The Best Online Cycling Classes, From A Triathlete & Avid Cycler

SoulCycle, a boutique cycling studio with a cult-following, is one of several featured on the Equinox+ app. SoulCycle’s rhythm-based rides include light weights and high intensity intervals that are sure to get you sweating. But, while people may come to Soul for the workout, they stay for the motivational instructors.

The app includes a library of over 200 pre-recorded and live SoulCycle classes for all levels. You can use the Equinox+ app on SoulCycle’s at-home bike (purchased separately) or a different stationary bike, and you’ll also be able to access other workouts such as Rumble (boxing), SolidCore (pilates), HeadStrong (meditation), and Pure Yoga. Sync the app to your Apple Health (for iOS users) or your WHOOP device to house your workout data in one place. Just note: The trial period is only seven days, so you’ll need to move quickly to decide whether Equinox+ is a fit for you.

The Equinox+ app has 4.7 out of five stars overall on the Apple App Store. While there’s a lot of solid positive feedback for the classes (one member says: “Just like real life SoulCycle classes, this app is life-changing”), a few people have less-glowing feedback about the app itself, which can apparently be glitchy at times. 

Membership cost: $40 monthly

Peloton has exploded in popularity and is easily one of the highest quality class streaming services. With a roster of beloved instructors and a wide variety of music-driven classes, the brand’s ever-growing library of cycling, yoga, running, and strength training content makes it nearly impossible to get bored og your workouts.

The best part? You don’t need to own a Peloton bike to use the Peloton membership. A basic membership package gives you access to thousands of streamable workouts. The app is compatible with a slew of devices, and you can even sync a heart rate monitor or another stationary bike to track your calories burned, cadence, and additional stats. To get the full “Leaderboard” experience, which allows you to reach certain milestones and compete against other riders, you’ll need a Full-Access membership and the Peloton Bike or Bike+.   

The brand has no shortage of fans. One member writes, “From meditation and yoga, to a walk/run on the gym tread and cycling on my spin bike, this app has everything I need to get a complete workout. Peloton covers all aspects of fitness of the body and mind in a fun, motivating, and communal way.”

Membership cost: $13 monthly ($44 monthly for Full-Access with Bike or Bike+)  

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Need a break from the screen? CardioCast offers audio-only workouts led by certified instructors. Cyclists of all levels will appreciate the wide variety of music-driven, speed-based rides. The coaches go off your perceived level of exertion (how hard you feel you’re working) versus machine-specific power metrics, so you can use the platform with any stationary bike. If the bike you use has a console, you’ll be able to follow along with the instructor’s guided speed recommendations in revolutions per minute (RPM). 

In addition to a huge library of cycling classes, CardioCast also offers guided rowing, running, walking, elliptical, yoga, and bodyweight strength sessions so you can mix it up a bit. Because it doesn’t connect to a power meter, the app does not track your workout performance—but you can sync it with Apple Health or Google Fit to store your workout data in one place. One additional consideration: there is no option to “favorite” specific classes or to replay the same session indefinitely (due to music licensing), so you’ll typically need to wait a bit before revisiting a class you enjoyed. 

The CardioCast app has 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Apple App Store and Google Play. People love the down-to-earth instructors and wide variety of class offerings. “CardioCast allows me to go into the spin room and take an instructor-led class whenever I want! I love that it is audio only so I can put in my AirPods and choose an instructor and class length and spin to my heart’s content. They offer a variety of music styles and length of classes which update frequently so each time it’s a new class.”

Membership cost: $10 monthly

Les Mills has been a big name in the fitness game for decades (anyone who took part in BodyPump classes in the aughts knows what we mean). What started as a group class format for box gyms has expanded into a massive online presence, thanks to Les Mills+. With a huge variety of cardio, strength, and yep, cycling classes to choose from, there’s something for everyone. The cycling classes can be performed on any stationary bike. 

A Premium membership includes access to three cycling class formats: RPM, a rhythm-based ride; Sprint, a 30-minute high intensity interval (HIIT) ride; and The Trip, an immersive digital scenic ride (which basically feels like you’re inside a video game). There are over a thousand on-demand workouts to choose from, making this a great option for all levels—including beginners. With the premium membership you’ll also have access to the platform’s extensive list of barre, kickboxing, yoga, strength, and dance classes. 

The Les Mills+ app has an average rating of 4.9 out of five on the Apple Store and over 2,000 total ratings. One member writes, “It’s the only platform I never stopped loving and following. With the variety of workouts, the music and the professionalism of the instructors - they are truly one of a kind!" 

Membership cost: $15 monthly

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This online cycling platform houses 10 major boutique fitness brands, including the fan-favorite indoor cycling workout, CycleBar. Through the Xponential+ app, you’ll gain access to a variety of 30 to 45 minute classes that are actually recorded during live sessions at a CycleBar studio. These classes are all available on-demand, but there are also plenty of live classes throughout the week, if you’re craving more of a community feel. To really bring the experience to life, you can supplement your at-home rides with a visit to one of CycleBar’s many in-person studios. 

Other brands available under the Xponential+ membership include Club Pilates, YogaSix, RowHouse, Pure Barre, and Rumble. However, if cycling is your only goal this platform may come with more classes (and a higher price point) than you need. 

Xponential+ gets great feedback for its classes, but not as glowing feedback for the app itself (although there aren’t enough reviews to get a full picture). One member writes, “I really enjoy the rides and the instructors, I always feel like I got a good workout when I’m done.” If the class offerings appeal to you, it’s worthwhile to take the app on a 7-day test run before committing. 

Membership cost: $30 monthly

Zwift is kind of like The Sims for cyclists; it’s a simulated ride experience that connects to your devices to mimic the feel of riding on the open road. Cool, right? To use Zwift, you’ll need a smart trainer to pair with a road bike or a smart bike. Keep in mind, a smart bike is different from a stationary bike, as you’ll need something that’s able to perform the automatic adjustments to simulate the feel of whatever route you’ve chosen to ride. 

If that sounds intimidating, fear not! Zwift may require a little extra legwork in the tech-department, but the courses are open to all levels and have an inclusive, community feel. In any of the routes (across the 11 simulated worlds you can choose from), you’ll see the names and nationalities of other riders’ avatars in real time. You can join events, connect with other cyclists, and easily track your progress with workouts designed by world-renowned coaches. 

The Zwift app has 4.7 out of five stars on the Apple Store, withfans across the globe. It's the preferred indoor training method by many professional cyclists (again, don’t let that intimidate you!), and one self-pronounced Zwifter writes, “It has increased my exercise 100 fold. I find myself excited to get out and ride. The interaction is great, the incentives are great, the competition and drive that Zwift creates is absolutely amazing.” Some people note feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the technology at first, but praise the slew of tutorial videos. 

Membership cost: $15 monthly

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Another pick that’s focused on audio, Aaptiv is geared toward folks who are chasing a specific fitness goal. At the start of your Aaptiv trial you’ll select a primary focus, such as training for a race, losing weight, building strength, or reducing stress. From there, you’ll be served a selection of recommended programs to help you get closer to your goals. You can join challenges and filter workouts based on trainer, workout type, duration, and music. 

While Aaptiv has a solid variety of workouts, it’s not the most cycling-focused option on our list. There are only three cycling trainers— so if you’re hoping for a huge variety of rides, this probably isn’t your pick. That said, if you’re seeking a way to incorporate cycling into a broader fitness routine, encouraging trainers and quality playlists make Aaptiv a great choice. 

Aaptiv is one of the best platforms for audio-based workouts. It has 4.7 out of five stars from over 55,000 ratings on the App store, and gets generally great feedback. One person says, “Great workouts with great music and amazing trainers! I work out at a gym and a personal trainer has literally been chasing me to be his client for months but little does he know I have 10+ personal trainers telling me what to do through my headphones as I'm telling him I'm not interested!” 

Membership cost: $15 monthly

If you’re new to indoor cycling or just hoping to sprinkle it into your existing routine, you may not feel ready to subscribe to a membership. Although Studio SWEAT OnDemand is typically a membership-based platform, it also has a number of free cycling classes available on YouTube. Choose from high intensity intervals, low impact workouts, and beginner-friendly rides, with options for riders of all levels. Plus, because the rides aren’t metrics based, you can use any bike you have available and still get a quality sweat. While you can repeat the free classes whenever you want, for access to a wider library of rides and other workout types, you’ll need to subscribe to the Studio SWEAT membership, which is about $20 per month. Singular rides are also available to download for around $8 per class. 

Studio SWEAT has over 140,000 subscribers on YouTube and a ton of fans across the country who appreciate the real-person approach to indoor cycling. One streamer writes, “I was looking for a way to get myself in better shape in a way that worked for my schedule and my budget. I'm more than happy with SSOD. They've provided me with the right type of classes, motivation and community that keeps me pushing towards my fitness goals.”

Membership cost: Free on YouTube, $20 monthly for Premium membership

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