We can relate: no matter how much you want to give the Peloton bike a try, your budget just cannot take the $2000 price tag. And that’s not even factoring in the monthly subscription for fitness classes.
Thankfully, you can now get the Peloton experience by getting a stationary bike that costs a fraction of what you’ll pay for the Peloton bike and then using the Peloton resistance conversion chart with the Peloton app.
But keep in mind that the levels of resistance can vary so wildly between other stationary bikes and Peloton, with most stationary bikes having only 16-32 levels and Peloton having 100. So, if the Peloton instructor tells you to crank the resistance to 50, you might not get the resistance right.
To simplify things for you, this guide provides a Peloton resistance conversion chart that will help you get the most out of your workouts.
Why is it Important to Get the Resistance Right?
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Knowing the equivalent resistance is one of the most important factors of a successful Peloton workout.
Imagine this – you’re in a Peloton class, and the instructor asks you to increase the resistance by 25.
You reach down for the resistance knob and think. How much resistance should you add since you’re using a non-Peloton stationary bike?
You may find yourself wishing you had a Peloton resistance conversion chart to be more confident that you’re on the same page with your instructor.
Keep reading to find out the Peloton resistance equivalents for the most popular exercise bikes currently available on the market.
Keiser M3i/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart
| K | 1-5 | 6-10 | 11-13 | 14-15 | 16-17 | 18-19 | 20-21 | 22-23 | 24 |
| P | 0-10 | 20-25 | 30-35 | 40-45 | 50-55 | 60-65 | 70-75 | 80-85 | 90-100 |
The Keiser m3i exercise bike doesn’t carry a weighted flywheel but instead uses a Poly-v belt drive system.
Peloton exercise bike differs from Keiser m3i exercise bike as it features a 32-pound flywheel that runs on magnetic resistance. Even better, Peloton gives you 100 levels of resistance to choose from, and the adjustment is made by pushing some buttons on the console.
On the contrary, the adjustment on Keiser m3i, as with some stationary bikes, is done by turning the knob.
So, if you’re using a Keiser m3i with only 24 levels of resistance, how can you match up to some workouts?
If the instructor in a Peloton class says that your resistance should be 70 for a steep hill climb, the equivalent for that on your Keiser m3i is 20.
But what if you’re using the Peloton app with a different stationary bike? Don’t worry – we’ve already done the math for you.
Below are additional Peloton resistance conversion charts that show how Peloton resistance converts with other stationary bikes’ resistance.
Echelon/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart
| E | 1-4 | 5-7 | 8-10 | 11-14 | 15-17 | 18-20 | 21-24 | 25-27 | 28-32 |
| P | 0-10 | 20-25 | 30-35 | 40-45 | 50-55 | 60-65 | 70-75 | 80-85 | 90-100 |
ProForm/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart
| PF | 0-1 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 8-9 | 10-11 | 12-13 | 14-15 | 16 |
| P | 0-10 | 20-25 | 30-35 | 40-45 | 50-55 | 60-65 | 70-75 | 80-85 | 90-100 |
NordicTrack S22i/Peloton Resistance Conversion Chart
| N | 1-6 | 7-9 | 10-11 | 12-14 | 15-16 | 17-18 | 19-20 | 21-22 | 23-24 |
| P | 0-10 | 20-25 | 30-35 | 40-45 | 50-55 | 60-65 | 70-75 | 80-85 | 90-100 |
But what if you can’t convert your bike’s resistance to Peloton resistance directly?
Suppose you’re not using any of the non-Peloton stationary bikes mentioned above and can’t convert the resistance to Peloton metrics. In that case, you can use your cadence data to get the equivalent resistance.
Cadence refers to your pedalling speed on a stationary bike. Unfortunately, most stationary bikes don’t measure or display your cadence so you need to buy a cadence sensor and mount it to your stationary bike.
Here’s what a Peloton resistance conversion chart using cadence looks like:
| PELOTON RESISTANCE | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 |
| CADENCE EXPECTATIONS AT 80 RPM | 35-39 | 58-62 | 83-85 | 111-115 | 143-146 | 186-190 |
| CADENCE EXPECTATIONS AT 100 RPM | 65-69 | 88-92 | 120-125 | 160-165 | 215-220 | 260-265 |
| NON-PELOTON BIKE RESISTANCE |
Now, start a ride and use the cadence which the sensor transmits on your Peloton app. Begin by pedalling between 35 and 39 (or 65 and 69) and check the resistance on your stationary bike, which matches Peloton’s resistance of 25. Then, write down the equivalent Non-Peloton resistance on the blank row.
Pedal up to a higher cadence and repeat the process until the chart is filled out.
Note: You’ll sometimes get different resistance measurements when you pedal at 80 RPM and 100 RPM. Get the average between the two as your final equivalent resistance if that happens.
Once your conversion chart is filled out, print and laminate it for easy reference while working out.
Cranking up the resistance safely
If you’ve gotten on board with Peloton class without taking the time to learn proper cycling form, you may be setting yourself up for pain and injury. Even when you’re training with the best fitness instructors Peloton has to offer, it’s still not worth the overstressed muscles, tendons, and joints.
To safely support all the work you’re putting in, make sure that the bike’s seat and handlebars aren’t too low or too high. Most people blame the bike’s seat and handlebar design for their discomfort and pain, not realising that they’ve adjusted it wrongfully. Hence, ensure that the seat and the handlebars make for a comfortable riding position.
The correct positioning always depends on the type of stationary bike you’re riding, so it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on proper bike set-up.
Ultimately, you’ll know you’ve found the right seat and handlebar height when you’re able to ride with a slight bend in your knees and elbows and without feeling any discomfort in your lower back.
Final Thoughts
You can’t splash out on the popular Peloton bike? Don’t worry! The Peloton app is now available for purchase as a standalone service, so you can use it with any compatible exercise bike. You then get the Peloton experience all at a fraction of the cost.
If you want to go this route, though, it helps to have a Peloton resistance conversion chart as the resistance numbers on the app and the non-Peloton bike are likely not the same. This way you don’t have to go by feel when the fitness instructor tells you to go to a specific resistance range. What could be more convenient?
