Best Air Resistance Fan Bike – Introduction
What is the best air bike for your home gym today?
While all types of exercise are essential, you could argue that cardio is the most critical.
Cardio can help you burn fat and reach and maintain your ideal weight and body composition, but it’s also good for your heart, lungs, and circulatory system.
Cardio won’t just make you fitter; it’s also good for your health.
Combined with strength training, cardio can transform your body and may extend your lifespan.
But what type of cardio is best?
After all, there are lots of options to choose from.
The truth is that there is no perfect cardio solution.
That’s because you can get an excellent workout from:
- stationary bike,
- cycling,
- treadmill,
- rowing,
- elliptical,
- walking,
- running,
- swimming,
- surfing,
- rock climbing,
- kickboxing,
- gymnastics,
- high rep squats,
- CrossFit workouts,
- and even burpees
They will all provide your heart and lungs with a great workout.
Any exercise that uses lots of muscle groups for an extended time will work.
Air resistance exercise bikes are another excellent cardio option.
This guide explains what an air bike is, what makes a good air bike, and the best models currently available.
What Is an Air Bike?
Air bikes have been around for at least 30 years but have become more popular because of their use by CrossFit.
CrossFitters sometimes call air bikes “the devil’s tricycle,” which should give you an idea of their love/hate relationship with this workout!
An air bike is a stationary bike that uses a large fan to generate wind resistance.
In addition, most also have a push/pull arm action to go with the more familiar pedaling motion.
This combination provides a low-impact, full-body workout that’s instantly scalable.
While some air bikes have adjustable resistance settings, most simply respond to how hard you work.
The faster you go, the more effort is required to keep the fan moving.
With so few working parts and next to no electrical components, air bikes are generally hard-wearing and reliable.
They require very little maintenance to keep them running smoothly.
You can use an Air bike for a wide range of workouts, from:
- high-intensity interval training (HIIT workouts), to
- sprint interval training (SIT workouts), or
- low-intensity steady-state training (LISS)
This wide range of options makes an air bike a versatile and suitable exercise for every fitness level.
But what should you look for in a top air bike?
Take a look at the next section and find out!
What to Look for In an Air Bike
More and more companies are making air bikes.
While they all look pretty similar, the design differences mean that some air bikes are better than others.
These are the most important features to look for in an air bike:
Fan size
The bigger the fan, the more potential resistance, and the more intense your workouts can be.
If you are fit or want to do HIIT training, a bigger fan is best.
And don’t worry, even an air bike with a huge fan is suitable for beginners as the resistance increases according to your speed.
Comfort
Air bike workouts are hard enough without having an uncomfortable seat to contend with!
Look for bikes with padded, contoured seats.
Also, check the user reviews as they’ll often mention seat comfort.
At the very least, make sure you can adjust the saddle’s height, angle, and forward/backward position to customize them to your requirements.
Frame strength
Air bikes are generally solid and sturdy.
However, some are rated for heavier users than others.
Check your chosen product and make sure it can support your weight.
It’s also worth going for a heavier-framed machine as they tend to be more stable and can be used like an elliptical if you stand up on the pedals.
You won’t be able to do this with lighter framed machines.
Performance monitor
All air bikes have a small onboard computer, usually called a performance monitor.
Some are very basic and only display current workout information.
Others are programmable and may even have built-in workouts to follow.
Make sure you look at the specifications of the performance monitor to ensure it has all the functions you want.
For example, not all models offer heart rate monitoring or Bluetooth connectivity.
Chain or belt drive
The pedals are connected to the fan via a chain drive or a belt.
Chains are more common, but a belt drive system could be better.
Why?
Belts tend to be quieter and usually require less maintenance.
Variable resistance
As well as the fan, some air bikes offer variable resistance via friction and electromagnetic braking systems.
While not essential, this additional source of resistance may be helpful if you want to pedal quickly but still have a light workout or pedal slowly but work harder.
However, this addition does mean that there is one more component that could break down.
Price range
Air bikes can be expensive, with the top-of-the-range models costing $2000 or more.
While it’s true that you get what you pay for, if you’re going to use your air bike at home a few times a week, you probably won’t need a commercial-quality machine.
That said, a high-end air bike should provide many years of trouble-free workouts.
Ultimately, set your budget and then stick to it, and don’t fall into the trap of thinking that more expensive is better, as that’s not always the case.
Warranty
While there isn’t much to go wrong with an air bike, you still want to be able to buy with confidence.
Look for at least a 12-month frame and parts warranty.
Also, check that spare parts are readily available if your bike breaks once the warranty period has elapsed.
The Best Air Bikes for Your Home Gym
You’ve now got all the information to choose the best air bike for your home gym.
But, to save you some time and effort, here are eight of our favorites, all tried and tested just for you!
#1. Assault Fitness Air Bike Classic
The Assault Air Bike Classic certainly lives up to its name!
It’s the air bike used in most CrossFit gyms and competitions.
The huge fan means there is plenty of resistance for even the most challenging workout, and all of the components are built to last.
On the downside, this Assault Bike isn’t cheap but should provide years of reliable use.
Features include:
- Large, powerful 25-inch diameter fan
- Adjustable resistance
- Maximum user weight 350lbs
- Programmable performance monitor with large LCD screen and Bluetooth connectivity
- Six-way adjustable seat
- Covered working parts for protection from sweat and dust
- Transport wheels for easy moving
Individual Men Event 10 – 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games
#2. Schwinn Airdyne Bike
The Schwinn Air Dyne is the original air resistance bike.
Ideal for home users, this is not a commercial-grade machine, but that means it’s more affordable than those made for CrossFit gyms.
The Air Dyne has a large fan, belt drive, and multi-position handlebars, which are essential features usually only found on more expensive air bikes.
Features include:
- Easy to read, programmable, LCD performance monitor
- Belt drive
- 4-way adjustable seat
- Variable hand positions
- Maximum user weight 350lbs
- 5-year frame warranty
- Built-in bottle holder
- Built-in transport wheels
#3. Octane Fitness Airdyne ADX Fan Bike
This air bike from Octane fitness is a light commercial product ideal for heavy home use.
While the resistance isn’t as high as some other products (the fan is relatively narrow), it should still deliver a good workout for all but the fittest user.
However, the performance monitor display is pretty basic.
Features include:
- 26 blade 27-inch fan
- Direct belt drive for quieter use
- 4-way adjustable seat
- Double-coated frame for corrosion resistance
- Nine built-in programs
- Multi-grip handles
- Built-in water bottle holder
- Transport wheels
#4. Sunny Health & Fitness Air Bike
Sunny Health & Fitness specialize in making low-price home fitness equipment.
This lightweight, compact air bike features a small fan.
It won’t provide an overly demanding workout, but a Sunny Health Air Bike is a very budget-friendly machine that’s ideal for beginner home exercisers.
Features include:
- Compact design
- Small diameter fan
- 4-way adjustable seat
- Device holder
- Basic digital performance monitor
- Maximum user weight 265lbs
- Low price point
#5. Marcy Exercise Upright Fan Bike Air-1
Marcy is a well-known home fitness equipment manufacturer.
This light, compact machine is ideal for beginners and home exercisers.
However, the small fan may mean that this Marcy Upright Air Bike is less suitable for fitter exercisers.
Features include:
- Compact design
- Steel tubing with rust-proof powder-coated finish
- Maximum user weight 300lbs
- Basic LCD performance monitor
- Foot straps
- 2-year warranty
- Transport wheels
#6. Rogue Echo Bike
While Assault air bikes are the standard machine for CrossFit, several other bikes are also suitable for heavy commercial use and CrossFit workouts.
Rogue is known for making high-quality strength training equipment, and their new air bike is pretty good, too!
Features include:
- Easy-to-read programmable LCD performance monitor with heart rate tracking
- Large fan for intense workouts
- Strong powder-coated steel frame
- Direct belt-driven fan for quieter use
- 4-way adjustable seat
- Weight limit 350lbs
- Very stable base with adjustable leveling feet
- Tilt and roll transport wheels
#7. Concept2 BikeErg
Concept2 is best known for creating the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine, a CrossFit staple.
However, they’ve also made a great air bike.
Yet, unlike every other product we’ve reviewed, this Concept2 BikeErg model does not feature an upper-body action.
Features include:
- Large, adjustable fan for a wide range of resistance
- 300 lbs. maximum user weight
- Strong aluminum frame
- 4-way adjustable racing saddle
- 4-way adjustable ergonomic handlebars
- Multi-function programmable performance monitor
- Clutched freewheel action
- Suitable for commercial use
- Built-in transport wheels
#8. Assault Air Bike Elite
The Elite is an upgraded, updated version of the more common Assault AirBike Classic.
It’s even sturdier than the original and made to withstand the most hardcore use.
If you are looking for the roughest, toughest air bike on the market, look no further than the Assault Air Bike Elite!
Features include:
- Heavy-duty frame
- High contrast LCD programmable performance monitor with Bluetooth connectivity
- LED work/rest indicators
- Ergonomic multi-position handlebars
- Fully-adjustable ergonomic seat
- Integrated windshield for warmer workouts
- All moving parts are covered with plastic shrouds
- Maximum user weight 350lbs.
- Built-in transport wheels
Assault Air Bike in the CrossFit Games
Do you have any doubt in your mind as to how effective an air bike is for you to get fit?
Then watch some of the fittest women on the planet compete at the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games.
Note that Ringer 1 (7 Minute Time Cap): leads off with 30-20-10 reps of Assault Fitness Air Bike (calories).
Best Air Bike for Your Home – Wrapping Up
An air bike would make a great addition to your home gym.
As well as delivering an effective cardio workout, they’re also the ideal warm-up before strength training as they work virtually every muscle and joint in your body.
With very few electrical components, air bikes are solid and reliable and should provide many years of great workouts.
Air bikes are available from $200 to $2000, offering a wide range of features, so it’s essential to do some research before parting with your hard-earned cash.
We hope our guide to the best home gym air bikes will help make choosing the best model for you much easier!
What’s Next
Discover the fantastic benefits of using an Assault Bike to Change Your Body and 7 great workouts.
