you already have an apple watch, you can use that as a heart rate monitor. If you don't have an apple watch or anything else, you can buy heart rate monitors from Wahoo, Garmin, and Polar. Your heart rate monitor must use BlueTooth, or else it may not connect to the device running your Peloton app.
How Do You Get the Heart Rate and Speed Sensors to Connect?
Thankfully, there are no real technical hassles in getting the Proform bike to connect to the Peloton app. You don't have to modify the bike in any way, and the sensors will work if you follow the simple instructions.
First, make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on your tablet. One of the most common problems that people have is that their tablet has Bluetooth disabled. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows two devices to communicate.
Open the App and Connect It
First off, turn your speed sensor and heart rate monitor on, turn your tablet on, and load the app. After the app is open, look at the rides available to you and tap the instructor's picture. This will open a menu that lets you connect the heart rate sensor and the speed/cadence sensor to your Peloton app.
Your experience won't be nearly as good without sensors, especially without a speed/cadence sensor, because your instructor will refer to what sensors measure. They might instruct everyone to pedal faster and go over a certain speed. A heart rate monitor also makes your workouts more fun and makes it easier to train harder.
Is the Peloton Membership Better than the Peloton Digital App?
Yes, the Peloton membership is somewhat better than what the Peloton digital app offers. While the Peloton app is impressive and offers live classes and not only content for a low monthly fee, the membership is better. They are two different services, one for Peloton bike owners and another for a broader customer base.
People who have Peloton bikes and pay a higher monthly fee for the Peloton membership are not wasting their money. They get a better service if you are into competing with your classmates and leaderboards. There is only limited access to leaderboards if you use the Peloton digital app.
Even still, the Peloton digital app is a great service. A Peloton bike will set you back well over $2500, and not everyone can afford that. People who already have a different exercise bike should consider the Peloton digital app over buying a Peloton.
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