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Peloton Vs Orangetheory: Which One is better?

Of the numerous studio and online fitness options available, Peloton and Orangetheory definitely win. Peloton is the most popular online platform, while Orangetheory is yet to get a real competitor for studio workouts.

Sadly, both Orangetheory and Peloton are very expensive, a reason you may only have to choose one of the two. And this is where the confusion comes because both platforms have amazing and fruitful whole-body workouts. 

So, between Orangetheory and Peloton, which one should I choose?

Peloton vs. Orangetheory: Head-to-Head Comparison

Let’s dive into a quick summary table of the similarities and differences between Orangetheory and Peloton;

FeaturesPelotonOrangetheory
CostBike $1445 bike +: $2495 Tread: $2495 Tread +: $4295No initial cost
Free TrialOne month (digital app)One day
Membership subscriptionunlimited membership-  $44 digital app- $12.994 class per month- $59 8 classes a month-$99 Unlimited classes per month- $159 Additional class: $18
Cost per sessionNot available1 session: $28 10 sessions: $199 20 sessions: $359 30 sessions: $499
Strength Workoutsyesyes
Cardio Workoutsyesyes
Trainersonlinephysical
Workout EquipmentBike, Treadmill, strength workout accessoriesRowing machine, treadmill, bike, strider, strength workout equipment
Equipment ownershipPersonalOrangetheory studio
CommunityOnlinePhysical
Compatible heart rate monitorsAny Bluetooth or Ant+ HRMOrangetheory, Apple Watch
CompetitionyesNo
Main Output MetricsCadence and resistanceHeart rate
Peloton Vs Orangetheory 1

1. COST: PELOTON COST VS ORANGETHEORY MEMBERSHIP?

Honestly, it is difficult to determine which of the two workout platforms is more expensive. Let’s see; 

With Peloton, you will have to pay a huge cost to start the workouts, as you have to purchase all the equipment and accessories yourself. If we went for the value pack, this would include a bike, which is $1445, a heart rate monitor, cycling shoes, and other bike accessories. 

For a full-body Bootcamp workout that resembles Orangetheory workouts, you will also need some dumbbells or kettlebells and a yoga mat to complete the workouts. A Peloton bike pivot is also necessary for the screen rotation when doing the floor workouts.

On the other hand, a standard treadmill will require $2495, though fewer accessories than the bike. Then you will also need strength training equipment for a wholesome workout.

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Basically, you may end up spending approximately $2700 to settle on a Peloton equipment workout. 

Fortunately, once you are through with the initial investment, you get full-time benefits. In addition, the subscriptions are way cheaper than those of Orangetheory, with the most expensive all-access membership being $39 monthly. More amazingly, the $39 monthly subscription allows unlimited accounts on the subscription, favorable for a family.

However, there are no such investments in Orangetheory. Instead, all the equipment and accessories are in the Orangetheory studio, and all you need are your gym shoes and apparel.

You may not realize that while Orangetheory does not have a huge initial cost, the subscriptions are really expensive. For starters, no package allows multiple users. Then, for a whole month of unlimited individual access to the classes, you need to pay $159. And note that this is the cheapest option. If you pay per class, you will need $28 for every class.

The worst part is that even after years of working out at Orangetheory, you don’t end up with any of the equipment you really loved. With Peloton, everything you work out using belongs to you.

2. Workouts 

Both Peloton and Orangetheory offer cardio and strength workout options. However, Orangetheory combines strength and cardio workouts for all their workouts. Other than that, all the workouts have the same length, which is 60 minutes. But since the workouts are HIIT, they are usually worth the time.

On the contrary, Peloton has class choices for just cardio or just strength, then HIIT classes for Bootcamps. On top of that, the classes vary in length, from 5-minute warm-up and stretch workouts to 60-minute workouts. Even the Bootcamps, which combine cardio with strength workouts, vary from 20-minute workouts to 60-minutes.

3. Equipment

The main pieces of equipment on Peloton for cardio workouts are fitness bikes and treadmills. On the other hand, Orangetheory has rower and strider workouts on top of the bike and a Treadmill for the cardio workouts. Therefore, Orangetheory is more diverse when it comes to cardio workouts.

Peloton and Orangetheory comparison

Nevertheless, the two fitness platforms offer strength workouts, which means that you can use resistance bands, kettlebells, or dumbbells, depending on your preference. In addition, while Orangetheory offers a wide range of strength training accessories, you purchase your choice of accessories and equipment for Peloton strength training.

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This brings us to the next difference in equipment, which is ownership. In Orangetheory, you just walk in wearing your fitness outfits, and the rest is sorted. As a member, you may also need to buy the Orangeteory heart rate monitor, but that’s all there is to it.

However, in Peloton, every workout equipment you want to work on must belong to you. Therefore, you own all your workout equipment.

Orangetheory may have an advantage here, as you have the opportunity to use a range of equipment available in their studio. You can also change the workout equipment you choose every time you go for a different session. This helps you target different body muscles successfully.

With Peloton, you may have to stick with the same type of equipment for a long time. The equipment is capital-intensive, and owning the two pieces on top of strength accessories will cost you a fortune.

4. Workout Platforms

Orangetheory training takes place in a studio setting. Luckily, they have so many studios it is difficult to miss one in the US. They have also extended to other towns and cities outside the states, making it more efficient. When you travel, you don’t have to mess with your workout program.

I find Orangetheory especially more efficient for people who travel a lot. You don’t need to carry your workout equipment to keep up with your workout schedule. All you need is a confirmation that an Orangethery studio is available in the town.

Conversely, Peloton is an online platform. It is easy to access from anywhere, but you may have to adjust your schedule because you can’t tag along with the bulky sets of equipment.

Nevertheless, Peloton being an online platform is the greatest advantage that Peloton has over Orangetheory. While you need confirmation that an Orangetheory studio is in a certain city, Peloton goes with you wherever you go, as long as you have your account.

Orangetheory also has a phone app, but it only plans your schedule and studies more on fitness. It doesn’t really have studio workouts you can rely on.

5. Community

Since Orangetheory is a physical studio, the community is also physical. So you get in-person interactions with the community. More interestingly, if you have been going to the same studio, you even make real-time friends from the community. The only problem is that once you stop attending the classes, you will miss the community.

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In contrast, Peloton has an online community that you only interact with virtually. The best thing about this community is that it is large, and the interaction does not die when you take a leave off workouts. They are all over social media platforms, keeping you posted and making you feel that you are still part of them.

6. Competitiveness

Obviously, Peloton is a competitive platform, and there is a Leaderboard to show you how you are performing in regard to the rest in class. And since everyone wants a better position on the Leaderboard, this spirit forces them to perform better.

However, in Orangetheory, you compete against yourself. There are five heart rate zones, and you strive to get to at least the fourth to feel that you are hitting your goals. The heart rate zones are different for different people, depending on their activity level. The more active you are, the higher your zones require you to work.

Therefore, in Orangetheory, someone may be working out less than you but in higher heart rate zones compared to you.

7. Heart Rate Monitor Compatibility

Peloton is Bluetooth and Ant+ compatible, hence compatible with all Bluetooth and Ant+ heart rate monitors. This is an advantage to Peloton users because they can use any HRM from any brand they prefer.

Orangetheory, on the other hand, is only compatible with Orangetheory heart rate monitors and a select few Apple Watches. The Apple Watch models also have to come with OTBeat Link, which syncs with Apple Watch for Orangetheory compatibility.

Read Also: Does Orangetheory Heart Rate Monitor Work with Peloton?

8. Main Output Metrics

Peloton concentrates its output metrics on cadence and resistance. The more the resistance and cadence, the higher your output becomes. With Orangetheory, the metrics are based on the heart rate. The higher the heart rate, the higher the heart rate zone, which translates into better performance.

9. Trainers

Interestingly, both Orangetheory and Peloton trainers are highly professional and encouraging. They press the users to do better and reach their highest power zones and heart rate zones.

Hence, 

As far as trainers are concerned, both fitness platforms have the best.

So, Peloton or Orangetheory?

Actually, it all boils down to what you want as an individual and what works for you. If you are for at-home workouts and owning your equipment regardless of the starting cost, Peloton is the best option. Besides, you can engage your whole family in the fitness program with just one piece of equipment. And all this will only cost you a flat rate of $39 per month.

However, if you love in-person interactions and long HIIT workouts your preference, you should do Orangetheory. After all, you don’t need any commitment fee or initial investment here.