Call it a reverse Peloton. Toronto-base Aviron, best known for its connected rower, has released a stationary bike. The Fit Bike runs $2,400, though the company has taken $400 off the price right out of the gate. That places the system between Peloton’s entry-level Bike ($1,500) and Bike+ ($2,500).
Like Peloton, Aviron’s real play is content. At $29 a month, the service is $15 less than Peloton’s. It’s presumably also less pricey to produce, as the company’s play revolves around games, rather than studio-based instructors.
In its press material, Aviron promises to turn “addictive game secrets into habit-forming fitness.” What that means in practice is that the 22-inch display shows custom-built games that respond to the workouts. Those are available in multiplayer mode to compete against other rowers; nothing like healthy competition to get the blood pumping.
Aviron offers classes, as well, along with access to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, Paramount+, Max and YouTube, along with Spotify integration. If you’d rather chill out and enjoy some video scenery, that’s an option, too. The system has Bluetooth connectivity and a pair of speakers built-in. The pedal system utilizes electromagnetic resistance.
Aviron began life as a YC-backed gym equipment maker before pivoting to the home market during the pandemic. The startup released its Rower in 2022, which runs the same price as the new bike. There’s also the cheaper Go model, which swaps the built-in display for iPad compatibility at $1,300. Peloton launched its own $3,200 rower later that same year.