Carol Bike vs. Peloton: A Detailed Comparison 

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission.

In recent years, the home fitness bike industry has seen a massive increase in popularity, partly due to the pandemic but also because people now understand the importance of health. 

When Fitness bikes such as Peloton and CAROL first burst onto the scene years ago, the prices were outrageous, and most average people just couldn’t afford them. However, as technology has improved, so have the costs, and now many bikes are well in the price range for nearly every avid fitness buff.

The main benefit of owning a stationary bike is that you can work out from the comfort of your own home. There are no costly gym membership fees and no need to travel to and from the gym. Simply jump on your fitness bike and start working out whenever you have the time.

With so many exercise bikes on the market, how can you choose which one is best for you? Today we look at two of the most well-known and popular fitness bikes on the market; the Peloton Bike and the CAROL Bike

Carol Bike vs. Peloton

In-Short: Differences Between Carol & Peloton Bike

The main difference between the Peloton and Carol bikes is the fact that they’re targeted toward different user groups. The AI system of the Carol bike tracks and evaluates your training data to provide you with customized fitness programs; on the other side, the Peloton App offers live classes, which makes you feel like you’re riding “in-studio.”. So, in short, the choice depends on your “style” of training.

Many people absolutely hate aerobic fitness, but they understand it’s something they need to do if they want to stay healthy. If this sounds like you, the CAROL Bike is definitely worth purchasing. The team at CAROL promises to provide you with all the health benefits of an hour-long workout in less than 60 seconds; that’s right, 60 seconds. Now, these claims are not just made “willy-nilly.” They are backed by scientific data and research that shows the power of REHIT. 

What is REHIT, you might ask? 

  • Reduced
  • Exertion
  • High 
  • Intensity 
  • Training 

The CAROL Bike is powered by AI or “Articlifical Intelligence.” It provides users with workouts that are no more than 9 minutes in duration and amazingly only demand 40 seconds of true “all-out-power.” 

Like HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training, REHIT takes advantage of the shorter durations to maximize the athlete’s recovery. The science behind it explains that these “shorter” and more” intense” workouts promote and encourage the “flight or fight” response within our bodies and, as such, cause the body to burn off the unwanted excess fat and sugar. 

The Peloton Bikes, on the other hand, provides a fully interactive experience with one of the best fitness apps on the market; Some experts actually say Peloton is the best exercise on the market. The training sessions are fun, challenging, and, most importantly, get you fit. 

The Peloton bike offers a much more comprehensive range of workouts compared to the CAROL Bike. However, the CAROL Bike is targeted toward users that are limited with time but still want the fitness benefits of longer, more intense rides. 

While both bikes are similar in price, they are not competing with each other, although they’re in the exercise bike niche. 

Carol Bike Review

CAROL Bike 2.0
4.7

The best thing about the CAROL Bike is that the AI is continually tracking your workout data and metrics, which means that the AI is constantly modifying and altering your training, so you can make the most of your time while improving your fitness.

Price & Reviews Check Holiday Sale

Specs

  • Grade Built for professional gyms
  • Frame Powder-coated heavy-duty steel frame
  • Pedals Dual-purpose SPD compatible
  • Resistance AI controlled for optimal performance
  • Brakes Magnetic brake
  • Power Highest possible accuracy available
  • Screen 11 inch IPS TouchScreen
  • Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.1

Artificial Intelligence Technology

Ok, so the biggest feature that differentiates the CAROL bike from other fitness bikes in the niche is its “artificial intelligence system.” The AI system tracks and evaluates your workout data to provide you with tailored fitness programs designed to get the most out of yourself.

The best aspect of the AI system is that it continually evaluates your training data and subsequently modifies and alters your workouts as your fitness progresses. It’s a seamless way to improve and takes away a lot of the stress of designing your own program 

Safety Is A Priority

Another unique selling point of the CAROL Bike is that the team has gone to great lengths to design and integrate safety features into the bike itself. Many of these safety features are only possible because of the AI System. 

One of the best features is that the AI will track your heart rate and let you know when you’re heart rate is reaching unsafe levels. While you can monitor your heart rate with a polar monitor on other bikes, you have to evaluate your own levels, whereas the CAROL AI system does it for you. 

Hardware Combined With AI

The CAROL Bike isn’t only about software either; it comes fully equipped with some of the best hardware in the industry, and when combined with the AI tech, it makes this bike a real winner. Many bikes claim they are “fully equipped,” but when it comes to the CAROL bike, it has nine more hardware features integrated into the bike than most other fitness bikes on the market.

The tracked data, such as speed, calories, distance, the time elapsed, and cadence, are very accurate thanks to the ergometer, which is a standard issue with the CAROL Bike. These metrics are valuable for all users but particularly for elite athletes. 

CAROL Apps

If you’re a tech nerd like me, then the CAROL Bike won’t disappoint you. The CAROL Bike offers not only the mobile interface but also ther web interface to go with it. The CAROL App provides instant feedback to show your advancement and help keep you motivated as you move to improve your fitness, health, and well-being.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Quick and highly effective workouts
  • AI means you get a workout specific to you
  • Dual-purpose pedals for cycling shoes or sneakers
  • Compatible with Peloton Digital
  • State-of-the-art technology and safety features
  • The ability to track critical workout data

Cons

  • Quite high on the costly side
  • No classes led by coaches 
  • The selection of music could be better

Peloton Bike Review

Peloton Bike
4.4

Maybe the most popular indoor cycle, and for a good reason. Excellent quality with an excellent app for beginners and experts. The only downside it that users cannot change resistance when using apps like Zwift etc.

Price & Reviews Check Holiday Sale

State-Of-The-Art Touchscreen Technologies

Simply put, when you splurge your hard-earned cash on a Peloton Bike, you know precisely what you’re getting. And that’s the beauty of the brand; there are no surprises, just well-built, durable, and elegant designs and firmware.

When it comes to the touchscreens on the Peloton bikes, they are the best in the indoor bike niche. Generally speaking, most of their touchscreen models can rotate and swivel, which makes them perfect for all heights and users.

Because the touchscreens swivel, they are also ideal for performing “off-bike “sessions like yoga and stretching programs. You can even stream your favorite Netflix show or watch YouTube while working out.

The Best App In The Indoor Fitness Niche

I can’t sing the praises of the Peloton App enough. It is, without a doubt, the best, most interactive, comprehensive fitness bike App on the market. The Peloton App offers users a plethora of on-demand sessions and live classes, which makes you feel like you’re riding “in-studio.”

The live classes have been extraordinarily popular since being launched nearly a decade ago. The classes are led by top expert coaches in the field of indoor training and have been designed to allow any fitness level to join in the fun. 

These coaches help motivate you, push you toward your fitness goals and help keep you on track, especially when you feel like giving up. Now, how many fitness apps do you know that do that?

NOTE: The Peloton app can be used with other indoor fitness bikes; however, the integration and the interface are not as seamless as they would be if used with a Peloton connect bike

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • One of the best exercise bikes on the market
  • Exceptional training programs
  • LIVE classes with qualified coaches
  • Ride in a community of like-minded people
  • Peloton is APP is second to none

Cons

  • High priced but well worth it 
  • Monthly membership fees 

Detailed Comparison: The CAROL & Peloton Bikes

REHIT vs. HIIT

High-Intensity Interval Training 

Im sure you’re all familiar with HITT training or high-intensity interval workouts, but how many people have heard of REHIT? The main difference between HIIT and  REHIT is the length of the workouts. 

HIIT workouts generally last between 15 and 45 minutes and can be done on any piece of exercise equipment, including a treadmill and a fitness bike. There are many variations on thre HIIT programs, such as Tabata and the 7-minute workout plan. 

HIIT is popular with many athletes because it packs a real punch, meaning you can get a fat-burning workout in less than an hour. The versatility of HIIT also makes it a popular program amongst athletes and fitness buffs. 

Body weight exercises are also an excellent way to utilize HIIT training, but in my opinion, the best way to burn fat and boost your aerobic fitness is to perform HIIT while riding a fitness bike. The CAROL Bike and the Peloton bike make the ideal choice for these kinds of workouts as the bikes are stable, well-built, and durable. 

Reduced Exertion High-Intensity Training

HIIT is all about high-intensity training, but REHIT focuses on MAXIMUM intensity. The CAROL Bike promises to do exactly that and deliver the most brutal, high-intensity short workouts for maximum fat loss and cardio health benefits.

This is where the name “reduced high-intensity training” originates. The workouts are short but intense and provoke a response that improves insulin intensity by as much as 25%. Dr. Niels Vollaard, who pioneered this research, has incorporated it into the CAROL bike to produce an AI program that gives users individualized high-intensity workouts.

Dr. Vollaard is quoted as saying, “In our labs, we see insulin sensitivity improve by 25-28% and fitness by 15% within six weeks. The CAROL stationary bike replicates these results in the real world. The research programmed into CAROL helps the public, and that’s ultimately what this science is about. “

On-Demand and Live Classes?

CAROL Bike

Workouts and variation is perhaps the area in which these two indoor fitness bikes differ the most. The CAROL bike uses the Artificial Intelligence System to design and deliver programs to the user that meet their specific fitness needs and requirements. The main workout the CAROL AI system offers keeps your pedal power at the maximum intensity, commonly referred to as “supramaximal.”

This means that you can have an efficient and highly effective workout in under 9 minutes. Not bad, hey? The training is backed by scientific data and research and is simple and easy to follow, thanks to the AI. 

The workout on the CAROL Bike starts with an easy warm-up before gradually increasing intensity until you hit the two sprint stages, which require you to explode with maximal effort before taking you through a cool down and then a recovery stage.

CAROL bike workout program:
  • Warm-up
  • Sprint 
  • Sprint 
  • Cool-down
  • Recovery

Peloton Bike 

The Peloton bike and app offer users state-of-the-art technology and world-class workouts delivered by some of the best personal trainers on the planet. Not only that, but you have ther option of choosing from both on-demand and live training classes, which are by far the most popular of all.

You’ll also find a wide range of:
  • Music
  • Classes for different fitness levels
  • Duration
  • Intensity, and
  • Themes

The Peloton app is more than just an app to control the interface; as a matter of fact, the app helps you achieve your fitness goals, keeps you motivated, and, most of all, gets you RESULTS. You also get access to running, strength and conditioning exercises, and of course, cycling.

The Peloton app encompasses all things fitness and provides exercises across a wide range of activities even, including recovery and preventative programs to help reduce the chance of injury. Because of its versatility, the app is ideal for fitness users who want to do more than just cycle.

As a professional coach, one of the features, we shouldn’t forget about the Peloton app is its ability to motivate athletes to achieve their goals. This is particularly true when it comes to the live workouts, where you can get extra motivation from the coach and others in the class.

Many newcomers to indoor fitness and indoor cycling can find it difficult to push through some of the more challenging workouts, so having a support system to motivate you does set the Peloton app apart from its competitors.

Which Bike Is Best For Me? CAROL or Peloton?

When it comes time to spend your hard-earned money on an indoor fitness bike, it’s best to know which one suits you best. Take a read of this quick summation to choose the best bike for you. The CAROL Bike or the Peloton Bike

The CAROL Bike 

The CAROL Bike is ideal for users who are strapped for time but still looking to get the most out of their workouts. The fact that CAROL has used AI in their bikes is not only innovative and game-changing but, most importantly, gets results.

The AI means that users get an individualized workout program that provides a fat-burning and aerobic workout in less than 9 minutes. The CAROL Bike is also ideal for those athletes who like to work out on their own and let the computer take control of their training. 

The best thing about the CAROL Bike is that the AI is continually tracking your workout data and metrics, which means that the AI is constantly modifying and altering your training, so you can make the most of your time while improving your fitness.

The CAROL Bike is perfect for:

  • Users with limited time
  • Those looking to optimize their workouts
  • Users who like to exercise alone 
  • Users looking for the latest in fitness technology

The Peloton Bikes

There’s no doubt in my mind that the Peloton bike and app are simply the best after testing dozens of fitness bikes. The hardware is second to none and is the main reason Peloton has been a leader in the indoor fitness niche for decades. 

With state-of-the-art LCD screens that swivel and rotate, working out on the Peloton bikes is a fun, challenging, and fully interactive experience. The Peloton bike suits users after a “studio-like” workout and experience without paying for costly annual gym memberships. 

Peloton bikes are durable and come with the latest technology. When these two things combine, they provide elite athletes with a tough workout that leaves them dripping with sweat in a safe manner and not having to worry about the bike tipping over and causing an injury.

The Peloton Bikes are perfect for:

  • Users who only want the best
  • Users who are willing to spend more
  • Hardcore athlets and experience fitness buffs
  • Those who like to ride in groups and have fun while training 

Alternatives

Beachbody (BODi) MYX II Bike

myx beachbody bike revew featured image

The BODi MYX II is an excellent alternative to the Peloton and CAROL bikes. The bike is reasonably priced at just over $1000, and you won’t be disappointed with what you get. The Beachbody MYXII is jam-packed with features, and the brand sets itself apart by taking exercise and nutrition seriously.

Pros

  • Wide range of classes 
  • Built-in camera
  • Highly accurate data and metrics 
  • Durable
  • Sleek and elegant design

Cons

  • An extra membership fee is required to access all the features
  • Not compatible with many other apps, although it will pair with the Apple Watch. 

Keiser M3i

m3i keiser

The Keiser M3i is made right here in the USA and is designed to meet the very stringent standards in place to ensure safety. Possibly the best aspect of owning a Keiser M3i is that the bike is compatible with the world-leading Peloton app. That feature alone makes the bike well worth considering. 

The Keiser M3i is rather costly, but that being said, it’s not your typical fitness bike and is loaded with features that separate it from the rest of the pack. 

Pros

  • Made in the USA
  • Super stylish rear flywheel
  • Fully adjustable and ergonomic design
  • Easily connects to Pelton and Zwift 
  • State-of-the-art software
  • No electrical cables

Cons

  • Not the cheapest bike on the market
  • Assembly instructions could be much clearer

NordicTrack S27i

The NordicTrack S27i is quite simply one of the best indoor fitness bikes on the market. NordicTrack has been designing and manufacturing quality indoor fitness equipment such as bikes and treadmills for decades and is seen as an industry leader.

The NordicTrack S27i has incredible features that have been well thought out and are, most importantly, practical, not just “fluffy” or “gimmicky.” The LCD touchscreen screen is massive and makes working out feel like you are in a movie theatre, not to mention the rides available are some of the most scenic of any cycling app.

Pros

  • Massive LCD Touchscreen 
  • The new model is much faster than previous
  • The virtual rides have stunning and realistic views
  • Incline and decline are automated
  • Button controls are easy to locate and use while riding

Cons

  • Priced at the higher end of the price range
  • Quite a big bike 

Bowflex Velocore

velocore peloton alternative

The Bowflex Velocore is another excellent alternative to the fitness bikes mentioned above, including the CAROL Bike and the Peloton. Priced in the higher-end range, the Bowflex Velocore comes loaded with features like Bluetooth connectivity, streaming services, and even integrates seamlessly with Zwift and Peloton.

Pros

  •  “Lean Mode” which demands more from the user’s upper body and core
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Streaming services like Disney, Netflix, and Hulu
  • Compatabile with Zwift and Peloton
  • Comes with a 16 or 22-inch LCD TouchScreen 

Cons

  • Hefty price tag, but it is the best of the best
  • No live classes is a bit of a letdown
Editorial Team

IF-FIT Editorial Team consists of experienced fitness writers and cyclists. Every article has been deeply researched to educate every bike lover.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.