In the past 2 years, at-home workouts have had a massive boom. With more and more people opting to stay home, the idea of going to a gym seems less appealing. If you are a lover of sweating at home in privacy, you are probably considering both the Peloton and Beachbody. Deciding which program to invest in can seem a bit tricky. These programs boast some of the top results when it comes to at-home workouts.
Beachbody provides structured at home workouts that span several weeks and includes a nutrition plan. Beachbody doesn’t require any equipment, though you can purchase their MYX bike. Peloton provides a wider variety of strength and cardio classes, is more interactive, and employs only the most qualified trainers. However, Peloton is more expensive, and equipment is necessary to workout.
This article will be instrumental in helping you decide which is better for your lifestyle. We will break down all the facts when it comes to a comparison of each program, the top classes offered, and which program is best. Follow along for more information!
How Does Beachbody Compare to Peloton?
Peloton and Beachbody, although both at-home workout programs, have many differences when it comes to classes, instructors, and nutrition. Let’s get into more details.
Instructors
The instructors at Peloton are carefully selected for their background in physical education and knowledge. Many of them have been in this industry for years.
Beachbody instructors must invite new members to be part of the program. This means anyone can be a coach regardless of background. Beachbody offers “personal fitness coaches,” whereas, with Peloton, there are no personal recommendations from your coaches, just your ability to participate in classes with them.
Nutrition
The instructors at Peloton give no nutritional guidance whatsoever. This is because a special license is needed to consult a client on nutrition, which the company has stated their instructors do not have.
With Beachbody, you can get a customized nutrition plan from your instructor which will include Beachbody’s brand of shakes, meal plans, and supplements.
Classes
Beachbody classes are set up in a format that challenges you to participate for 1-13 weeks. While Peloton classes allow you to drop in for your desired class at any time, for as little or as much as you want.
Peloton does incorporate challenges and badges to encourage you to reach new goals, but it is not a strict program.
As far as class types, Peloton offers cycling, yoga, running, and meditation. Beachbody offers cycling, barre, yoga, and Pilates.
Below is a chart that summarizes some information on the differences between Peloton and Beachbody classes:
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Top Class on Beachbody
When choosing an exercise program, you probably want to know the most popular classes available. There is a reason they are so popular – everyone loves them! As mentioned, there is a wide variety of classes.
Insanity Base Kit
The overall top rated Beachbody class is Insanity Base Kit. This is a 60-day program that consists of 29 different workouts. The workouts can range from 40-minute cardio to 60-minute interval circuits.
The program is said to push you to your limits each day with high intensity. The instructor, Shaun T, will help you reach your fitness goals as well as give you tips along the way.
You have the option to purchase these as a DVD set or subscribe to classes online. As a bonus to this program, a Beachbody nutrition guide and calendar are included to help you track your progress. You also have access to the free online community which provides round-the-clock support.
Top Class on Peloton
Just like Beachbody, Peloton has a variety of classes. There is cycling, bootcamp, yoga, etc. The top-rated class is the most popular amongst fans. But, to find the right workout class for you, you’ll need to do your own research!
“30 Minute Beyonce Two for One Ride”
Since Peloton’s bread and butter is cycling, we’ll discuss the top-rated cycling class. The “30 Minute Beyonce Two for One Ride” is the most popular cycling class on the Peloton App.
Two of the most popular instructors, Alex Toussaint and Tunde Oyeneyin come together to give you a killer workout that will leave you as fabulous as Queen B herself. This is a high intensity level workout which calls for high cadence and resistance numbers. You’re sure to hit a personal record after participating in this class.
This is a one-time class that lives in the Peloton library. You can access this class with an unlimited subscription or Digital App subscription.
Peloton Live vs. BODi
BODi is Beachbody’s On-Demand Interactive classes. Just like Peloton Live, you are able to stream live classes in various workouts that include HIIT, cardio and bootcamp-style classes.
1. The main difference between Peloton Live and Beachbody’s BODi is the price point.
- BODi is an add-on to your regular Beachbody membership, so you will have to pay $19.95 on top of your BOD membership rate.
- Peloton factors these live classes into your unlimited membership.
2. Peloton Live has a wider variety of classes available than BODi.
This is important to keep in mind when deciding which exercise program is right for you.
3. The final big difference between these programs is the live nutritional classes from BODi.
These provide nutritional tips and meal planning in real time. Again, the instructors at Peloton do not provide nutritional guidance.
Peloton and Beachbody Pros and Cons
Peloton Pros
Moving right along, let’s talk about the advantages of buying a peloton bike and purchasing the unlimited membership. This is a much newer program than Beachbody. Their focus is community and connection. Take a look at this list of pros:
- Peloton offers a variety of classes, with over 1,000 in their library
- The live classes go immediately into the library, giving you instant access should you miss a class
- The instructors are experienced in personal training and physical education
Peloton Cons
Just like Beachbody, Peloton is not without flaws. To make the most informed decision, let’s talk about their drawbacks. List of cons below:
- Workout descriptions are not informative enough to gauge the workout
- Monthly fee is higher if you purchase Peloton equipment
- Equipment needed for some classes such as bike, Tread, or dumbbells
Beachbody Pros
Enrolling in Beachbody has a ton of advantages when it comes to working out. This program has been around for many years and is one of the most popular at-home workout subscriptions. The program initially started with DVDs and moved to streaming. Let’s take a look at our list of Beachbody Pros:
- Beachbody has a variety of workouts, with over 400 class options to choose from
- The workouts require little to no equipment
- Meal plans and nutritional tips are included with the price of your membership
- The membership offers group support, coaching and motivation
Beachbody Cons
Just as with any workout program, it is not created perfectly. Talking about the disadvantages of the program will help you decide if this is the right program for you. Here is the list of cons:
- No cycling classes offered; the Myx Bike is a separate subscription at an added cost
- Coaches do not have to be certified personal trainers
- Beachbody is considered a Multi-level Marketing company, which means they are looking to upsell on all subscriptions and purchases
Is the Beachbody Bike Worth It?
The MYX II Bike is a Beachbody branded spin bike. The MYX II Bike is considered one of the best value bikes available. It starts at $1,299 plus the additional subscription cost that is not included in your Beachbody subscription.
- It provides a large screen display that keeps you entertained during classes.
- There are no live classes available, but a library of on-demand classes to choose from.
- The MYX II Bike is slightly smaller than a Peloton but holds a larger body.
- The MYXX II can accommodate a person who is 6’8” and weighs 350 lbs.
- This bike does not require specific shoes.
MYX vs. Peloton
Let’s compare the Peloton with Beachbody’s spin bike, the MIX II. By comparing the two options, you can determine which is right for you. Both are great options for at-home cycling classes that provide killer workouts. Take a look at the chart below that explains the differences between these two spin bikes. The “best” bike will depend on user preference.
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Apple Fitness+ vs Peloton vs Beachbody
Apple Fitness+ is a fitness subscription program that sets out to rival Peloton and Beachbody. Just like their rivals, Apple Fitness+ offers a variety of workout classes such as cycling, bootcamp, and yoga. Paired with these workouts is a high-energy instructor to guide and help you along the way. The subscription to the app starts at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. You can find classes such as cycling, tread, rowing, and mindful cooldown.
A plus to Apple Fitness+ is full integration with the Apple Watch. When starting a Fitness+ workout on your Apple Watch will automatically sync and track that type of workout. You can also pause workouts from the Apple Watch. Additionally, you can see real-time metrics in regard to your fitness rings.
Unlike Peloton and Beachbody, Apple Fitness+ does not have a live class option. All classes are prerecorded and added to a library. As we have noted before, this takes away a little bit of the connection when completing a class.
Final Thoughts: Is Peloton or Beachbody Better?
Deciding which program is right for you is a big decision. When it comes to the question, “Is Peloton or Beachbody better?” that answer will depend on your personal fitness goals, needs and abilities. Each of these programs have their own pros and cons, which we have addressed. Both exercise programs are beginner-friendly and provide intense workouts.
If you want structured workout challenges that span over multiple weeks, a 24-hour support community and nutrition plans, meals and tips, then Beachbody is the subscription for you.
- A big advantage of Beachbody is that no equipment is necessary for the workouts.
- One of the big drawbacks is instructors upselling additional Beachbody products for purchase.
On the other hand, Peloton provides a better variety of strength and cardio classes.
- With a long list of classes in the library and new live classes each day, you’ll be busy for quite some time.
- Additionally, you can have confidence in your workouts knowing your Peloton instructors have a long history in personal training.
- A disadvantage of Peloton is they have been around for less time than the Beachbody subscription, giving them a lesser-known reputation.