This Exercise Bike Is My Secret to Getting a Peloton Workout for Way Less, and It's On Sale Ahead of Black Friday

Carly Kulzer
·2 min read
ProForm-Carbon-CX-Bike-Review-as-Peloton-Alternative-Courtesy-ProForm
ProForm-Carbon-CX-Bike-Review-as-Peloton-Alternative-Courtesy-ProForm

Courtesy of ProForm

When the world turned upside down more than a year ago and gyms closed, I needed to find a way to work out beyond crunches and jumping jacks. Like a lot of people, I looked into getting a Peloton bike since my cycling classes were canceled, but the nearly-$3,000 price tag wasn't feasible. Thankfully, there's still hope for anyone in the same situation — and it's available at Walmart for less than $400 ahead of Black Friday. (Related: The Best Peloton Bike Alternatives on Amazon, According to Reviews)

The ProForm Carbon CX Exercise Bike mimics the design and functionality of a Peloton with minor differences that don't hinder my workout. It even comes with two 2-pound weights so you can build arm muscle while doing cardio, which means you can participate in Cody Rigsby's arms and intervals workouts. Even after gyms reopened, I kept working out at home on my own stationary bike paired with the $13/month Peloton app to save money

ProForm Carbon CX Exercise Bike with Automatic Resistance Adjustment
ProForm Carbon CX Exercise Bike with Automatic Resistance Adjustment

Walmart

Buy It: ProForm Carbon CX Bike, $397, was $499, walmart.com

The only thing that makes it a bit confusing to combine ProForm with the Peloton app is that the Peloton program uses language like "cadence" for referring to output, and it measures resistance in percentages rather than numbers. I used this conversion chart during my first few rides to make sure I was staying on pace with the class. Another slight difference is that the ProForm has a small, built-in screen that shows basic stats, but it doesn't have a full tablet touch screen like the Peloton. I set my phone or iPad on the stand so I can follow along while seeing my resistance, ride time, and more. If you don't want to subscribe to the Peloton app, you can use ProForm's iFit subscription instead.

Lots of five-star reviewers are just as impressed as I am, saying it's a steal for the price point and great for "someone who hates the gym." I've been cycling for four years so I haven't had issues, but some shoppers suggest replacing the seat with one that has extra cushion if you're new to riding a stationary bike. It does require assembly, which can be time consuming, but the directions are straightforward and easy to follow.

Overall I'm really happy with the ProForm bike and don't feel the need to renew my gym membership since I love it so much. Not only is it a great way to stay in shape, but it's easier to stay motivated, and is a fun activity to do while watching TV or talking on the phone with a friend. Add it to your cart while it's on sale at Walmart ahead of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday madness.