Air Bike vs Spin Bike for Weight Loss

We've all been there. You walk into your new gym with a weight loss goal in mind, only to be left feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of fitness equipment available.

Where do you start?

Cycling is a smart choice for fat burning, but there's more than one type of indoor bike available.

You've probably encountered spin bikes before, even if only in advertisements. These are your "typical" exercise bikes, with notable examples including the increasingly popular and heavily advertised Peloton. An air bike, however, is a different beast altogether.

In this blog post, we'll explore the differences between air bikes vs spin bikes, and we'll answer that all-important question of which machine is better for shedding excess weight.

What is a Spin Bike?

Spin bikes are your "typical" stationary bikes that you'll normally see lined up in the gym. A flywheel mechanism adds adjustable resistance that simulates the experience of cycling outdoors.

Many spin bikes, like those found in spinning studios, are similar in appearance to a regular bicycle and require you to be in an upright position. Others have seats for a more relaxed workout. It's also common to have an LCD screen mounted in the front, which can be used for selecting different programs, tracking your workout, or joining group sessions over a Wi-Fi connection.

Spin Bike Pros

• More appropriate for consistent training at a fixed resistance
• LCD screen often allows for group workout sessions
• Generally much lighter than an air bike

Spin Bike Cons

• Some bikes require a Wi-Fi connection to maximise some of its features

What is an Air Bike?

An air bike's main differentiator is that it has a large fan installed in the front, where you'd expect the bike's wheel to be. This is why an air bike is often called a "fan bike". As you pedal, the fan spins with increasing speed, creating air resistance. In turn, this makes it more difficult to pedal quickly, which increases the effort required from you to move the pedals.

Air bikes typically have moving handlebars too, which work in much the same way as an elliptical trainer. While pedalling, you move your hands forward and back, which means you're getting a full-body workout instead of simply exercising your legs. However, this also means that it can be much harder work, which is why you'll often hear a third name being used for this piece of equipment: the assault bike (though this is a specific model of air bike in itself).

Air Bike Pros

• Works out your entire body, rather than just your legs
• Sturdily built and can typically support much heavier weights
• Doesn't usually need to be assembled
• More appropriate for HIIT (high-intensity interval training)
• Limited impact on joints

Air Bike Cons

• Large machines that generally take up more space in the home
• Tend to be more expensive than spin bikes

Air Bike vs Spin Bike: Detailed Comparison

So, how exactly do the finer differences stack up between an air bike and a spin bike? Below, we'll take a more detailed look at other key components for each bike, as well as important points such as the cost and noise generated by each.

Handlebars / Grips

Spin bikes have stationary handlebars that usually offer more than one stance. This is especially true of spin bikes with seats, which allow you to lean forward into your bike or remain sitting upright. However, they are always fixed in place.

With an air bike, you'll usually have two vertical bars that allow you to engage your arms and shoulders during the workout. Holding onto and moving these bars will incorporate an upper-body workout session, and it can also help you to manage the resistance generated by the fan.

Pedals

Spin bikes offer a reasonable degree of variety in terms of the pedals you can choose. Some have simple flat pedals, while others provide straps, cleat shoes, or toe cages to anchor your feet in place.

Air bike pedals, on the other hand, do not typically include any kind of anchoring mechanism for race shoes. However, the Orbit Ergo AirForce 300.2 Pro Air Bike does have toe cages so your feet feel secure - especially important when you’re sprint-cycling during an intense phase of a quick 20 minute HIIT workout.

Bike Wheel

Spin bikes have a much smaller wheel than air bikes. Also called a flywheel, this component uses weights to provide resistance when you're cycling.

On an air bike, the front wheel is typically where you'll find the fan. The wheels tend to be larger unless you've opted for an air bike at the lower end of the budget. As you pedal, the fan spins, creating air resistance. This essentially provides an unlimited level of resistance that's only bound by how hard you can work your legs.

Noise Generation

Spin bikes aren't particularly noisy, and if a low-key machine is important to you, then look for a magnet-based spin bike. Their magnetic resistance mechanism leads to less noise being generated compared to models that use felt pads.

Air bikes aren't especially noisy either; most of the sound generated by these models results from the fan blades slicing through the air. This results in a level of noise that's not all too different to a regular house fan, albeit slightly amplified.

Cost

Spin bikes can vary widely in their cost, which is largely due to the features that you may or may not choose to have included. For example, if you're picking up a spin bike with an interactive console that can connect to Wi-Fi, then you could be looking at a four-figure price tag.

However, stripped-back models cycling with resistance can start at a few hundred dollars. It's important to pay attention to build quality and user reviews if you're shopping on a budget, as assembly is likely to be required, and you don't want to end up with cheap parts that could cause injury.

One of our best selling entry level models is the Orbit Sierra Spin Bike.

Air bikes tend to be pricier still, despite cheaper models being available. While more affordable models can be found online, they tend to skimp where it matters. Cheaper models will usually have smaller fan wheels, which leads to less resistance.

Click the following link to view the Orbit Ergo AirForce 300.2 Pro Air Bike.

So, is an air bike better than a spin bike for losing weight?

There is no clear-cut answer to this question, as we all know that weight loss requires a careful balance of calories in vs calories out. However, in helping you to achieve that ideal balance and lose weight, an air bike is a great choice for a stationary exercise bike.

For rapid weight loss and overall improvement in your cardiovascular health, choose an air bike paired with an HIIT program. Just bear in mind that this high-intensity exercise regime isn't suited to people with cardiovascular issues or diabetes. However, for those who struggle with ailments that are unsuited to HIIT, a spin bike is still a popular choice for shedding excess kilos.

Remember to always consult your doctor before starting any fitness program.

Still unsure which option is right for you? Our friendly team of fitness equipment experts will guide you. Why not email us or call 1300 13 42 13 to get started.