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The best air bikes are different from standard exercise bikes in a few key ways. First, they usually include elliptical-style handles that you push and pull in tandem with your pedaling, thus providing the kind of full-body workout you won’t find on most bikes. Second, air bikes are motorless — resistance is generated naturally by the fan at...
The post The 6 Best Air Bikes of 2023 appeared first on BarBend.
The best air bikes are different from standard exercise bikes in a few key ways. First, they usually include elliptical-style handles that you push and pull in tandem with your pedaling, thus providing the kind of full-body workout you won’t find on most bikes. Second, air bikes are motorless — resistance is generated naturally by the fan at the front of the bike, which spins in accordance with your movements. Like curved treadmills, the harder you push, the harder the machine pushes back.
Though air bikes are easier on the joints than treadmills, their self-powered design makes for moderate- to high-intensity exercise that can be difficult to sustain over long periods. They are, however, perfect for quick and intense full-body workouts that can torch calories while strengthening the arms, glutes, quads, and core. You can browse our picks for the best air bikes below, but be forewarned: This may be the beginning of a love-hate relationship.
Best Air Bikes of 2023
How We Tested the Best Mini Exercise Bikes
Believe us when we say that the athletes, certified personal trainers, and fitness enthusiasts at BarBend can get as winded on air bikes as casual riders. Over the years, we’ve put our feet to the pedals of various models, taking into account how they perform during moderate rides, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and grueling sprints. What we found has helped us zero in on the key features one should look for in an air bike.
We tested more than a dozen different air bikes from a variety of brands, focusing on models that were designed to withstand the intensity that comes with sweat-drenched cardio bursts. As such, stability and durability were at the forefront of our minds, as were questions of ongoing maintenance and overall weight. We also considered the user experience, from the adjustability of the seats to the amount of noise generated by the fan. We also know budget is a factor, so we sought to provide options that won’t make it feel like your money’s been swept away in a gust of air.
Best Air Bike Overall: Rogue Echo Air Bike
Rogue Echo Air Bike
Rogue Echo Air Bike
This bike offers a low impact workout that includes upper body work as well thanks to its moving arms. The Rogue Echo Air Bike’s LCD display allows you to select from modes like intervals, targeting time, distance, calories, and heart rate tracking.
Shop Rogue
Specs
Pros
Cons
Our pick for the best overall air bike is the Rogue Echo, which is one of the quieter models on the market thanks to its precision steel fan blades and the reinforced rubber belt of its drive system.
Our testernoted how the Echo’s reinforced, overbuilt steel frame makes it “sturdier than most” air bikes, adding that it reduces wobbling and swaying to give riders “a solid foundation for even the strongest of bursts.” Knurled 4.5-inch rotating foot pegs provide a place for your feet if you’re just in the mood to work your arms. The Echo also secures the bike with rubber leveling feet under each base tube. Rogue claims these can “adapt to your flooring” and help level the bike, even on uneven surfaces.
The bike can adapt to athletes of varying body types thanks to the seat’s eight different height settings and five front-to-back settings. The Echo’s latest model, the 3.0, improves upon its predecessor by moving the adjustment knob to the back of the seat post to help prevent loose clothing and headphone wires from catching on it. Unfortunately, there’s still nowhere to store your phone or water bottle.
The 3.0’s 5’’ x 8’’ console is larger than the 2.0’s 6.4” x 3.4’’ one, but you still won’t be able to stream any workouts on it. You can, however, connect it to Bluetooth and ANT+, thus allowing users to track their intervals, distance, calories burned, and more via compatible fitness trackers and apps. You can also link up the Echo with a heart rate monitor to take advantage of its Heart Rate Tracking mode, which accompanies the pre-loaded interval and target programs on the console.
The Echo, however, is one of the heaviest bikes on the market at 123 pounds. It’s also both longer and wider than the average air bike by several inches, so it may not be the best pick for those working out in tight spaces or equipment-clogged gyms. For some, though, wider and heavier air bikes are preferred, as they can provide a more stable base during moments of high intensity.
Read our full Rogue Echo Air Bike Review.
Best Air Bike for Beginners: Assault Fitness Air Bike Classic
Assault AirBike
Assault AirBike
The Assault AirBike is a moderately priced bike with a solid build that features a powder-coated steel frame. It’s an upright indoor bike with moving arms that’s designed to burn calories and integrate seamlessly into cross-training and interval workouts.
Shop Assault
Specs
Pros
Cons
Switching from an elliptical or an electric exercise bike to an air bike can be daunting, but the Assault Air Bike Classic (also known as the AirBike) eases riders in with a series of interval programs and goal workouts to help them get comfortable.
Give your legs a rest and focus on your arms with the AirBike’s steel pegs.
Since it’s powered by the intensity of your movements, the Airbike is capable of infinite resistance levels. This makes it ideal for beginners, who can start by setting their own pace and slowly ramp up over time. The bike is particularly useful for interval training, which you can get a taste of with the seven HIIT, Tabata, and stamina workouts available via the console.
The steel frame comes with a corrosion-resistant powder coat, and the extra-wide metal pedals have been reinforced for added durability. Its pivots and moving parts, meanwhile, have been fortified with 20 sealed cartridge bearings that work to prolong its life. According to our tester, the AirBike could “last decades” in a home gym with proper maintenance.
The AirBike’s LCD console, which features seven pre-loaded workouts.
That said, the bike’s chain-driven operation is likely to be louder than what you’ll get from a belt-driven bike, so you’ll want to make sure nobody’s asleep nearby when you hop on. And if you like to watch TV as you ride, you’ll really need to crank up the volume.
Beginners may also like the bike’s low-tech design, which negates the need to fiddle with settings or levels — your workout begins when you start pedaling. There are no built-in speakers or Bluetooth compatibility. It does have a water bottle holder, but there’s nowhere to set your phone or tablet. The good news, though, is that its self-powered design requires no power, so you can set it up outside on sunny days. Moving it back inside is easy, too, thanks to its built-in transport wheels.
https://youtu.be/ok34YSJqQgEVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Assault AirBike Review (2022) — Feel the BURN? (https://youtu.be/ok34YSJqQgE)
Whether you’re pedaling or posted up on its pegs for an upper-body workout, the AirBike will make you sweat. As BarBend’s Jake Herod says in the above video, “It tends to kick my butt every time I get on.”
Read our full Assault Air Bike Classic Review.
Best Budget Air Bike: Titan Fan Bike
Titan Fan Bike
Titan Fan Bike
Heavy-duty and budget-friendly, the Titan Fan Bike is forged from powder-coated steel with sealed cartridge bearings in every pivot. Solid and stable at 111 pounds, the bike also includes 10-inch turf tires and a knurled steel handle that eases the pain of transport.
Shop Titan
Specs
Pros
Cons
Our pick for the best budget air bike is the Titan Fan Bike, which doesn’t compromise on quality despite costing roughly $100 to $200 less than the average air bike.
Unlike many bikes at its price point, the Titan Fan Bike comes with transport-friendly turf tires, knurled steel pegs and handles, a smartphone holder, and storage for water bottles and phones. It also includes an air shield that prevents the flywheel’s gust from blowing in your face.
At 111 pounds, it’s also surprisingly robust for its cost. Forged from heavy-duty steel with a corrosion-resistant powder coat, it fortifies its pivots with sealed cartridge bearings that can prolong the bike’s life and reduce its need for routine maintenance.
That said, this is a chain-driven bike, so you’ll still want to lubricate and check the tension of the chains on a monthly basis. It’s also worth noting that chain-driven bikes tend to be louder than air bikes that utilize a belt-driven system. As such, belt-driven bikes, on average, cost more than chain-driven ones.
If you can live with the noise, it’s likely you’ll be happy with the amount of power you can get out of the machine. As one five-star review puts it, “I love the effects and results I’m seeing because of the work. I love the price point for the quality of the machine. I love how easy the machine was to put together and how easy it is to adjust heights for different riders.”
Other reviews cite the bike’s usefulness for Crossfit-style workouts and hefty build. “It is a tad heavier… but also much more rugged,” reads one review.
After settling into its extra-wide padded seat, you can pedal at your own pace or choose from interval training and target-oriented modes via the high-contrast LCD display. In addition to logging time, distance, and calories burned, the display is also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can link up a heart rate monitor. A heart rate monitor isn’t included, but the bucks you’re saving on the bike may allow you to pick up one yourself.
Best Premium Air Bike: Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
Bells of Steel's Blitz Air Bike 2.0 utilizes a belt-driven operation that's quieter and requires less maintenance than chain-driven bikes. It also provides a handful of creature comforts, including rubber hand grips, a removable fan guard, and a seat with 10 different height adjustments.
Shop Bells of Steel
Specs
Pros
Cons
If you appreciate the finer things in life, you’ll find plenty to love about Bells of Steel’s Blitz Air Bike 2.0. It pampers the rider with rubber hand grips, storage for phones and water bottles, and a seat that can be adjusted up, down, forward, and back. Also, if you like the breeze in your hair, it’s got an extra-large 25-inch fan (with a removable guard) that can produce a lot of resistance.
A big fan doesn’t always mean a louder ride, however. The Blitz eschews the chain-driven operation you’ll find on many air bikes for a belt-driven one that works to reduce noise and provide smoother transitions, which is especially nice during interval training. Also, belt-driven air bikes tend to need less maintenance than chain-driven ones, which require routine lubrication.
Its premium features extend to its construction, which contains plenty of steel with a powder coat that can help resist rust and corrosion. It’s also got a pair of knurled foot pegs for those times you want to give your legs a rest and focus on the bike’s upper-body workout. The bike is heavy at 118 pounds, but it can support up to 350 pounds, which is above average for an air bike. Also, hefty bikes tend to have less sway than lighter ones, especially when you factor in the Blitz’s 23-inch wide feet.
Several reviews call out the bike’s solid build and quiet operation. “The belt drive is quiet, nothing squeaks, and the pedals and handles feel smooth. Going all out and the bike still feels sturdy,” reads one five-star review.
You can track RPM, speed, time, distance, calories, watts, and heart rate via the built-in console, which comes pre-loaded with target-oriented programs and ones designed to ease you into interval training. One feature it lacks, however, is Bluetooth and ANT+ compatibility, though you can link up a heart rate device that uses analog 5kHz frequency. Still, as one reviewer declared, the Blitz is a “real luxury to have in a home gym.”
Best Heavy Duty Air Bike: Schwinn AD7
Schwinn AD7
...
Click here to view the article.
The post The 6 Best Air Bikes of 2023 appeared first on BarBend.
The best air bikes are different from standard exercise bikes in a few key ways. First, they usually include elliptical-style handles that you push and pull in tandem with your pedaling, thus providing the kind of full-body workout you won’t find on most bikes. Second, air bikes are motorless — resistance is generated naturally by the fan at the front of the bike, which spins in accordance with your movements. Like curved treadmills, the harder you push, the harder the machine pushes back.
Though air bikes are easier on the joints than treadmills, their self-powered design makes for moderate- to high-intensity exercise that can be difficult to sustain over long periods. They are, however, perfect for quick and intense full-body workouts that can torch calories while strengthening the arms, glutes, quads, and core. You can browse our picks for the best air bikes below, but be forewarned: This may be the beginning of a love-hate relationship.
Best Air Bikes of 2023
- Best Air Bike Overall: Rogue Echo Air Bike
- Best Air Bike for Beginners: Assault Fitness Air Bike Classic
- Best Budget Air Bike: Titan Fan Bike
- Best Premium Air Bike: Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
- Best Heavy Duty Air Bike: Schwinn AD7
- Best Air Bike Without Arms: Concept2 Bike Erg
How We Tested the Best Mini Exercise Bikes
Believe us when we say that the athletes, certified personal trainers, and fitness enthusiasts at BarBend can get as winded on air bikes as casual riders. Over the years, we’ve put our feet to the pedals of various models, taking into account how they perform during moderate rides, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and grueling sprints. What we found has helped us zero in on the key features one should look for in an air bike.
We tested more than a dozen different air bikes from a variety of brands, focusing on models that were designed to withstand the intensity that comes with sweat-drenched cardio bursts. As such, stability and durability were at the forefront of our minds, as were questions of ongoing maintenance and overall weight. We also considered the user experience, from the adjustability of the seats to the amount of noise generated by the fan. We also know budget is a factor, so we sought to provide options that won’t make it feel like your money’s been swept away in a gust of air.
Best Air Bike Overall: Rogue Echo Air Bike
Rogue Echo Air Bike
Rogue Echo Air Bike
This bike offers a low impact workout that includes upper body work as well thanks to its moving arms. The Rogue Echo Air Bike’s LCD display allows you to select from modes like intervals, targeting time, distance, calories, and heart rate tracking.
Shop Rogue
Specs
- Price: $795
- Weight Capacity: 330lbs
- Dimensions: 52.25’’ H x 55’’ L x 29.5’’ W
- Weight: 123lbs
Pros
- The Rogue Echo is forged from reinforced, powder-coated steel for a stable ride.
- Its belt-driven operation is quieter and requires less maintenance than chain-driven bikes.
- The padded seat has eight different height settings and five front-to-back settings.
- You can connect to fitness trackers and apps via Bluetooth or ANT+.
Cons
- It’s longer and wider than your average air bike by several inches, so those looking to save space may want a smaller model.
- There’s no storage for water bottles and phones.
Our pick for the best overall air bike is the Rogue Echo, which is one of the quieter models on the market thanks to its precision steel fan blades and the reinforced rubber belt of its drive system.
Our testernoted how the Echo’s reinforced, overbuilt steel frame makes it “sturdier than most” air bikes, adding that it reduces wobbling and swaying to give riders “a solid foundation for even the strongest of bursts.” Knurled 4.5-inch rotating foot pegs provide a place for your feet if you’re just in the mood to work your arms. The Echo also secures the bike with rubber leveling feet under each base tube. Rogue claims these can “adapt to your flooring” and help level the bike, even on uneven surfaces.
The bike can adapt to athletes of varying body types thanks to the seat’s eight different height settings and five front-to-back settings. The Echo’s latest model, the 3.0, improves upon its predecessor by moving the adjustment knob to the back of the seat post to help prevent loose clothing and headphone wires from catching on it. Unfortunately, there’s still nowhere to store your phone or water bottle.
The 3.0’s 5’’ x 8’’ console is larger than the 2.0’s 6.4” x 3.4’’ one, but you still won’t be able to stream any workouts on it. You can, however, connect it to Bluetooth and ANT+, thus allowing users to track their intervals, distance, calories burned, and more via compatible fitness trackers and apps. You can also link up the Echo with a heart rate monitor to take advantage of its Heart Rate Tracking mode, which accompanies the pre-loaded interval and target programs on the console.
The Echo, however, is one of the heaviest bikes on the market at 123 pounds. It’s also both longer and wider than the average air bike by several inches, so it may not be the best pick for those working out in tight spaces or equipment-clogged gyms. For some, though, wider and heavier air bikes are preferred, as they can provide a more stable base during moments of high intensity.
Read our full Rogue Echo Air Bike Review.
Best Air Bike for Beginners: Assault Fitness Air Bike Classic
Assault AirBike
Assault AirBike
The Assault AirBike is a moderately priced bike with a solid build that features a powder-coated steel frame. It’s an upright indoor bike with moving arms that’s designed to burn calories and integrate seamlessly into cross-training and interval workouts.
Shop Assault
Specs
- Price: $699
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Dimensions: 50’’ H x 50.95’’ L x 23.34’’ W
- Weight: 95.6lbs
Pros
- Beginners will like the seven different workouts pre-loaded into the bike’s console.
- It’s built to last with a durable, powder-coated steel frame and 20 sealed cartridge bearings.
- You can choose between six height options and move the seat forward and backwards.
- Its reinforced metal pedals are extra wide to cater to multiple foot sizes.
Cons
- The chain drive makes the Air Bike Classic louder than belt-driven air bikes.
- It has no built-in speakers or Bluetooth compatibility.
Switching from an elliptical or an electric exercise bike to an air bike can be daunting, but the Assault Air Bike Classic (also known as the AirBike) eases riders in with a series of interval programs and goal workouts to help them get comfortable.
Since it’s powered by the intensity of your movements, the Airbike is capable of infinite resistance levels. This makes it ideal for beginners, who can start by setting their own pace and slowly ramp up over time. The bike is particularly useful for interval training, which you can get a taste of with the seven HIIT, Tabata, and stamina workouts available via the console.
The steel frame comes with a corrosion-resistant powder coat, and the extra-wide metal pedals have been reinforced for added durability. Its pivots and moving parts, meanwhile, have been fortified with 20 sealed cartridge bearings that work to prolong its life. According to our tester, the AirBike could “last decades” in a home gym with proper maintenance.
That said, the bike’s chain-driven operation is likely to be louder than what you’ll get from a belt-driven bike, so you’ll want to make sure nobody’s asleep nearby when you hop on. And if you like to watch TV as you ride, you’ll really need to crank up the volume.
Beginners may also like the bike’s low-tech design, which negates the need to fiddle with settings or levels — your workout begins when you start pedaling. There are no built-in speakers or Bluetooth compatibility. It does have a water bottle holder, but there’s nowhere to set your phone or tablet. The good news, though, is that its self-powered design requires no power, so you can set it up outside on sunny days. Moving it back inside is easy, too, thanks to its built-in transport wheels.
https://youtu.be/ok34YSJqQgEVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Assault AirBike Review (2022) — Feel the BURN? (https://youtu.be/ok34YSJqQgE)
Whether you’re pedaling or posted up on its pegs for an upper-body workout, the AirBike will make you sweat. As BarBend’s Jake Herod says in the above video, “It tends to kick my butt every time I get on.”
Read our full Assault Air Bike Classic Review.
Best Budget Air Bike: Titan Fan Bike
Titan Fan Bike
Titan Fan Bike
Heavy-duty and budget-friendly, the Titan Fan Bike is forged from powder-coated steel with sealed cartridge bearings in every pivot. Solid and stable at 111 pounds, the bike also includes 10-inch turf tires and a knurled steel handle that eases the pain of transport.
Shop Titan
Specs
- Price: $699.99
- Weight Capacity: 330lbs
- Dimensions: 50’’ H x 50.5’’ L x 20.37’’ W
- Weight: 111lbs
Pros
- At just $699.99, this bike is roughly $100 to $200 cheaper than standard air bikes.
- It’s forged from powder-coated steel with sealed cartridge bearings in every pivot.
- You can link up heart rate monitors via Bluetooth.
- It’s got 10-inch turf tires and a knurled back handle for easy transport.
Cons
- Its chain-driven operation tends to be noisier than belt-driven bikes.
- The smartphone holder may be too small if your device is in a thick case.
Our pick for the best budget air bike is the Titan Fan Bike, which doesn’t compromise on quality despite costing roughly $100 to $200 less than the average air bike.
Unlike many bikes at its price point, the Titan Fan Bike comes with transport-friendly turf tires, knurled steel pegs and handles, a smartphone holder, and storage for water bottles and phones. It also includes an air shield that prevents the flywheel’s gust from blowing in your face.
At 111 pounds, it’s also surprisingly robust for its cost. Forged from heavy-duty steel with a corrosion-resistant powder coat, it fortifies its pivots with sealed cartridge bearings that can prolong the bike’s life and reduce its need for routine maintenance.
That said, this is a chain-driven bike, so you’ll still want to lubricate and check the tension of the chains on a monthly basis. It’s also worth noting that chain-driven bikes tend to be louder than air bikes that utilize a belt-driven system. As such, belt-driven bikes, on average, cost more than chain-driven ones.
If you can live with the noise, it’s likely you’ll be happy with the amount of power you can get out of the machine. As one five-star review puts it, “I love the effects and results I’m seeing because of the work. I love the price point for the quality of the machine. I love how easy the machine was to put together and how easy it is to adjust heights for different riders.”
Other reviews cite the bike’s usefulness for Crossfit-style workouts and hefty build. “It is a tad heavier… but also much more rugged,” reads one review.
After settling into its extra-wide padded seat, you can pedal at your own pace or choose from interval training and target-oriented modes via the high-contrast LCD display. In addition to logging time, distance, and calories burned, the display is also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can link up a heart rate monitor. A heart rate monitor isn’t included, but the bucks you’re saving on the bike may allow you to pick up one yourself.
Best Premium Air Bike: Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
Bells of Steel's Blitz Air Bike 2.0 utilizes a belt-driven operation that's quieter and requires less maintenance than chain-driven bikes. It also provides a handful of creature comforts, including rubber hand grips, a removable fan guard, and a seat with 10 different height adjustments.
Shop Bells of Steel
Specs
- Price: $759.99
- Weight Capacity: 350lbs
- Dimensions: 51’’ H x 53’’ L x 23’’ W
- Weight: 118lbs
Pros
- The flywheel’s quiet, belt-driven operation requires little long-term maintenance.
- Its creature comforts include rubber hand grips, knurled foot pegs, and a removable fan guard.
- The seat has 10 height adjustments and can be moved forward and backwards.
- Its powder-coated steel frame and wide 23-inch feet work to reduce sway.
Cons
- It has no Bluetooth or ANT+ compatibility.
- The console’s lack of backlight can make it tough to read.
If you appreciate the finer things in life, you’ll find plenty to love about Bells of Steel’s Blitz Air Bike 2.0. It pampers the rider with rubber hand grips, storage for phones and water bottles, and a seat that can be adjusted up, down, forward, and back. Also, if you like the breeze in your hair, it’s got an extra-large 25-inch fan (with a removable guard) that can produce a lot of resistance.
A big fan doesn’t always mean a louder ride, however. The Blitz eschews the chain-driven operation you’ll find on many air bikes for a belt-driven one that works to reduce noise and provide smoother transitions, which is especially nice during interval training. Also, belt-driven air bikes tend to need less maintenance than chain-driven ones, which require routine lubrication.
Its premium features extend to its construction, which contains plenty of steel with a powder coat that can help resist rust and corrosion. It’s also got a pair of knurled foot pegs for those times you want to give your legs a rest and focus on the bike’s upper-body workout. The bike is heavy at 118 pounds, but it can support up to 350 pounds, which is above average for an air bike. Also, hefty bikes tend to have less sway than lighter ones, especially when you factor in the Blitz’s 23-inch wide feet.
Several reviews call out the bike’s solid build and quiet operation. “The belt drive is quiet, nothing squeaks, and the pedals and handles feel smooth. Going all out and the bike still feels sturdy,” reads one five-star review.
You can track RPM, speed, time, distance, calories, watts, and heart rate via the built-in console, which comes pre-loaded with target-oriented programs and ones designed to ease you into interval training. One feature it lacks, however, is Bluetooth and ANT+ compatibility, though you can link up a heart rate device that uses analog 5kHz frequency. Still, as one reviewer declared, the Blitz is a “real luxury to have in a home gym.”
Best Heavy Duty Air Bike: Schwinn AD7
Schwinn AD7
...
Click here to view the article.
