If you’re looking at the Peloton Tread+, here’s what you see: A big ol’ chunk of hardware that dominates your living room space. A big screen. A fat belt.
And the promise of the best treadmill money can buy for running. But you’ve already got a Peloton Tread, a regular one, and that thing’s just fine. That treadmill run.
Sweat drip from you onto it. So why would you even consider upgrading? The Tread+ isn’t good or bad.
That’s easy to say. The Tread+ is good. The more difficult question: Is it worth the additional expense?
That’s because most of those people asking are satisfied with what they have. They’re not seeking a new exercise routine. They want an excuse to drop some coin.
Or maybe they feel like they got a bum deal. Here’s how I’m going to break it down for you. I’m going to show you exactly what the difference is in the day-to-day use, the mechanics, and the screen.
Is it a must-have or merely a nice to have? The verdict may surprise you.
Key Differences Between Peloton Tread Models
The Moving Display Advantage
First, the display is the most noticeable upgrade.
While the standard Tread has a fixed display, the Tread+ has a bigger screen that move up and down. The moving screen sounds like a game changer on paper. In practice, it’s more of a comfort feature.
Your body naturaly leans forward slightly when you’re running. So if the screen is fixed, you have to either crane your neck up or look down a little bit. The moving screen lets you find your natural running form with the display always at eye level.
That’s a small thing, but it matters for long sessions. After a while, your neck might start to feel tense. With the standard Tread, you’ll notice the difference after an hour of running.
You probably won’t notice it after twenty minutes.
Shock Absorption and Joint Comfort
And then there’s the issue of comfort. The Tread+ has an improved shock absorption system.
Peloton positions this as being joint friendly. And it is. The bottom of the belt is softer to stand on.
It absorb impacts more effectively. The higher cost is worth it if you run regularly. It reduces stress on your hips and knees, especially when running frequently (three days a week or more).
The extra cushioning makes high mileage feel easier on the feet. The regular Tread isn’t bad. It are responsive.
But it’s not so forgiving. If you’re someone with sore joints, the upgrade can be important. For younger folks in good health, it is perhaps less important.
You are paying for longevity, not only of the machine but also of yourself.
Content Library Comparison
There are more class. The Tread+ opens up new kinds of content.
Dedicated running classes seem more tuned for the machine. Other parts of the Peloton ecosystem become more integrated. And the base Tread receive some upgrades as well.
The content difference when the Tread+ came out was huge. The content difference is smaller now. Most of the best instructors are on both platforms.
Community: you don’t miss out. You miss a few specific workouts. Usually, that’s not enough to swing an upgrade decision.
Both libraries is massive. There’s plenty to watch on either.
Cost and Value Analysis
It’s also expensive.
Like really expensive. The Tread+ is much more expensive than the standard. What will you do with all of that cash?
Get a massage gun? Eat healthier? Take a vacation?
Is this a need or a want? This is a nice-to-have, not a must-have. Your existing Tread is fine if it’s working for you.
The experience is basically the same. You sweat, become fitter, and feel great. The Tread+ takes that and makes it nicer.
Edges are smoother. Screen is easier on the eyes. Landing is less jarring.
Overall, it feels more high-end. And that comes at a cost. That is always the trade-off.
Who Should Upgrade
Who should upgrade? Well, runners who put in a lot of miles on it: Upgrade. Runners with knee problems should upgrade.
Runners obsessed with ergonomics should upgrade. Everyone else: Wait. Your machine runs great already.
It gets the job done. This one here (the Tread+), it’s a similar tool. Same deal.
It is just shinier. It is also squishier. It has a moving screen.
See what you think: Does it make a difference for you? Or would you rather save some money and get by? Most folks end up running better mostly because they want to.
It is not necessarily because the belt feels softer. If you can swing it though, once you give yourself the added comfort, it’s tough not to notice. Whether or not you need that luxurius is another matter entirely.
