MYX II Exercise Bike Review

The MYX II exercise bike is the best Peloton alternative, period. For more than $1,000 less than the peloton bike Plus, MYX’s machine offers the most comparable experience in the home exercise space – sturdy construction, swiveling screen, sparkling trainers, and the not-so-optional paid membership for hundreds of workout classes. training on demand.

Compared to the first MYX training bike, the $1,399 MYX II introduces an integrated cadence sensor that reads pedaling speed. Now, cadence markers join suggested heart rate zones as a key cue to keep pace during rides. The resistance wheel has also been tweaked for more precise weight adjustments, while the redesigned display chassis includes additional ports and louder speakers.

That’s not all that has changed. MYX is now owned by Beachbody, a move that merged the proprietary MYX class platform with OpenFit. The bike also supports BODi Live Cycling Classes, but for a separate membership fee and on a different interface. It’s a little confusing, but once I settled into the consolidated MYX + OpenFit service, I found no shortage of options to sweat.

After taking dozens of courses for this MYX II exercise bike review, I can say this is the best exercise bike which beats Peloton in value. but is it good for you? Keep reading to find out.

Price and availability of the MYX II exercise bike

The MYX II exercise bike costs $1,399 and is available now. But if you spend $1,599 for MYX II Plus, you also get a Polar OH1 heart rate monitor, a large exercise mat, a 6-piece dumbbell set, a kettlebell, a foam roller, and a resistance band. Of course, any of best yoga mats, best adjustable dumbbells Where best resistance bands works great for all classes.

After physically purchasing the bike, the MYX + Openfit subscription costs $39/month. It’s the same cost as the monthly subscription from Peleton, NordicTrack and Echelon, and recommended to get the most out of the cycling experience. Customers can also opt for a separate $19.95/month BODi subscription for live lessons, using the bike’s built-in webcam. BODi does, however, require an existing Beachbody On Demand account ($99/year).

My advice is to stick with MYX + Openfit unless you fancy the group class experience, in which case you would benefit from BODi. The charges are starting to add up, so be sure to take advantage of the free trials (MYX + Openfit: 14 days; BODi; 30 days) to determine which platform you prefer.

MYX II exercise bike review: Design

The MYX II exercise bike is assembled in your home on an included floor mat by a professional delivery partner. My repairman positioned my white review model (it’s also available in black), plugged it in, and made sure it was paired to my Wi-Fi. If I wanted to move the bike after they left, the two wheels on the front base bar and the four adjustable leveling feet would help.

Weighing 134 pounds, MYX II is a considerable machine. The system as a whole may be more compact than a full home gym with multiple pieces of equipment, but it’s a good idea to set aside some extra space for floor classes. And since the 21.5-inch touchscreen swivels and tilts, it can face anywhere I work out, even if it’s 180 degrees from where I’d be sitting on. the bike. (The Peloton Bike Plus with a rotating screen, for comparison, starts at $2,495.)

The display also houses USB-C and USB-A ports, allowing you to charge your heart rate monitor, smartphone or other device while the MYX II is powered on.

Other features of the MYX II include adjustments for seat height, seat depth, handlebar height, handlebar depth, as well as a resistance button that doubles as an emergency stop. It doesn’t rock side-to-side like the $2,199 Bowflex VeloCore bike to mimic the feel of riding an actual bike, but the friction resistance system provides up to 41 pounds to push like you do. could go up a steep hill.

Attached to the crank arm is a new cadence sensor—a feature Peloton, Bowflex, and some NordicTrack exercise bikes had first, but is welcome on the MYX II nonetheless. The cadence sensor measures revolutions per minute based on the speed at which you are pedaling.

Speaking of pedaling, the MYX II offers two ways to attach: regular trainers can be secured in attached toe cages, while on the back, the best shoes for Peloton and other exercise bikes clip on for more security.

MYX II exercise bike review: Performance

Every member of my family could find a perfect setup for comfort on the MYX II exercise bike, reflecting a respectable range of seat and handlebar adjustments. Thanks to the size and weight of the bike, I never felt like I could tip the bike over when getting into the saddle like I would on some of the flimsier, more budget-friendly Amazon machines.

Like the first MYX bike, MYX II uses a 41-pound flywheel with friction resistance, which differs from Peloton’s magnetic wheel. I tend to prefer the magnetic because it’s quieter and offers more specific resistance changes, which the original MYX bike struggled with. On the previous bike, it felt like a little turn would turn the wheel from too light to too heavy. The resistance system of the MYX II is significantly more refined, an improvement that has made a huge difference in performance.

Launching a class through the MYX II opens an on-screen dashboard showing time elapsed, calories burned, cadence (for a cycling class) and current heart rate, along with a progress graph mapping heart rate zones. If you’re familiar with OrangeTheory or other heart rate-based workouts, you’ll know that accurately measuring your pulse is important for keeping up with your pace in the classroom. It’s a big mainstay of the MYX + Openfit classes, and I love it.

In most class types, coaches offer verbal cues for the zone you should be in. The included Polar OH1 I wore on my forearm offered instant readings, although the Apple Watch is also a compatible heart rate monitor. Tracking my heart rate helped me know when it was time to push harder or cut back. Most classes also offered quick warm-ups and cool-downs to manage heart rate zones.

MYX II Exercise Bike Review: Class Pick

MYX + Openfit classes remain more personal than competitive compared to some best workout apps. There are no rankings like in the Platoon app — instead, coaches lead one-on-one stories. Most classes are just a single trainer, although some options on the Openfit side have a handful of demonstrators per class showing variation, which is a major plus for accommodating different exercise experience levels. I can say the same for the difficulty ratings provided for each class. Peloton also uses a difficulty system to help people choose classes, but Apple Fitness Plus has not yet adopted a comparable feature.

In the bike category, there are endurance rides, high resistance rides, HIIT rides, rhythm rides, warm-up rides, and recovery rides ranging from 10 minutes to 60 minutes. Meanwhile, floor classes cover a wide range of workout types, from kickboxing and strength training and HIIT to pilates, yoga and mobility. There are even audio-based walking and running workouts designed for the outdoors or on one of the best treadmills. Soundtracks are set through a Pandora-like station with options to skip songs unless otherwise specified.

While all classes are available on demand, there is an option to run multi-day or multi-week programs that target certain areas of your body or broader wellness goals. Lesson planning is also always an option.

Now for BODi lessons, which again exist in a separate interface accessible on the MYX II screen, you’ll find daily live lessons for cycling and other popular types of training. You can use BODi with any exercise bike, or without an exercise bike if you prefer floor classes. BODi is more like Peloton, with darker studios, tougher coaches, and the feeling that you’re working with others. The music in these classes is more organized, as you would see with Peloton.

MYX II Exercise Bike Review: Verdict

Interest in owning the best home gym equipment shows no signs of letting up. So while it might seem like everyone and their mother-in-law owns a Peloton, there is definitely a place for MYX in the market. Especially considering the competitive price of the MYX II machine, which now features a cadence sensor like the Peloton Bike.

Of course, the ongoing cost of membership is where your investment adds up, so the fact that you can pay up to $59 per month for all class platforms (not including the $100 annual fee from Beachbody On Demand) is a bit controversial. I hope it makes things easier when I say that the MYX + Openfit service alone is the right choice for most people. If you buy this bike for BODi, just get the Peloton or use a $299 machine from Amazon with a tablet. But for the good value, the MYX II exercise bike has a great variety of classes to have fun with, which is something I don’t often say about working out.