How to Measure Resistance with the Peloton App

• Is there anything similar to the Wahoo cadence sensor that will measure resistance?
• Should I buy these power pedals? (tip, these pedals are expensive but if you put them in your Amazon cart you will receive a notification when they run their flash sales where you can sometimes save up to 75%)
• How do I convert Peloton resistance when using my own bike with the Peloton App (conversion charts below).
• Is knowing your resistance worth the extra money to buy the Peloton bike?
• How do I measure resistance on my Sunny?
• How do I  convert Peloton resistance to my Sunny, Keiser M3i, Echelon or NordicTrack?
• Why didn’t you just buy a Peloton?

My answer is always the same. Let go of not knowing. Work hard. Get sweaty.  Let your fitness do the talking (and BUY THIS disco ball to bring some excitement to your workouts!). I chalk it up to FOMO (fear of missing out). But if you absolutely, positively need to know your Peloton resistance, I have some advice with several resistance charts at the bottom:

What works for me?

First, let’s talk resistance.  Resistance is how heavy your wheel feels.  To make the wheel feel heavier, turn the knob to the right.  Lighter? Turn the knob to the left.  The Peloton bike displays your resistance on its screen. It is measured from 1-100. Without it, you need to get a feel for the resistance just like in a spin class at your local gym.

As I mentioned in my original “Peloton for Less” post, I have found that on my Sunny cycle every turn of the resistance knob equals about 10.  It’s not an exact science but I equate a 1:1 ratio.  So, if the instructor tells you to add 10, that is one full crank for me.   Not all bikes are calibrated the same and I am confident that when an instructor calls out a wide range of resistance (“Get somewhere between 35 and 55”), that I am falling somewhere in that range.

I’d say more importantly, though, is to make sure that I am following the rhythm of the instructor. I watch their legs. If he or she is going very slowly up a hill and I am cruising along pumping my legs fast, that means I need to turn my knob to the right, slow down and make the wheel heavier. It is really easy and intuitive to get the hang of it.

With all of that said and after well over a year of using the Peloton App with my own bike, I find that I concentrate more on my cadence numbers using my Wahoo cadence sensor than I do thinking about resistance. Resistance is an after-thought for me.

As I describe in my recent post, Apple Fitness+ has launched its own fitness app with spinning, rowing, yoga, strength training, etc.  The spin classes are fantastic and the instructors do NOT talk resistance, just cadence.   If not knowing your resistance bothers you, check out Apple Fitness+ – I am really enjoying their spin and core workouts at the moment.  In fact, I love it so much I created a dedicated Apple Fitness+ group on Facebook – come join!

What About Other Spin Bikes?

There are some spin bikes out there that do include the resistance but they are significantly more expensive.  For example, the Keiser M3i displays resistance, cadence, heart rate, etc. on its built-in computer.  A great bike but too rich for my blood.  There are also some awesome power pedals out there to measure your watts/output but again, uber expensive.  Of course, there is always the actual Peloton bike.

What Others Think About Resistance

I’ve also consulted Christy Abbot Alvey, world-renowned cycle instructor, on the resistance issue, and with her permission, I have pasted her advice here:

“I ride 2 different bikes. The Keiser shows resistance; the LeMond does not.

I find myself not looking at the resistance. Ever.

You want to base your resistance on your perceived exertion, HR, and class guideline. The instructor is often very good at describing the road: sprint, power jog, moderate climb, heavy climb.

Don’t overcomplicate it. Truly. Put on as much resistance as you can to sustain the cadence suggested. Then, monitor your HR and perceived exertion. HR is an honest, truthful way to tell if you could or should add more or less resistance.

If you are bouncing in or out of the saddle, you need more resistance. If you feel like you are chasing your pedals, you need more resistance.”

So there you have it, friends.  Listen to Christy: stop worrying and start sweating.

Here is what my gym looks like with the lights down and the disco ball glowing!!

Due to popular request, I’ve also included some other resistance charts that I have found for Sunny, Echelon and NordicTrack here:

Sunny B1805 Peloton Resistance Chart

Sunny B1879 Peloton Resistance Chart

NordicTrack S15i Peloton Resistance Chart
Echelon Peloton Resistance Chart

NordicTrack s22i Peloton Resistance Chart

Please drop me a line with any more questions about how to measure resistance!

Beth

Disclaimer: My Sipping & Shopping blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.  

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