Does Zwift Work With Peloton? – [A Comprehensive Guide]

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Are you looking for a way to stay fit and healthy from the comfort of your own home? If so, you may have heard about Zwift and Peloton. But does Zwift work with Peloton?

 Yes, Zwift can work perfectly fine with a Peloton provided that you have a power meter paddle that is connected to your Zwift account. Once you have arranged this setup you can easily combine the awesomeness of your Zwift app with the effectiveness of your peloton bike. 

Zwift is an alternative to traditional exercise equipment like Peloton bikes.

It has interactive gaming elements, high-quality classes and competitive challenges.

So let’s explore how these two systems interact together in more detail.

How is Zwift Different From a Peloton Bike?

In order to understand the answer to the above question we need to establish a concept first.

For that purpose, I feel it necessary to explain what is Zwift in the first place and how it differ from the Peloton bike.

If you are someone who already knows this stuff, it is safe for you to scroll down and keep reading other important material.

So what is the Zwift app in the first place and what does it do?

Zwift is an online gaming platform that uses your bike and its sensors to power a video game.

You can customize the environment you ride in, compete against other riders or take a virtual tour of famous cycling routes.

The main benefit of Zwift is that it adds elements of entertainment and engagement to your indoor cycling experience.

On the other hand, Peloton bikes are stationary exercise bikes that come with built-in screens.

You can take on-demand classes from cycling instructors and compete against other riders as well.

However, these classes usually require an additional subscription for each month of usage.

Does Zwift Work With Peloton – What Do You Need to Combine Them?

Does Zwift Work With Peloton

To combine Zwift with Peloton, you need a power meter pedal that is connected to your Zwift account.

The power meter pedal measures the intensity of your rides and transmits this data to the app, giving it an accurate representation of how much effort you are putting in.

Once you have the power meter pedal connected to your Zwift account, you can use the app to control your Peloton bike.

You can customize the resistance level and monitor your performance using the app’s metrics.

Having access to this data also makes it easier for you to track your progress and stay motivated.

However, the problem is you won’t be able to control the resistance level automatically instead you will have to customize it manually.

This is the main caveat when using Zwift with a Peloton bike or bike+ otherwise everything works awesome.

How Much Does It Cost To Use Zwift?

The next thing you need to know about is the added cost that comes with using the Zwift app with your Peloton. The Peloton, itself is, without a doubt an excellent system, however, it can be quite costly for some folks.

Now under such conditions, you need to combine the cost of the Zwift app too in order to figure out things if they are in your favor or not.

So according to my research, the Zwift app itself cost around $14.99 while the Peloton subscription comes with a $39 monthly fee.

Keeping this in mind you have to decide whether you need both or you can just use one. Wait a minute you have another question, right?

Can You Use Peloton Without a Subscription?

I know you must be thinking about using the Zwift app with the peloton right? Well, fortunately, it is possible on peloton to use the bike without its subscription.

However, when you don’t subscribe to the Peloton app, you won’t be able to access the real-time classes and leaderboards.

But worry not as you can always take advantage of what Zwift has to offer by combining it with your Peloton bike.

As I have already mentioned, this will require a power meter pedal and some manual effort but the result is worth it.

You can always customize your own workouts and even create virtual races as well with other riders.

Is it Better To Use Zwift on Peloton?

Is it Better To Use Zwift on Peloton

Now here comes a question, is it better to use Zwift on Peloton? Well, the answer is entirely up to you.

If you are someone who loves challenges and competing against other riders then Zwift might be a better option for you.

On top of that, it has all the features needed to monitor your performance with great accuracy.

But if having real-time classes and leaderboards is what you’re looking for then the Peloton app is probably your best bet.

Apart from that, you should know that there is a huge difference between the system of Peloton and Zwift. I mean Peloton bike and Bike+ are purely designed for workouts.

In addition to cycling you can use it to track your daily workout progress, take live classes and follow different workout routines.

However, when it comes to Zwift, it is purely for outdoor cycling. The app allows you to simulate an outdoor scenario where you are cycling or racing with others on a cycling track.

Although in a cartoonish world, it creates a sense of competition and gives you an opportunity to challenge yourself.

So I hope this clears your doubts about combining Zwift with Peloton and how it can be beneficial for you. Now it’s all up to you, which system do you want to use?

Last Minute Thoughts!

Does Zwift Work With Peloton? Yes, it can work perfectly fine however, you will need some additional configuration.

The first one is the power meter pedal and secondly, you will have to manually configure resistance levels.

Apart from that, bear in mind that Zwift is focused on outdoor cycling while Peloton gives access to classes and leaderboards.

So depending on your needs you can decide which one suits you better.

I hope this article helps you to understand the basic concepts of using Zwift with Peloton.

If you have any more queries related to this topic then feel free to drop a comment below. I would be glad to help you out.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

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Tonny is an active cyclist with 7+ years of experience in coaching. With over 500 trained students, he is currently promoting safe cycling around the globe.

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