Yes, you can use a Peloton bike without a subscription but with limited features like 2 pre-recorded classes and basic “Just Ride” workouts. Peloton Digital is better because if you use it without a subscription, you can access 30+ free workouts, including strength, yoga, running, cycling, and more. However, you still won’t have access to the full workout library, live classes, or the ability to track your metrics.

So, can you use Peloton without a subscription? Yes, but there’s a catch because, without membership, you lose access to workout history, won’t unlock the Peloton power bar required for power zone workouts, and can’t connect your Apple Watch to monitor your heart rate.

The main benefit of using Peloton without an active membership is, of course, cost savings, as you won’t be charged a $44.00 monthly subscription fee. However, when using the bike without an active membership, it only displays your cadence, resistance, and speed, and doesn’t save any data. This table highlights features available for Peloton bikes and Peloton Digital without a subscription.

Feature	Peloton Bike Without Subscription	Peloton App Without Active Subscription
Pre-recorded classes	2 pre-selected classes, but metrics won’t be recorded or saved	Access to 30+ free classes
Just Ride Features	Just Ride	N/A
Basic Metrics	Cadence, Resistance, and Speed	Cadence, but only for App+ users
Workout summary	N/A	Yes
Leaderboard	N/A	Yes
Heart Rate Monitor	N/A	Yes
Subtitles	N/A	English, German, and Spanish

If you’re wondering whether it’s better to use Peloton with or without a subscription, both options have their pros and cons. Before you decide to cancel your membership or order a Peloton without a monthly subscription, consider exploring various Peloton subscription alternatives, including Tonal, Aaptiv, DailyBurn, iFit, BODi, and more.

Can you use the Peloton bike without a monthly subscription?

Yes, you can hop on a Peloton bike without a monthly subscription, but it’s not quite the full experience. Without a Peloton membership, you’re missing out on almost all the cool stuff and perks. You won’t get access to any of their awesome content, and the only thing you can do is use the “just ride” mode.

For me, the ‘Just Ride’ mode is fine because it allows me to do my own workouts without having to join a specific class. However, I also like to take classes with my favorite instructors, Cody and Robin, so I use the ‘Just Ride’ feature on and off.

Can you use Peloton’s free trial without a subscription?

Yes, you can use Peloton’s free trial without a subscription. During the trial period, you’ll have access to their content and features for 30 days or more without the need for a paid subscription.

What features are available with Peloton without a subscription?

Without a Peloton smart gym subscription, you can access a limited range of features, including a handful of on-demand classes and the Just Ride feature, although metrics from these sessions are not recorded or saved.

Limited On-demand Classes: When using a Peloton bike, tread, or rower without a subscription, you do get access to 2 on-demand classes, but the workout metrics are not recorded or saved.
Just Ride Features: You can use the Just Ride feature on Peloton without a subscription. It’s one of the features available to users without an active membership, allowing you to enjoy Peloton’s cycling experience without a monthly subscription fee.
Access to 30+ free classes: It’s okay to use Peloton without a subscription and access free content, but this option is limited to Peloton App One and App+ users. You can enjoy a rotating selection of over 30 free classes each week, but remember that the available classes change regularly.
Basic Metrics: You can view basic performance metrics such as cadence, resistance, and speed without a Peloton subscription during bike, tread, and rowing workouts. However, for Peloton Digital, you can pair cadence sensors via Bluetooth, but only with a Peloton App+ digital membership.
Workout Summary: Workout summaries are available without a Peloton subscription, but only for Peloton digital users. They are not available for Peloton bike or rower users. A Peloton workout summary allows you to view your estimated calorie burn and the muscles you worked.
Leaderboard: The Peloton leaderboard is only available without a Peloton subscription for the digital app, not for Peloton bike, rower, or tread users. Although it’s limited to the name and high-five option.
Heart Rate Monitor: You can use Peloton without a subscription to monitor your heart rate, but this feature is only available for digital app users.
Subtitles: Subtitles are available without a subscription in English, German, and Spanish, but only for Peloton App One and Peloton App+ users.

Additionally, you can use Peloton without a subscription for limited access to Peloton Gym. This includes step-by-step workout plans for both home and gym workouts. These are not classes but private workout plans that you can do on your own. They don’t include music but feature exercise video tutorials and information on the muscles worked.

What features are unavailable on a Peloton without a subscription?

Without a Peloton subscription, you won’t have access to over 24,000 classes, live sessions, or the ability to create multiple user profiles for family and friends. You’ll miss out on detailed metrics like the Strive Score and FTP score, as well as other Peloton features for stacking classes and pairing with other apps. Plus, your workout history won’t be as comprehensive.

Extensive Class Library: You won’t have access to over 24,000 on-demand classes covering cycling, running, strength, yoga, and more.
Live Classes and Events: You won’t be able to join live-streaming classes and special weekly events, missing out on an interactive workout experience.
Unlimited Profiles: You won’t have the ability to create multiple user profiles on one account, which can be handy for your family and friends to track their progress. Without access to profiles, you won’t see the history of your rides, badges, achievements, daily logs, and all other statistics.
Comprehensive User Metrics: You’ll be without features like Peloton Strive Score, FTP (Functional Threshold Power) score, and power zones for detailed performance tracking.
Stacking Classes: You won’t have the option to stack classes back-to-back for a customized workout session.
App Pairing: You’ll miss the capability to pair with other fitness apps for an integrated fitness-tracking experience.
Detailed Workout History: Your profile won’t maintain a complete history of rides, achievements, and various workout statistics for tracking progress over time.
Performance Tracking: Without a Peloton subscription, you won’t be able to access real-time performance tracking.

What are the benefits of using Peloton without a subscription?

Here are three benefits of using Peloton without a subscription:

Cost Savings: Using Peloton without monthly fees means you can avoid the $44.00 subscription fee, whether it’s for a short period, like when you’re traveling, taking a month off, or on a budget. Paying $44.00 per month for an exercise app can add up quickly. That’s over $500 per year that could be better spent on holidays, hobbies, and leisure time, helping you cut down on your overall home fitness expenses.
Basic Workout Access: Even without a Peloton subscription, you can still access a handful of quality Peloton content workouts to perform basic fitness routines, helping you maintain a regular cardiovascular exercise routine.
No Commitment Required: Without a Peloton subscription, you’re not locked into a long-term financial commitment, which gives you the flexibility and opportunity to get to know the basic features of the Peloton bike before deciding whether to invest in a full subscription.

What are the drawbacks of using Peloton without a subscription?

Using Peloton without a subscription does have some drawbacks.

You won’t have access to their live classes, on-demand classes, and scenic rides, which are a big part of the Peloton experience.
You’ll miss out on streaming the Peloton classes from your laptop, phone, or tablet, without any additional cost.
You’ll miss out on the motivation and guidance from their instructors, and you won’t be able to track your progress as comprehensively.
Peloton’s “Just Ride” mode can become boring because it offers limited features such as cadence, resistance, and speed data. The membership allows you to track all the fancy statistics and gives access to performance analytics.
Without a Peloton membership, you won’t have access to the auto resistance feature. You can still use the bike, but it’ll be similar to using a regular spin bike at the gym.

Honestly, I think if you don’t want the subscription, one of the options is to get a less expensive bike. In my opinion, the content is what defines Peloton, but I also know many people who aren’t fans of group classes and prefer to use the bike individually. I know dozens of people who don’t need to follow any online classes to stay fit and find the $44 per month for a fitness app excessive. That being said, I do find value in Peloton membership.

Is it worth having a Peloton without a subscription?

Yes, having a Peloton bike without a subscription is worth it if you love the bike’s quality and feel and are fine with using just the basic Just Ride features. However, it’s not worth it if you want the full interactive experience, community engagement, and variety of classes that Peloton offers, as these are only accessible with an active subscription.

These are all valid reasons. Accessing all the extra features is great, but only if you plan to use them. Here’s a table listing all the features included with a Peloton membership.

Peloton Feature	Pros	Cons
Access to the performance data	Great for people who want to track their results Can be motivating and encouraging to get started	Not useful for people who are already motivated
Access to on-demand classes	Variety of workouts Good to try different classes from home Can be used on the go	Not useful for people who just want to use the bike
Access to leaderboards	Can motivate and inspire to train Creates a sense of connection	Not useful for people who are already motivated
Unlimited profile	Great for couples and family Everyone can use the bike and create a separate profile	Not useful if you gonna be using it by yourself
$44 per month	Can be done for people with more disposable income	Can be hard for people on the strict budget

Pros and cons of Peloton subscription

Before investing in a Peloton membership, I recommend asking yourself a question: Do you plan to use all the features, or do you simply want to use the bike for rides? If you’re not going to be using it, then it’s not worth it. In my opinion, the Peloton is a great product, but it’s not for everyone.

Is it worth having a Peloton app without a subscription?

Yes, having the Peloton app without a subscription is worth it, especially for those who appreciate Peloton’s classes but don’t own a Peloton bike or treadmill. The Peloton app allows you to test workouts, connect a heart rate monitor, and use Peloton Gym before committing to spending $12.99 per month.

Who benefits from Peloton without a subscription?

Peloton without a subscription is ideal for individuals who are self-motivated in their fitness journey and do not require interactive features or structured classes to maintain their workout routine.

Already Fitness-Focused: Those for whom fitness is an integral part of their lifestyle.
Self-motivated: Individuals who don’t rely on external motivation to train.
Independent Trainers: People who prefer training on their own, either at home or in the gym.
Non-Users of On-Demand Classes: Those who do not utilize or need on-demand class features.
Internally Motivated: Individuals who are driven by internal motivation rather than external metrics.
Budget-Conscious: Those who cannot or prefer not to incur additional costs of a monthly membership fee.

Who benefits from a Peloton subscription?

Peloton with a subscription is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking structure, motivation, and community in their fitness journey, as well as those who value the full range of interactive features and classes.

Fitness Beginners: Ideal for those just starting their fitness journey and needing structured guidance.
Seeking Social Interaction: Great for individuals who are motivated by being part of a fitness community.
Need Exercise Guidance: Helpful for those who require detailed guidance and structured exercise plans.
Regular Class Users: Perfect for individuals who want to regularly participate in a variety of on-demand classes.
Large Households: Suitable for families or groups where multiple members are keen on training.
Motivated by Metrics: Beneficial for those who are driven by tracking their performance and progress.
Willing to Pay for Motivation: Good for people who see the subscription fee as a motivating factor to commit to their fitness goals.

Paying for a subscription can be a strong motivator; when I invest money in something, I feel compelled to use it and get my money’s worth. This mindset often applies to fitness – a substantial prepaid commitment, like a Peloton subscription or personal training sessions, pushes me to stay on track with my workouts. As a personal trainer, I’ve seen clients maintain their exercise routines because they don’t want to waste the money they’ve invested, even when they’re not initially inclined to work out.

How to use Peloton without a subscription

To use a Peloton bike without a subscription, follow these steps.

Purchase the Bike: When you buy a Peloton bike, you are only charged for the hardware, as the price doesn’t include a 12-month membership like some other home gym brands.
Set Up the Bike: Once you have your Peloton bike, set it up as instructed in the user manual.
Use Basic Functions: Without a subscription, you can use the bike like a regular stationary bike.
Access Limited Content: You will have access to a handful of classes, although your workout metrics from these classes won’t be recorded or saved.
Explore the Just Ride Feature: Utilize the Just Ride feature, which allows for a basic cycling experience without class instructions.
Pause Subscription (If Applicable): If you previously had a subscription, you can pause it for 1-3 months according to Peloton’s policy.
Consider Long-Term Value: If you find that you don’t enjoy the bike without the subscription content, consider selling the bike as its long-term value may be limited.
Use Peloton App without Membership: If using the Peloton App without an active membership, you can access a free trial of Peloton App One or App+ content for a limited time, and about 30+ free classes labeled as Free Class.

How to pause your Peloton subscription

To pause your Peloton subscription, log into your account on your Peloton equipment or at onepeloton.com/mymembership, navigate to ‘Manage’ next to your subscription, and select ‘Pause or cancel.’

Access Your Account: Log into your Peloton account either on your Peloton equipment or online.
Navigate to Subscription Management: Go to the ‘Manage’ section next to your subscription details.
Choose to Pause: Select the ‘Pause or cancel’ option.
Specify Pause Duration: Choose to pause your subscription for 1 month, with the option to extend for an additional month if needed.
Acknowledge Limited Access: Understand that during the pause, you will not have access to any Peloton content on your equipment or the Peloton App.
Resume Subscription if Desired: You can unpause your subscription at any time during the pause period by logging back into your account and managing your subscription settings.

How to cancel a Peloton subscription

To cancel your Peloton subscription and continue using the bike without it, follow these steps:

Navigate to the Peloton Website: You can’t cancel the subscription directly from the bike. Instead, go to the Peloton website.
Log In to Your Member Profile: Access your member account on the Peloton site.
Select Preferences and Subscriptions: Within your account settings, find and click on the preferences and subscriptions section.
Cancel the Subscription: Choose the option to cancel your subscription and confirm the cancellation.
Turn on the Bike: Once the subscription is canceled, turn on the Peloton bike.
Access ‘Just Ride’ Mode: The primary option available will be “Just Ride,” which lets you track speed, cadence, and resistance.
Track Basic Workout Details: Note that in ‘Just Ride’ mode, you can view basic workout metrics, but they won’t be saved.
Enjoy Your Ride: Despite the lack of advanced features, you can still enjoy a fulfilling workout using the bike’s basic functionalities.

Can you buy Peloton without a subscription?

Yes, you can purchase a Peloton bike or treadmill without immediately subscribing to their membership service, as the price of the hardware does not include a mandatory 12-month membership. Without an active subscription, the Peloton functions like a regular stationary bike, allowing basic usage. To activate the full range of features and classes, you would need to log into the bike, set up an account, and provide payment details for the membership.

Can you use Peloton tread without a subscription?

Yes, you can use the Peloton Tread without a subscription thanks to a software update that introduced the ‘Tread Lock’ feature and restored the ‘Just Run’ option, allowing it to function as a regular treadmill. However, Peloton advises Tread owners to first take advantage of a free inspection and repair service to secure the touchscreen, especially following a recall related to safety concerns. It’s important to note that while the ‘Just Run’ feature is available without a subscription, access to Peloton’s full content library and interactive features requires an active membership.

Can you use Peloton Scenic Rides without a subscription?

No, you cannot access Peloton’s scenic rides without a subscription; these rides are part of the exclusive content available only to members with an active Peloton membership. Without a subscription, users are limited to basic features like the ‘Just Ride’ mode and cannot enjoy the full range of interactive and immersive experiences offered by Peloton.

Can you use Peloton Just Ride without a subscription?

Yes, you can use the Peloton Just Ride feature on a bike without a subscription.

Is the Peloton subscription a per-person thing?

No, a Peloton subscription is for the entire household, allowing multiple family members to use the same subscription to create individual profiles and access all features without additional fees.

Is it possible to hack a Peloton subscription?

Yes, attempting to “jailbreak” or hack a Peloton bike to access hidden features is possible but not supported by Peloton and violates their terms of service. This Peloton subscription hack can void your warranty, lead to software malfunctions, and create security vulnerabilities, making it a risky endeavor.

What are the alternatives to Peloton without a subscription?

Alternatives to Peloton without a subscription include a variety of cheaper stationary bikes, diverse fitness apps, YouTube workout channels, and local gym classes offering live cycling sessions.

Cheaper Stationary Bikes: Brands like Technogym, Echelon, and NordicTrack offer cost-effective stationary bike options.
Fitness Apps: Zwift, Sufferfest, TrainerRoad, Aaptiv, DailyBurn, iFit, and BODi provide digital workout experiences.
YouTube Workouts: A plethora of free exercise and cycling classes are available on YouTube.
Local Gym Cycling Classes: Gyms like Planet Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness often have live cycling classes as part of their membership offerings.

Using a Peloton bike without a subscription can still be valuable, especially if metrics and community are not your primary concerns. Ultimately, the decision to subscribe hinges on your budget and commitment to regular workouts. The bike itself, even without a membership, provides basic features like the ‘Just Ride’ mode, displaying metrics such as speed, cadence, and resistance, along with access to three classes.

However, without the subscription, a Peloton essentially functions as a standard stationary bike. If you’re considering purchasing one, weighing the pros and cons based on your personal preferences and workout habits is advisable.

Can You Use Peloton Without Subscription?