Peloton Bike vs Elliptical – Which One Performs Better?

In the fitness world today, you have options to train in a physical class or to virtually sign in to a class while you workout in your pajamas. To meet those needs you must first choose: Peloton or elliptical; which one performs better?

Hi there, I work as a lifeguard in California and it is in my interest and others for me to stay fit and healthy in order to keep doing my job. Working out is a lifestyle for me.

Although I have gym membership at my local fitness studio, I rarely go there to work out. This is owing to the fact that I managed to set up my home gym and I stocked it with my favorite training equipment.

Among them is the Peloton bike and an elliptical machine. This is my reason behind writing up this summary, to help others struggling with a decision between the two.

Which fitness goal does the Peloton Bike or Elliptical handle better?

Fitness Goal
Best Equipment
Stronger Leg Muscles
Peloton Bike
Building Abs
Peloton Bike
Physical Strength
Elliptical
Least risk and danger
Elliptical
With terminal Illness
Elliptical
With muscle or joint injury
Elliptical
VO2 Intake
Peloton Bike
Calories Burned
Elliptical at 680 calories
Cardio Workout
Peloton Bike

How the Peloton Bike and Elliptical Differ

Impact on joints and muscles

Those training types that don’t require your feet to be reverberating on the training surface are known as low impact exercises. For high impact exercises, these require you to use your body weight against a surface or training equipment.

They are beneficial in strengthening bones but also detrimental to your muscle, joint and muscle health because different equipment need you to hold a specific technique or body posture.

The Peloton bike is a high-impact exercise equipment and due to the knee jerk motions made as you pedal quickly especially while standing will irritate an injured or ailing knee.

Peloton is an intense trainer and their virtual trainers will confirm the same. These guys are super dedicated and passionate about their workout routines. They will work you to your last sweat. So, if you have any aches and pains, you’d better sit them out.

Ellipticals are best for minimizing joint impact or muscle pain. The strapped pedals help the user keep a sure footing which then reduces the stress of accelerating.

Muscles Worked 

With the Peloton bike, your arms, back, chest, torso and shoulders are all engaged when you grab hold of the handlebars and push and pull on them whether you are actively cycling or on a resting break.

Your quads and hamstrings get stronger every time you hop on the bike.  It is an ideal toning and strengthening training because it focuses on the lower body.

When cycling on a stationary upright bike, the forward peddling motion works out the quadriceps and the tibialis anterior muscle that is located at the front of your shin.

Also, cycling while standing and at an inclined angle allows your hip and knee extensors to get a good work out. Gastrocnemius and biceps femoris muscles at the back of your legs are also exercised on either an upright or a recumbent bike.

On the elliptical, you get a full body workout because of the movable handlebars which require you to pull on as you keep pedaling. This motion increases the resistance as your energy increases. Your chest, back, quads, core, arms, hamstrings will get a worthy stretch.

The most holistic training alternative is the Peloton Bike because you get a full body stretch, tone and strengthening effect when you get on it.

Calories Burned 

When two individuals decide to go cycling and they cycle at a 5-mph pace, the one weighing 155 pounds will lose about 693 calories compared to the one weighing 200 pounds who will lose about 822 calories per hour.

To burn the most calories within a workout session, you need to get all muscles engaged and flexing them hard. The more you weigh, the more calories you will burn. Air Bikes are great for this because they were created with High Intensity Interval training in mind and the FITT technique of training which will focus on your Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type of exercise.

The elliptical also engages upper and lower limbs and this training on it could help you burn significant number of calories. If you weigh about 155 pounds and you choose to work out on the elliptical at a moderate intensity, you could burn up to 680 calories every hour.

Both the Elliptical machine and the Peloton Bike will have you burning some calories but to get the most out of your workout, you must maintain the right posture, speed, and accuracy in the movement to keep you from injury or strain. 

Versatility

Having a versatile piece of training equipment in your home is one of the best luxuries you can afford yourself. There is no use buying a unit you never use so the more you can do on it, the more you will find use for it.

The elliptical gives you the ability to go backward and forwards either on a flat, shallow, or steep incline. You are also able to adjust the level of resistance which gives your body new, exciting, and challenging frontiers to conquer.

Peloton bikes are versatile in their training intensity and they also cater to cardio workouts. The idea that you can pedal while standing upright on your bike is awesome for most of us.

This is because you give your bum and back a break while working other muscles that are inaccessible while seated. If you tire of cycling, you can as well rest your feet on some provided pegs that will allow you to focus on working out your upper body.

The Peloton bike is obviously much more endowed with variety and choice to pick from in terms of workout programs available and the many ways in which you can move on it.

Verdict: So, which is better,Peloton Bike or Elliptical?

The Peloton Bike is without doubt a better performer than elliptical in many fronts. This could be because of the enhancements made possible through technology.

They make possible the screen casting and the live streaming of workout programs from the Peloton App.

FAQs

Can you lose belly fat on the elliptical?

Yes. If you could keep a weekly schedule that dictated 45 to 1-hour long sessions on the elliptical, you would surely start to manifest a change in appearance of that little pooch.

Does Cycling Help to Build Abs?

Yes, cycling is a great core strengthener and toner and in reference to building abs, it does add to the effects. If you cycle outdoors, however, navigating tough terrain and sharp bends will call to your core strength for control though your leg muscles will do most of the work.

Cycling in the gym could be made a bit more challenging by putting the bike to an inclined angle simulating an uphill climb or the instructor could adjust your pedals’ resistance forcing you to push your muscles harder.

Working on the Peloton bike allows your back and body more balance alleviating the need for more core control.