MYXfitness’s commercial-grade at-home bike has gotten a lot of comparisons to options from brands like Peloton, NordicTrack, and SoulCycle (and all the other alts). They’re all serious rides with interactive training components that basically nix your need for a gym membership.
The original MYX bike was all about heart rate-based training. So instead of focusing on beating everyone else (Peloton), turning your workout into a religious experience (SoulCycle), or becoming besties with your personal trainer (NordicTrack), MYX puts the emphasis on, well, you — and looking at your internal metrics to get better and better.
The company recently released the second iteration of its indoor bike — the MYX II — after merging with Openfit and Beachbody (you know, the company that gave us the cult workout programs P90x and INSANITY).
MYX users can now access everything Beachbody, Openfit, and MYX have to offer, which means you have TONS of options for shaping your perfect workout routine. But how does the new model with added Beachbody classes stack up against competitors?
Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of everything the MYX II offers — and everything it doesn’t.
tl;dr: What’s good and bad about the MYX II?
Pros
- Heart rate-based training. MYX is like the Orangetheory of indoor bikes. All the classes use your heart rate rather than your output (aka resistance + cadence) as the main metric of success — though you can still see your resistance and cadence levels on the screen.
- Option to purchase accessories. If you’re lacking in the home gym department, you can spring for the MYX II Plus, which comes with a bunch of accessories that make jumping into cross-training easy AF.
- Tons of class options. With MYX+Openfit and Beachbody’s BODi classes accessible from the bike’s tablet, there’s a workout class for everyone. Between the two, you can choose from cycling and non-cycling classes — like Pilates, barre, strength training, yoga, and meditation — to ensure your workout is as well-rounded as your toned booty. Every part of your body will be feeling the burn. 🔥
- Live and on-demand classes. MYX didn’t always have live classes — but now it does! And you can use the bike’s new camera to join live trainer-led classes. If you opt in, you can also broadcast your workout onto the jumbo screen to get shout-outs and personalized corrections and cues from trainers.
- Swiveling screen. A swiveling touch screen makes switching up your workout type and location seamless AF.
- Compatible with Apple Watch. The MYX II comes with a heart rate monitor, but you can also pair your Apple Watch with the Openfit app.
- Compatible with regular shoes. Riding is as easy as swapping your flip-flops for a pair of Nikes and hopping on the bike. But you can also use clip-ins if ya want.
- Higher height and weight capacity. With a max user height of 6 feet (ft.) 8 inches (in.) and max weight of 350 pounds (lbs.), the MYX II has a higher height and weight capacity than competitors like Peloton.
Cons
- Not exactly a cheaper alternative. At $1,399 for the MYX II and $1,599 for the MYX II Plus, this bike still costs a pretty penny.
- Two diff platforms make it kind of confusing. As cool as it is that you get access to ~two~ workout platforms, the experience isn’t exactly seamless.
- Extra $$$ for a membership. Subscriptions to Openfit and Beachbody BODi, which are required for access to the class library, cost extra. AND you have to pay for them separately ($29 per month for each).
- Customer service issues. Some reviewers report a negative impression of the MYXfitness customer service department.
Bike deets
The MYX II
What’ll it cost me?
The MYX II falls somewhere in the middle of the indoor bike price spectrum at $1,399.
So it’s not as cheap as a Bowflex C6 ($999) or as expensive as a Peloton Bike+ ($2,495). It’s more on par with the price of the regular Peloton Bike ($1,495) — so it’ll still take a sizable chunk out of your bank account.
Financing is available to accommodate your existing budget. Instead of paying up front, you can choose to pay $30 per month for 48 months.
A membership will run you an extra $29 per month for Openfit, which is about the same as a Peloton membership. If you want access to Beachbody’s BODi membership, you’ll have to pay either $99/year and $19.99 per month — or just $29/month.
As for shipping and assembly? Get ready to cheer: Both are free, baby.
Specs
MYX recommends having a 4 x 6-ft. space for your bike. Even though the machine isn’t actually that big, the brand says that’ll give you enough room to ride and move freely so you can have a solid workout experience.
Dimensions | 54 L x 21 W x 47 H in. |
Weight | 150 lbs. |
Wheel | 41 lbs.; friction-based resistance |
Pedals | compatible with cycling shoes or reg sneakers |
Rider height range | 4 ft. 11 in. to 6 ft. 8 in. |
Rider weight capacity | 350 lbs. |
Screen | 21.5-in. *swiveling* HD touch screen with a Sony 8-megapixel camera |
Tech | Bluetooth compatibility, separate volume controls for your trainer and the music, option to sync Openfit app with your Apple Watch to track heart rate and health data |
The handlebars and seat height are fully adjustable, so you can get the right fit no matter your size. The touch-screen monitor swivels 360 degrees, too, giving you a great view of the screen when you do off-bike workouts. (But you can also stream the workouts from your phone, tablet, or TV.)
There’s also a camera on the tablet screen, which you can use in certain classes to get trainer shout-outs, form corrections, and cues. Pretty sweet, amirite?
What it comes with
The MYX II comes with a heart rate monitor so you can take advantage of the ultra-personalized heart rate-based workouts. Woot!
The MYX II Plus
What’ll it cost me?
At $1,599, the MYX II Plus is only $200 more than the MYX II. It’s the exact same bike — it just comes with some *extras*.
You can finance the MYX II Plus for $34 per month. Shipping and assembly are still free, and membership costs run the same.
Specs
Again, the MYX II Plus is the exact same bike as the MYX II, so it has all the same specs. It just comes with accessories that you might need to clear out a little space for.
What it comes with
The MYX II Plus comes with these extra goodies to create a more well-rounded workout experience:
- a heart rate monitor
- a six-piece weight set with a kettlebell (available in light, medium, and heavy)
- a resistance band
- a bike mat
- an activity mat
- a foam roller
MYX+Openfit and Beachbody BODi classes
Before MYXfitness merged with Openfit and Beachbody, you had access to only MYXfitness classes. But now that they’re all one company, you have a bunch of options for classes. But TBH, the way it works is a little confusing — so we’ll break it down for you.
MYXfitness and Openfit completely merged their content and subscriptions. Beachbody’s BODi platform is still separate — but you can access it on your MYX II bike if you choose to.
The only catch is that you have to pay for the two memberships ($29/month for each) to have access to both platforms’ classes. If money is no object, then go for it. But if you’re trying to keep the cost a big lower, you’ll have to choose between the two.
MYX+Openfit
MYX+Openfit offers an extensive catalog of live and on-demand classes. Most range from 10 minutes to 45 minutes long — perfect for either killing time between meetings or training for a bona fide triathlon.
Heart rate-based training
The best part about these classes? Heart rate-based training. <3 Unlike those of major cycling competitors, the bike’s classes are all heart rate-based (using the heart rate monitor it comes with or your Apple Watch).
Much like you would in an Orangetheory class, you’ll focus on hitting specific heart rate zones rather than pushing for a max output. This means that instead of feeling sh*tty if you’re not as strong and fast as other riders, you’ll know your success is totally dependent on your actual effort.
We’re big fans because this makes the entire experience less about other riders’ success and more about yours. But some established riders prefer that competitive feel.
Class types
Not all classes involve cycling — the catalog also includes Pilates, barre, yoga, strength training, and recovery options. You can also do personal training sessions or structured workout programs, which are two things major competitors like Peloton do *not* offer.
You can use your camera in personal training sessions to get tips, form corrections, and modification options directly from a trainer (so cool, right?). And structured workout programs are designed to help you progress and get stronger over time rather than taking classes at random.
Beachbody’s BODi
BODi is designed to feel a little more intense. It’s also best for people who prefer group classes over 1-on-1 experiences.
BODcasts
BODi offers trainer-led classes called BODcasts. These are a super fun way to use the bike’s camera — you can broadcast yourself working out on the class’s screen and get shout-outs and personalized corrections from trainers during class.
This isn’t for everybody, but if you love that in-person, hyped-up feeling of classes like Barry’s Bootcamp, BODcasts could be the perfect motivation to get you working out at home.
Class types
Yes, BODi *does* have cycling classes, so it’s still a good option for using with the bike. But it also gives you access to favorites like INSANITY, P90x, 21 Day Fix, and LIIFT4.
These classes by nature are pretty intense, but people LOVE them.
MYXfitness company policies
No matter how enamored you are of a particular product, you always want to make sure the brand offers returns. Without further ado, here are a few MYX policies you’ll want to know before entering your credit card info:
- The MYX II has a 1-year warranty.
- The MYX II can be returned within 30 days of receipt.
- The MYX is delivered to the XPO Logistics warehouse nearest to your address. Within 24 to 48 hours of its arrival at the warehouse, you’ll be prompted to select a delivery day. The night before that day, you’ll be prompted to schedule a time for delivery. On delivery day, you’ll be notified once your bike is en route to your home.
Is the MYX II right for you?
You should consider several factors when buying a stationary bike, according to Reid Beloni, a senior coach at Carmichael Training Services who specializes in cycling coaching. Keeping these things in mind as you’re surfing eBay or scrolling on Amazon will help you maximize your workout experience.
Adjustability
First and foremost, an indoor bike should be able to meet your changing needs, Beloni says. While he hasn’t personally ridden a MYX II before, he has several clients who use comparable products, including Pelotons.
“I think that having a comfortable fitted position on any bike, including a stationary bike, will make the rider more comfortable and more powerful. If riding is less comfortable than it should be, it’ll be likely that you cut a workout short or don’t add on a few extra free minutes of exercise,” he says.
And while it will take your booty some time to get used to cycling a lot, we def agree that an adjustable bike is key to a good cycling experience — and the MYX II has adjustable seat and handlebar height and depth. 🙌
Workout diversity
Ever heard the saying “Variety is the spice of life”? Turns out it applies to physical exercise too. Classes should strike a balance between being fun and serious, Beloni says.
“A stationary bike should offer a variety of inspiring workouts that both keep the rider engaged but are also well thought-out to help a rider reach their fitness goals,” he says. Specifically, they should “have some fundamental structure and progression to them so the rider will continue to see long-term improvement,” he says. Otherwise, your interest could wane, and your level of physical fitness with it.
But still, classes shouldn’t be all party with no reward. “Workouts solely for entertainment might provide a short-term fitness boost, but performance might plateau if this is all a person does,” Beloni warns.
The good news? You’ve got OPTIONS, hunni. With Openfit and Beachbody’s BODi accessible on the MYX II, you’re all but guaranteed to find a workout that works for you.
Both platforms have solid lineups of classes. Openfit’s classes are heart-rate based and have a personal training-esque style to them, while Beachbody’s BODi’s classes feel more like group boutique studio classes, with leaderboards and on-camera group workouts.
Performance monitoring
As Beloni says, “the ability to track activities and log your fitness across platforms is important for a lot of athletes.” Comparing your stats from one day to the next and watching yourself improve in real time is an empowering experience.
“An indoor stationary bike that has the ability to export your activities to multiple fitness tracking platforms is a big win because then you can keep all of your fitness tracking in one place rather than having to adopt yet another platform,” Beloni says.
The MYX II can connect with your Apple Watch to monitor heart rate and sync with Apple Health to give you a well-rounded view of all your workouts. But if you use Fitbit or another fitness tracker, it doesn’t look like you’ll be able to do the same.
MYX Plus vs. other popular bikes
But how does the MYX II stack up to competitors?
With the modern fitness market flooded with options, we know all too well how difficult it can be to identify the pick of the litter. (And seriously, who among us wants to deal with the hassle of coordinating a return and a refund?)
So, here’s a side-by-side comparison to make the choice a little easier:
MYX II | Peloton Bike | NordicTrack S22i Bike | Bowflex C6 Bike | Schwinn IC3 Indoor Cycling Bike | |
Price | $1,399 | $1,495 | $1,999 | $999 | $649 |
Dimensions | 54 L x 21 W x 47 H in. | 59 L x 53 H x 23 W in. | 63 L x 22 W x 60 H in. | 48.7 L x 21.2 W x 51.8 H in. | 45 L x 23 W x 49 H in. |
Weight limit | 350 Ibs. | 297 Ibs. | 350 Ibs. | 330 lbs. | 300 Ibs. |
Membership | $29/month for Openfit, $29/month for Beachbody BODi | $39/month | first year free, then $39/month | first year free, then $19.99/month (not required) | none apparently available |
Warranty | 12 months | 12 months on HD touch screen, bike components, pedals, labor; 5 years on frame | 1 year on labor, 2 years on parts, 10 years on frame | 10 years on frame, 3 years on mechanical and electronics, 1 year on labor | 1 year on labor, 2 years on mechanical and electrical, 5 years on frame |
Return policy | within 30 days | within 30 days | within 30 days | within 6 weeks | within 6 weeks |
Want more info on other stationary bike options?
Check out our reviews of some popular alternatives:
The bottom line
Whether you’re a newbie cyclist or a professional rider, the MYX II can provide a top-notch workout experience that encompasses a range of exercise types, including cycling, strength training, high intensity interval training, and yoga.
Best of all, it’s outfitted with a swiveling touch screen capable of streaming everything from news shows to scenic foregrounds to prerecorded classes.
All in all, the MYX II and MYX II Plus are stellar options for people who are on the hunt for a super personalized at-home cycling experience.
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