Want to experience the high you get from crushing a cycling workout without going to a spin class (either because you can’t or because you don’t want to) and without dropping thousands on a piece of workout equipment? Great, because I have you covered.
We all know the name Peloton by now. They are the first company to offer a connected home-spin bike that features live and recorded workouts, leaderboards, output tracking, and more. As this trend has soared in popularity, especially since the COVID-19 stay at home orders, more and more companies have launched their own version of a smart home spin bike - and they’re making them more accessible!
MYX Fitness, Stryde Bike, and Echelon Fit all came out with their own version of home spin bikes, each less expensive than Peloton and each one with their own unique benefits, features, and drawbacks.
In this article, I’m comparing these MYX II bike vs Stryde Bike vs Echelon, giving you all the information you need to know to make the right decision for you.
The Demand For At Home Fitness
It’s no secret that we’re all home more now than ever before, 2020 has been a doozy, and for all the gym-goers, a real bummer. So what’s one to do when the gym and your favorite spin studios are closed? You look to bring the gym to your own home, of course.
Home fitness today looks nothing like home fitness of the past. Your trusty old stationary bike, squeaky treadmill, and jankety Stairmaster are so 20 years ago. Today, home workout equipment allows you to experience workouts as if you were in-person. You get all the benefits of being in a live, heart-thumping class, without ever leaving your home. Sounds amazing, right?
There’s a fresh crop of direct-to-consumer workout equipment brands hitting the market that are delivering quality, effective workouts right to your living room. And the best part is that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars.
Next, I’m going to introduce you to three of the top home spin bikes that are giving onepeloton.com a run for their money right now. And just so we’re clear before we move on, I am in NO WAY diminishing it, I actually think their programming and equipment is phenomenal. I just know how steep the price is and that many of us would prefer to save if we can do so and still get a great workout. Spoiler alert: You can!
MYX II vs. Echelon Fit vs. Stryde Bike: How do these three brands match up?
Let's take a look at the comparison table below, highlighting similarities and differences of these at-home exercise bikes that will improve your home gym and start burning more calories:
Compare | MYX | Echelon | Stryde |
|---|---|---|---|
Starting Price: | $1,399 | $839.98 | $1,750 |
Weights Included? |
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Live Classes? | Yes, BODi (Beachbody) |
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Monthly Membership Cost: | $29 | $39.99 | $29.99 |
Heart Rate Monitoring? |
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Screen Size: | 21.5" |
| 21.5" |
Access to other class types? |
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Magnetic resistance? | No |
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Weights come standard with bike? | Yes with the MYX II Plus! |
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Pedals? | SPD and Cage | SPD and Cage | SPD and Cage |
Interactive Leaderboard? |
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Buy Now: |
(Myx Plus)
Next, I’ll review and summarize each of these options so that you can get the complete scoop on each bike.
MYX II Fitness Bike
MYX Fitness is a relatively new fitness brand that’s bringing consumers an accessible home spin bike and complete workout system. This bike has all the bells and whistles, and even one-ups Peloton by including a fully moveable screen, an incredible resource for those who take their workouts from the bike to the floor often.
Although MYX is rather new in the grand scheme of things, they've made a major impact on the fitness world and are only just getting started. In July 2021 they announced the launch of the MYX II bike, an updated experience. Additionally, they've launched their partnership with MYX+Openfit and BODi for live, interactive workouts that are taking the fitness experience to a whole new level of interactivity.
Related Reading: Peloton vs. MYX Bike
MYX has two different options; the MYX II and the MYX II Plus. The difference between them is the inclusion of all the home workout equipment you need to get a well-rounded workout and participate in all the programming that the app has to offer. The Plus comes with dumbbells, a kettlebell, a resistance band, and a foam roller for just $200 more.
There are tons of classes to choose from, with new classes being added every day. Currently, there are no live classes, so if the live class aspect is what you’re looking for you may not be interested in this bike, however, I do believe that they will be offering them in the near future. **UPDATE** Live classes are available via BODi.
The bike itself is constructed from high-quality materials and features a sleek design. You have two different color options to choose from; white or charcoal gray. It’s slim, compact, and easy to squeeze into even the smallest of workout spaces. For more information, take a look at my detailed MYX bike review.
Benefits of MYX
- Large, moveable touchscreen for optimal workouts
- Partnership with Beachbody (BODi and Openfit) for massive class explansion
- Two colors to choose from
- Great programming led by expert instructors who are motivating and fun
- Tons of content for off-the-bike workouts, too
- Personalized heart rate monitoring
- The Plus comes with weights and other equipment for an all-inclusive experience
- Payment plans are available for as low as $39 per month for qualifying people
- There’s a large fan on the console
Cons
- No live classes or leaderboard **UPDATE** Live classes are now available!
- Only integrates with Apple right now, no Fitbit or other fitness trackers yet
- It’s friction resistance, not magnetic
Final Thoughts On MYX
I think that MYX II is an awesome bike! It’s got all the tech and features of the Stryde and Echelon and then some, for almost $1000 less. There is no shortage of classes to choose from in the library, now including live, interactive classes!
This bike is the perfect solution for the person who wants to get their spin and workout on whenever they want and not worry about tuning into live workouts or stressing over their position on the leaderboard. This is a more “go at your own pace” type of workout that allows you to progress and push yourself when you’re ready.
The Stryde Bike is one of the newest connected bikes to hit the scene and give MYX and Echelon a run for their money. The overall cost is slightly higher, but the membership cost is lower. In addition, it also comes equipped with magnetic resistance (0-100 levels), which is featured on most higher quality indoor bikes.
Powered with 0-100 levels of magnetic resistance, STRYDE is the better choice over MYX and Echelon if you want a quiet and smooth spin bike.
The concept that helps Stryde stand apart from its competitors is the fact that they partner with a network of streaming training classes from a range of elite fitness studios across the country. This allows them to deliver a range of high quality, high-level classes and training to its users. Additionally, the touchscreen runs an unlocked Android platform which allows users to browse the web and stream programming of their choosing (yes, you can even use Peloton's app and access their classes!).
Recommended Review: Stryde bike review
Stryde allows users to choose their own type of motivation, whether that be live classes competing against the leaderboard or on demand classes led by expert trainers. The bike comes with no extra equipment and there is no dedicated programming for other class modalities like cardio, strength, HIIT, yoga, etc. However, you could easily use your favorite app thanks to the unlocked feature. Keep in mind that this may add to the overall monthly cost.
Read our Stryde Bike vs Peloton comparison article if you narrowed it down between those two to see which one is best for you.
Benefits of Stryde
- Great constriction, very sturdy bike
- Magnetic resistance
- Unlocked screen for web browser access
- Stream classes from fitness boutiques all over the country live or on-demand
- Dumbbells holders are located behind the seat
- Free home delivery
Drawbacks of Stryde
- It’s a new brand so it’s tough to tell if they will stick around once the indoor cycling craze wanes and there’s limited review information to go off of at this time
- There is no heart rate monitoring system
- There is no cooling fan
Final Thoughts On Stryde Bike
Overall, the STRYDE bike is phenomenal, allowing you to stream multiple apps, including peloton! I've been riding on my Stryde bike for months now - and I love every minute of it!
The newest addition to the Fit Healthy Momma home gym - the STRYDE bike! It's gorgeous and I ride on it daily (helps burn the extra calories).
The pricing is slightly more than MYX and Echelon, but you're screen isn't locked like MYX's screen. If you want freedom, cadence tracking, free-rides and pay less for a monthly membership - STRYDE is the perfect spin bike for you over Echelon and MYX Fitness.
By far the best feature of this bike is the unlocked screen which allows users to browse the web and download other apps. If you’re someone who wants access to all kinds of programming, you can get it with this bike - you aren’t locked into just what the company offers. For example, many people love the Peloton instructors and classes, you can easily download the Peloton app and take all their classes right from the Stryde Bike. Of course, you’ll have to pay for Peloton's monthly subscription fee.
Being a new brand, there isn’t a ton of information out there about the Stryde, but that’s sure to change here soon. I don’t think the demand for at-home fitness classes and equipment will go away anytime soon.
Last, but not least, we have the Echelon Fit Connect Bike. This bike comes in several different models, but I’m going to focus on the least expensive base model for the purposes of this comparison review. The first thing that you’re going to notice about this particular bike is that it does not have a screen built into the machine, it takes advantage of the existing screens you no doubt have access to (iPhone, iPad, etc.) and provides a secure holder for you to stream your Echelon Connect App while you ride. This is why the Echelon is so affordable compared to its competitors.
Related Article: Echelon Bike vs Peloton
This bike is lightweight, weighing in at just 105 pounds (compare that to the Stryde which is 350 pounds), this machine is simple to move and fits nicely in even the smallest of home workout spaces. The Echelon Connect App features both live and pre-programmed workouts. The app features tons of beginner-level rides, which is great for new cyclists or those who prefer to keep their workouts low-key and low-intensity.
Benefits of Echelon Fit Connect Bike
- Affordability and accessibility - you can get this bike for less than $1000
- Tablet/screen holder is adjustable
- Tons of live and pre-programmed options to choose from
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Lots of beginner-friendly programming
- Tons of other class modalities to choose from
Drawbacks of Echelon Fit Connect Bike
- There is no screen built-in (unless you upgrade to the EX-5s)
- It’s less sturdy than its competitors
- Most of the programming seems to be catered to new or beginner riders
Final Thoughts On Echelon Fit Connect Bike
If you’re looking to bring the cycling experience to your home and don’t wish to spend an exorbitant amount to do so, this bike may be the perfect fit for you. While the machine does not have a built-in screen, we all have access to a screen or two that we can clip in and recreate the exact same experience.
I will also say that this bike is really geared towards beginner to intermediate cyclists and may not be the best option for experienced riders or for larger people as it’s not built as sturdy as the others and may begin to wear down after extensive use. That said, Echelon has a full lineup of bikes, and their newest model is a serious contender vs MYX and Stryde, with its giant 22” HD moveable screen. The EX-5s comes in at just $1639.98 and is a great option if you want to experience the included HD screen, which is perfect for when you take any of their off-bike classes like strength training, Pilates, boxing, cardio, etc. All you need to do is swivel your screen and get to work on the mat.
Final Thoughts on MYX Vs. Stryde Vs. Echelon
By now, you should have a good understanding of what each bike offers, and honestly, they’re all great. I don’t think you can go wrong in choosing any of them. That said, you aren’t going to buy all three, so you need to choose the one that’s going to suit your style, budget, and preferences best.
After doing all the research and reading through all of the reviews and critiques of each indoor spin bike, I’ve concluded that the MYX II Fitness Bike is the best choice overall. I love that it features the moveable screen, something that’s revolutionary in the connected bike industry. You can get that feature with Echelon, too, if you choose their newest model, the EX-5s. That said, I still prefer MYX’s programming over Echelons.
I also love that you can upgrade to the MYX II Plus and get the complete home gym setup for just $200 more, a steal when you go and price out what it would cost to purchase that equipment separately. Lastly, the MYX comes with two different sleek color options that fit in nicely with any environment.
MYX is my personal favorite, but that doesn’t mean that the other two are unworthy. Stryde appears is a great option, especially since you can use any app you want! That feature may be enough to swing your decision. And of course, Echelon is the most accessible with its low pricing. So if you’re on a budget and looking to get the bare minimum, the base model will suit your needs just fine.
Which one will you pick? Leave me a comment below and let me know! Maybe I’ll see you on the leaderboard one day!