Here's the Gist
I wrote this guide for Indoor Cycling Love to help you navigate the process of choosing the perfect air exercise bike. These fan-powered machines provide intense full-body workouts, but they differ significantly from standard spin bikes in noise, size, and functionality.
- Air bikes range from $250 to $800, and I recommend targeting around $500 to ensure solid quality and performance.
- Check weight and height limits carefully, as capacities vary widely from 113kg on entry models like the Schwinn AD2 to 160kg on the AD8.
- These machines are large and heavy, so measure your workout area first and prioritize models equipped with transport wheels for easier relocation.
- Well-known brands like Schwinn, Assault Fitness, and Concept2 offer superior commercial-grade durability, higher resale value, and readily available replacement parts.
- Bigger fans generate more resistance, provide a better feel, and produce a nice breeze, while smaller fans run quieter with lower resistance.
- Choose a model with a clear LCD screen to monitor vital training metrics like time, intensity, and calories burned during workouts.
Indoor cycling is a huge amount of fun. In modern times, you have a lot of different choices when it comes to types of bikes and, even more so, different specifications within them. A bike that has hugely increased in popularity in recent years is the Air Bike.
Air bikes are very different from your typical spin bikes and exercise bikes. Knowing what to choose can be very complicated. In this article, we’re going to be telling you everything you need to know about when it comes to getting your dream bike. We will be discussing:
- What Is An Air Bike?
- Is An Air Bike For You?
- Factors When Choosing An Air Exercise Bike
What Is An Air Bike?
An air bike is an exercise bike that generates resistance by a large fan. They are often seen in gyms and used for high-intensity interval training. They generally don’t have a resistance dial, and the quicker you pedal, the harder the work is.
You can tell it is an air bike because of its upright riding position, huge fan at the front, and high handles. They typically don’t come with many interactive capabilities but are more of a bike used in circuit training or CrossFit gyms.
Another important feature of an air bike is the handles. Instead of typical bike handlebars, they have handles you push back and forward, which work in conjunction with the pedals. This makes for a full-body workout and one of the best benefits of using an air bike.
Is An Air Bike For You?
Before we get into the factors you need to consider when looking at air bikes, it’s important to ask yourself, “Is an Air Bike for me?” At Indoor Cycling Love, we care about your needs regarding an indoor bike, and air bikes are not for everyone.
Air bikes are not your typical Peloton or Spinning bike. They have very limited interactive capabilities, are designed for short and sharp workouts, are very noisy, and can take up a lot of space. They are amazing for a workout, but it’s not your typical spinning experience.
Check out my YouTube video, where I describe exactly what you have to think about before buying an air exercise bike!
6 Factors When Choosing An Air Exercise Bike
There are many factors when it comes to choosing an air bike. Here’s what I feel are the most important factors that you need to think about.
1. Cost
The first point to mention is cost. Most air bikes range from around $250 to $800, a fairly wide range. When it comes to air bikes, you definitely get what you pay for. If you invest good money, you get an excellent bike, go cheap, and get something basic.
I recommend going for a bike for around $500. If not, you need to pay more attention to the next factors to ensure it will work for you and give you a good experience.
2. User Specifications
Next, we have user specifications, and with this, we speak about the weight capacity and height range. It needs to work for you, so it’s always worth checking. Although most have very high limits, some don’t, and that voids the warranty.
A good example is the Schwinn Airdyne AD2, which says it has a weight limit of 113kg, while the Schwinn Airdyne AD8 has a capacity of 160kg. That’s a huge difference, and you don’t want to find yourself pushing the tolerance of an air bike.
3. Size
Air bikes are not small, and they are not super lightweight either. It’s good to measure the space you have and also get the measurements of the air bike. I have seen many people surprised at the size of some air bikes once they are home and built.
It’s also good to look out for transport wheels. Not all air bikes have them, and they make the bike so much easier to move around freely. They are a must-have if you use it in a place different from where you store it.
4. Brand
After using many air bikes personally, I have noticed a big difference between well-known branded bikes and lesser-known branded bikes. The well-known brands have an amazing overall quality and are made for commercial use. Compared to the lesser known brands for home use.
Top brands are incredibly hard-wearing, and another big factor is the resale value is much higher, and spares are much easier to get. I also feel a lot more research and development goes into the products from brands such as Schwinn, Assault Fitness, Concept2, and Sunny Health and Fitness, to name a few.
5. Fan Size
Then we have fan size. The fan generates the resistance and is the main piece on an air bike, like a flywheel on a spinning bike. A smaller fan will generate less resistance at speed but will be quieter.
A large fan will generate lots of resistance, but it’s much noisier. I think a bigger fan has a much better feel than a smaller fan that spins up quickly. Plus, the breeze of a bigger fan is amazing.
6. Screen
Generally, air bikes don’t come with huge screens. You can get some great LCDs though. Although it might not be your first thought, they add a huge amount to the experience, and knowing the time you are training, the intensity, and the calories makes for way more interesting workouts.
A Final Note
Thanks for taking the time to check out our article on air bikes. When looking for the right one, getting lost in certain areas, such as cost, is easy. Sticking to these factors above can help keep your head straight and also help you tick the correct boxes for the perfect bike for you.
Quick Answers
How does an air bike work?
An air bike generates resistance through a large front fan instead of a dial—the quicker you pedal, the harder the work is. It features handles that push back and forward in conjunction with the pedals, creating a challenging, full-body workout designed for short, sharp interval sessions.
How much should I spend on an air bike?
Most air bikes range from around $250 to $800. You definitely get what you pay for, with cheaper options offering a very basic experience. I recommend spending around $500 to ensure you get an excellent bike that works well for your training.
How does fan size affect an air bike workout?
The fan generates your resistance. A smaller fan creates less resistance at speed and runs quieter. A large fan is much noisier, but it generates lots of resistance, provides an amazing cooling breeze, and offers a much better overall feel than a small fan.
What is the weight limit on an air bike?
Weight limits vary significantly between models. For example, the Schwinn Airdyne AD2 has a limit of 113kg, while the Schwinn Airdyne AD8 supports up to 160kg. I always recommend checking user specifications before buying so you don't push the bike's tolerance and void the warranty.
Are name brand air bikes worth the extra money?
Yes. Top brands like Schwinn, Assault Fitness, Concept2, and Sunny Health and Fitness put more research into their bikes and build them for commercial use. They are extremely hard-wearing, hold a much higher resale value, and make it far easier to get spare parts compared to lesser-known brands.
