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The truth is, indoor exercise bikes and home exercise equipment have been around for years and years. However, never have they been as advanced and ‘smart’ as they are now.
The fact is, with these smart connected and immersive experiences, living rooms have become the new workout studios. In fact, as of 2019, Echelon produced as many as 300 classes per month [1].
The entire industry is booming with the connected gym equipment market size expected to reach a whopping 5.96 billion dollars by the year 2025 [2].
Due to the expected growth and with competition heating up in the space, there is now an influx of new and tempting products to choose from. This is why it can be difficult to choose from market leaders like MYX Fitness and Echelon.
If you currently find yourself stuck between choosing home exercise equipment from these competing brands, we’re here to help. By the end of this article, you should have a very good idea about which brand will prove to be the best fit for your needs.
Echelon vs MYX: Features and Equipment Comparison
Echelon Equipment and Features
1. Smart Connect Bikes
Echelon offers its own line of Connect bikes. With four different models to choose from, you should be able to find the perfect fit. Echelon’s Connect bikes come with every feature that you could want in a smart connected exercise bike.
Not only does the base model come with 32 levels of magnetic resistance, but each bike features a precision motor for even more precise resistance with the bikes.
Each bike is connected which means you can take part in the Echelon Fit App which provides a totally immersive workout experience with unlimited live classes, streaming classes, and scenic rides.
2. Reflect Mirrors
Echelon is a complete home fitness brand. You can also get yourself a unique Echelon Reflect mirror which is the perfect fitness companion. The mirror essentially brings a personal trainer right to your living room with the ability to take part in on-demand workouts ranging from cardio to strength training to Pilates and even meditation.
3. Smart Rower
Echelon also has its very own award-winning Smart Rowing Machine. Their smart rowing machine actually was a Best of CES 2020 finalist [1]. Their rowing machine offers a total body workout at a very affordable price. Like other Echelon equipment, you get to experience the immersive nature of being able to attend live or on-demand classes and enjoy scenic rides from some of the most exquisite waterways throughout the globe.
4. FitPass
With Echelon Fitpass Plus, you will get everything you need to wirelessly cast Echelon Studio fitness classes right to your TV with its included Chromecast device. It even comes with a heart rate monitor that you will be able to use to track yourself on Echelon’s fitness leader boards for added motivation.
As you can see, Echelon offers a comprehensive line-up of smart connected home workout equipment. Perhaps best of all, when you invest in Echelon’s ecosystem, your membership grants you access to their entire lineup of smart connected home workout equipment.
MYX Fitness Equipment and Features
1. The MYX Plus and The MYX
The MYX Plus is meant to be the total body personal training system offered by MYX. The included bike is meant to be MYX’s rival to the high-end bike in the Echelon Connect series. It does so very well given it packs in the same huge 21.5-inch display for more immersive workouts. Along with this, it comes with high-level adjustment for an optimal fit no matter what shape or size your body type is. This includes seat height and depth adjustment, handlebar height and depth adjustment, and an even greater height range than what you would find in other bikes on the market being compatible for riders up to 6 foot 8 inches.
Extras Included With The MYX Plus
The Plus package comes with the bike, a stabilizing mat, a 6-piece weight set, kettlebell, oversized exercise mat, EVA foam roller, resistance band, and a heart rate monitor.
2. MYX Membership
The MYX Membership gives you access to unlimited workouts for both the bike and off the bike. Likewise, you gain access to world-class coaches, specific heart rate zone training, score assessments to measure your current fitness levels, and brand new workouts added every single week.
This one isn’t even close. Echelon’s line-up is much more versatile and they simply have a lot more to offer as a brand than MYX Fitness.
See all MYX Fitness Features and Bikes at their Website.
Live and On-Demand Workouts Battle: Which Bike is More Complete?
Echelon’s Workout Platform
With the Echelon Fit App, you are going to be able to take part in both live and on-demand workouts. These will allow you to feel like you are in the gym or the studio working out with other motivated fitness enthusiasts. Due to the compatibility with the entire range of Echelon line-up of home connected workout devices, there is simply no match for the experience.
See all Echelon Workout options at their website.
MYX Membership
The MYX workout experience is no slouch. With the membership, you are going to be able to access the entire extensive workout library which includes a range of different workout options. You can choose from bike specific workouts to floor exercises to cross-training workouts. You can even do some mindfulness exercises that include professional yoga coaches. You will get access to world-class coaches and trainers.
See MYX Fitness Workouts and Membership options at their website.
Price Comparison: Is Echelon or MYX More Affordable?
Echelon Connect Bikes Pricing Options
- Starting at $839.98 with a $39.99 monthly plan for the budget Connect EX-1 Bike.
- $1,639.98 with a $39.99 monthly plan for the comparable high-end Connect EX-5s Bike.
See all Echelon pricing options at their website.
MYX Bike Pricing Options
- Starting at $1,199.00 with a $29 monthly plan for The MYX.
- $1,499.00 for The MYX Plus’ complete package + $29 for the monthly subscription.
See current MYX Fitness prices.
Here is where things get very interesting. As you can tell, the Echelon is the clear winner when it comes to budget offerings. You will save a lot of money by opting for the Echelon EX1 over the MYX alternative.
However, you will be sacrificing the 21.5-inch immersive display. For a comparable model with a 21.5-inch immersive display like the one found on MYX, you can expect to pay $1,639.98.
That being said, the ability to choose a lesser tier model is a win for consumers because not everyone will want to pay the extra money for an included display.
Winner: Echelon as they have the cheaper entry-point.
Summary – Which Bike is Better?
The truth is, there is no real loser here. Both the Echelon and the MYX are intriguing competitors in the smart/connected home fitness market.
If I had to pick one, I’d give Echelon the edge for having the cheaper starting point, and the more complete fitness line.
Echelon has a little something for everyone.
They also have a wide range of products in each category. Therefore, you have the ability to fine-tune your needs to identify the perfect tier to get to fulfill them. Those who don’t want all of the bells and whistles of the higher-end bikes will be happy to know that Echelon offers a budget model that can easily satisfy their needs at fairly substantial cost savings.
Also, they happen to include live workouts which can really improve your entire experience by helping motivate you to continue forward on your efforts towards getting fit, losing weight, or whatever you have deemed your fitness goals to be.
That said, MYX is a great choice too….Visit their official website if you’re leaning towards their bikes or want to learn more