The Hidden Cost of Connected Fitness
The sticker price on a smart home gym machine is only part of the story. Monthly subscriptions can add $3,000-7,000 over a 5-year equipment lifetime. Here is what every major platform charges and whether it is worth it.
Subscription Cost Comparison
| Platform | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Devices/Profiles | Free Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peloton | $44/month | $528/year | Unlimited | Limited Just Run/Ride |
| iFIT (NordicTrack/ProForm) | $39/month | $468/year | Up to 5 profiles | No |
| Hydrow | $44/month | $528/year | Unlimited | Limited manual mode |
| Tonal | $59.99/month | $720/year | Unlimited | No |
| Tempo | $39/month | $468/year | Unlimited | Limited features |
| Echelon United | $34.99/month | $420/year | Unlimited | No |
| Aviron | $29/month | $348/year | Unlimited | Limited manual mode |
| JRNY (Bowflex/Schwinn) | $19.99/month | $240/year | Unlimited | Basic tracking |
What You Get for Your Money
Peloton ($44/month): Thousands of live and on-demand classes across cycling, running, rowing, strength, yoga, and meditation. Industry-best production quality with charismatic instructors. Music licensing deals with major labels. The benchmark for connected fitness content.
iFIT ($39/month): Virtual outdoor workouts using Google Maps worldwide, auto-adjusting equipment controls, personalized training programs, and library of studio classes. Used across NordicTrack, ProForm, and NordicTrack RW900 equipment.
Tonal ($59.99/month): AI-powered strength coaching, automatic weight adjustment, personalized programs, form guidance, and full exercise library. The most expensive but also the most technologically advanced.
JRNY ($19.99/month): The most affordable major platform. Guided workouts, adaptive coaching, and streaming entertainment (Netflix, Disney+) during workouts. Used on Bowflex Max Trainer M9 and Schwinn equipment.
No-Subscription Alternatives
Several excellent machines work perfectly without any subscription:
- Concept2 RowErg — $990, free ErgData app
- Sole E95 Elliptical — $1,900, built-in programs
- Bowflex Revolution — $2,299, 100+ exercises
- Sunny Health SF-RW5515 — $240, basic LCD
- Horizon EX-59 — $599, 5 preset programs
- Marcy SM-4033 — $799, no electronics needed
The 5-Year Math
Over 5 years of ownership:
- Peloton Tread + subscription: $2,995 + $2,640 = $5,635
- Concept2 RowErg (no sub): $990 total
- Tonal 2 + subscription: $4,295 + $3,600 = $7,895
- Sole E95 (no sub): $1,900 total
Our Advice
Subscriptions are worth it if you genuinely use the content multiple times per week. Track your usage for the first three months. If you are using guided workouts less than 3x per week, consider switching to a no-subscription machine and investing the savings in other gym equipment.
Many platforms offer free trials or discounted first-year rates. Use these to test whether connected fitness content motivates you before committing long-term.
