How to Make the Peloton Seat More Comfortable
The most common questions I get from beginner Peloton users is how to make the Peloton seat more comfortable. And I get it. When I first started riding my Peloton back in 2016, my butt hurt. And I was someone who had taken spinning classes for years at my gym.
I don’t know if it is because you tend to ride your Peloton longer when you’re riding at home or more often or what. But it seems that everyone who gets a Peloton bike ends up wanting to know how to make the Peloton seat more comfortable. And for good reason.
Using the Peloton bike on a regular basis takes some getting used to. Last year I wrote a super popular blog post on the must-have accessories and add-ons you should get when you get a Peloton. That blog post included a section on padded shorts and seat covers. However, now that so many people want to know how to make the Peloton seat more comfortable, I’ve written this separate post on that topic.
How to make the Peloton seat more comfortable
So what is the secret to making the Peloton seat more comfortable? Well, there are a couple of things you need to do. This includes how you sit on the bike and what you sit on when you’re sitting on the bike.
Peloton seat setting
For starters, make sure that you’re riding in the right position for your bike. You want to make sure that the seat is positioned properly both horizontally and vertically.
As far as the vertical position for your seat, you’ll notice that your Peloton bike post goes from one to 26. For the horizontal seat position, you can move it forward to position A or all the way back to position J. (Unfortunately, unlike traditional spin bikes, you cannot move the Peloton handlebar position forward or back, just up and down. That’s super frustrating.)
If the Peloton bike seat hurts, check both positions. In addition, when it doubt move the seat up. I know that probably sounds counterintuitive for how to make the Peloton seat more comfortable. But I’ve found that if I get my seat to a place where my legs feel like they’re “floating” when I pedal and my leg isn’t fully extended–you never want your leg fully extended–then that’s the perfect height. So, for example, when I started riding, I had my seat at position 13. When my butt started hurting and I started playing around with the Peloton seat height, I landed just under position 17. It felt so much better. FYI, I’m 5’4″.
Padded bike shorts for Peloton
I went for years in spin class without wearing padded bike shorts. Then my Peloton came along. My husband was the first to invest in padded bike shorts for Peloton.
Padded shorts for men
He started out with padded bike shorts from Baleaf. Actually, he bought three or four. This way he didn’t have to wash the padded bike shorts after each ride. He could rotate them on a regular basis.
Since then, though, he’s tried out other brands of padded bike shorts for Peloton–or any bike you might be riding. Because my husband fits into the “big and tall” category, this is good information to have if you’re buying padded bike shorts for a Peloton rider who might be in the XXL Tribe.
Best Peloton Accessories: Men's Padded Bike Shorts
AERO|TECH|DESIGNS Men's Big Classic Padded Bike Shorts Cycling Bicycle Biking Navy 3XL
SILVINI Men's Padded Liner Shorts in Black for Cycling & All Other Outdoor Activities - Size 3XL
Beroy Men's Cycling underwear Shorts Bicycle underpants 3D padded bike Riding Briefs shorts,Navy,XXX-Large
Padded shorts for women
My female friends who ride a Peloton have been raving about padded bike shorts from the brand Terry. Previously, I, too, had worn Baleaf padded pants–actually, leggings–for women but found that the chamois padded was rubbing up again the saddle sore I’d developed during the last power zone challenge.
I ordered my Terry shorts over the holidays and now wonder why I’d waited so long to ride with padded shorts.
Why Terry padded shorts made a difference
Here’s where I noticed the difference with the Terry padding versus other pants I’ve tried before. The chamois extends beyond your butt and the padding itself. This helps you avoid chafing and getting saddle sores and hot spots. Wearing this Terry brand shorts, I was the most comfortable I’ve been riding since getting my Peloton cycle.
Side note: I was pretty thrilled to see that Terry offers what amounts to a lifetime guarantee called The Terry Guarantee. I love companies that stand behind the products they sell. Have you read my article on lifetime warranties and products guaranteed for life?
I’ll admit that the first time I wore padded shorts, I felt like I had a diaper on, lol. But let me tell you–wearing padded Terry shorts while spinning was a game changer!
Oh, also, you need to wear your padded bike shorts commando style. Turns out the edges of your underwear can dig in when you ride and could be causing saddle sores. More about Peloton saddle sores a little later.
Peloton seat cover
Another way to make the Peloton seat hurt a little less is to invest in a Peloton seat cover. As I said earlier, when we purchased our Peloton bike, I was not new to spinning. Even so, I had to admit it, the Peloton seat hurts. When you press on it, it seems squishy enough. But a couple of 45-minute Power Zone rides and, man, your butt hurts.
Nonetheless, I need some bottom relief, if you will. I needed a Peloton seat cover that would turn the Peloton bike seat into the most comfortable spin bike seat ever. Basically, I needed a Peloton bike seat cushion.
Why I chose this bike seat cushion cover
After reading reviews online for the best gel seat cover for a road bike–since riding on a Peloton is more akin to riding a road bike than a mountain bike–I settled on the Komfy gel bike seat. It really is the most comfortable spin bike seat I’ve ever used. You’ll want it as your Peloton seat cover. Here are other gel cushion seat covers that long-time Peloton users recommend as well.
Seat Covers and Cushions for Peloton Cycle
Why this is the most comfortable exercise bike seat ever
There are a number of the reasons I love the Komfy gel bike seat and think it is the best Peloton seat cushion or best Peloton bike seat cover for comfort.
First, it is adjustable. It fits perfectly on the Peloton bike seat and then you can cinch it around the back so it doesn’t slip around. This helps make this the best padded seat cover for Peloton and helps make the seat more comfortable.
Second, the seat is grooved. Unlike other gel bike seats that are solid and become lumpy, the Komfy gel bike seat has grooves it in. These grooves match up perfectly with how your bottom and butt line up with the seat.
Finally, that means that sensitive part of your body doesn’t hurt and never goes to sleep. (Have you ever had your butt go to sleep? Not fun.) So Komfy=best Peloton bike seat cover for comfort, get it?
Seat covers should be washable
If you are going to invest in a Peloton seat cushion, make sure you can wash it. Let’s be honest. Anything that you sweat on or into needs to be washed regularly. I wash my leggings and sports bra daily.
While I don’t wash the Komfy gel seat daily, I do toss it in the wash weekly. Quick tip: invest in a good mesh lingerie bag to wash the seat. It’s what I use to wash my sports bras (and regular bras) so that they don’t get tangled and destroyed in the wash. Hang the seat up to dry.
Wondering how to clean your Peloton? This blog post gives you all the tips you need to know.
More tips for how to make the Peloton seat more comfortable
If you’re still finding that the Peloton seat hurts, there are still more ways for how to make the Peloton seat more comfortable. Keep in mind it might have become a skincare issue.
First, don’t sit around in sweaty padded shorts after your class. That keeps your skin moist and can help create an environment for saddles sores.
Next, speaking of saddle sores, you may have them. For me saddles sores from my Peloton were more like painful, ingrown hair follicles where the back of my thigh met my butt cheeks.
Products you can buy for comfort
I’ve recently invested in two skincare products that have helped tremendously. Don’t judge me on the names but here you. One is called Hoo Ha Ride Glide Chamois Cream and the other is Body Glide Cycle Chamois Balm.
Products to Help If Peloton Bike Seat Hurts
If you're finding that the Peloton bike seat hurts, here are a few of my favorite products to help it hurt less.
This is the Komfy bike seat cover.
These Terry padded shorts are made just for women.
I don't ride now without putting on this chamois cream.
I also invested in this Cycle Glide and alternate it with the chamois cream.
Get a professional bike fit
Finally, if all of these tips aren’t answering your quest on how to make the Peloton seat more comfortable, go to your local bike shop and get professionally measured. Some have reported getting bike shop employees to come to them to fit them right on their Peloton at home. One of the recommendations may be to tip the “nose” of the seat down.
The bike shop may suggest a replacement seat for your Peloton bike. They may take into consideration the Peloton bike seat dimensions and compare it with the dimensions of your butt. I’m not kidding.
Some cyclists swear that the best way to get the most comfortable bike seat is to have your sitz or sit bones measured (literally, the bones you sit on that are underneath the skin of your backside), and then match a seat based on those dimensions. So don’t assume you need a bigger Peloton seat or a smaller Peloton seat without conferring with a professional first.
Finally, I’ve put together a shopping list together over on Amazon for all of the products I’ve mentioned here and more.
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The post How to Make the Peloton Seat More Comfortable appeared first on Leah Ingram.
