Considering buying some high-tech home fitness equipment but struggling to decide which is best for you?
There’s a good chance your decision will involve weighing up the strengths and weaknesses of Peloton vs Mirror vs Tonal.
Spoiler alert – We found Peloton to be the best overall system of the three. This is down to the fact that the app, bike, and treadmill cover all aspects of fitness, apart from heavy strength training.
However, there are a lot of other factors involved in choosing between the three of them that mean you might easily come to your own conclusion – so we’d urge you to read on to find out the details for yourself.
These fantastic pieces of home gym equipment are excellent for creating a structured exercise routine, but which is best for you? Luckily, we’re here to help with all the details, pros, and cons to help you make a decision.
In this article, we’ll be covering:
- Peloton Overview: The Pros, Cons, And Cost Of A Peloton Bike
- What Is Mirror? Weighing Up The Benefits Of A Mirror Workout System
- Tonal: The Strengths And Weaknesses Of A Tonal Workout Machine
- Tonal vs Mirror: Which Is Best?
- Mirror Vs Peloton: Better On A Bike?
Are you ready to supercharge your home fitness with some high-tech equipment?
Let’s get started!
Peloton Overview: The Pros, Cons, And Cost Of A Peloton Bike
Peloton is a stationary bike that features live classes. It’s an incredibly powerful piece of exercise equipment.
The Peloton brand isn’t limited to indoor bikes. It also includes a smart treadmill with a high-definition touchscreen and online classes.
Peloton makes exercising as close to a game as possible. It also features a range of metrics to help you monitor your progress while setting up leaderboards to give your workouts an element of competition.
Peloton has 14 live classes every day, but you also have access to over 10,000 on-demand cycling classes led by enthusiastic instructors.
Pros Of Peloton
- The thing that Peloton users really benefit from is the many options for live-streaming and on-demand classes.
- The Peloton app isn’t limited to just cycling, so you can use it for many other activities, such as running, bodyweight training, meditation, strength training, and stretching to vary your workouts.
- Thanks to energetic instructors, peloton classes are very motivating. Some special classes even feature live DJs to keep the fire stoked!
- Other Peloton users in your class can motivate you too.
- Throughout your session, you can keep tabs on your power output, calories, and heart rate. You can even compare these metrics with other riders to see how you stack up.
- You can also challenge people you know who have their own Peloton bikes. This adds an extra element of competition.
- You can use one account for everyone in your household. All you need to do is set up individual profiles.
- Bluetooth connectivity allows you to use wireless headphones, so you don’t have to disturb others while you ride.
- You can log into your profile and use someone else’s Peloton, which is handy when traveling.
Cons Of Peloton
- Peloton bikes aren’t cheap!
- You need to pay an additional monthly subscription for your household.
- Peloton bikes are pretty bulky.
- You need to buy Delta cleats for your cycling shoes to fit the pedals. Shimano cleats aren’t compatible.
How Much Does A Peloton Bike Cost?
The basic bike package from the Peloton online shop starts at $1495, but a few different packages are available. The most expensive “Bike Ultimate” package costs $1935, which comes with many accessories to further enhance your workouts.
To access the library of classes, both live and on-demand, you need to pay a monthly membership fee of $39.
Should You Buy A Peloton Bike?
Peloton is an excellent way to lose weight, maintain your current fitness, or dramatically get fitter.
If you find getting motivated to exercise a struggle, a Peloton bike could be the answer you’re looking for. The fun and competitive nature of the classes, along with the metrics, makes Peloton one of the most fun ways to exercise at home.
What Is Mirror? Weighing Up The Benefits Of A Mirror Workout System
Mirror brings sci-fi to the real world via an interactive screen that looks like a mirror. Mirror streams on-demand and live fitness classes that you follow to target specific fitness goals.
You can take part in more than 70 live classes that are added to the app every week. You can expect high-intensity interval training (HIIT), boxing, Pilates, yoga, strength training, cardio, and more. There are different levels to suit your fitness level and experience, so there is always something for everyone.
Pros Of Mirror
- You can take part in classes when you are traveling, as the app allows you to log in anywhere.
- You can work out with people you know who have their own Mirror. This helps with motivation and makes working out more fun.
- Bluetooth connectivity means Mirror can use your heart rate monitor to adapt your workout in real-time.
- Listen to the music provided with each class, or use your own music to workout to.
- The live instructor can see your metrics provided by your heart rate monitor. This allows them to provide motivation and advice throughout your workouts.
Cons Of Mirror
- Mirror is a pricey piece of equipment.
- Requires a monthly subscription per household to access all the workouts.
- Some classes require additional equipment, such as dumbells, a yoga mat, etc.
How Much Does Mirror Cost?
Currently, Mirror comes in four different packages. The basic package costs $1495, and the most expensive “Mirror Family Package” costs $2045 and includes heart rate monitors, weights, bands, foam rollers, and more.
You also need to pay for a subscription costing $39 per month, which gives you unlimited access to all the classes. You can also pay for additional personal training sessions that use Mirror’s built-in camera and microphone. These sessions cost $40 each.
Should You Buy Mirror?
If you don’t like the idea of the competitive nature of Peloton and want to add more variety to your workouts, Mirror is a great option.
Tonal: The Strengths And Weaknesses Of A Tonal Workout Machine
Tonal uses a similar format to Mirror, but the difference is that it includes some resistance training capabilities packed into the equipment. It does this via electromagnetic arms that offer up to 200lbs of resistance.
Tonal doesn’t use free weights; all the resistance training is digital. The system tracks how strong you’re getting and automatically increases the weight to suit.
As you work out, you follow the trainer on the screen to ensure that you maintain proper form. They also motivate and inspire you to keep on pushing.
Pros Of Tonal
- Tonal users love the coach-led classes. Instructors provide instructions for all the moves, so participants can maintain form.
- Tonal recommends weights and exercises according to your current level of fitness. It also adapts to help you reach your fitness goals.
- You can choose which areas of your body you want to focus on. The different programs target the upper body, lower body, core and are easy to find due to the way they are organized.
- After each session, you can see how well you have done via a workout summary.
- The four-week programs break your fitness goals into manageable chunks.
- Wall-mounted, so it doesn’t take up any floor space.
- You can work out with a partner to make exercise more fun.
- A wide range of workout music to listen to via Tonal Radio.
- The dynamic resistance from the electromagnetic arms increases the useability and effectiveness of the equipment.
Cons Of Tonal
- More expensive than Peloton and Mirror.
- The subscription has a minimum commitment of 12 months and is also more expensive than Peloton and Mirror.
- To get the most out of your Tonal, you will need to buy the additional accessory package.
How Much Does Tonal Cost?
Tonal costs $2995 from the online shop, but you can also buy it on finance at $63 per month. You can add an accessory package, costing $495. This includes smart handles and a smart bar that attaches to the electromagnetic arms. They also allow you to change the weight yourself by pressing a button. You also get an attachable rope, a bench, a mat, and a foam roller.
It is worth noting that your new Tonal needs to be correctly installed, as it has to mount to wall studs to support its weight. Delivery and installation cost an additional $250.
On top of this, you need to pay a $49 subscription to access all the workouts.
Should You Buy Tonal?
Of the three pieces of equipment we have featured here, Tonal is the best for building muscle. This is thanks to the resistance training element from the electromagnetic arms and the nature of the workouts available.
So if building muscle is your goal, the Tonal will allow you to do it effectively without going to the gym.
Tonal vs Mirror: Which Is Best?
When it comes to Tonal Vs Mirror, it can be a bit tricky to determine which is the best option as they’re both pretty similar in their concept.
Mirror is the most affordable option – though it isn’t exactly cheap either!
If you don’t mind spending the extra money and you want to focus on strength, Tonal is the best option.
Mirror Vs Peloton: Better On A Bike?
When it comes to Peloton vs Mirror, it all depends on your fitness goals.
Although Peloton isn’t just about cardio, it’s the best option if you want to lose weight and improve your cardiovascular health. Also, if you like the competitive side of things, you’ll prefer Peloton over Mirror.
Peloton vs Mirror vs Tonal – Which Will You Go For?
We believe Peloton is the best overall system of the three. This is down to the fact that the app, bike, and tread cover all aspects of fitness, apart from heavy strength training.
The biggest negative of all these pieces of equipment is their price. Peloton has recently dropped its price, and you still get a high-quality and high-tech stationary bike that allows you to work out at any time at home.
As long as you use it regularly, a Peloton bike is a solid investment and will help you commit to a more active lifestyle.
I have friends with a Tonal. I now see why they never mention the cost!! When they showed how it worked it seemed cumbersome and the wall mounting was an issue because it takes up quite a bit of space, then with the added equipment even more space.Friends with the Peloton love it and say it has changed their life. They happen to love the competitive, yet friendly nature of Peloton classes, and find the instructors inspirational. Me? Still like the gym and running!! But nice to read a good review of each of these systems.