If you’re looking to bring Peloton’s famous classes to your home gym, you might be wondering: can you use the Peloton app with any treadmill? The simple and fantastic answer is yes, you absolutely can. The Peloton Digital App is designed to work with a wide variety of equipment, letting you access their motivating treadmill classes without needing their branded machine. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set it up, what you’ll need, and how to get the best experience from your own gear.
Can You Use the Peloton App With Any Treadmill
This is the core concept that makes Peloton’s app so flexible. The app itself doesn’t connect electronically to most third-party treadmills. Instead, you use it as a brilliant, guided coach from your phone, tablet, or TV. You follow the instructor’s cues for speed and incline on your treadmill’s manual controls. It’s a hybrid workout that combines Peloton’s programming with your hardware.
What You Need to Get Started
Getting started is straightforward. You don’t need any special tech skills, just a few basic items.
- A Treadmill: Literally any treadmill. It could be a decade-old model in your basement, a current gym-quality machine, or a compact folding one.
- The Peloton App: You’ll need a subscription to the Peloton App Membership (often called the Digital Membership). This is different from the all-access membership that comes with a Peloton Tread.
- A Device to Run the App: This is your class screen. You can use a smartphone, a tablet, a smart TV, or a laptop. Many people prefer a larger screen like a TV or tablet for easier viewing.
- Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor (Optional): For the most accurate calorie and effort tracking within the app, a compatible Bluetooth heart rate monitor is a great add-on.
- A Stable Holder or Stand: To safely position your device where you can see it clearly while running.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Follow these steps to begin your first app-based treadmill run.
- Subscribe to the Peloton App: Download the Peloton app from your device’s app store and sign up for the monthly membership.
- Place Your Device Securely: Use a treadmill tray, a separate floor stand, or a secure wall mount. Ensure it’s stable and at a comfortable viewing height.
- Start a Treadmill Class: In the app, navigate to the “Treadmill” section under “Classes.” Choose a class by length, instructor, music, or difficulty.
- Start Your Treadmill: Begin your treadmill’s belt at a slow walking pace for the warm-up.
- Follow the Instructor: The instructor will give call-outs for speed (e.g., “a push pace at a 7”) and incline (“add 3%”). You manually adjust your treadmill to match these cues as closely as you can.
- Track Your Metrics (Optional): If you have a heart rate monitor, pair it with the app in the settings to see your real-time effort on screen.
Benefits of Using the App with Your Own Treadmill
Why choose this path over buying the Peloton Tread? There are several compelling advantages.
- Cost Savings: The Peloton App membership is significantly cheaper than the all-access membership required for their hardware. You also avoid the high upfront cost of their treadmill.
- Utilize Existing Equipment: There’s no need to sell your current treadmill or feel like it’s obsolete. You can breathe new life into the machine you already own.
- Portability: Your subscription works anywhere. You can use it on treadmills at a hotel gym or a local fitness center, not just at home.
- Full App Access: You’re not just getting treadmill classes. Your subscription includes thousands of other class types like strength, yoga, cycling, and meditation.
Limitations and Considerations
While this method is highly effective, it’s honest to note a few drawbacks compared to the integrated Peloton Tread experience.
- No Auto-Follow: The Peloton Tread can automatically adjust its speed and incline to match the class. With your own treadmill, you must make all adjustments manually, which requires more attention.
- Separate Metrics: Your treadmill’s console and the Peloton app operate independently. Your distance, pace, and other stats won’t sync into the Peloton app; only what the app tracks (heart rate, estimated output) appears there.
- Interface Differences: Converting the instructor’s cues to your treadmill’s settings can take a little practice, especially if your machine uses mph and the class uses a 1-10 effort scale.
Choosing the Best Device for Your Setup
Your viewing device impacts your experience. Here’s a quick breakdown.
- Smart TV or Streaming Stick: Best for immersion. Use the Peloton TV app for a large, clear screen. It feels most like a studio class.
- Tablet: A great balance of size and portability. Easy to place on a treadmill tray.
- Smartphone: Most convenient, but the smaller screen can be harder to follow during intense intervals. Perfect for travel, though.
- Laptop: Can work in a pinch, but ensure it’s very stable and secure to avoid accidents.
Maximizing Your Workout Experience
To get the most out of your sessions, a little preparation goes a long way.
- Learn Your Treadmill’s Quick Buttons: Familiarize yourself with the speed and incline shortcut buttons. This makes changing settings during a fast-paced class much safer and easier.
- Create a Conversion Chart: Peloton classes often use a 1-12 speed scale. Figure out what that translates to in mph or kph on your machine. For example, a “5” might be your comfortable jog, and a “9” your sprint. Write it down and tape it to your console.
- Prioritize Safety: Always use the safety clip or key. Because you’ll be looking at your screen and adjusting controls, having that emergency stop is crucial.
- Invest in Good Audio: The instructor’s coaching and the playlist are key. Consider wireless Bluetooth headphones or a good speaker so you can hear clearly over the treadmill noise.
Popular Treadmill Brands That Work Well
While any treadmill works, some brands are commonly used by the app community for their reliability and features.
- NordicTrack: Many models have spacious trays perfect for tablets, and their motors handle interval training well.
- Sole Fitness: Known for sturdy construction and simple consoles that are easy to adjust quickly.
- ProForm: Often offers smart features and good integration with iFit, but they work just as well in manual mode for Peloton.
- Horizon Fitness: Provides solid performance at a range of price points, with responsive motors for speed changes.
FAQ Section
Do I need a special treadmill for the Peloton app?
No, you do not. The Peloton app is designed to be used with any treadmill at all, as long as it functions safely. There is no electronic connection required for the basic experience.
Can I use Peloton on a non-Peloton treadmill?
Yes, that’s the whole idea. Using Peloton on a non-Peloton treadmill is the most common way people use the Digital App. You manually control your machine while following the class instruction.
Will my treadmill stats show in the Peloton app?
Unfortunately, no. Unless you have a very rare treadmill that connects via Bluetooth FTMS, the app won’t recieve your treadmill’s distance or pace. The Peloton app will track your heart rate if you use a monitor, and it estimates your calorie burn and output based on that and the class type.
Is the Peloton app worth it if you don’t have the bike or tread?
Absolutely. The app offers tremendous value with its vast library of content beyond just cycling and running. The strength, yoga, barre, and stretching classes alone can justify the subscription cost for many users.
How do you follow Peloton tread classes on a regular treadmill?
You follow the instructor’s verbal cues. When they call for a specific speed or incline number (usually on their 1-12 or 1-10 scale), you adjust your treadmill’s manual controls to match your perceived effort. It becomes intuitive with a little practice.
What’s the difference between the app membership and the all-access?
The Peloton App Membership is cheaper and gives one person access to all class content on one device at a time. The All-Access Membership is more expensive, comes with Peloton hardware, and allows multiple user profiles on one machine with individual stats, plus it can stream to multiple devices simultaneously in the same household.
Final Tips for Success
Starting something new always has a learning curve. Give yourself time to adapt to the format. Don’t worry about matching the instructor’s cues exactly at first; focus on understanding your own effort levels. The community aspect is still accessible through the app’s leaderboard (based on effort, not speed) and hashtags. You can join groups and find friends to keep you motivated. Remember, the goal is to have an effective, enjoyble workout with the guidance of top-tier instructors, and you can absolutely achieve that with the equipment you already own. The flexibility of this setup means your fitness routine can evolve with you, without being locked into a single ecosystem. Just ensure you’re maintaining your treadmill properly for safety, and always listen to your body during workouts.