Mark Greene
If you have a busy schedule, making time to get to the gym can be tough. Having an Airdyne bike at home is a great way to be able to squeeze in a workout any time. Airdyne bikes are designed to give you a full body workout, working your arms and legs together for complete, fat-burning cardio. It is the only piece of home gym equipment you need.
A great Airdyne bike doesn’t have to be too expensive – we have put together this list of some of the top bikes of 2020, to help you know what to look for.
The Best Airdyne Bikes
1. Our Pick: Schwinn AD6 Airdyne Exercise Bike
BEST CHOICE
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Wind resistance allows for different levels of workout
- Easy to transport and store
- Ideal for interval training
PROS
- LCD screen for a customized workout
- Multiple accessories available
- Built-in water bottle holder
CONS
- Seat does not adjust forward and backward – only up and down
- Some users report noise from the pedals after a lot of use
DETAILS
The Schwinn AD6 has made it to the very top of our list of the best Airdyne bikes because of its customizable features and great build quality, at a really reasonable price.
This Schwinn bike uses air resistance to create a force that you have to push against – the harder you work, the easier it will be to pedal the bike. It comes with an LCD display screen that allows you to track your progress and RPM. This feature is helpful for interval training. The build of the bike itself is sturdy but lightweight at the same time, and easy to transport with wheels on the bottom.
One of the best things about this bike is that, being a Schwinn, there are a number of additions that can be bought from the same producers to customize your bike. A reading rack, for example, can be attached to hold a book or tablet while you are working out.
2. Premium Pick: Garmin epix
PREMIUM PICK
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Larger wheel for a more intense resistance workout
- Track your workout on the digital screen
- Adjustable handles make it comfortable for multiple users
PROS
- Built in heart rate monitor
- Wheels for easy transportation
- Adjustable, open-toed pedal straps
CONS
- Seat only adjusts up and down, not forward and backward
- Does not blow cooling air upward
- Not suitable for users over 240 pounds
DETAILS
This adjustable air resistance bike is super affordable, gives you a great workout and could be great for the whole family to use.
The handlebars on the Zephyr bike can be adjusted for different heights, so that you will get a targeted upper body workout without having to bend to an uncomfortable angle. The seat is also adjustable, and cushioned for a more comfortable workout. It has a digital display screen to help you track your progress and a built-in shelf to hold a phone, book or tablet.
Like all Airdyne bikes, this bike uses air resistance for a low-impact cardio workout of varying degrees of difficulty. The air resisting fan has an 18 inch diameter – a little larger than some of the other options on our list. The larger fan helps to boost the intensity of your workout as well as increasing air flow, preventing the room from getting too hot and stuffy while you are exercising.
One downside to the bike is that, while it produces a strong airflow, the air is not channeled upward to cool you down while you are biking.
3. Best Value: Schwinn AD2 Airdyne Bike
BEST VALUE
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Tough upper body workout
- Synchronized arm and leg movement
- Resistance fan flows cooling air through the room
PROS
- LCD display for interval training
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Affordable option for the quality
CONS
- Smaller, less comfortable seat
- No water bottle holder
- Limited options on the display screen – cannot track heart rate
DETAILS
This next bike on our list is also a Schwinn, but a slightly simpler and more affordable Airdyne model than the previous option.
This bike is designed to give you a full body workout in any level – just like the A6, it utilizes wind resistance to give you infinite resistance levels, so your workout can be as tough or easy as you choose. On this model, the pedals and handles are aligned for synchronized motion, so that you are always working your arms as hard as your legs. Additionally, it comes with stationary foot pegs that allow you to take a break from pedaling and just focus on your arms.
There are a few features that the Schwinn A2 is lacking compared to the A6. The seat is a little smaller and less cushioned, and it also does not have a built-in water bottle holder. It is not compatible with as many customizable accessories as the A6. That said, it is equal in terms of build and workout quality, and a great choice for someone on a smaller budget.
4. Stamina Airgometer Upright Exercise Bike
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Comfortable, upright workout
- Track your progress over time
- Efficient air resistance technology
PROS
- Adjustable seat
- Easy to read LCD display with memory
- Dual action handle bars and foot pegs – choose if you want to exercise arms, legs or both
CONS
- No straps on the pedals
- Seat only adjusts up and down
- Cheaper construction – bolts may need to be tightened over time
DETAILS
This Stamina bike is comfortable and easy to use – perfect for a tough workout that is gentle on your back and joints. The seat is cushioned and extra wide, and the handles are sloped downward so that you don’t need to bend at an uncomfortable angle to reach them.
The seat of this bike is adjustable so that everyone in the household can use it comfortably. It has a large, easy to read LCD display that allows you to track calories burnt, distance, speed and time. The system remembers every workout it tracks, which allows you to log your progress.
The bike comes with a water bottle and a built-in holder. It also has wheels for easy transportation.
5. Force 1 Air Bike
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Work toward your goals and track your progress
- Bigger fan for a high intensity workout
- High quality and made to last
PROS
- Bluetooth compatibility to connect to your smart device
- Seat adjusts forward and back
- Great for heavier users – maximum weight capacity 325 pounds
CONS
- Heavy steel body – harder to transport and store
- No straps on the pedals
DETAILS
This is a sturdy, super durable resistance bike for a moderate to intense cardio workout. The frame of the Force 1 bike is made out of tough steel – it is a little heavier to transport, but it is effective, supportive of a heavier bodyweight and designed to last.
The resistance fan on this bike is extra large, allowing for a higher intensity workout. The seat can be adjusted up and down or forward and backward, so that you can be as close to or far from the handles as is comfortable for you. A built in digital display has several pre-loaded programs to help you achieve workout goals and track your progress. It can monitor time, distance, speed and RPM as well as your heartrate.
Better yet, the bike has Bluetooth compatibility, which means it can be connected to a suitable workout or weight loss app.
6. Body Rider Exercise Upright Fan Bike
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Affordable option for a thorough home workout
- Track your calories
- Easy to transport and store
PROS
- Cooling breeze as you bike
- Open toed pedal straps
- Simple but effective display screen
CONS
- Cheaper material – may wear down over time
- Not suitable for users over 250 pounds
DETAILS
The Body Rider bike is one of the most affordable options on our list, yet also super reliable and makes for a great cardio workout.
The pedals and handles on the bike can be used independently or at the same time, for diverse types of workout. You can track your speed, time and calories burnt on a simple LCD display screen. The resistance fan blows a breeze upward to keep you cool while you bike.
The whole thing is super lightweight – less than 50 pounds. It could be great for someone who has limited space and needs to take their bike out and put it away again every time they use it. Unfortunately, because of that light build, there may be some issues with wobbling.
7. Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Tornado Fan Air Bike
7. Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Tornado Fan Air Bike
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- High quality rugged steel build
- Tough, thorough workout with the extra large wheel
- Modern and versatile home workout option
PROS
- Adjustable seat, both up and down and forward and back
- Super durable build, stable during use
- Bluetooth connectivity
CONS
- Pricier than other options
- Heavy and harder to transport
DETAILS
This is the second bike on our list from Sunny Health and Fitness. It is a modern, super high quality and technical bike – a little pricier, but definitely an investment in a better workout.
The bike has an adjustable seat, both up and down and forward and backward. The resistance fan is extra large (25 inches in diameter), for higher resistance and a tougher workout. It has an intuitive LCD screen that tracks time, speed, etc. as well as your calories burnt and heartrate. The bike has Bluetooth compatibility, so that you can connect to your smart device and log your progress through a work out or weight loss app.
The build of this bike is tough, rugged steel, which does make it a little bit heavier but improves the stability while you are on it. It comes with transportation wheels to make it easy to move, despite the extra weight. The bike is suitable for users up to 330 pounds.
8. Assault AirBike Elite
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
- Great for weight loss and tracking progress
- Easy to intense workout
- Comfortable upright design
PROS
- Intelligent tracking system
- Adjustable seat
- Super stable and durable for long term use
CONS
- Pricier than some other options
- Heavy, tough to transport and store
DETAILS
Last up on our list is a comfortable and versatile resistance bike from Assault, one of the top producers of stationary bikes. This is a sturdy, durable model. It is adjustable for multiple users and comes with an intuitive digital system.
An extra large fan on this bike gives you a tougher, high resistance workout as well as a powerful cooling breeze. The handles are sloped so that you can use it while sitting upright, which is great for a user with back issues. It also has an extra wide, comfortable seat.
The digital LCD display allows you to track all the important features of your workout, including your calories and heartrate. It also has memory to keep track of your workouts and mark your progress. This is a heavier bike, but it is very stable and suitable for users that weigh up to 350 pounds.
Criteria Used to Evaluate Airdyne Bikes
These are a very diverse selection of Airdyne bikes, each with their own pros and cons. But there are a few important features they all have in common, which make them great tools for a home workout. Before you go out and purchase your own Airdyne bike, here are a some of the criteria you are going to want to keep in mind.
Fan Size
All Airdyne bikes work with air resistance. A fan pushes the air as you pedal – the harder you pedal, the higher the resistance and the tougher the workout. A bike with a larger wheel will give you more resistance than a bike with a smaller wheel.
If you are just looking for a casual home workout tool, you won’t have to worry too much about fan size and resistance. If you are a serious Crossfitter or training for a big race, though, you will want to look for a bike that gives you the most resistance possible.
Adjustability
The more features of your bike you can adjust, the more comfortable it is going to be. At the very minimum, you should be able to adjust the seat of your bike up and down, to be as far from or near to the pedals as you would like. More advanced bikes also allow you to move the seat forward and backward – this can be great if you have a more sensitive back and don’t want to have to bend over to reach the handles.
Tracking and Monitoring
All of the bikes we reviewed on this list have digital screens to track your progress as you are biking. Cheaper, less technical bikes will allow you to monitor time and speed in RPM, and sometimes calories burnt. More technical bikes can track more features – the ability to measure your heartrate as you bike can be great for interval training.
If you are on a strict weight loss or training plan and want to keep track of your progress as much as possible, you might want to look out for a bike that can connect to your phone with Bluetooth, so that you can use an appropriate app to store and log all of the data the bike records.
Weight Capacity
You should be aware of the weight capacity of your bike before you buy it. Lighter, cheaper bikes generally have a weight capacity of around 250 pounds. For a heavier user, you might want to look for a bike with a sturdy frame, made out of steel or another tough metal. These bikes will not only be more supportive, but also sturdier and less likely to wobble while you are pedaling.
FAQs
My wife and I want to use the same bike, but we are different heights. Will it be uncomfortable for one of us?
If you are looking for a stationary bike that multiple people in your household are going to use, you should look for an adjustable model. The seat should move up and down or forward and back easily, so that it will be comfortable for users of any height.
Does the material of the bike matter?
The material your bike is made out of will effect its stability. A bike made out of a tougher metal is going to be more stable and less likely to wobble while you are using it, but it will also be harder to move or store
What is the best bike for weight loss?
If you are interested in a bike that will help you stick to a weight loss plan, look for one with a more technical system that will track all of your workout data. That way, you will be able to clearly see how much progress you are making.
Conclusion
If you only have one piece of home gym equipment, make it an Airdyne bike. These bikes are the best way to get an intense, high cardio workout without the joint-damaging impact of running. Whether you are training, trying to lose weight or just want to stay in shape, the best Airdyne bike for you is out there.
