Investing in a Peloton bike is undoubtedly one of the best ways to achieve your fitness goals, and that too at a pace that not every exercise bike can provide. The Peloton makes the workout times fun, an opportunity to connect with instructors and other fitness enthusiasts. If you own it, you must know exactly what we are talking about. If you are thinking of getting one, you must not wait any further. However, if you have questions like “using Regular shoes on a Peloton bike? “your query is valid, and we are here to cater to it. The answer is yes. You can use regular shoes on a Peloton bike, but it is not something that fitness experts recommend. Let me explain why.
Why Should you use regular shoes on a Peloton bike?
The shoes aren’t the problem here; the pedals are! Peloton pedals come with delta clips. So if you are to wear the regular shoes, you will have to either change the pedals altogether and get the ones that have straps on them, or you will have to attach toe clips. If you find it difficult to change the pedals, you must attach cleats to your shoes if you wish to ride a Peloton with regular shoes or sneakers.
The primary reason you shouldn’t ride Peloton with regular bikes is that the pedal of the Peloton is a flat surface. Thus, there is a high chance of your foot slipping off and resulting in injuries.
Other reasons indicate that you should not ride a Peloton with regular shoes, such as:
- You will never be able to cycle at a higher speed with regular shoes.
- If you take off your foot, the pedal will keep spinning, and you will likely injure your shin.
- If you are riding the Peloton while standing with regular shoes on, your foot will slip off and endure some serious injuries.
Pro tip: If you still wish to ride a Peloton with regular shoes, keep your workouts at a lower intensity.
Which Accessories Should you Buy to use regular shoes on a Peloton bike?
If you still wish to ride a Peloton with regular shoes, you must get your hands on a few accessories to get the best out of your cycling session. These are:
Toe Clips:
Your regular shoes will never fix on the Peloton pedals unless you add toe clips. This way, you will be able to secure your foot on the pedal easily. The toe clip acts like a cage that secures your foot without hurting. This works great in case of multiple users or if you own a gym as anyone can enjoy the Peloton without buying the compatible shoes.
Pedal Platform Adapters (Clip-less):
These help your bike pedals turn into regular ones as they are shaped like a flat platform having cleats that need to be clipped on separately. Turning your pedals into a large platform, the pedal platform adapters will easily let you ride a Peloton with regular shoes.
Double-Sided Pedals:
This is an easier convertible tool and quite cost-effective at the same time. Most suitable for riders with large foot sizes are the regular bike pedals. The dual-sided pedals have SPD on one side, the platform pedal on the other, and a long brace.
Which pedals does a Peloton bike use?
A Peloton bike comes with specialized pedals that make it incompatible with other shoes. Known as the “Clipless Pedals,” you might find it surprising that the pedal clips connect the pedal and the shoes. The clipless pedals come as part of a clipless system that consists of three things:
- Clip-less pedals
- Bike cleats
- Cycling Shoes
Read: Linking Peloton to Strava
Choosing the Right Shoes for your Peloton Bike:
You must be wondering what the right shoes for Peloton look like? They look like regular shoes but come with a few significant features suitable for the Peloton.
Here are a few points that differentiate cycling shoes from the regular ones:
Rigid Sole: The cycling shoes come with a rigid sole. This prevents them from flexing, and hence you can easily apply pressure using your foot and leg onto the pedal. They might feel a little different to walk in, but they make pedalling much easier.
Cut Out Section: They come with a cut-out section at the bottom of the call of the foot. The cut-out section on the sole of the shoes helps in smoothly bolting cleats to the shoe. This leads to a firm hold and a better pedaling experience.
Pro Tip: When looking for shoes compatible with Peloton, be careful to choose the ones designed to be compatible with SPD-SL and Look Delta Systems.
Special Make:
The cycling shoes are designed to have a common construction style. This helps your ankle to move freely while pedalling.
Proper Ventilation:
The cycling shoes come with multiple mesh panels that keep your feet properly well ventilated during the extensive workouts.
Which Shoes Are Better to Ride on a Peloton Bike?
When deciding whether you want to ride the Peloton with regular shoes or without, you must compare the pros and cons of both.
Regular Shoes:
Read: Guide to Replace Peloton Water Bottle Holder
Peloton Shoes:
Final Verdict:
Peloton Bike is a good exercise tool and is a great option for those who like to enjoy indoor cycling. There is confusion among people on whether to ride the Peloton cycle with regular shoes. You can use the exercise bike with both. Still, using the Peloton with compatible shoes is recommended to enjoy the best results, as the regular shoes might lead to injuries and less productive workout results.,
