The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. The Sports Illustrated editorial team is not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.
High-tech indoor cycling bikes tend to get all the buzz, but there’s a reason air bikes (also known as fan bikes) have been around since the 1970s: They work. As industrial and (frankly) intimidating as they may look—recognizable by an oversized fan in lieu of a traditional front wheel—air bikes provide a killer total-body workout that can scorch calories and improve your overall fitness. If you’re looking for a new way to approach at-home cardio workouts, check out our picks for the best air bikes, along with a comprehensive guide on how to choose the best one for you, how to use them and what benefits you can get from them.
Rogue’s air bike is a favorite among CrossFitters and one of the most stable machines on the market. Made from reinforced steel with a weight capacity of 350 pounds, you’d be hard-pressed to rock this bike during even your most intense intervals. Steel fan blades, a steel step plate, metal pedals, knurled heavy-duty footpegs (for when you want to use the arms without the pedals) and handles welded directly to the bike’s arms add to the Echo’s reputation for durability and longevity. But despite its bulky frame, the belt-driven system is hardly louder than the whoosh of a high-powered fan.
Dimensions: 59 inches L x 30 inches W x 53 inches H Weight: 127 pounds
The Titan Fitness Air Bike comes in at under $700 (which isn’t that cheap), but it does offer similar features to more expensive bikes from Rogue and Schwinn at a lower price. It’s constructed from sturdy steel, comes with a built-in (and removable) fan guard, water bottle holder and phone holder, and has a high-contrast LCD console with a range of pre-programmed interval training workouts. So where is Titan cutting costs? This bike isn’t built to handle as much weight as machines from those big-name brands (330 pounds compared to 350), and you’re in for a noisier ride thanks to the chain drive system.
Dimensions: 50 inches L x 20 inches W x 50 inches H Weight: 111 pounds
Purchase Titan Fitness Air Bike
Schwinn was the first company to bring an air bike to market—all the way back in 1978—and the Airdyne AD7 is still a solid competitor in the space. The AD7 comes equipped with a drive belt system that not only allows for greater power transfer and smoother transitions, but creates a much quieter riding experience; all you should hear is the sound of the 27-inch fan’s steel blades cutting the wind. Built from corrosion-resistant powder coated steel, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever need to use the frame’s 10-year warranty (one of the longest on this list).
Dimensions: 53 inches L x 26.5 inches W x 53 inches H Weight: 113 pounds
Most air bikes are equipped with a 27-inch fan, while the Zephyr Air Bike’s is only 18 inches. The smaller the fan, the less resistance you can generate—which makes this a great entry-level machine for people who may be intimidated by just how challenging using an air bike can feel at first. The price is also a major selling point for those who might not be ready to fully invest in top-of-the-line equipment. The Zephyr has a wide, padded seat for comfort as you ride and non-slip pedals with adjustable straps to keep your feet secure as you ramp up the intensity.
Dimensions: 44 inches L x 24 inches W x 45 inches H Weight: 65 pounds
Purchase Sunny Health & Fitness Zephyr Air Bike
Another budget- and beginner-friendly machine, the XTERRA AIR350 was built to accommodate heights from four-feet, seven-inches to six-feet, two-inches—giving a large range of riders an at-home, total-body workout option. The 20-inch flywheel won’t generate quite as much resistance as pricier models, but padded handlebars, an ergonomically molded seat and pedals with adjustable straps ensure beginners and athletes accustomed to higher intensities can ride comfortably. Plus, knurled foot pegs (those with traction) allow you to use the arms without pedaling for a targeted upper body workout. And for those newer riders, the user-friendly LCD monitor comes with four preset training programs.
Dimensions: 48 inches L x 28.3 inches W x 51.1 inches H Weight: 77 pounds
Purchase XTERRA AIR350 Air Bike
This is the beefiest bike on this list, and with that sturdiness and durability (it’s made from commercial-grade, corrosion-resistant steel) comes high-end features that just slightly soften the hardcore experience the word “Assault” calls to mind. Compared to the company’s Classic and Pro models (longtime staples in CrossFit gyms), the Elite has a wider, more comfortable seat with multiple adjustment settings. It also has a built-in wind screen and can handle 50 pounds more weight capacity. Like the Pro, it’s Bluetooth-enabled, which allows users to connect to heart rate monitors and the Assault Fitness and Fiit apps for interactive programming.
Dimensions: 55 inches L x 26 inches W x 55 inches H Weight: 139 pounds
Concept2’s BikeErg is a little different from every other machine on this list. For one, the handlebars don’t move in sync with your legs, so it targets only your lower body. And even though your effort still powers the airflow, this bike’s flywheel includes a damper that allows you to further control how much airflow comes through at any given time—opening the damper to let more air in will create more resistance, while closing the damper lets less air in and lightens the resistance. There are 10 different settings, which allows you to specifically challenge your hamstrings, quads, calves and glutes.
Dimensions: 48 inches L x 24 inches W x 40.5 inches H Weight: 68 pounds
Want to take advantage of your Prime membership to get an air bike delivered within the week? The Marcy Exercise Upright Fan Bike has nearly 1,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. One CrossFit coach called it “perfect for home use,” while another purchaser said they were “extremely pleased so far” and “highly recommended” the machine to other buyers. Designed more for entry-level riders, this no-frills machine is made from premium steel, with a chain drive system that’s protected from dirt and sweat by a guard to make maintenance a little easier.
Dimensions: 45 inches L x 25 inches W x 47.5 inches H Weight: 79 pounds
Purchase Marcy Exercise Upright Fan Bike
An air bike is a manual variation on popular indoor cycling bikes. But instead of using a knob or dial to increase the resistance via friction or electromagnetic resistance, resistance is generated using a giant fan—hence the name “air bike.” The faster you go, the more resistance you’ll have to pedal against. Air bikes also have moving arm bars (like an elliptical), which engages your upper body and stabilizing core muscles and provides a more efficient, total-body workout.
Riding an air bike is even easier than riding a bike outside–it’s stationary, so you don’t have to worry about tipping over! Sit on the seat, place your feet on the pedals and grab the handles. Don’t hunch over; you should be sitting more upright than in an aerodynamic position, like you would on a beach cruiser versus a spin bike. Pedal slowly at first, moving the handles with your arms in time with your legs. The amount of resistance will increase based on how fast you push the pedals and handles.
Air bikes use a belt drive or a chain drive. Belt drives are lower maintenance, more durable and quieter. Chain drives (like what you’d find on an outdoor bike) require more maintenance and generate more noise. You’re likely to find chain drives in less expensive models.
Most high-end air bikes can handle up to 350 pounds. More affordable options may only support between 200 and 250 pounds, which may be prohibitive for certain riders.
Since you’re pushing and pulling on an air bike, stability is key. When it comes to this type of equipment, the heavier the better. Bikes made from steel will be sturdier and more durable; materials like aluminum tend to support a lesser weight capacity and may rock back and forth, depending on how hard you’re riding.
Considering how quiet most indoor cycling bikes are these days, an air bike can be a bit noisier. The faster you pedal, the louder the fan will be (just like any home fan on higher settings). It won’t be loud enough to disrupt your neighbors, but it may prohibit you from watching TV or listening to music without headphones.
Whether a bike seat—also known as the saddle—is comfortable or not generally comes down to personal preference. Most are made from high-density foams, and some bikes allow you to switch out the saddle or use a seat cover if you need more support. Look for a bike with a fully adjustable seat—forward, backward, up and down—to really customize the fit and encourage proper form.
Like most cardio machines, air bikes are bulky and take up a fair amount of space. And the bigger (and heavier) they are, the more stable they’ll be even when working out at your highest intensities. Most include wheels for easy maneuverability, but they don’t fold and aren’t easily stored out of sight, so make sure you have the space.
Since air bikes are generally used for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), tracking your metrics is important. Most have basic digital or LCD screens, and you should be able to view time, distance, power, calories and RPM (or revolutions per minute). Some machines have built-in training programs, while others are Bluetooth compatible to sync with apps and fitness trackers. If you train based on your heart rate, make sure to check whether a bike is compatible with a heart rate monitor.
Ideally, you want a long-lasting warranty that will cover any defects or problems over time. Most air bikes offer at least a year-long warranty on the frame, with significantly less time covered for labor and parts. FYI: Most warranties don’t cover regular wear and tear.
Like any larger piece of home gym equipment, an air bike is an investment. Pricier models tend to be sturdier, more durable and offer more features than more affordable models. It’s important to figure out which machine meets your requirements and fits within your budget.
Air bikes are great for beginners because the resistance is only as powerful as what you’re capable of generating. The challenge is learning to maintain that power and then increase it. And the movement is simple: You pedal like you would on a bike while alternating pushing and pulling the handles with your arms. Plus, most air bikes don’t require you to buy spin shoes, so you can use the trainers you already have.
Air bikes are aerobic machines, meaning they’ll improve your cardiovascular fitness. Because you’re using your upper and lower body, you’re recruiting a ton of muscles—which burns more calories than just a lower body workout. The more intense your effort, the more calories you’ll burn, too.
It’s not possible to target localized areas of fat, so using an air bike doesn’t directly lead to reduced belly fat, but burning more calories can lead to weight loss. And since you’re pushing against air resistance to pedal and move the arms of the device, you can build muscle—but you likely won’t notice the same visible effects as you would when strength training with heavier weights.
This is like comparing a treadmill to an elliptical: Both are great cardio machines with slightly different benefits. Air bikes were designed for total-body, HIIT workouts, while spin bikes really target your legs and are best used for steady-state workouts or workouts that combine all kinds of intervals—from longer, easy efforts to hills and quick bursts of speed.
With an air bike, you’re going to get a great cardio workout that targets muscles all over your body and spikes your calorie burn, which can contribute to weight loss. These machines generally aren’t as expensive as treadmills, indoor cycling bikes and ellipticals, which can make them more accessible. But because you determine how intense any given ride will be, you have to be willing to put in the work.
Air bikes can be a valuable piece of home gym equipment depending on your goals. If you’re looking for a more studio-esque indoor cycling experience, an air bike might be too no-frills for you. If you’re focused on full-body, HIIT workouts, you’ll get more of a challenge from an air bike than a traditional indoor cycling bike. They’re also a great option for beginners because you control the amount of resistance you’ll be pedaling against.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
Ashley Mateo is an award-winning journalist and editor whose writing has appeared in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Runner's World, Women's Running, Men's Journal, Health, Women's Health, Bicycling, and more. She is also an RRCA- and UESCA-certified running coach based in Denver.This author is writing sponsored content paid for by Pillar4 and not affiliated with Sports Illustrated.