Online fitness is crowded, but a few popular brands stand out.
In today’s fitness landscape, many options exist for finding the right workout program. Three popular choices are Pvolve, Apple Fitness+, and Peloton. I’ve tested all of them (and many others), and I want to offer insight as a fitness enthusiast who once owned a wellness studio and as a financial therapist – which gives you the most for your money?
Each offers unique features and caters to different fitness preferences and goals. In this post, I’ll compare these three platforms to help you determine which one might be the best fit for your fitness journey.
Fitness Approach
Pvolve I’m newer to Pvolve. My personal experience was a trial; unlike most trials, I wanted to go back for more. In the trial, you only can do the equipment-free sessions, but that is fine as it certainly is humbling and empowering at the same time.
Pvolve focuses on functional fitness, combining low-impact movements with resistance training. The goal is to tone, enhance mobility, and strengthen your body through precise movements. The Pvolve Method is designed to sculpt the body without high-impact workouts, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a gentler yet effective fitness routine.
One aspect I really appreciate is that they are – as their site says, led by science, not by hype. At the time of this writing, they have an impressive advisory board that includes various scientists and doctors, including an endocrinologist. They were part of a clinical trial that showed that over just 12 weeks, over 20% of women had more flexibility and lower fatigue and also improved blood lipids, improved balance and mobility, increased lean muscle without increasing mass (not bulky) and this was only from 150 minutes a week; that’s about just 20 minutes a day.
I especially appreciated the attention to women’s health. They don’t ignore women with fertility struggles, and they understand the transitions of menopause.
Of all the apps, I felt embraced as a woman over 40. As a woman over 50, I wasn’t invisible to them. Their Facebook community is extremely helpful and friendly. There are no weird negative posts or spam.
Apple Fitness+ I love Apple Fitness; I’ve been with them for a while.
Apple Fitness+ offers many workout types, including HIIT, strength training, yoga, dance, cycling, and more. It integrates seamlessly with the Apple Watch to provide real-time metrics and personalized recommendations, making it easy to track your progress and stay motivated. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, Apple Fitness+ has something for everyone.
I appreciate that there are hundreds of classes, and the instructors are personable without being chirpy and flowery. You feel like you are in great hands; they know their stuff.
When I take a class, I feel like I’ve had a small group experience with a teacher who cares about me. They are on top of form and second to none regarding motivation.
Of course, one feature I enjoy is the watch-sync, and I don’t mean just that you are in an activity. When using Apple Fitness +, you can chart how hard you are working and can either pace yourself and pare back and take it up a notch. They often have three people in the more challenging programs; so, for instance, if you are taking a jog/walk treadmill, you’ll have the instructor helping you customize the program for you but also have the motivation of a person on a treadmill who is jogging and another who is walking. It is also nice that these are all instructors, so you might see a yoga instructor walking on the treadmill, and you know it is not their forte, but they are there showing adaptations.
Peloton Peloton is renowned for its high-energy cycling classes but also offers a variety of other workouts, such as strength training, yoga, meditation, and running. With live and on-demand courses, Peloton creates a community-driven experience, fostering a sense of camaraderie and motivation. I wasn’t a fan of this program; maybe it is an age thing. I don’t need my fitness instructors screaming self-help affirmations at me during class. They must be told to do it for the brand voice (no pun intended), as in almost every class, I had felt that.
It felt distracting and, often, elementary. If I could get past that, it would have been good, but I could not.
Equipment
Pvolve Pvolve requires specific equipment, such as the P.ball, P.band, and P.3 Trainer, which are designed to enhance functional movements and resistance training. This equipment is essential for gaining the full benefit of the Pvolve Method. That can get pricy. However, I also found dupes, and I will link some below; they work GREAT. They are fantastic substitutes. I’m all about saving money, and I did invest in Pvolve for myself and my adult daughter; she wanted the method mat, which I skipped as I had a mat with lines already, but we did the alternatives for everything else.
At first, I didn’t think it would matter to use equipment, but if you’ve ever been to physical therapy, you know how vital form and function can be; the equipment is very useful, and I felt stronger after just a couple of weeks. It’s a yes for me on Pvolve. But keep reading why 🙂
Oh, wait! I forgot! They offer live classes as well so you can dive into a Zoom and see your class and the teacher- for those who want a very personal class feel – that’s an option and a great one. I enjoy those on weekends usually and do my others during the week.
Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+ does not require specialized equipment. Workouts can be done with or without basic fitness gear such as dumbbells or yoga mats. While the Apple Watch enhances the experience by providing real-time data, it is not mandatory. You don’t even need the watch but it is helpful. Also, they offer rowing, treadmills, and cycling– all of which can be any equipment you have. They also provide a ton of other classes.
The sheer variety and accessibility is a yes for me.
Peloton Peloton offers high-end sounding equipment, including the Peloton Bike and Peloton Tread. I know that there have been injuries on them, and I find them exuberantly expensive; as a financial therapist, this is a no for me when any cycle can work. I feel they do not consider that, so their classes are very “their equipment” focused, which also is a no for me. I should mention –to be fair– I did not purchase their bike or treadmill, and so my review is undoubtedly based on just their instruction.
Investing in this proprietary hardware provides the full Peloton experience, though they also offer app-based workouts for those who do not have the equipment. I found the app to be just okay, and I’m still hyper-focused on the equipment. The initial cost can be high, but the quality and community aspects are significant draws for those who want to “high five” one of several hundred cyclists in the middle of your workout. Also, the app was often dark; I also get this is their brand voice; they want that club feel, and it is hip if you like that kind of thing. That wasn’t my cup of tea.
*While I get a small commission from Amazon, it is of no extra cost to you. This helps me to continue to create free services and outreach*
Content
Pvolve Pvolve provides a huge library of on-demand classes and structured programs focusing on guided workouts emphasizing precision and form. The content is tailored to ensure that every movement contributes to functional fitness and body sculpting. You will feel like you are in a group physical therapy class that wants you to be strong. You’ll feel motivated but not talked “at” but talked “to” which is nice.
Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+ boasts an extensive library of on-demand classes with new content added regularly. Coupled with professional trainers, the variety of workout styles and durations ensures that there’s always something new and exciting to try. Personalized workout suggestions based on your activity levels help keep you on track. I also like their programs and collections. For instance, they have guest athletes coaching you through walking programs; they have a “first 5k” program, beginner programs, and athletic programs, and they even have artists spotlights and music spotlights. You can alter the atmosphere. For instance, if you are in the mood for rock and running, you can do it. Tomorrow, it can be a disco theme. It’s extremely intuitive and there’s so much in the app I can’t even get into it all in one blog post as it would eat up the space for Peloton and Pvolve.
Peloton Peloton offers a vast library of live and on-demand classes with high production quality. The diverse workout styles and the strong community aspect, featuring leaderboards and class participation, enhance motivation and engagement. The charismatic instructors and the ability to participate in live classes create an immersive fitness experience. While it is not my favorite, I appreciate their brand voice; their voice isn’t talking to me, but it might be talking to you, so check them out.
Pricing
I’m going to be vague with pricing as it can change, and they offer discounts often.
Pvolve Pvolve operates on a subscription model with monthly or annual fees. The cost varies depending on the plan and whether equipment is included. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a targeted functional fitness approach without breaking the bank. For instance, you can just get the program for about $14 a month and get your equipment or slowly get it through their store or buy a bundle, which is near everything or everything through them.
Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+ is offering three months free right now and is otherwise priced at about $9.99 per month or a discounted annual. It’s also available as part of the Apple One Premier bundle, which offers excellent value if you’re already an Apple user. This affordable pricing makes it accessible to a wide range of users. I do the bundle because I like all the bells and whistles of Apple News, magazines, fitness, and so much more.
Peloton Peloton’s digital app subscription is $12.99 monthly, while the All-Access Membership for bike and tread users is $44 monthly. The high initial cost of purchasing the bike or tread is a consideration, but the quality and community aspects often justify the investment for dedicated users. When I looked at them, bikes were over $2000, but I see that they also offer rentals for about $90 a month.
User Experience
Pvolve Pvolve offers personalized and detailed workouts that focus on functional fitness. The low-impact and precise movements suit those seeking a scientific approach to their fitness.
Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+ seamlessly integrates with Apple devices, offering a cohesive and user-friendly experience. The wide range of workout options and personalized recommendations cater to various fitness levels and preferences, making it an inclusive choice for many users. If you want variety and know-how, this is for you.
Peloton Peloton delivers a high-energy, community-focused experience. The live classes and leaderboards foster a sense of competition and camaraderie, enhancing motivation and engagement. The high-quality production and charismatic instructors create an immersive and enjoyable workout environment.
The Verdict
Both Apple Fitness + and Pvolve
- Apple Fitness + for my cardio and general strength training and class variety
- Pvolve for lean muscle building, increasing overall strength (including the pelvic floor), mobility, session variety, and live classes.
Together, they are still less expensive than going to a gym; you get lots of choices, and you can even get personal custom input on the live classes.
Financial Therapist Approved √
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