Assuming you're going to pay a monthly fee for bike classes anyway, why not get the bike for free?

Here's the thing about a Peloton bike, Echelon bike or the like: You have to buy not only the very pricey hardware, but also the fitness-class subscription. A Peloton, for example, costs a hefty $2,245, and then you're on the hook for $39 a month. Echelon offers bikes for less (including a few under $1,000), but the accompanying class plan runs $40 a month.

Ah, but what if you could pay that same rate and get a bike effectively for free? You can: For a limited time, the ProForm Studio Bike Limited White Edition is $39 a month for three years -- iFit membership included. (Note that this deal was previously for the Studio Pro, but the two models appear to be virtually identical.)

Read more: The best at-home fitness equipment for 2020

OK, so this is basically a 0%-interest financing plan, one that totals out to $1,403 after three years. But there's no up-front cost -- even shipping is free -- and when you're done, you own the bike. Yes, you'll have to continue paying $39 a month if you still want iFit classes, though there are discounts available if you prepay for a year or http://soulofcricketer.website2.me/blog/dhoni-s-bike-hellcat-price more.

I haven't tried the Studio Bike Limited myself, but it resembles the very good NordicTrack S15i I reviewed in my roundup of Peloton alternatives that cost less. No surprise there: Parent company Icon Health and Fitness owns both NordicTrack and ProForm, as well as iFit, among other brands.

Read more: How to build your own smart bike on the cheap  

The bike features a silent flywheel, height-adjustable seat and handlebars, digital resistance settings, 3-pound hand weights and a 10-inch touchscreen that can turn 180 degrees in either direction -- helpful for any off-bike classes you want to take.

Speaking of classes, iFit serves up a wide variety of on-demand ones -- not just biking, but also high-intensity interval training, strength training, yoga and so on. Two things I particularly like: The virtual rides (in which you follow your instructor on gorgeous real-world trails) and the "live" resistance control, meaning the instructor changes your bike's resistance settings during your class or ride.

Note that ProForm also offers its Carbon E7 elliptical on the same terms ($0 down, $39 a month for 36 months). This is actually my preferred form of indoor exercise, though I haven't been able to find any reviews of the machine itself.

Obviously at-home fitness is more important than ever right now. If you've considered an indoor bike (or elliptical) but balked at the high price of the equipment, here's your chance to get that equipment at a low monthly cost -- provided you're willing to pay it for three years.

Your thoughts?

Originally published earlier this year. Updated to reflect new information. Removed expired bonus deals.

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