Nowadays, there are all kinds of fitness tools, exercise equipment, and every gym machine known to man! Sometimes you just want to get straight to the point and weigh the benefits of a specific object you have questions about.
So in this article, here we will go over air bike benefits and let you decide if they sound like the right fit for your exercise regimen.
Low impact
One of the air bike’s benefits is that like all stationary bicycles, they’re generally considered low impact and minimally stressful on the user’s joints and body, and the air bike is no exception to this.
With its requirements for use being that the user simply peddles as they would on a normal bike at the speed and intensity that they are most comfortable with.
This means that the air bike is perfect for those with joint problems such as arthritis, injuries that can be aggravated by stress and overexertion, and even for people dealing with osteoporosis, as peddling on the bike doesn’t have a risk of damaging or straining the bones and joints like other gym equipment can.
The main thing to consider though is the intensity of your workouts still come into play, even when using low impact gym equipment, so it’s best to keep the speed, resistance, and intensity lower as you get a handle on things and learn what your body will tolerate best.
Intensity can go only as high or as low as you desire
The above talk about intensity brings me to another aspect of air bike benefits, which is their highly adjustable and variable workout entirely dependent on the user!
This is because unlike other stationary bikes, the air bike doesn’t have controls or levels that allow you to change the speed or resistance settings, as it’s all entirely determined by the speed in which you pedal.
More peddling at faster rates and speed heightens the resistance and intensity of the workout because of the air moving through and fighting against the fan blades, as at lower speeds, there isn’t much air pushing against them, making it easier to peddle and the bike feel less ‘heavy’ when using it.
It’s important to remember and study good form and keep that in mind as you work your way up in intensity, as poor form as a result of hunching or sitting in a bad position can lead to pain and soreness, especially during tougher workouts!
Perfect for cardiovascular exercise, and burns calories easily
Cycling has been found in quite a few studies to burn more calories and be better cardio exercise than flat out running, and is easier on the joints, along with not being fraught with the hazards which come with the outdoors such as things to trip over or injure yourself on, the air bike is a safe and effective tool to get a proper cardio workout!
Stationary and traditional bikes have been shown to increase blood and oxygen flow more effectively than running or jogging, which strengthens the heart and lungs and builds stamina, so over time, you can work up to having longer or higher intensity sessions.
Because of the varying intensity and user determined resistance, unlike the treadmill or an elliptical, the user is also less likely to suffer as much boredom when exercising on an air bike, which heightens the chances of you sticking to a routine and getting consistent and effective exercise using your machine.
As mentioned, the amount of calories the air bike can burn is something to behold, as, for comparison, the average runner burns about 100 calories per mile, swimming can burn about 100 to closer to 300 per 30 minutes, and for playing sports such as soccer or tennis, either one can burn about 200 to 300 calories per 30-minute session.
But how much does the air bike burn?
80 calories a minute at higher intensities!
This makes it an amazing tool for weight loss, as the more calories you burn, the more pounds you will shed, along with the muscle you build using your bike will also help burn more calories than you were previously capable of.
The compounding effect of the above, and combining this with methods such as High Intensity Interval Training, aka (HIIT), and you have something truly powerful in your arsenal.
A full-body workout, coupled with sturdy construction!
Unlike running, swimming, or other forms of exercise, the air bike’s benefit is providing the user a full-body workout, as many of the major muscle groups are engaged and involved when peddling and using the handles of the bike.
You can use your arms to push and pull while grasping the handlebars, and the pedals offer a thorough workout for the lower body, such as the legs, thighs, and calves, as well as the core muscles in the abdominal area to hold you steady while positioned on the machine.
This combination makes the air bike an exceptional tool for conditioning the body, due to it working many and toning so many muscle groups in the body and strengthening them, along with the potential for high-intensity training to take this to the next level!
Another great air bike benefit is the fact that they’re built to last and very sturdy, many have an upper weight capacity limit of 300 pounds, making them accessible to many people, especially those who are on the heavier side and looking to jump-start their weight loss.
But their size brings me to another category of specifics to get into; things to consider and keep in mind before settling on the decision to purchase yourself an air bike.
Things to consider
Noise produced by the bike’s fan, monitor, or drive system may be bothersome to certain people
It may come as no surprise that air bikes can be a little noisy, basically akin to a an electric fan you’d use in the summer or a wind gust, as the air produced from the fan on the bike can vary in volume depending on how fast you’re pedaling.
The monitor or computer system can also produce the occasional beeping sound, along with possible clinking or rustling of the chain or belt system depending on type.
This is one of those smaller things that can feel like a big problem to some people, so best to consider if this is a dealbreaker for you or not, and consider the placement of your air bike in the home as to not disturb others.
Air bikes are large and bulky
Many air bikes can weigh around 100 pounds or more, making them not so easy to move if you set one up in a place that you later decide you wish to change the location of, as well that size coming with taking up considerable floor space.
This machine also does not fold, so, it definitely would have trouble fitting in an apartment or small home, as it’s not something that could easily be shoved aside into a smaller corner of the house.
Considering this, planning around if you have space in your home to fit the air bike is an important and often overlooked step by eager buyers excited to get their first take of the air bike’s benefits!
Can be expensive
While smaller air bikes can be purchased for around 220 dollars or so, the more sturdy and larger ones often are priced around the 700 plus range, easily reaching prices up to 2,400 dollars.
This makes it important to consider if you have space in your budget for the bike and to plan accordingly based on the expenditure.
In conclusion, the air bike’s benefits are numerous and truly set it apart into a category of its own!
This is not without its cons, such as their size and price tag, however, if those are not an issue for the potential purchaser, then the air bike is an unmatched piece of muscle toning, body conditioning, calorie and fat burning gym equipment that would fit perfectly into anyone’s fitness arsenal.
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