The 6 Proven Air Exercise Bikes of 2023
A fitness journey can take many shapes and forms. One such form is that of an air bike. These bikes allow for cardio workouts when someone either is unable or simply doesn’t feel like doing a workout on a treadmill or an elliptical. Using the air generated by the biker, it creates more resistance the faster the biker pedals. Of course, with a variety of these bikes out there and only more on the way, it can be confusing as to what the best air bike is. Luckily, that’s what we’re here for.
We’ve combed through the many air resistance bikes out there and have pulled out the top 6 among them. These ranks are decided by which of them has the best air bike value as well as other factors like stability, handle grip design, size, and noise level. The aforementioned factors are some of the most critical that we have found that influence whether or not an air bike can be considered an effective one.
Air bike seats and handle design makes sure that it is comfortable for longer rides and also determine whether or not one is able to get a full body workout or simply focus on the lower body. The size often determines how versatile the bike is in letting people of all shapes and sizes to enjoy their rides, while the stability helps people feel comfortable in the fact that the air workout bike isn’t about to fall out from beneath them.
The noise level is also an important factor, as the quieter the air bike is, the more places it is able to be used. If a neighbor in an apartment complex is easily annoyed by noise, a noisy air bike is more likely to cause problems in that regard. Of course, cost is also a consideration in these fan exercise bikes.
Now, at the time of writing, many of these air exercise bikes are currently discounted. However, the prices that we shall be examining are their normal prices in order to gauge fairly on how expensive they usually are. Overall, this list should help you find the best air bike for your needs.
Best Overall: Schwinn AD7
I personally own the Schwinn Airdyne AD7, and in my opinion, it’s the best air resistance exercise bike on the market. The bike’s adjustable seat is one of its best features because it can be adjusted both horizontally and vertically to provide a comfortable fit for all users. This helps maintain proper posture and reduces the risk of injury.
The AD7’s dynamic air resistance system is another fantastic feature as it provides infinite levels of challenge settings. The 27″ large fan offers a challenging workout that adapts to the rider’s fitness level, and the bike also comes with a range of preset workout controls that can be customized to fit individual preferences. The bike’s footrests are also excellent, allowing riders to take breaks or engage in upper-body training.
Despite its size, the AD7 is surprisingly lightweight and portable due to its wide adjustable base and large, easy-to-move 3″ large silicon wheels. The bike is also supported by a reasonable one-year parts warranty, which provides peace of mind.
Additionally, the AD7 comes with a bottle holder for hydration and an accessory holder to keep belongings close. The bike’s pedals are durable and really grippy with meta flat non-slip MTB style pedals and a 3-piece crank system. Unlike those with straps, you can quickly hop on the bike to pedal and also move your feet from pedal to foot rests and vice versa.
This Schwinn Airdyne bike also features perfect multi-position handgrips with 4-grip possibilities which are dipped and even when you sweat, your hands don’t move or slide. But what even contributes more to make me believe this Schwinn Airdyne is the best overall air exercise bike is its dual performance monitor. It’s not backlit but the screen is considerably bigger at 6 inches tall and 2.5 inches width. There are also 9 preset workout programs including intervals, heart rate, and target ones. It’s compatible with non-coded wireless heart rate monitor straps so you can get an accurate heart rate reading.
That said, there are some downsides to the Schwinn AD7, such as its uncomfortable seating, which can be easily replaced with one of these comfortable air bike seats, labor warranty is also only for three months, which may concern some riders. Also, the bike’s workout monitor also lacks backlit features for modern-day technology, and there is no cycling application compatibility. And I wish there was a tablet holder. But even despite its few downsides, the AD7 is a top-performing bike backed by a trusted name in the fitness industry, and I’m thrilled to have it as part of my fitness routine.
Top 6 Air Resistance Exercise Bikes:
Schwinn AD7 Airdyne Exercise Bike
1 used from $1,099.00
Seen in tens of best air bike reviews, the Schwinn AD7 Airdyne is an excellent HIIT bike that has a single-stage belt drive that allows it to run more quietly. This stationary bike with a fan allows for an infinite level of challenge due to the nature of its progressive air resistance system.
The harder you bike, the more resistance you’ll see. Don’t feel like pushing yourself to the max one day? Then you can simply choose not to get such strong resistance by not biking as quickly or with as much force. With a stable grip design, this air bike has a console in between to allow for constant metric information.
Need to get more specific with the information on the workout? Well the AD7 Airdyne Bike also comes with a BioSynch linkage system so that you can know exactly how your body is reacting to the workout. Foot strapless grippy flat pedals allow you to push this quiet, frictionless fan to its maximum potential as you make the most of this fantastic air bike.
For just under $1100, this bike will most certainly do its job well, giving you all the information you need while biking away. An added bonus of this air bike is that it comes with a water bottle holder, so you can keep hydrated during a long ride if you so desire. The standard warranty on the bike guarantees 10 years on the frame, with the mechanical and electrical parts being guaranteed for 2 years.
One of the common complaints with the AD7 relates to the seat. Other Airdyne Bike reviews claim that sometimes that seat can come loose despite it being tightened as much as possible, which can lead to some discomfort for the rider.
Another complaint regarding the seat is that it is too large for some riders. These are some of the most common complaints in regard to the seat, which seems to be the most common source of the complaints about the AD7. It also seems to be a difficult bike to fix.
When calling in customer support, they appeared to want the owner of the bike to disassemble the air bike over the phone while they diagnosed it from the other end of the line. While the breaking of the bike appears to be a rare occurrence, the fact that this is the approach taken to fixing it instead of simply returning it, the A7 being fixed, and then given back to the owner seems to be a rather inefficient and roundabout way of repairing the air bike.
Assault Fitness Classic Air Bike
1 used from $626.77
A bit of a pricier bike, the Assault AirBike Classic is certainly worth it. An easy bike to assemble, this certainly won’t give you any headaches with the setup. Watching a simple YouTube video can have it up and running in about 30 minutes. With a cool, tempered, black design, this air bike provides a smooth, durable ride.
Another firm grip design really allows for the ferocity one associates with the namesake of the bike, so that you can really “assault” those pedals. Pedals, which are firm and flexible, reacting swiftly to your every movement. It matches whatever force you put in with equal resistance, creating some great core workouts for both the upper and lower body.
Coming equipped with a console that tracks calories burnt, time on the bike, distance covered and heart rate, this air bike allows you to customize your workout based on whatever mood you might be in. This console also has seven preprogrammed motivational fitness routines like the Tabata or Intervals programs.
Like all these air stationary bikes, the more energy one puts into pedaling, the more resistance one’ll find from the bike itself. However, due to the design and nature of this bike, it is somewhat louder than other designs. It most certainly isn’t designed for stealth, despite its coloring.
And with single hand position handlebars, steel tubing for the seat post and a sport seat to stabilize yourself in, the Assault AirBike Classic will most certainly get the job done for any kind of workout that might come to mind. The air bike also comes with a warranty of 5 years for the frame and 2 years for the parts.
One of the cons for this Assault air bike has to be the handles. While they do their job just fine, the fact that they aren’t adjustable is quite an unfortunate characteristic of the Classic. The bike also seems more geared towards athletes instead of those who are, say, recovering from surgery or simply looking to stay fit might find it tougher to adapt to this bike than others.
As mentioned, this is not a quiet bike, so if you have sensitive neighbors who don’t like loud noises, this bike will most likely cause some disturbances there as well. Another common complaint about the Assault AirBike Classic is that the console screen is somewhat small. The data that is contained in the console can be hard to read, which can make workouts difficult due to the fact that you can’t actually see what the numbers are on the screen.
Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Tornado
Coming in at number three on our list of best air bikes is the Sunny Health and Fitness Tornado. Using a flywheel to create resistance based on how hard you’re pushing like the other air bikes, this bike does it in a smooth, relatively quiet, and almost relaxed fashion. With a 4-way adjustable seat, this air exercise bike is perfect for letting you set up, however, you want to get that perfectly comfortable ride.
The 95 lb steel frame and well-though transport handle make this air bike easy to move around, but also durable for the really hard workouts that come along. The bike also allows for rests in those longer workouts, as the wheel is able to keep spinning while you take a breather on top. Speaking of customization, the Performance Monitor on the Tornado is quite the treat (compared to other Sunny Health and Fitness air bikes). It displays any sort of data you could want, from watts to calories to cadence and everything in between.
Don’t feel like coming up with workouts? The monitor also comes with a host of interval program workouts already installed and available for you to pick and choose. It also comes with the capability to connect to non-coded heart rate straps. The air bike comes with a limited 6-month warranty which is not impressive, especially considering what Schwinn and Assault brands are offering for the similarly priced wind resistance exercise bikes.
The Tornado is most certainly one of the slickest bikes out there, with its light, durable design and relatively technologically enhanced system. However, it is not perfect. Coming in at a cost of under 700, it most certainly is one of the priciest options out there (considering it has way less to offer than Schwinn and Assault air bikes).
Another complaint is the noise and additional maintenance that comes with the chain-driven system of this Sunny air resistance bike. Also, the monitor is nothing like what you get on the Octane AirDyne or Schwinn AirDyne bikes. It is small and dark and there is no multi-screen to give extra feedback and help you push more. Although there is no bottle holder, it does come with a tablet holder and two nicely built footpegs to recover during the workout.
Marcy AIR-1 Exercise Fan Bike
1 used from $325.90
The Marcy AIR-1 air bike looks almost minimalist in comparison to some of the other exercise high-intensity interval bikes assembled here. However, looks can be deceiving. This is one of the best air bikes by Marcy and it is considered the best air bike under 400. Its seemingly regular handles of the bike are actually dual-action exercise arms, which move and allow for an upper body workout to go along with the lower body exercise you will get from pedaling.
The seemingly simple steel fan is designed in such a way that it will blow air back onto the user, giving a nice, cool airflow while the exercise is ongoing. This fan takes the place of the usual weighted flywheels in other air resistance exercise bikes. While not the most complex piece of technology, the built-in computer does allow for tracking of speed, time, distance and calories burnt during the workout.
You won’t find any of the complex features of the BikeErg on this computer, but that certainly does not make it useless. Again, while not the most flashy, the AIR-1 also allows for both adjustable levelers and seat position, which makes for a very customizable experience on the bike. It also tends to be on the quieter side, though it still isn’t exactly stealthy due to the noises of the fan. The AIR 1 includes a manufacturer’s 2 year limited warranty.
One of the most consistent complaints with the air resistance exercise bike seems to be that it has a tendency to break when used extensively. When it works, it works wonderfully. However, the reason it is further down on this list is that it does not seem to be the most durable of air bikes. Specifically, the belt seems to have a tendency of coming off or displacing, creating a loud, screeching sound.
The rather simplistic monitor also seems to have a tendency to stop working after a period of time. However, this can be fixed by contacting Marcy’s customer support. Most of these problems, in fact, should be taken up with the support team.
XTERRA Fitness AIR350 Airbike
With a nice blue tint in the wheel and around the structure of the air bike, the XTERRA Fitness AIR350 Air bike looks to stand out from the rest of the air bikes by having a bit of color. Of course, that’s not all it’s got going for it.
With a 6 blade flywheel tucked in the front, it allows for a variety of resistance levels for any workout. Pushing the boundaries of an athletic team? Simply going for a Sunday ride? The flexible resistance levels allow you to pick either one and everything in between.
With padded handlebars and an adjustable cushioned seat, this air bike is really looking to make sure you’re comfortable while you‘re working out on it. This XTERRA Fitness air bike also comes with an LCD console, which tracks and displays scan, time, speed, calories, and distance. This console also comes with the handy feature of a device holder.
An iPad, Samsung Galaxy or Microsoft Surface could all fit in and provide any and all sorts of entertainment while you are hard at work on the AIR350 Airbike. Another neat little tag-on is that there is a water bottle holder right underneath the console, allowing for some rehydration while the workout is ongoing. The warranty on the frame of this stationary bike with air resistance lasts 1 year, as does the warranty for the parts.
The biggest complaint about this air bike is that it is loud. Louder than it certainly has any right to be. While it won’t break your windows or cause any earthquakes, for such an unassuming air bike, it makes much more noise than one would think. It isn’t even really clear where this noise is coming from. Maybe it is coming from the belt drive system that replaces the more traditional chain system found in other bikes, or maybe it is the fan, but it just seems to make lots and lots of noise.
Another downside, depending on what you’re looking for in the bike, could be the price. Coming in at an affordable price, there just isn’t a lot here that isn’t available better for cheaper in other bikes. Even while on sale at the time of writing for less than 350, it still seems like a stretch when there are other, better and cheaper options on the market.
Sunny Health and Fitness Air Bike
The Zephyr Air Bike SF-B2715, while a mouthful, is most certainly still a budget reliable fan bike. Another air bike with mobile handlebars that allows for a full body workout, the Zephyr Air Bike SF-B2715 keeps the whole body moving during any workout you might be attempting. The air resistance fan runs smoothly and quietly, allowing for the bike itself to be placed just about anywhere in the household.
An interesting bit about this air bike is that the pedals are actually connected to a chain drive system which allows for the feeling of a real bike to come right with the Zephyr Air Bike SF-B2715. Both the handlebars and extra padded seat are adjustable, giving you plenty of options in how you want to customize the air bike.
As with most of these air hiit bikes, the Zephyr Air Bike SF-B2715 comes with a monitor to gauge time, speed, rpm, distance and calories burned to give you an accurate reading of your progress. The monitor itself isn’t extremely fancy or complex, but it gets the job done.
There is also a tablet holder alongside the monitor so that you can watch whatever videos you want alongside. Feel like watching a workout video? Go right ahead. Perhaps an episode of Last Week Tonight to allow some chuckles while you ride? By all means, hit play and ride. The Zephyr Air Bike SF-B2715 comes with a 3 year frame warranty, while the other parts come with an 180-day warranty.
A common complaint that seems to pop up is that the Zephyr Air Bike SF-B2715 seems to be a bit difficult to construct. The manual is somewhat small, while others have said that the set-up is actually a little different than what is portrayed in the booklet.
Another issue with the bike is the wheels. While they are certainly handy for moving the bike around the living space, they make the bike somewhat wobbly while actually pedaling at high speeds. Since one wouldn’t really be expecting to move the bike too often once it is set up, this seems rather inconvenient. Another minor issue is that the air bike doesn’t really blow any air up onto the user. So if you’re expecting a nice cool breeze during your workout on the air bike, you might want to put it outside.
Conclusion
And that concludes our list of the top 6 best air bikes, no matter which one you buy, it’s important to consider these exercise bike buying tips. These ranks were made taking into account every aspect of the air bikes, including the handle grip design, stability during workout, size, noise, tablet holder, fitness tracker, warranty, and capacity.
Of course, this is not the complete list of all air bikes, but it should most certainly help those looking for one of these exercise bikes to get started with some of the most worthwhile examples. Depending on what you are looking for, the price can look as high as $990 or as low as $365.
While there are variations between the air bikes, it is hard to go wrong when choosing, as they are all made in order to help the rider get into or keep up their physical shape. Some can be used for full body workouts, while others are more specialized and focus more on the lower body. Others are designed with maximum comfort in mind, the workout as quiet and smooth as possible.
Others are designed in order to maximize the rider’s effort and to make sure the workout is as efficient as possible. The key is to identify what you are looking to get out of your air bike, and what the best air resistance stationary bike is a match for your needs. Good luck in hunting for your ideal air exercise bike!
Hi there, I'm Sayed Hamed Hosseiny, the founder and one of the authors at yourexercisebike.com (YEB). I am a former indoor cycling instructor and personal trainer with nearly 20 years of experience. With a passion for indoor cycling, I have spent years designing cycling parts, repairing, and importing exercise bikes. All the articles, tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on YourExerciseBike.com (YEB) reflect my personal opinion and expertise in the field. I'm excited to share my knowledge with fellow exercise bike enthusiasts and help people find reliable indoor cycling information and the best exercise bike for their needs. If you have any questions or suggestion, you can contact me at sayed@yourexercisebike.com.
The Schwinn AD7 Airdyne exercise bike is a beast in my opinion! I think it’s so well worth the investment because you’ll get so much out of it, over a big period of time.
It’s also very quiet and you could potentially use it in the same room as someone who is sleeping. Well, unless he/she is distracted by very small noises. But, yeah, a great bike overall.
I know it’s not the best out there but for a lower budget, I recommend the Marcy AIR-1. It’s sturdy, can take up to 300 lbs, can be moved easily and offers a good deal of options for workouts.
I have the XTERRA AIR350 airbike which I initially thought to be better than that Marcy model. It’s not. Not bad by any means but if I were to choose another model I wouldn’t choose XTERRA again.