You’ve been drooling over the best exercise bikes, dreaming of joining the droves of connected fitness users as they cycle along to interactive classes, but the outlandish fees for these bikes and subscriptions quickly send you running for the hills. Enter MYX Fitness’ BODi Bike, an affordable alternative to the Peloton Bike that utilizes its own BODi fitness app. With classes streamed from its touchscreen, performance tracking, and a wide amount of adjustability, you may be left thinking, “Peloton, who?”
Two of our testers, both certified personal trainers, spent time on this MYX Fitness bike to help provide you with a thorough understanding of its capabilities. Utilizing the BarBend equipment testing methodology, we scored the bike in areas like durability, workout experience, value, and more. If you can score the BODi Bike at a discount — it’s often on sale — we think it’s a viable alternative to pricier indoor bikes with screens and app integration. We wouldn’t, however, recommend paying full price, as you can score a Peloton for roughly the same cost. Read on for our full BODi Bike review.
The BODi bike is a strong competitor on the studio bike market, offering a great in-home studio experience for almost half the cost of some of its competitors. It has a 21.5” swiveling touchscreen display, incorporated heart rate monitoring, fitness class streaming, and a 41-pound flywheel that’s both durable and powerful.
Main Takeaways
- Similar to the Peloton Bike, the BODi bike provides users with interactive classes that can be taken both on and off the bike.
- You’ll need a BODi subscription to stream content on the 21.5-inch touchscreen.
- Updated from the original MYX bike with a camera and the ability to track cadence, speed, distance, and heart rate. (Original MYX only tracked heart rate).
BODi Bike Specs
Price | $1,399 |
Dimensions | 47” H x 54” L x 21” W |
Max User Weight | 350lbs |
Product Weight | 150lbs |
Resistance | Friction |
Flywheel Weight | 41lbs |
We think the BODi Bike, previously known as the MYX II bike, offers an engaging experience for beginner to intermediate athletes, whether you’re looking for one of the best exercise bikes for beginners or a model that can take your training up a level. The bike’s sleek design and sturdy frame — utilizing rust-proof and stainless steel — provide a solid base for a variety of rides, from casual spins to more intense climbs.
One of the standout aspects of this bike is the immersive quality of classes, which are readily available via the BODi app. This programming streams via the 21.5-inch touchscreen, which is also Bluetooth-compatible and WiFi-enabled. However, we recently learned that BODi shared an email update in the fall of 2024 with current members that they would discontinue their live classes — however, this hasn’t been shared on the brand’s website.
The BODi app features a range of classes for both on and off-bike workouts, from strength training and yoga to circuit training, where you’ll rotate between the bike and your mat. A subscription to this app is most cost-effective if you purchase a three-year plan at $299, but you can also pay $35 monthly for access.
The bike’s overall adjustability is user-friendly, with four-way seat and handlebar adjustments to dial in the perfect fit. One of our testers is 5 feet 6 inches and the other is 6 feet 3 inches, and both were able to adjust the bike to provide them with an ergonomic ride setup. However, one tester mentions, “The seat is padded, but was really uncomfortable during longer LISS cardio sessions.”
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the BODi Bike
We’ve gotten our rear ends onto almost 40 different exercise bikes to uncover the best options on the market. While every person has different goals when choosing the right exercise bike for them, the following are suggestions for who we think would and wouldn’t benefit from bringing home the BODi Bike.
Recommended for:
- Home workout enthusiasts who enjoy trainer-led online workouts
- Beginner cyclists who appreciate a simple setup and user-friendly controls
- Those who want to augment their cardio with strength-training classes
Not Recommended for:
- Community-minded folks looking for live cycling classes
- Advanced cyclists who require precise resistance control
- Athletes who rely on detailed training metrics and analytics
Our Experience Training With the BODi Bike
“From people who are looking to generally improve their health, individuals who require low-impact cardio exercise, and competitive athletes, indoor stationary bikes provide excellent workout opportunities,” says Amanda Capritto, BarBend expert contributor and certified personal trainer. We had two certified personal trainers take the BODi Bike through all of its paces, scoring areas like durability, value, and workout experience from 1 (bad) to 5 (fabulous). Read on to see if the BODi Bike makes the cut or gets left in the dust.
Adjustability
While many of the best budget exercise bikes offer minor adjustment capabilities — often limited to two-way adjustments on handlebars or up and down adjustments on the seat — the BODi bike has the functionality to create an ergonomic fit for a wide range of user heights. The seat and multi-grip handlebars both feature horizontal and vertical adjustability, which allowed both of our testers — one 5 feet 6 inches, the other 6 feet 3 inches — to feel comfortable in the saddle. Ergonomics scores a 4 out of 5.
BODi recommends this bike for users between 4 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 8 inches. “Being able to move the handlebars away, rather than just up and down, helped allow me to feel less cramped on the bike,” says our taller tester.
Plus, the dual-sided pedals allow for SPD clip-in cleats on one side or the option to use a pair of sneakers with toe cages on the other. This range of adjustability and accessibility makes it a worthwhile consideration for households where there will be multiple users. Adjustability scores a 4 out of 5.
Resistance
Unlike the best magnetic exercise bikes, where resistance is typically controlled by pressing a button on a screen, the BODi bike uses friction resistance that requires manual adjustments. Personally, I prefer manual friction resistance. Twisting the resistance knob like the one found on the BODi Bike reminds me of being in a spin class, and these bikes tend to be more affordable than those utilizing magnetic resistance.
However, both of our testers found the resistance adjustments on the BODi bike to be frustrating. “When I turn the resistance knob I don’t feel the resistance change. Then I turn it again, still… nothing. Then I turn it again, and BAM, the resistance all of a sudden kicks in, and it’s way too strong so I have to tinker with it to dial it back,” they say.
Flywheel
We love a heavy flywheel on an indoor exercise bike because they tend to provide a smoother and more real-cycling-like experience. For reference, two solid options, the Peloton Bike and my own Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B1002, have flywheels that weigh 39 pounds and 49 pounds, respectively.
“The 41-pound flywheel on the BODi bike helps to mimic more of a road-bike feeling, especially when you up the resistance and stand up out of the saddle to climb,” says one of our testers, a certified personal trainer, “But the ride wasn’t super smooth like I was expecting. This may be due to the friction resistance.”
App Integration and Technology
Similar to subscription services like Peloton and iFIT, the BODi Bike utilizes integrated programming that can be streamed directly from the built-in touchscreen. This requires a subscription to the BODi app, which will cost you $35 a month or $299 for a three-year subscription.
This app provides you with an assortment of workout programs, including trainer-led spin classes and scenic rides, HIIT workouts, strength training, barre, kettlebell, yoga flows, pilates, and more. We were disappointed, however, to hear the rumor that BODi has recently decided to pull the plug on live classes in favor of expanding its on-demand library of workout classes. The built-in camera was marketed specifically for real-time call-outs and inclusion in live classes, so, if true, this decision could impact the utility of this piece of tech.
While BODi hasn’t put out any information on this claim, we’ve heard through BODi users that this message was shared in an email with active members. Unfortunately, this seems to be what happens to many tech fitness companies as the amount of live users in classes drops off. Dynamic programming scores a 3.5 out of 5.
We do appreciate the improvements made to metric tracking from the earlier MYX bike. On the touchscreen, you’ll find readings for duration, distance, calories burned, speed, and heart rate zones when you pair your wearable heart rate monitor — like an Apple Watch or the included Polar OH1 heart rate monitor — with the bike. Tech capabilities score a 4 out of 5.
They’re Doing… Too Much
This may be a hot take, but I think Beachbody — sorry, they’re now called BODi — is doing too much. This bike began as the MYX, upgraded to the MYX II, moonlighted as the Beachbody Bike, and then changed its name to the BODi Bike. It’s giving former NBA player Ron Artest, turned Metta World Peace, turned Metta Sandiford-Artest vibes.
Additionally, the information online about what subscription service you need to fully utilize this bike’s touchscreen can be confusing. (Don’t get me started on how many websites this brand has with pieces of information, from beachbody.myxfitness.com to beachbodyondemand.com to bodi.com.)
[Related: MYX Exercise Bike Review]
Some pages on the beachbody.com website feel outdated since they reference the MYX II and there’s no clarity as to whether or not the MYX II is the same bike as the BODi. We came across customer reviews that mentioned needing both the Beachbody subscription and the BODi app subscription, and our testers used the MYX+OpenFit subscription — another app previously owned by BODi — which is no longer compatible with the rebranded BODi bike. Just trying to understand basic information from the brand may have your head spinning when you want your legs to be.
When I tried to get in touch with customer service, it took me 10 minutes to find a phone number I could call (1-800-470-7870, you’re welcome). There wasn’t a number provided on the Beachbody website, and when I continued searching there I kept getting funneled to an AI chatbot that wasn’t helpful. Once I spoke with customer service, they informed me that yes, the BODi Bike is the same bike as the MYX II, and only a BODi app subscription is needed for this bike. Due to this mass confusion, I give customer service a 2.5 out of 5.
What to Consider Before Buying the BODi Bike
You’ve got dumbbells, resistance bands, and an exercise mat when you want to do floor work — the last piece of the puzzle is finding an indoor bike to round out your home gym. Finding the best home gym equipment for your needs and space can be stressful, but the following are some key considerations when toying with the idea of bringing the BODi Bike into the rotation.
- Available Floor Space: While we praise the BODi bike for its reasonable 8 square-foot footprint, you’ll want to make sure it can fit in your home. “Check the overall length, width, and height of the machine in its assembled position… And triple-measure your space to make sure it will fit!” says BarBend expert contributor Amanda Capritto.
- In-App Community: You won’t find a leaderboard or live classes within the BODi app. If a community is what you’re after, you’ll want to consider more interactive options like iFIT or Peloton.
- Subscription Fee: Consider if you’re willing to keep up with a subscription fee to access programming on the touchscreen. Without a subscription, this screen basically becomes unusable.
BODi Bike Vs. Competitors
We know how difficult it can be trying to pick the right tools for your training, so we’ve put together a chart to help you compare the BODi Bike against some of its top competitors.
BODi Bike | Peloton Bike | ProForm Studio Bike Pro | |
Price | $1,399 | $1,445 | $1,404 |
Dimensions | 47” H x 54” L x 21” W | 59″ H x 59″ L x 22″ W | 52” H x 56.5” L x 21.9” W |
Max User Weight | 350lbs | 297lbs | 250lbs |
Flywheel Weight | 41lbs | 38lbs | 32lbs |
App Compatibility | BODi | Peloton | iFIT |
App Cost | $35/month, $179/year, $299/three-years | $44/month | Free three-year membership, $39/month after that |
Display | 21.5” HD swivel screen | 21.5” HD touchscreen | 14” tilt and pivot touchscreen |
[Related: Peloton Bike Review]
Ordering and Assembling the BODi Bike
Your BODi Bike will be delivered in one large box within two to five weeks after your order processes.
- Once it’s arrived at a local hub, you’ll be notified and contacted to schedule a delivery.
- The night before your delivery is scheduled, RXO (a third-party delivery service) will contact you to provide a delivery window.
- On the day of the delivery, the RXO team will call you when they’re en route and about 30 minutes from your home.
While this can be a smooth process, be prepared to practice patience as sometimes these types of delivery teams forget to give you a heads-up about their arrival time or arrive outside of the window that was arranged.
You’ll need to set up this bike, but BODi provides a walk-through video on their website that’ll help you get everything up and running. Our team had no issues attaching the touchscreen and pedals before they were able to slip on their cycling shoes and get pedaling.
Places to Buy the BODi Bike
You can buy the BODi Bike directly from BODi.
Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews
Beachbody, now rebranded as BODi, has been a leader in the at-home fitness space for decades. (I recall begging my parents for P90X DVDs when I was in high school and having friends who were very into Shakeology.) However, the brand has faced some backlash for its heavy focus on weight loss, MLM marketing, and unfair pay for its on-camera coaches. (1) Despite this backlash, the brand continues to be a well-known name in fitness, with a wide assortment of high-quality programming and nutrition products. You can contact their customer service at 1-800-470-7870.
[Related: Shakeology vs. Athletic Greens]
Warranties
This bike is covered by a one-year warranty.
Final Thoughts on the BODi Bike
Overall, the BODi Bike is a solid option for beginner and intermediate riders who want app connectivity, metric tracking, and on-demand workout classes. The seat and handlebars have an impressive amount of adjustability, and while we struggled with the resistance on this bike, that might just be a problem with our bike rather than a problem with this bike in general.
Here’s the bottom line: If you find the BODi Bike on sale — as of this writing, it was marked down from $1,399 to $399 — it’s a worthwhile buy! Included with your purchase, you’ll also bring home a stabilizer mat, a Polar OH1 heart rate monitor, and an EVA foam roller to help you make gains and then support muscle recovery. However, if the bike is only available for purchase at full price, putting it at a nearly identical price as the Peloton Bike or the ProForm Studio Bike Pro, we don’t think it’s worth it.
BODi Bike FAQs
How much does the BODi Bike cost?
When not on sale, the full price of the BODi Bike is $1,399. Plus, you’ll need to consider the subscription fee for a BODi membership to have access to the touchscreen.
Is the BODi Bike the same as the MYX II bike?
Yes. The MYX II bike was rebranded and the name was changed to BODi Bike.
Does the BODi Bike work without a membership?
While you’ll be able to pedal on the bike, you won’t have access to any classes, workouts, programs, or metrics on the touchscreen without a BODi membership.
References
- Ding, J. (2023, March 22). Beachbody faces allegations of exploiting exercise coaches – Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-05-22/santa-monica-fitness-company-beachbody-lawsuit-exercise-coaches