How to Do Bike Bootcamps Without a Bike+
No matter what your setup looks like, we promise you can make it work.
By Catherine Hopkinson•
If you’ve got your ear to the ground of the Peloton community, you may have heard rumblings—or, more likely, appreciative roars—about the rise of a phenomenon called Bike Bootcamp. These classes, which launched in September around the time the Bike+ was released, incorporate strength training along with cycling for a well-rounded, complete workout in as little as 30 minutes. And people are obsessed with them.
While the Bike+ makes the logistics of doing a Bike Bootcamp pretty foolproof (just swivel the screen so you can see the instructor and get squatting!), you don’t need a Bike+ to start falling in love with these classes. Follow this advice from our Members who have found clever ways to make their unique situations work.
Rearrange your setup
A lot of Members simply place their workout mat to the rear of their Bike. You may not always have a direct line of sight to the screen, especially if you’re on the floor, but it’s entirely doable. Says Member Cortney M., “I set up my mat behind the back of my Bike, perpendicular to the Bike. The instructors explain the moves clearly, and I’ve had no issue understanding what to do. Bike Bootcamps are my fave!”
Another interesting hack? Put a mirror behind your Bike—depending on your space, it could help you to see demos when necessary.
Go mobile
If you’re a digital app user on a non-Peloton bike, you’re golden. When your instructor hops off to move to the floor, you simply take your mobile device (phone, tablet, whatever) with you. Easy peasy! (The workout will, in all likelihood, not be.) “I have a non-Peloton bike, and find it really easy to adapt,” says Megan E. “I use my iPad for the class and when it’s time to do the floor work, I just unclip and walk my iPad three feet over to my workout mat. Super easy, and I don’t feel like I’m inconvenienced by not having a swivel screen.”
Worth noting: You can also use your mobile device for the floor portions even if you do have a Peloton Bike—just start the class on the Bike and the app at the same time, and adjust the volume on each as needed (or use headphones paired to the Bike). You’ll want to delete the app workout afterward to avoid double counting the workout.
Cast to a nearby TV
Casting your Bike to a TV in your home allows you to see the instructors in all their glory on a bigger screen. You can use a streaming device, such as Roku or a Firestick, or cast it directly to a smart TV. (Simply go to Settings in the upper right-hand corner of your Bike screen and follow the prompts.) This way you can hop off the Bike when it’s time to begin the floor portion of the class, switch out your shoes and have a nice big screen to do your strength work in front of.
Cast to a faraway TV
If you’re not blessed enough to have a dedicated workout room complete with wall-mounted TV—and perhaps have your Bike squeezed in between your dresser and your bed and your dog’s bed with no room to perform lunges—all is not lost. There are workarounds that will allow you to cast your Bike to a TV elsewhere in your home where you have more space and still be able to hear what’s going on. You may need to get creative here: If your TV supports Bluetooth headphones, fire ’em up—you’ll be able to hear the instructor when you’re in front of the TV and when you’re halfway across your house on your Bike.
Some Members also forego casting entirely and instead use the Peloton App on their TV for the floor sections, hitting start at the same time on the Bike and on their TV. Says Member Navia W., “Before we moved, I would run between two rooms. I’d start the workout on my Bike and on my phone at the same time. I would cast from my phone to the TV in the other room and run between during the switches.” The slight insanity was worth it, she says. “I get the best workout with the switch format, and the time flies!”
Listen up
For someone with a decent knowledge of strength training, it’s entirely possible to do Bike Bootcamps without relying on the visuals. Member Kindra C. has her mat and weights parallel to her Bike but doesn’t see the need to swivel the screen. “I have no problem listening to the instructor cues—sometimes I pop my head up to see them demo a move,” she says, adding that it’s totally worth it. “I love that I can hit it and quit it in 45 minutes or less and say I have done a full, well-rounded workout for the day.”
Read on to learn why cardio and strength training are the perfect pair.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized advice. It is not intended to replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician for questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. If you are having a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately.