Air Bike Exercise Machine

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joesxm3

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Anyone have one of these?

My knees are not 100% and I can't run or jog but I would like to do some HIIT. I am also supposed to do at least 30 minutes of cardio per day. Currently I walk but with winter coming that will not be fun.

I saw a post on X suggesting that these air bikes are zero impact and can do both cardio and HIIT. They are not cheap, about $750.

Any thoughts?

I have a 39 year old Nordic Track machine. It does not impact and when I tried it recently for a minute my knees seemed ok but I had trouble coordinating. I probably can get used to it again but I worry that I might twist my knee. I can probably do HIIT by just going as fast as I can. But maybe the air bike might be a better option.

I don't go to a gym and am not too keen on having to go to the gym. I would rather do it at home.
 
I've got an older (out of production) Schwinn Airdyne AD4 stationary bike. It's larger and IMO much more comfortable than the newer, smaller Airdynes. You can find AD4's with a little searching.
 
I went thru a period where my knees would not allow much activity and bought one, I just hated the thing, bored to tears and depending on the setting can be a real challenge. I recommend trying one out at a gym first. Alternatively they are easy to find second hand as many people buy them and they become glorified junk collectors. There are also quite a few seated workouts available on Youtube that can be fairly demanding, I do a seated weight lifting routine sometimes that I discovered during an injury because I like it so much, can not think of his name but he is a fellow in the UK I think with Cellos in the background, if you search for "Seated Dumbbell workout " it should pop right up.
 
+1 on the “vintage” Airdyne. I just picked one up about 6 months ago.Same situation as you. I walk but am using the Airdyne too. I had one years ago but lost it in a move.
The best part is you can pick ‘em up for $100 or less. I don’t think anybody ever wears one out, so used is OK.

If nothing else you can buy one & see if you like it, then maybe buy a better one if you think you like the exercise.

I’m fine with the cheapo so I’ll be keeping it.
 
+2 on buying a cheapo version OR try before you buy.

Two of my DSs have stationary bikes, one has an air bike (not sure of the model) and the other a more simple stationary bike but with features that allow you to adjust your tension, time yourself, check your pulse etc - with a big cushy seat. I actually started using DS #5's simple model when I was staying with the family in Minnesota over the winter two years ago. (It was cooooooold outdoors so I wasn't walking outdoors too much.) I actually got in a routine using it and bought the same model cheapo bike when I got home. I use it almost daily, and yes you can do HIIT on it, but I tend to use the rebounder on my Pilates machine for that.

The important thing about choosing a bike is that it comfortable for you, that it serves your purpose - and that you use it.
 
I'd call and ask the gym before assuming they had one like you want. I mean, sorry if that is obvious I just don't think they probably have a lot of "kinds" of bikes.
 
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We had one from Sears! It was ok but DW hated the seat. I seem to recall it was kinda loud. Both air and magnetic resistance machines are nice and smooth IMO. They are much more like a bicycle than the friction resistance machines. I think magnetic is more adjustable.
 
Yes the Airdyne is loud. That’s its main downside. It’s good points are
Cheap. No electricity needed, easy resistance adjustment via speed. Light, easy to move and you can work your arms to some extent and did I mention
Cheap! 😁
 
If you have an old road or “hybrid” bike, look into getting a smart trainer and companion app like Zwift. It’s a far more engaging experience than an old exercise bike and watching TV. The app controls the trainer resistance and “gameifies” your workout. You can do canned workouts of varying intensity or just ride predefined routes. Some apps even have real video of routes you can ride and follow. I use this type of setup in the winter when it’s just not possible to get out and ride, even with my fat tire bike, which is great on snow.
 
Have you thought about trying a Peloton bike? You can go into a Peloton store and try it out.
I've been using mine for 4 years and I still use it several times a week. It is quiet (I sometimes ride in the same bedroom my wife is sleeping in with headphones to hear the audio) without waking her up.
The tension controls allow for as hard or easy peddling you want, or to follow the instructors on screen. There are hundreds of HIIT rides and the cardio workout is excellent. I have Afib and had a heart attack 12 years ago and this has been the best exercise regiment for me to stay healthy.
I live in NJ and I have even done live rides in person at Peloton studios in NYC Including a HIIT ride in late July. I was the oldest one in the class, but I held my own among the much younger crowd there. If you have any questions, let me know.
 
I used to ride a lot until balance became an issue. Now I ride a $5k recumbent trike around the neighborhood. I also have a recumbent magnetic stationary bike I bought years ago when I needed something for PT and when the weather was bad. Resistance is adjustable, it can record workouts, and it is quiet so I can listen to music or watch TV. Years ago I tried the Schwinn air bike and liked it since the resistance increased as you pedaled faster but I found it to be way too noisy. Maybe that has changed now.
When I used to ride a bike outdoors I also had an adjustable Mag trainer that I could clamp to my road bike or beach bike to use indoors. That is another option and give you the choice of riding both indoors and outdoors.
Trying a stationary bike at a fitness center is a good idea to see if you like it but don't think a home model will be as nice unless you are willing to spend the Big Bucks.
 
Full disclosure - when one of my friends call me and I know it's going to be a long chat, I jump on the stationary bike. :biggrin:
 
I have an old Motobecan Grand Touring bike with shot tires. Is there some sort of stand I can get to ride this in the house. What would it be called? Would I need to fix the tires?
 
The magnetic resistance seems appealing since I listen to podcasts.

I see Joruda and Yasuda bikes on Amazon. Any idea about these companies? Look to be under $400.

But it seems the air bike on Amazon had a chain and these have a belt?

Also they do not have arm exercisers. But that may not be critical to me. I mainly want to get 30 min of cardio in the winter and to be able to drive up my heart rate and huff and puff for 30 seconds once in a while.
 
I have an elliptical machine at home precisely because my knees have given me problems from a young age, and I didn't want to do any exercise that could make them worse.
 
joesxm3 said:
I have an old Motobecan Grand Touring bike with shot tires. Is there some sort of stand I can get to ride this in the house. What would it be called? Would I need to fix the tires?
Click to expand...
That is a nice bike especially with lugged frame. Yes you should replace the tires and tubes for about $50. If you are using it on a stand/trainer then you don't need expensive tires and tubes. As long as it is in good working condition all you should need is a good cleaning and lube. Check Amazon for a magnetic trainer and check the reviews. You should be able to get one for about $100.
 
Due some DD on anti gravity treadmill to jog on. Seriously like no impact. I can’t run anymore accept on this machine. They have them at a lot of gyms . Expensive but you can really stride out without hurting yourself. Even with bad knees you may be surprised
 
I've had a Schwin AirDyne and a now have a Rogue Echo Bike. I really like the Echo Bike. It's incredibly solid, quiet, and smooth. The LCD console is much bigger than my old AirDyne's console and it tracks intervals, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and more. It also has Bluetooth / ANT+ compatibility, allowing users to connect to various cycling apps for even more performance feedback.
 
My friend has an old wobbly exercise bike that he is willing to lend me.

I tried it out and tried to do HIIT but my leg muscles tired out before I started huffing and puffing.

I am going to take him up on the loan offer and hope that I can improve my leg muscles by just peddling. Last fall when I hurt my knee and back my legs really deconditioned.
 
rk911 said:
I've got an older (out of production) Schwinn Airdyne AD4 stationary bike. It's larger and IMO much more comfortable than the newer, smaller Airdynes. You can find AD4's with a little searching.
Click to expand...
I have one also- the fan bike- for many years with the moveable arms. Still using it, especially in bad weather when I can’t walk outside.
 
joesxm3 said:
I have an old Motobecan Grand Touring bike with shot tires. Is there some sort of stand I can get to ride this in the house. What would it be called? Would I need to fix the tires?
Click to expand...
Google bike trainer stand. You would need to fix the back tire.
 
We have a Peloton bike. It was a pandemic purchase and we have really enjoyed having it. It was on the pricier side, but the comfort and programming have made it worth it to us.
 
I bought an Airdyne AD-3 in 1986 and I still use it. It was a $600 investment at that time. I bought a "reading stand" attachment and I can go for hours if I get lost in a book. Back then, it was a hassle keeping a spined book open, magazines were better. Now my kindle makes it easy to read anything while exercising.
 
MIL has a 40 yo Schwinn AirDyne. We try to get her to ride it, but she rides it less and less as she gets older. She doesn’t want to ride it in the summer in her spare bedroom because it gets too hot in a room having no ac. And she says it’s boring.

She does about 10 minutes on it when she does ride it. Good workout for her since it moves all body parts with no impact.
 
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