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The 8 Best Air Bikes For a Full-Body Workout
Our top picks are durable, comfortable, quiet, and backed by experts
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Lindsey Lanquist is a writer and editor specializing in fashion, lifestyle, and health content. Her work has appeared in SELF, StyleCaster, SheKnows, MyDomaine, and more.
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Mikael Hanson is a USA cycling and USA triathlon certified coach with over 25 years of coaching experience. He has worked with athletes of all ages, from beginners to World Champions.
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Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle.
Verywell Fit / Alli Waataja
Exercise bikes are a great way to challenge your lower body and clock in some cardio. But unless you use other equipment, like a pair of dumbbells, you're missing out on a total body workout. The best air bikes have moving handlebars that engage your upper body while you pedal, for a full-body burn. They're called "air bikes" because of the large fan that generates resistance as you cycle, says Corey Lewis, CPT, a fitness, health, and wellness coach. The harder you pedal, the more resistance you face—so air bike workouts get tougher as you get stronger.
As you shop for an air bike, choose one that is sturdy, adjustable, durable, comfortable, and easy to maintain, says fitness instructor Jess Paris, NASM-CPT. To find the best air bikes, we spent hours consulting fitness experts to learn which key features to look for. Then, we researched dozens of options from popular, trusted fitness brands. We prioritized air bikes with strong frames, high weight capacities, adjustable seats, and feature-packed displays. A cycling and triathlon coach from our Review Board also reviewed this article for accuracy, the best way to evaluate air bikes, and how to use them safely.
What Is an Air Bike?
Air bikes are similar to traditional exercise bikes, with pedals and adjustable resistance to work your lower body. But they also have moving handles that resemble an elliptical machine. Unlike indoor cycling bikes, air bikes offer a full body workout because you are simultaneously pushing and pulling the handlebars while pedaling, says Paris. Air bikes also have fans that generate wind resistance as you pedal. This makes it difficult to quickly increase your speed because you need to significantly up your force while working against intense resistance, says Paris.
Benefits of an Air Bike
There’s a lot to love about air bikes:
- They engage your upper body and your lower body—plus, they have lots of built-in resistance. This makes them great for full-body cardio workouts, strength training, and building endurance.
- Air bikes also scale with you: As you grow stronger and pedal harder, your air bike will offer more resistance. And when you want a breather, you can slow down to decrease the intensity. This feature makes air bikes an excellent choice for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, says Lewis.
- Air cycling also offers a low-impact workout, which means it's easy on your joints, Lewis says.
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Expert-recommended
Quiet, belt-driven ride
Great value
Comparatively light on features
Single-grip handlebars
Key Specs
Dimensions: 55 x 30 x 53 inches | Weight: 123 pounds | Max Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Screen: Yes | Adjustable Seat: Yes (height adjustable and front/back adjustable)
Why We Love It
In our interviews, both experts recommended Rogue’s Echo Bike V3.0 and Schwinn’s Airdyne AD7. Both bikes are sturdy, comfortable, quiet, and packed with handy features. But because Rogue’s Echo Bike V3.0 was $250 cheaper when we published this list, it earned our top spot.
This air bike has almost every feature you would expect in a quality air bike. Not only is it durable, with a heavy-duty steel frame that can support 330 pounds, but it’s also lined with rubber feet that keep it stable on uneven floors. It boasts an adjustable padded seat, grippy rubber handlebars, and textured metal pedals—all of which add to its comfort. And because it’s designed with a belt-driven fan, it offers one of the smoothest and quietest rides on our list.
The bike is packed with handy features—like basic fitness-tracking metrics and seven customizable workout modes. It’s also Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, meaning you can connect it to your favorite cycling app.
While these features are slightly less than what you’d get from Schwinn’s Airdyne AD7, we think its lower sticker price makes the Rogue Echo a better pick. Plus, it’s a new favorite in the CrossFit community, says Paris. Riders prefer the Rogue Echo because it tends to be quieter than other air bikes—a real plus in close-quarter living spaces, she says. If you are searching for a top-notch air bike that offers a quiet ride, a solid workout, and great value, then look no further—the Rogue Echo is just what you need.
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Expert-recommended
Multi-grip handlebars
Quiet, belt-driven ride
Expensive
Key Specs
Dimensions: 53 x 27 x 53 inches | Weight: 113 pounds | Max Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Screen: Yes | Adjustable Seat: Yes (height adjustable and front/back adjustable)
Why We Love It
Schwinn’s Airdyne AD7 is comparable to our best overall pick, but will cost a few hundred more. This sturdy, comfortable, and feature-packed bike is the only one on our list with multi-grip handlebars, making it particularly well-suited for total-body workouts.
Designed with an alloy steel frame, this bike can support up to 350 pounds. It also has an adjustable padded seat and textured pedals. Its built-in display is loaded with trackable metrics and workout modes. And there’s even a windscreen that cuts down on air blowback. We also love that it’s built with a belt-drive fan that delivers a smooth, quiet ride.
What really sets this pick apart is its unique handlebars. While many air bike handlebars give you one clear place to grip, these handlebars give you three—letting you engage your upper body in different ways. This flexibility makes it easy to isolate and challenge different muscle groups. So while all air bikes are great for full-body workouts, this one is even better than most.
Although this air bike is a little pricey, the value it offers makes it worth it. Schwinn’s Airdyne AD7 is an ideal option for total-body workouts and for those with the budget to invest.
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High weight capacity
Adjustable padded seat
Several metrics and workout modes
Noisy chain-drive fan
Expensive
Key Specs
Dimensions: 48 x 26 x 52 inches | Weight: 109 pounds | Max Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Screen: Yes | Adjustable Seat: Yes (height adjustable and front/back adjustable)
Why We Love It
There are a handful of inexpensive air bikes on the market, but many are just not worth buying. More expensive bikes tend to be more durable, have fewer maintenance costs, and last longer, says Paris. To get the best bang for your buck, look for a bike that offers great value—like Get RXD’s Xebex Air Bike.
While this pick isn’t cheap, it is the least expensive air bike that offers all the worthwhile features. The bike is designed with a sturdy steel frame and stabilizing foot rests. And it can support 350 pounds—20 pounds more than our top pick. Offering a comfortable and reliable ride, this bike also has a padded seat that is adjustable in four directions. And thanks to its grippy handlebars and textured pedals, it’s easy to ride.
Like many others, this bike is designed with a feature-packed display and tracks classic metrics, like distance, time, speed, and heart rate. It also boasts several customizable workout programs. The only real downside of this bike is the chain-drive fan, which is noisier than belt-drive fans. But these types of fans are common in the air bike space (most of the bikes on our list have them).
As a durable, reliable, and feature-packed pick, you can’t go wrong with the Xebex Air Bike—especially if you are shopping with price and value in mind.
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Heavy-duty frame
Several metrics and workout modes
Compact and easy to transport
Noisy chain-drive fan
300-pound weight capacity
Key Specs
Dimensions: 51 x 24 x 50 inches | Weight: 96 pounds | Max Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Screen: Yes | Adjustable Seat: Yes (height adjustable and front/back adjustable)
Why We Love It
Beginners need a user-friendly air bike they can count on, and Assault’s AirBike Classic fits the bill. The bike is reliable, comfortable, and easy to use. And we like that it’s less expensive than many of our other picks, which means beginners don’t have to splurge on fancy equipment straightaway.
The air bike is designed with a heavy-duty steel frame and is lined with adjustable feet that help it balance on uneven floors. It’s also equipped with user-friendly features, like an adjustable padded seat, grippy handlebars, and textured pedals. Plus, its built-in display offers everything beginners need. The console tracks basic metrics, like speed, distance, intervals, and more. And it boasts seven workout programs—including a customizable interval mode.
As a remarkably compact bike—measuring 51 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 50 inches tall and weighing just 96 pounds—it’s one of the smallest and lightest picks on our list. This small size makes the bike approachable, while the built-in transport wheels make it easy to move around. But this compactness does come with a tradeoff. The bike’s 300-pound weight capacity is one of the lowest on our list. It’s also designed with a noisy chain-drive fan.
We felt these downsides were minor, though, given its easy access for beginners. If you’re looking for a great air bike to get started with, this reliable, compact, easy-to-use bike is worth every penny.
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Expert-recommended
Heavy-duty frame
Bidirectional pedals
Noisy chain-drive fan
Bulky and heavy
Key Specs
Dimensions: 55 x 27 x 55 inches | Weight: 139 pounds | Max Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Screen: Yes | Adjustable Seat: Yes (height adjustable and front/back adjustable)
Why We Love It
If you are an advanced air bike user, we recommend Assault’s AirBike Elite. This commercial-grade bike is built to withstand intense training, without being too bulky to keep in your home gym. Our expert recommends this top-notch pick for frequent riders.
Built for commercial use, the bike has a heavy-duty steel frame that can withstand 350 pounds—making it the biggest and heaviest model on our list. But its built-in transport wheels make moving it a breeze.
The bike also boasts some features you won’t find anywhere else, like an extra-large plush seat that’s adjustable and pedals that move forward and backward. The bike also is Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, so you can sync it with your favorite cycling app. We love that the integrated windscreen cuts down on blowback—keeping too much air from blowing in your face as you pedal.
Assault’s AirBike Elite also ticks some basic boxes, offering grippy handlebars, textured pedals, and a feature-packed console. But it does have a noisy chain-drive fan. And while we would prefer to see a belt-drive fan, the bike offers plenty of standout features to offset this downside. So, if you want a top-notch air bike that wins on features and durability, we think this one is worth the splurge.
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Quiet, belt-driven ride
Great value
Secure strap-lined pedals
300-pound weight capacity
No workout modes
Key Specs
Dimensions: 50 x 26 x 51 inches | Weight: 112 pounds | Max Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Screen: Yes | Adjustable Seat: Yes (only height adjustable)
Why We Love It
If you’re looking to score an air bike with a quiet ride, the best bet is to opt for a bike with a belt-drive fan (not a chain-drive fan), like Schwinn’s Airdyne AD6. Its belt-driven fan delivers a quieter and smoother ride than other products with chain-drive fans. It’s also the most affordable air bike we found that has a belt-drive fan.
Built with a heavy-duty steel frame, the bike has a 300-pound weight capacity, which is a little lower than some of the other options on our list. But its remarkably quiet ride offsets this downside. Plus, the bike’s oversized seat is padded and adjustable, the handlebars are grippy, and the textured pedals are lined with straps (a surprisingly hard-to-find feature). The bike also boasts a user-friendly console that tracks basic metrics, like time, speed, and distance, but keep in mind that it doesn’t offer any built-in workout modes.
Of course, the real selling point of this air bike is its belt-drive fan, which delivers a ride that’s both smooth and quiet. This feature isn’t rare, but you usually see it on more expensive models, making this bike an exciting find. If you are looking for a quiet, reliable bike that doesn’t cost a fortune, this no-frills air bike is your best bet.
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Heavy-duty frame
Easy to use and transport
Great value
Noisy chain-drive fan
Comparatively light on features
Key Specs
Dimensions: 51 x 21 x 50 inches | Weight: 111 pounds | Max Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Screen: Yes | Adjustable Seat: Yes (only height adjustable)
Why We Love It
Air bikes are low-impact, so they can be a great option when you’re rehabbing an injury—always consult a healthcare provider before trying something new. While most air bikes are rehabilitation-friendly, we especially like Titan’s Fan Bike for the job. The bike is sturdy, reliable, and easy to use—and one of the least expensive air bikes on our list.
With a heavy-duty steel frame that can hold 330 pounds, this air bike is strong and has a base lined with stabilizing feet. The bike is also comfortable, thanks to its adjustable padded seat, grippy handlebars, and textured pedals. And it’s packed with user-friendly features such as the easy-to-read display that offers a range of metrics and workout modes. Plus, we like its removable windscreen that keeps fan blowback to a minimum, as well as the little details—like a water bottle cage and a phone holder—that keep your must-haves within reach.
This bike is an approachable option that is not only rehab-friendly, but also allows you a stress-free start if you’re new to biking. The bike is also small and easy to move around, thanks to its larger-than-average transport wheels. Its only downside is the noisy chain-drive fan.
But because this air bike is reliable, user-friendly, and easy on your wallet it may be just the place to start if you are looking for a bike to help you rehab an injury.
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Expert-recommended
Adjustable seat and handlebars
Quiet, belt-driven ride
300-pound weight capacity
Not a classic air bike
Key Specs
Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 41 inches | Weight: 68 pounds | Max Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Screen: Yes | Adjustable Seat: Yes (height adjustable and front/back adjustable)
Why We Love It
Unlike most air bikes, Concept2’s BikeErg doesn’t have moving handlebars—making it best for a killer lower body-focused cycling workout. It looks like a traditional indoor cycling bike, but still features a built-in fan that resembles classic air bikes, offering a true challenge for your lower body.
The bike is also loaded with top-notch features, such as a padded seat that is more adjustable than most—you can change its height, position, and angle—as well as adjustable multi-grip handlebars. Meanwhile, the bike’s built-in monitor offers several helpful metrics and workout modes. The bike is also Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, so you can pair it with your favorite cycling app. And we love the quiet belt-drive fan that offers lots of resistance.
While our other top picks are framed with steel, this one is made of aluminum—making it more compact and lightweight. But this means that the bike can only hold 300 pounds.
Thanks to this well-rounded feature set and unique design, the Concept2’s BikeErg is a standout find—and it’s also an expert-favorite, according to Lewis. If you’re looking for a classic air bike, this may not be the one for you. But if you want a quality machine that delivers a great workout, this air bike fits the bill.
What to Look for When Shopping for an Air Bike
- Price: To get the best bang for your buck, we recommend investing in a high-quality air bike—not just buying the least expensive bike you can find. Less expensive bikes tend to be made of cheaper materials, which can make them less sturdy and more prone to breaking down, says Paris. “While they tend to be pricier, high-quality bikes will last longer and [need] less maintenance," she adds.
- Comfort: Like any piece of fitness equipment, your air bike should be comfortable to use. Ideally, the seat should be well padded and wide enough to sit on comfortably, says Lewis. “The handlebars should have moisture-resistant grips and the pedals should have adjustable straps, so you can securely lock your feet in position," he explains. Also, look for a height-adjustable seat. “Your knees should be slightly bent while pedaling, and your feet should be able to touch the ground when you’re seated on the bike,” Lewis adds.
- Durability: A great air bike should be sturdy enough to withstand intense exercise. Choose an air bike with a durable frame and a high weight capacity that can survive the demands of a rigorous workout, says Lewis.
- Metrics: The best air bike display is simple to read and tracks your progress, says Lewis. If you like tracking your workouts, look for a bike with a user-friendly display that monitors metrics you care about and offers workout programs you’ll use.
- Additional Features: Some air bikes have extra features that can enhance your workouts, like device and water bottle holders, Bluetooth and ANT+ compatibility, and large windscreens that minimize blowback from the air bike’s fan. Keep an eye out for the features you care about, some of which are optional extras when purchasing your bike.
How We Selected the Best Air Bikes
To find the best air bikes, we first spoke with fitness experts to learn which key features each one should have. They recommended looking for top-quality air bikes with strong frames, padded seats, feature-packed monitors, and quiet belt-drive fans. With their advice in mind, we spent hours researching popular air bikes, assessing their durability, comfort, user-friendly features, and overall value. We confidently recommend each product on this list and continue to evaluate new air bikes as they are released.
Our Experts
We consulted experts at every stage while researching and reporting this story. Both Lewis and Paris helped us understand how to use an air bike, which benefits they can provide, and how to shop for one that's built to last. We choose products independently, although input from experts influences our decisions.
- Corey Lewis, CPT, a fitness, health, and wellness coach
- Jess Paris, NASM, CPT, a fitness instructor
Frequently Asked Questions
Are air bikes worth it?
If you’re looking for a full-body workout that helps you build strength and work up a sweat, air bikes are definitely worth it. An air bike is an excellent choice for increasing general strength and enhancing cardiovascular health, says Lewis. Air bikes are also great for low-impact exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), cardio, strength-training, and endurance-building. So while air bikes are often expensive, they’re also versatile enough to justify the splurge.
What's the difference between an air bike and an Assault bike?
Assault bikes are air bikes made by the brand Assault Fitness. Because Assault bikes are so popular, many people use the terms “air bike” and “assault bike” interchangeably. But if the air bike isn’t made by Assault Fitness, it isn’t actually an Assault bike.
Does an air bike build muscle?
“While air bikes can aid in strength development, they are not the best choice if your main objective is to increase your muscular mass,” says Lewis. If your goal is to build muscle, Lewis recommends more classic strength-training exercises, like weightlifting or resistance training.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Lindsey Lanquist is a contributing writer for Verywell Fit with seven years of experience covering health and fitness. Lindsey has used air bikes several times in the past—and every time, they’ve kicked her butt. She appreciates air bikes that are comfortable, user-friendly, and easy to adjust. She also generally likes fitness equipment that’s quiet and wallet-friendly.
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