Peloton Treadmill Review (2024) | BarBend – Fitnessnacks

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Back in 2020 gyms closed down, people were stuck in their homes, and sourdough became the “it” girl… but a bright light through the darkness of the pandemic was at-home connected fitness equipment — from shiny exercise bikes to the best treadmills that your unemployment check could buy. Peloton may be most well known for their exercise bikes and classes, but the Peloton Tread is a solid treadmill with on-demand and live classes that can be taken via the connected HD touchscreen.

Is the hype over Peloton’s programming worth the $2,995 price tag and $44 monthly subscription fee? Our team has tested over 50 treadmills from top brands, including the Tread, in an effort to find out. While the Tread’s specs often come in second place compared to other high-end treadmills, we think those looking for a studio-like experience from their living room may find a home within the Peloton community. You have questions. We have answers. We’ll cover everything you want to know in this Peloton Tread review.

Peloton Tread

Stream live and on-demand classes on the 23.8-inch touchscreen where you can also view leaderboards, view suggested classes, and keep up with your community. The 59″ running deck length also provides most runners enough space to pick up the pace.

About Our Expert

This article has been reviewed by Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, a certified personal trainer and CrossFit Level-1 instructor. She reviewed the research we cite to help ensure we’re providing helpful, accurate descriptions and recommendations. She has also tested multiple treadmills herself, so she knows what these machines can bring to the table.

Main Takeaways

Peloton provides some of the most engaging and entertaining programming we’ve tried, with live workouts, a roster of energetic coaches, and musically-themed runs.
A treadmill suitable for runners of all levels, the Peloton Tread features a max speed of 12 miles per hour and a 12.5-percent incline range.
The 23.8-inch HD touchscreen can stream studio classes, scenic trail runs, and entertainment from apps like Netflix, YouTube, Max, Disney+, and NBA (subscription required).

Peloton Tread Highlights

Price: $2,995
Incline Range: 12.5%
Max Speed: 12mph
Motor Size: 3.0 CHP
Weight Capacity: 300lbs
Product Dimensions: 62” H x 68” L x 33” W
Running Deck Dimensions: 59” L x 20” W
Display: 23.8” HD touchscreen
Warranty: 5-year frame, 3-year motor and belt, 1-year components

The Peloton Tread has a footprint of 15.58 square feet — 68 inches long and 33 inches wide — making it about the same size as a standard loveseat. (1) It’s also smaller than many of the best high-end treadmills, which can measure between 70 and 80 inches long and 30 to 40 inches wide.

It is, however, quite heavy at 290 pounds. “The Tread is relatively heavy,” said our tester, Tatum McKee, a casual runner who’s currently training for a half marathon. “So make sure [to place] it in a location you’re happy with because it is difficult to move.” It’s also worth noting that moving a treadmill with a big screen on top can make the process that much more awkward (and perilous).

Our tester walks on the Peloton Tread.

“The design of the Tread is sleek and modern, and the 23.8-inch touchscreen is gorgeous,” said another tester, a certified personal trainer. This 1080p HD touchscreen provides clear and crisp viewing of Peloton programming, which consists of thousands of on-demand and live classes, scenic runs, and access to entertainment apps like Disney+, Netflix, and more. “They really are the best when it comes to their programming, smart technology, and everything that can be viewed and accessed from the screen,” mentioned our tester.

When it comes to training, the Tread provides a reasonable amount of functionality, but it may not be enough for more serious athletes. While the 3.0 CHP motor is in line with what we look for on running specific treadmills, the 59-inch running deck is shy of the standard 60 inches we tend to recommend for running or for those with long strides. Amanda Capritto, our expert reviewer, agrees. “You’ll want a running deck at least 60 inches in length to accommodate the length of a typical running stride,” she says.

You’ll also find a max speed of 12 miles per hour and a 12.5 percent-incline here, a reason why we think the Tread is one of the best incline treadmills we’ve tested.

Pros

With a Peloton All-Access membership, you can stream thousands of on-demand classes and more than 10 live tread classes a day.
Community features include motivational leaderboards and virtual high-fives.
Front-facing stereo speakers and rear-facing woofers help immerse you in the studio programming.

Cons

There aren’t any on-board workout programs, so you’ll need a $44 a month All-Access membership to stream classes and workouts.
The 59-inch running belt is shorter than the 60-inch belts we typically recommend for runners.
The five-year frame warranty is less than the 15-year-to-lifetime warranties we’ve seen on other similarly-priced treadmills.

Training With the Peloton Tread

We had three BarBend team members test out the Peloton Tread, running, walking, and jogging along to live classes and scenic outdoor trail runs over the course of multiple weeks. We took the Tread through all of its paces — exploring the touchscreen, engaging with the community features, and training at its max speed and incline to see if this machine could withstand a wide range of training.

Belt on the Peloton Tread.

To convey our findings in the simplest way possible, we’ve utilized the BarBend equipment testing methodology, rating the Peloton Tread on a scale of 1 (we don’t like it) to 5 (we love it) in categories such as durability, dynamic programming, tech capabilities, and conveniences. The following are areas from our training that really stood out to us.

Setup

While Peloton sends professionals to build the Tread for you — the cost of delivery and setup is included in the total price of the Tread — our team struggled to get this machine up and running after it was built.

“When I first went to calibrate the treadmill, it just shut off. It wouldn’t work so I had to reach out to Peloton’s customer service,” said our tester, a certified personal trainer. “They had to send a new screen and I had to have professionals come back to get it to finally work. The process of getting everything set up was super frustrating, but now that it works, I really like it.”

Running Classes and Coaching

Few brands can compare to the production value, music quality, and variety of the Peloton App, though it’ll cost you a hefty $44 monthly subscription fee. Tread classes are available in 13 different categories, with options available for beginners, advanced athletes, hikers, HIIT lovers, and bootcamp enthusiasts.

Plus, you’ll be able to hop off the treadmill to take classes for strength training, barre, shadow boxing, yoga, and more. Dynamic programming scored a 5 out of 5.

Peloton Tread

You’ll also find scenic runs that can take you around the world, featuring gorgeous backdrops in locations like Barcelona, Greece, Japan, and more. “I used the scenic run and the interval run,” said our tester, Tatum McKee. “They were very easy to use and engaging.” There are three categories of scenic tread workouts to satisfy users looking for virtual outdoor runs or who are interested in reaping the benefits of walking without leaving their homes.

Travelogues: Follow along with an instructor on guided runs. Auto-resistance and auto-incline can adjust your speed and incline depending on the terrain of the trail you see on screen.
Distance: As you run or walk through locations, the video is responsive to your speed and intensity, so if you speed up or slow down, so will the pace of the playback you see on screen.
Timed: Run or walk through locations around the world with a timed countdown rather than a distance goal.

Most importantly, the Peloton instructors are awesome and the playlists within classes are fire. There are currently 26 instructors you can choose from, including Matt Wilpers, a former D1 runner who gives cues to improve your form, and Jess King (one of my faves), who can turn any workout into a party.

And the music selection is better than any other fitness app programming we’ve tried or tested. You can expect rides incorporating hip-hop, 80s, pop, punk, and rock, as well as artist series for performers like ABBA, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, and more.

Touchscreen

We think the Peloton Tread is one of the best treadmills with screens thanks to its 23.8-inch 1080p HD touchscreen. “The console was very intuitive to use,” said McKee. “…The font was large enough to read…. [and] even when sweating I felt like it was responsive.”

During a workout, this touchscreen provides you with stats and training metrics like power output, speed, elevation gain, heart rate, calorie burn, elapsed time, and more. Additionally, your training efforts will be stored so you can track your progress from one week to the next.

In addition to streaming Peloton’s live and on-demand programming from this monitor, you’ll also have access to entertainment apps such as Netflix, Disney+, Max, YouTube TV, and NBA League Pass. However, you’ll need your subscriptions to access these apps. Tech capabilities scored a 5 out of 5.

Speed and Incline

The max speed of 12 miles per hour supports runners looking to tackle a 5-minute-mile pace, and the 12.5-percent incline can help increase intensity and improve running performance. (2)(3)

Adjustment knobs on the Peloton Tread.

“It is very easy to adjust the speed and the incline of this machine,” said McKee, who also measured the total time — 25 seconds — for the incline motor to adjust from 0 to 12.5 percent via the incline knobs. The knob on the right handrail controls speed and the knob on the left handrail controls incline. “The dials on the handlebars are some of my favorite features on this treadmill,” noted our tester, a certified personal trainer. You can also adjust your speed and incline by tapping preset values on the screen. Our tester gave their overall experience on this treadmill a 4 out of 5.

Additionally, a treadmill that’s adjusting up and down will need to provide a sturdy and stable experience or else you can risk injury. “It felt very sturdy and safe while running and walking even at the highest incline and speed,” said McKee. Durability scored a 4 out of 5.

What to Consider Before Buying the Peloton Tread

“Treadmills are a great home gym item for individuals who want to increase their daily or weekly cardio exercise via walking, jogging, or running,” says Amanda Capritto, our expert reviewer. However, there are some areas you’ll need to consider when deciding if the Peloton Tread is the right treadmill for your home and routine.

Dynamic Programming

When selecting a treadmill to suit your training, make sure that the available programming will benefit your needs. The Peloton app offers a massive library with thousands of on-demand, live, and scenic classes for beginners and advanced athletes.

Peloton classes can be taken off of the treadmill and streamed either from the touchscreen or your mobile device, with options like bootcamp classes, yoga, warmups, cooldowns, strength training, HIIT workouts, and more.

Without a subscription to All-Access, you basically have no access and won’t be able to take classes via the touchscreen or use any of the entertainment apps. You will have two or three sample run classes you can take without a subscription — just to wet your whistle —but you’ll primarily find yourself using the “Just Run” feature.

“Just Run” allows you to adjust your speed and incline manually, and provides some basic stats like elevation, power output, distance, calories burned, and time elapsed.

Consider if trainer-led classes are what you’re interested in, and if your running experience would benefit from entertaining anecdotes, coach cues, musical motivation, scenic backdrops, the ability to compete for top placement on leaderboards, and a community atmosphere. This programming could be a game changer for your mileage or an unnecessary expense if it doesn’t align with what you want.

Footprint

Here’s an important question: Do you have enough space for the Tread? If it doesn’t fit in your home, you’ll probably want to continue your search for a machine with a smaller profile. “Check the overall length, width, and height of the machine in its assembled position and folded position if applicable. And triple-measure your space to make sure it will fit,” says Capritto.

Transport wheels on the Peloton Tread.

The Peloton Tread takes up 15.58 square feet of floor space, making it smaller than the average high-end treadmill, which can take up more than 18 square feet. It’s worth noting, though, that it is quite heavy at 290 pounds and it can’t fold when not in use. Portability scored a 2 out of 5.

Subscription Costs

As we’ve discussed, you’ll need to keep up with the $44-a-month All-Access membership to be able to use the HD touchscreen. While we love Peloton’s programming, if you’re not interested in it, there’s no reason to buy this treadmill, as you can find plenty of high-quality treadmills for a lower price. Check out our list of the best treadmills under $1,000.

While an All-Access membership is needed to access programming from the touchscreen, there are more affordable subscriptions, although these are exclusively for use on a tablet or phone. The Peloton App+ membership ($24 a month) allows you to stream treadmill classes, however it won’t be able to track your training metrics like the All-Access membership. The Peloton App One subscription ($12.99 a month) offers three cardio classes a month, plus a wide assortment of off-Tread classes.

Peloton Tread Vs. The Competition

We’ve worn out our running shoes on over 50 treadmills over the years, and here is how the Peloton Tread stacks up against the competition. In the below chart, it’s Peloton vs NordicTrack, BowFlex, and ProForm.

	Peloton Tread	NordicTrack Commercial 2450	BowFlex Treadmill 22	ProForm Pro 9000
Price	$2,995	$2,999	$2,799	$2,299
Incline Range	12.5%	-3 to 12%	-5 to 20%	-3 to 12%
Max Speed	12mph	12mph	12mph	12mph
Weight Capacity	300lbs	400lbs	400lbs	300lbs
Motor	3.0 CHP	3.6 CHP	Undisclosed but rumored to be 4.0 HP	3.6 CHP
Product Dimensions	62” H x 68” L x 33” W	65” H x 78.5” L x 35.6” W	70″ H x 85″ L x 39.6″ W	59.6” H x 77.3” L x 35.3” W
Running Deck Dimensions	59” L x 20” W	60” L x 20” W	60” L x 22” W	60″ L x 20″ W
Display	23.8” HD touchscreen	22” HD touchscreen	22” HD touchscreen	22” HD touchscreen
Programming	Peloton	iFIT	JRNY	iFIT
Programming Cost	$44/month	Starting at $15/month	$11.99/month	Starting at $15/month
Warranty	five-year frame, three-year motor and belt, one-year components	10 year frame, two-year parts, one-year labor	15-year frame, five-year mechanical parts, one-year electronics, touchscreen, and labor	10-year frame, two-year parts, one-year labor

How does the Peloton Tread compare to the competition? The Tread, NordicTrack 2450, BowFlex Treadmill 22, and ProForm Pro 9000 all feature impressively large HD touchscreens which can be accessed with a monthly subscription fee, 12 miles per hour max speed, and access to incline training. However, the Tread is the only machine here that doesn’t provide any decline training and has the worst warranty out of the lot.

If you’re interested in accessing streaming apps, the Tread and BowFlex model both offer entertainment apps in addition to their built-in app programming. However, we’ve tested JRNY, and while the AI learning is intriguing, we didn’t think the classes were on the same level as Peloton or iFIT. Additionally, the Peloton Tread wins out over the BowFlex 22 when it comes to footprint, as the 22 takes up a massive 23.38 square feet of space compared to the Tread’s reasonable 15.58 square foot footprint.

When comparing the Tread to the 2450 and Pro 9000, it becomes a question of what kind of programming you’re interested in. The Tread has a marginally smaller footprint over the others, and a 3.0 CHP motor that’s slightly less strong and robust compared to the 2450 and Pro 9000’s 3.6 CHP motor. However, while we’re huge fans of iFIT and have tested many of the best treadmills with iFIT, you won’t find live classes on that app like you would on the Peloton Tread.

Places to Buy the Peloton Tread

You can purchase the Peloton Tread directly from the brand’s website, as well as via third-party retailers like DICK’s Sporting Goods and Amazon.

Customer Experience

Shipping from Peloton is free and can take between one and two weeks to arrive. At no extra cost, Peloton will deliver and set up your Tread in your room of choice in about 20 minutes. However, if you happen to live in a remote area, you may incur additional shipping fees.

“Most people won’t have to build their Tread since Peloton’s going to do this for you free of charge. However, if you do find you have to build your machine, I have a few tips,” said one of our testers, a certified personal trainer. “It’s easy to lose screws under the belt when attaching the arms, so be careful at this point to avoid making the same mistake I did.”

They continued, “Additionally, give the monitor cable some slack when you install it or else it can unplug when adjusting later on.”

Other than these two spots, our tester found building their Tread easy to do by themselves.

Warranties

“I recommend looking for 10 years on the frame, at least two years on parts, and at least one year for labor,” Amanda Capritto, our expert reviewer, says about treadmill warranties. In fact, many of the best Sole treadmills offer lifetime frame warranties. However, here is where we feel the Peloton Tread severely disappoints.

The warranty covers the frame for five years, the belt and drive motor for three years, and the components for one year. This is a less-impressive warranty than the 10-to-lifetime frame warranties we’ve seen on similarly-priced machines. Warranty scored a 3.5 out of 5 with our team.

For an extra $299, you can extend the one-year components warranty to two years, which can cover accidental damage such as cracked screens or coverage from unexpected power surge failures. You’ll have limitless service and repair claims you can make within this one or two-year warranty period.

In Conclusion

The Peloton Tread is popular for a reason, and that reason is because it gives you access to a wide range of engaging and entertaining live and on-demand classes. While comparable treads can have a higher speed and incline range — and we’ve seen better motors on less-expensive machines — the Peloton community is truly one of a kind.

Before you pull the trigger and bring a Peloton home to support your treadmill workouts, keep in mind that Peloton now allows some third-party treadmills with Bluetooth capabilities to pair with the app. While you’ll have to stream programming from your own device if you go this route, it’s certainly a worthwhile consideration if you’re interested in saving some cash.

FAQs

Can I use a Peloton Treadmill without a subscription?

Yes! Without an All-Access subscription, you’ll be able to use the Just Run mode, where you can manually adjust your speed and incline. You won’t be able to do much with the touchscreen without a subscription, but you’ll still find some basic training metrics there like speed, incline, wattage, and readings from your heart rate monitor.

Can I watch Netflix on the Peloton Tread?

Yes! As long as you maintain your All-Access subscription (and have your own Netflix subscription), you can binge “Stranger Things” and “Love is Blind” as you sweat.

How much does the Peloton Tread cost?

The Peloton Tread is currently available for $2,995.

References

Jaramillo, C. (2022, December 29). A guide to sofa dimensions & Sizes. SeatUp, LLC. https://seatup.com/blog/guide-to-sofa-dimensions/
Unknown. (n.d.). Running Pace Conversion Chart. https://www.unco.edu/campus-recreation/pdf/intramural-sports/spring20/running-pace-chart.pdf
Barnes, K. R., Hopkins, W. G., McGuigan, M. R., & Kilding, A. E. (2013). Effects of different uphill interval-training programs on running economy and performance. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 8(6), 639–647. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.8.6.639

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