This is a tough question to answer because it depends on what kind of exercise bikes you’re into. But based on the popular exercise bikes and the bikes that resemble Peloton the most during testing, it would have to be NordicTrack, BowFlex and Echelon.

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You’ll want to consider cost, size, display screen and whether you want to pay for a monthly subscription. If your main goal is to simulate the experience of riding a Peloton, you’ll want to get a bike that offers similarities, like the NordicTrack S24.

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Indoor cycling is a full-body workout. It targets your core, upper body, back, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and lower legs. Some bikes also include weights so you can more specifically target muscle groups in your arms.

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The most eye-catching aspect of the Peloton exercise bike is its 21.5-inch HD touchscreen. For a Peloton alternative, you want the exercise bike to have a screen or tablet compatibility. Some exercise bikes like NordicTrack and Echelon come with the large touchscreens, but other brands like BowFlex require you to use a tablet to access classes. The smaller screen may not draw you in as much, but it’s a personal preference whether you want the touchscreen.

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Peloton charges $44 a month for its All-Access membership. As you can tell by the Peloton alternatives list, other brands offer similar memberships through their app subscriptions. You can use any of these bikes independently, but if you want to get the most out of a bike, you may want to consider signing up for a membership as well. The other plus is most of these exercise bikes connect to third-party apps, so there are different ways to use them.  

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This depends on the type of experience you’re looking for. An Echelon is a slightly more affordable option ($300 cheaper), and it’s easy to follow like a Peloton. But a Peloton has a rotating screen, and its instructors tend to be more high-energy than Echelon’s. If the classes matter the most to you, an Echelon membership is slightly cheaper than Peloton’s, so you may want to spend the extra money on the classes and bike if it’s in your budget.

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Although it may seem straightforward, there are some key steps you should follow when using an elliptical. Elyse Miller, an iFIT trainer and elliptical class instructor, shared some insight on the key things to keep in mind when hopping on one of these machines.

Stand up straight: You must remain upright while on an elliptical. Miller says you should stand in a tall, upright position with an engaged core by tucking your hips forward. This will also activate your glutes and keep tension away from your lower back. Your upper body should be relaxed as well. “Relax your shoulders and leave elbows soft without locking them,” Miller said.

Additionally, your front leg should feel like a natural stride forward and your heel will slightly lift as you rotate ahead. “Your hands should remain neutral while holding the handles on the elliptical, but don’t squeeze them tight,” she said, adding that once you have the form down you can mix things up. “For example, angling your toes out will work your inner thighs or moving your hands up and down the handlebars will target different muscles in the upper body.”

Hold onto the handles: One of the unique aspects of an elliptical is that it lets you work your full body at once. To get the most out of your workout, you’ll want to make sure you’re holding onto the handles as you pedal. This will allow your upper body to get the blood flowing as well. “Since elliptical arm handles are long, you can easily change the hand placement as needed for different heights or to target different upper body muscles,” Miller said.

Don’t slouch over: If the resistance is too high that it’s causing you to sacrifice your form, change up the intensity. “Reduce the resistance to maintain a strong, confident posture,” Miller said, adding, “don’t get stuck in the circling rut — make sure to try out intervals, resistance changes and level shifts rather than zoning out and going through the motions.”

Keep your feet on the pedals: Naturally, your body is going to move with the forward motion of the elliptical when your arms and legs are involved. Make sure to keep your feet sturdy and flat on the pedals as you go through the motions.