Best Studio Cycle
Barbell Pursuits tests and reviews fitness equipment and products to ensure quality for you. If you purchase something using one of our links, we may earn commission. Read our disclosures.
The world of at home fitness is constantly improving and developing because of rising popularity, practicality and less travel, as well as general advancements that experts are making in the fitness field.
In the world of studio cycles, there are lots to be excited about because with each release comes brand new features that seem to outdo the ones before it.
These are features that range from your predictable workout personalization options to really original tools that can enhance your fitness before you even get on the bike and long after you are done.
Having said that, anyone who wants to begin, improve or completely master their fitness routines on any studio cycle will have not only a wide selection to choose from, but many features to consider.
Because we all have different bodies and fitness goals, it is so important to understand the differences between cycles because there are many options and variations that could make or break your personal workout ideals and intended goals.
No matter what studio cycle you end up choosing, your workout routine has the potential to be the most motivational and uplifting session of all time or a complete letdown that you just can’t wrap your head around.
This is why, similar to a spin class or any kind of joined workout program, you need the right cycle that will bring you to the appropriate mindset, where fitness and workout inspiration work together to enhance your lifestyle.
This is why I’m doing this review of what studio cycle is the best. We all want to cycle at home sure, but it’s the questions of what bike to use, how to use it, why it’s best for you and where it ranks according to your fitness dreams, that I am more interested in.
You have to look for the cycle that is best for you, and that is what I hope to help you achieve.
In this review, I’m going to discuss the big ones, NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle and Peloton Bike+, along with its notable competitors: Bowflex C6 Bike, ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22, Stryde Bike, Myx Plus and the NordicTrack S15i Studio Cycle.
While looking at all of these cycles, I will give details of the main selling points behind them, as well as my recommendation for the type of workout that you do on your fitness journey.
What’s Special About Studio Cycles?
As opposed to a stationary bike, where you just hop on a move your legs for a short while, a studio cycle creates a whole workout atmosphere by its many features and gadgets--to be honest, I even feel more motivated to workout when I look at one.
Armed up to the nines with high quality gear and technology, when you sit on a studio cycle you will feel like you have just entered a cockpit, with the full arsenal of technology up to your control.
Typical Features on a Studio Cycle?
While most indoor cycles are similar in terms of function and operation, studio cycles thrive due to certain features like joined softwares to join classes, high-tech screams high quality resistance settings, intelligent self-monitoring systems and highly advanced screens.
As we will see later, many studio cycles contain very different features.
How Technological Are They?
For fitness chasers who are not good with technology--you have nothing to worry about here! I know I described studio cycles earlier as cockpits, but they are really not difficult indoor cycles to gain an understanding for.
Generally, you will see touch screens that display your workout, TV shows, music videos or pretty much anything you want.
You will typically see body monitoring stats and charts about yourself and your current workout. Further in this review I’ll dive into more detail about the specific cycles and what they have to offer to the table.
Are the Differences Really Worth it?
Yes, yes and yes! If I haven’t hammered the point home yet, there are so many little things that can make or break your workout. A proper studio cycle should be catered to your individual fitness goals and visions. They can last a lifetime and the benefits of any cycle will far outweigh the concerns.
So let’s start with the case by case reviews of individual bikes.
Best Studio Cycles
#1. Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle -Editor's Choice
As one of the best selling studio cycles out there currently, the Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle earns its large popularity due to its high-octane workout program, top notch quality composition and highly intelligent technology.
Right off the top, you will notice its high-grade quality and firmly durable makeup, as there is nothing flimsy about it or lacking any kind of structural integrity or stability.
With the actual Nordictrack S22i weighing at 92kg, it’s a comparatively standard weight for a studio cycle, able to carry up to its maximum capacity of 350 lbs in weight while maintaining its durability throughout.
In terms of height, the maximum distance from the ground is 78 inches, which is pretty standard when compared to most other cycles.
The Nordictrack S22i comes with a membership for an interactive personal training at home program called iFit, which enables you to join live or previously recorded spin classes all from the comfort and close proximity of your home.
With its 22 inch interactive HD touchscreen, you will be able to clearly stream your iFit program while viewing your speed, calories burned and distance stats on the side. You can also turn the screen around 360 degrees, which is a cool plus if you are doing workouts with someone else.
When it comes to your workout itself, the Nortictrack S22i comes with 24 digital resistance levels, which is great compared to other cycles.
Additionally, it comes with two 3 pound dumbbells in case you wanted to work out your arms while riding on the cycle. Finally, in terms of sound, this cycle is surprisingly quiet, due to its SMR Silent Magnetic Resistance technology.
The Nordictrack S22i would be best for any type of workout as it excels when it comes to versatility and adaptability.
#2. Peloton Bike+ - Runner-Up
The Peloton brand has deservingly earned a hugely loyal fanbase of fitness fans wanting to chase nothing short of the best, and the new Peloton Bike+ is a perfect example of that.
As one of the more user-friendly cycles--directly created based on suggestions and feedback from its members--the Bike+ succeeds at converting your at home workout into an intensive indoor spin cycling class.
Peloton’s Bike+ is a little wider than most of the other bikes on this list, but that is a small price to pay considering its many perks, features and workout possibilities.
Being the most ideal for HIIT workouts, the Bike+ is the result of a collection of users wanting to create one practical and accessible workout cycle, from its adjustable height, durable and stable construction and technological enhancements.
With an interactive, HD touchscreen measuring at 23.8 inches wide, viewing the screen while using the Bike+ can easily make you forget about time and how difficult your current workout is.
Compatible with Peloton-offered workout programs and softwares like Bike Bootcamp and Apple Gymkit, you can easily join live spin cycle classes or previously recorded ones with ease, as if you are there with your fitness classmates.
The Bike+ also caters to pre-cycling workouts and post-cycle cooldown sessions. With a screen that turns 180 degrees left or right, you can select strength, yoga, stretching and meditation programs on the cycle’s menu to begin your warmup or continue your workout off the bike, after the cycling session.
Finally, the Bike+ has the best sound system on the menu if you are like me and love to have music blasting to pump you up for a great workout.
Peloton really outdid themselves with this indoor cycle, providing users with a high-fidelity four speaker sound system so that instructor cues and music playlists can come through and give you the motivation you need to make sure that you are giving the workout your all.
If you are a HIIT fanatic, a fan of live classes or a person who likes to mix workout routines, the Peloton Bike+ is absolutely for you.
#3. Bowflex C6 Bike
Jumping into the cardio game isn’t too much of a surprise for the highly successful Bowflex, which is generally widely known for its staple trademark on strength training and muscle building machines.
When it comes to the C6 Bike, Bowflex comes through in a huge way by providing users with an amazing studio cycle that provides incredibly satisfying workouts.
Starting with its specs, the Bowflex C6 is on the smaller side when compared to a lot of other brands, measuring at 48.7” length x 21.2” width x 51.8 height, able to carry 330 lbs max.
Despite its small size, the C6 packs a wallop of a workout and is not a cheap or flimsy machine by any means. Keeping up to par with Bowflex’s high quality, the C6 itself weighs 106 lbs to give you a stable and durable workout.
The C6 is compatible with workout programs like Peloton and Zwift, although these programs are not built into the machines and will require to join manually unlike the Nordictrack and the Bike+.
Once connected, you can view live or previously recorded spin cycle classes, while viewing your own stats onscreen with a Bluetooth enabled armband that monitors your heartrate and similar bodily functions.
The most notable feature of the C6 is that it has a whopping 100 different levels of resistance, all adjustable with a simple use of effort. In addition to all of these levels, you will be able to use the C6 peacefully, with its incredibly smooth and quiet ride, as the dual-sided SPD pedals and magnetic resistance work together quietly to give you an almost noiseless workout.
Bowflex will also package two 3 lb dumbbells to accompany your workout in case you wanted to exercise your upper body while using the C6.
If you like strength training while working out on the studio cycle, the Bowflex C6 should be your go-to.
#4. ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22
As one of the more underrated studio cycles on this list, when compared to such popular brands like Peloton, Bowflex and Nordictrack, the Proform Studio Bike Pro 22 truly holds its own when it comes to indoor cycles and spin cycle workouts.
One of the biggest things the Pro 22 has going for it is its connective capabilities to different workout programs within iFit’s membership.
Any purchase of the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 comes with a subscription to iFit and its many varied and multi-leveled classes, available in single or even to those who want to have family wide access.
With its 22 inch HD interactive touchscreen, you can follow your trainer clearly.
A unique feature of the Pro 22 is that if you are connected in a live session, your iFit Live Resistance Control technology will automatically increase your cycle’s resistance for you, so you can focus all of your energy on your workout and your fitness, instead of figuring out the technology.
You can even tilt the screen 180 degrees left or right, to continue any workout off the bike.
When it comes to specs, the Pro 22 is highly accessible to all, with the handlebars being able to adjust up to 3.75 inches, or with 5 different preset levels. In terms of the seat, you can adjust it vertically up to 9 inches, or as one of 10 different preset positions.
Horizontally, you can move back and forth up to 3 inches. The pedals also give you the option to have a toe cage or straps; you can even swap out the pedals entirely if you have a favourite. The Pro 22 itself weighs approximately 144 lbs, and can carry a maximum weight of 250 lbs.
In terms of high-tech features, you can add the SmartBeat Forearm Heart Rate Monitor to your Pro 22 to track every aspect of your heart rate during your workout. Similar to the Bowflex C6, the Pro 22 comes with the silence of SMR technology that adapts to your intensity so you don’t have to think about noise distraction during your workout.
If you are an iFit member and enjoy staying within the iFit ecosystem, the ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22 is the cycle for you.
#5. Stryde Bike
Although not one of the household names like Peloton or Bowflex, the Stryde Bike excels at serving its purpose fitness by being “designed to inspire, built to perform” as its website suggests.
Being simplistic in appearance and performance, the Stryde Bike is hugely successful at providing you with a high caliber spin session by providing exclusive Stryde classes, which frequently adds over 30 classes per week and requires no membership.
For users who want to measure themselves with others, there is a real-time leaderboard on all Stryde classes, which is a cool feature for a bike like this.
The Stryde Bike has a 22” tablet with software provided music for users who want to workout without the burden of selecting their own music choices. Being very compact in size, the cycle can easily fit in your living room, bedroom or any kind of restrained area.
The Stryde Bike is silently gaining a loyal following, so definitely hop on this one before it’s too late! Users who are concerned with a high volume of traffic with spin classes would be ideal for the Stryde Bike because of their exclusive access to Stryde classes and other interactive content.
#6. Myx Plus
One of the newer studio cycle providers on this list, the Myx Plus is a game changer when it comes to indoor fitness, as it feels more like a studio with a bike instead of a bike with a studio.
Coming with a 12.5” screen, the compact bike seems to be more screen than bike. Shockingly, it can carry up to 350 lbs of weight despite its small stature.
The Myx Plus offers a huge variety of spin classes as well, which can range anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes and contains varying degrees of levels and difficulty.
If you are a beginner spin cyclist or you want to be fully immersed into a big screen and workout program, the Myx is for you.
#7. Nordictrack S15i Studio Cycle
Consider this studio cycle to be a smaller version of the Nordictrack S22i, mentioned first.
With the same features above, such as the iFit membership and classes, rotating HD touchscreen, high quality construction and versatile workout styles, the Nordictrack S15i is a smaller, but equally effective fitness powerhouse.
Any user who wants to have the same intense workout from a Nordictrack studio cycle should seriously consider the S15i, especially if you are constrained in terms of space and workout room.
Our #1 Recommended Studio Cycle
Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
The Best Studio Cycle
