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Exercise bikes are a wonderful addition to any contemporary home gym, but which one is the right fit for your setup? It can become difficult to sift through a stream of options to pick the one that works best for your needs.
In the market right now, two variations are all the rage – the air bike and spin bike.
Both offer something unique, powerful, and engaging that will leave you loving your workouts. This comparison is going to dive deeper into what these machines are all about and which ones are right for your situation at home.
Biggest Differences Between and Air Bike and Spin
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1. Resistance
It all starts with resistance as this is the most noticeable difference. With the air bike, the resistance is going to be generated by your pedaling as the fan begins to spin. While the spin bike has a built-in resistance setup that is going to be tweaked through an adjustment knob.
It’s this subtle difference that changes how you workout and the effort you have to put in to get the pedals to turn.
2. Ride Style
Riders will often notice the difference in ride style between the two types of bikes. For example, the air bike is going to have more of an up and down build-up when it comes to the amount of effort you’re going to put in.
As the pedals turn faster, you are going to face additional resistance. The same happens in the opposite direction when you slow down.
The benefits include:
- Complete Control Over Pedaling
- Easier to Stop
- Fine-Tuned for Performance
With a spin bike, it doesn’t matter what the speed is. You are always going to be facing the same type of resistance once you begin to pedal.
This tends to make the workout more regulated whether it’s the first minute or the last.
3. Exercise Options
Several workout programs are built around personal effort (i.e. HIIT training) while others are built around completing a set routine for a set amount of time.
For set routines, you are going to enjoy the spin bike, while effort-based workouts are going to suit the air bike more.
Qualities and Features to Look for in an Air Bike
1. Stable Ride Quality
You will need to start with the ride quality. There should never be a hitch as you are pedaling even if it is going to be powered using manual effort.
It should spin smoothly and provide complete control throughout the workout.
Anything short of this is going to leave you wanting more and that is going to get in the way of your workout routine. A quality air bike should always offer a comprehensive workout that is built around how hard you are pedaling.
The more you pedal, the more resistance you are going to encounter. As you begin to tire, the resistance will slow down.
2. On-Demand Workouts?
You will always want to have access to a good list of workouts that are going to allow you to optimize how things are done.
There is nothing worse than not dealing with a proper on-demand workout.
The benefits include:
- Multiple Workout Options to Choose From
- Easy to Set Up
- Ideal for Beginners and Experienced Riders
A good air bike is going to provide you with a selection of on-demand workouts to choose from.
You can pick the ones that are best suited for your workout needs and get more out of the session. This is tailor-made for those who are all about maximizing their minutes on the bike.
3. High-Quality Monitor
A good display monitor is never a bad thing and it’s going to add value to the experience.
If you are someone that is going to be working out regularly then you will want to have the ability to toggle through a gorgeous monitor that displays relevant real-time data.
Where to Buy a Great Air Bike?
For those who are trying to find the best air bike on the market right now, you are going to want to take a look at the world-class Rogue One. This is a bike that has everything you are ever going to need from a modern-day air bike and it will impress from day one.
Qualities and Features to Look for in a Spin Bike
1. Good Tech Features
If you are thinking about buying a brand-new spin bike, you are going to have to focus on the tech features. These bikes need to be equipped with multiple adjustment options, real-time data, and the ability to toggle through different features to customize the workout session.
This is unique to spin bikes because of how tech-heavy they are.
2. Multiple Resistance Settings
The resistance settings need to be versatile for you to enjoy the workout routine.
A person that is just starting is not going to have the same routine as someone that is an experienced cyclist. Having the ability to go through multiple resistance levels is ideal for a good workout session and makes it more satisfying in the long-term.
The benefits include:
- Seamless Adjustments Between Resistance Levels
- Complete Customization
- Easy to Stop
If the goal is to power through a meaningful workout then it’s best to start with this requirement.
A quality spin bike is going to ensure there is a multitude of workout settings to choose from right away.
RELATED: Echelon vs NordicTrack
3. Compact and Foldable Design
Air bikes are impossible to fold because of the fan, but that doesn’t apply to a spin bike. You can easily fold the best bikes while enjoying the compact design.
This is perfect for those who are working out in the middle of a small apartment and want to maximize each workout session without taking up too much space.
A compact and foldable design is a major plus point when it comes to new-age spin bikes.
4. Connected Workout Options
There are plenty of connected workout options in the world of spin bikes these days, and if you’re looking for one of the best and most affordable we’d suggest checking out Echleon.
They offer a huge library of live and on demand workouts, as well as a variety of other workout options off the bike and on other equipment. Learn more at their website:
Summary: How to Pick the Right Bike for You
When it comes time to pick the right exercise bike, it will depend on your needs.
If you are a beginner, it’s likely better to go with a spin bike with structured resistance levels. However, an experienced user may enjoy an air bike for its effort-based resistance changes.
Key tips to keep in mind:
- Consider Your Workout Style
- Focus on Customization
- Understand Which Resistance Setup is Best for You
Who Should Consider a Spin Bike?
A spin bike is perfect for those who are just starting and want a compact exercise bike for their home. These are tech-savvy individuals that love playing around with different features and simply want to enjoy a good workout routine with controlled settings.
If you want an easy-going, compact bike then this is the only option that will work out for your needs.
Think a spin bike is the best fit? We recommend starting your search with Echelon:
Who Should Consider an Air Bike?
An advanced rider is perfect for the air bike. These are individuals that are all about advanced workout programs such as Crossfit and want to power through each workout using max effort.
If that is something you care about, a no-nonsense air bike is going to win you over.
While the spin bike is convenient, it sometimes doesn’t allow you to go all out without having to make constant changes. The same doesn’t apply to the air bike, which is heavily reliant on the amount of power you are generating while pedaling.
Does an Air Bike sounds like your best fit? Rogue has the best selection we’ve found:
