The 7 Best Exercise Bikes with Moving Arms of 2024, According to Experts

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If you’re itching to get that cardio in, but your upper body’s starting to feel like the last kid picked in kickball, it might be time to browse some of the best exercise bikes with moving arms. While many of the best exercise bikes will find your hands glued to the handlebars, exercise bikes with moving arms incorporate...
The post The 7 Best Exercise Bikes with Moving Arms of 2024, According to Experts appeared first on BarBend.


If you’re itching to get that cardio in, but your upper body’s starting to feel like the last kid picked in kickball, it might be time to browse some of the best exercise bikes with moving arms. While many of the best exercise bikes will find your hands glued to the handlebars, exercise bikes with moving arms incorporate a bit of pushing and pulling for your upper body.





Traditional exercise bikes can help build muscle, manage weight, and prevent cardiovascular disease. (1) Incorporating your upper body into a cardio workout — as you may have seen CrossFit athletes do during air bike sprint intervals — can cut training time down while providing cardiorespiratory adaptations such as raised VO2 max and increased endurance. (2) Regardless of your level of ability or desired training intensity, we’re confident there’s a choice on our list of the best exercise bikes with arms that’ll fit your needs. Here are our top picks.





The 7 Best Exercise Bikes with Moving Arms of 2024







About our Expert:



This article has been reviewed by Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC a certified personal trainer, certified nutrition coach, and CrossFit Level-1 Trainer. She reviewed the research we cite to help ensure we’re providing helpful, accurate descriptions and recommendations.






How We Tested and Chose the Best Exercise Bikes with Moving Arms



From air bikes with sturdy frames to folding bikes with resistance bands to recumbent bikes with hand cycles, we’ve curated our selection built on years of experience testing out every at-home exercise bike we could get our hands on. The BarBend roster is filled with cyclists, CrossFit coaches, and lifelong fitness fanatics who have tried and tested over 20 exercise bikes to bring you our top exercise bikes with moving arms.





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Control screen on the Rogue Echo Air Bike.



Our team of testers has pedaled thousands of miles on these bikes to provide you with our in-depth honest opinions on factors such as durability, adjustability, tech capabilities, and more. Because we’re so woozy from all of the miles spent in the saddle, our testing methodology is simple, with ratings in each category from 1 (boo, it’s bad) to 5 (huzzah, we love it). We’ve worked hard to give you an understanding of how some of the best cardio machines stack up. The following are some of the areas we considered when making our selection.





Upper Body Workout



“Cycling brings an impressive collection of health benefits to the table: cardiovascular health, endurance, stamina, muscular endurance are all improved with cycling, to name a few,” notes BarBend’s expert reviewer, Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC. If you’re looking for an exercise bike with moving arms, you’re likely interested in getting your upper body involved in your cycling routine for a full-body workout.





We made sure that each of our offerings provided just that, with pushing and pulling work to propel the fan on air bikes, hand cycles for those looking to increase their mobility or rehab injuries, and exercise bikes with included resistance bands so you can bust out reps while spinning away.





Price



The bikes on our list range in price from $229.99 up to $1,099. From some of the best budget exercise bikes to more high-end purchases, this spread of pricing was to make sure we had an option that would suit your budget. Whether you’re looking to invest in premium fitness equipment with added features or you’re sticking your toes in the exercise-bike-water to see if you’re interested in spinning with incorporated upper body work, a choice on our list will have the price tag that suits what you’re looking for.





While our selections have a wide price range all told, you’ll find that a majority of options hover around $700 to $800 dollars. We made sure to highlight the pros and cons of each bike so you know where a model is overachieving and where it might be compromising.





Inclusivity



Inclusivity can take on many forms. First, there’s the adjustability of the seat’s height and depth — comfort becomes that much more important once you throw arms in the mix. We also wanted to ensure each bike on our list had a wide range of resistance that could accommodate both beginners and experienced riders. Our goal was to highlight bikes that would suit users of varying heights and abilities, with options suited for CrossFit athletes and senior citizens looking to stay active in their golden years. The benefits of cycling should be accessible to as many people as possible.





Best Air Bike with Moving Arms Overall: Rogue Echo Bike















Rogue Echo Air Bike









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Rogue Echo Air Bike









This bike offers a low impact workout that includes upper body work as well thanks to its moving arms. The Rogue Echo Air Bike’s LCD display allows you to select from modes like intervals, targeting time, distance, calories, and heart rate tracking.

















Shop Rogue


























Specs



  • Price: $895


  • Dimensions: 52.25? H x 55? L x 29.5? W


  • Weight: 123lbs


  • Resistance: Air


  • Weight Capacity: 330lbs







Pros



  • This user-powered air bike is forged from heavy-duty steel that’s been powder coated to prevent rust and corrosion.


  • It has pegs on either side of the fan that let users rest their feet and only use their arms to power the bike.


  • Users of varying heights can find a comfy setup due to the seat’s four-way adjustability.


  • The LCD screen tracks your training metrics like calories burned, heart rate, distance, and intervals.







Cons



  • At 123 pounds, this bike is 25 pounds heavier than the Assault AirBike and one of the heaviest air bikes we’ve seen.


  • While this bike can track your heart rate, you can link up your own heart rate monitor.


  • There are no phone or water bottle holders on this bike.






Air bikes rely on users pedaling their feet and pumping their arms to provide resistance, which means you won’t need to plug your bike into a power source since you are the power source. The Rogue Echo Air Bike is one of the best air bikes we’ve gotten our hands and feet on, built with heavy-duty steel to provide stability and finished with a textured black powder coat that’ll keep corrosion and rust at bay. Overall this bike scored a 4.6 out of 5.





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Our tester gets on the Rogue Echo Air Bike.



The Rogue Echo 3.0 is definitely more sturdy than other air bikes I’ve tried,” noted our tester, who scored construction a 4.8 out of 5. With knurled 4.5-inch foot pegs on either side of the fan, users can rest their feet when they want to give their upper-body a dedicated workout. And the padded seat has eight height adjustments and five horizontal adjustments, so users of varying heights can find the right position to pump their arms or take off riding.





The 5-inch by 8-inch LCD screen, larger than the previous model’s 6.4-inch by 3.4-inch console, tracks training metrics like calories, distance, intervals, and heart rate. However, you’ll need your own heart rate monitor to connect with the bike. With Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, something the previous model didn’t have, you can pair your bike with heart rate monitors and fitness apps like Zwift, Strava, and Garmin.





“A belt drive, which the Rogue Echo Bike utilizes… requires less maintenance than chain drives, and they are quieter,” noted BarBend’s expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CF-L1, CES, CSNC.





Our tester is also a fan (no pun intended). “I’ve had this bike for four years and I’ve yet to have any problems or needed to do any maintenance to keep things running smoothly,” they said. Durability scored a 5 out of 5. They did, however, wish the bike had storage units for water bottles and phones.





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Adjusting the Rogue Echo Air Bike.



This bike’s stability and durability comes at the price of footprint and portability, which scored a 2 out of 5. At 123 pounds, it’s 25 pounds heavier than the Assault Air Bike and one of the heaviest air bikes we’ve seen. It’s also longer and wider than the average air bike by several inches, so those tight on space may want to look elsewhere.





Read our full Rogue Echo Bike Review.





Best Air Bike with Moving Arms for Beginners: AssaultBike Classic















Assault AirBike









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Assault AirBike









The Assault AirBike is a moderately priced bike with a solid build that features a powder-coated steel frame. It’s an upright indoor bike with moving arms that’s designed to burn calories and integrate seamlessly into cross-training and interval workouts.

















Shop Assault


























Specs



  • Price: $699


  • Dimensions: 50’’ H x 50.95’’ L x 23.34’’ W


  • Weight: 95.6lbs


  • Resistance: Air


  • Weight Capacity: 300lbs







Pros



  • Set-up is relatively easy and beginners can just hop on and start pedaling without having to fiddle with settings.


  • The powder-coated steel frame and 20 sealed cartridge bearings ensure longevity with proper upkeep.


  • Steel pegs on either side of the fan allow users to rest their feet and focus on their upper-body arm workout.







Cons



  • This bike has no speakers or storage for water bottles and phones.


  • There isn’t Bluetooth or ANT+ capabilities that would allow you to connect to fitness apps.






Beginners looking for simplicity will appreciate the ease of use and setup of the AssaultBike Classic, a sturdy and straightforward air bike with a set of moving handles that you can push and pull on their own or in conjunction with your pedaling. “Putting this bike together was fairly easy. The frame and flywheel come pre-assembled, and all I had to do was attach the handles, seat post, pedals, and monitor,” said our tester, who rated setup and delivery a 4 out of 5. Once built, there’s no need to log in to an app or touchscreen — or even plug in to an outlet — to hop on and get your workout in.





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Jake using Assault AirBike.



It offers six seat height adjustments and forward and backwards adjustability to find the right fit for your body. And with a powder-coated steel frame and 20 sealed cartridge bearings, this bike should last you for years. “Assault Fitness makes durable bikes, and with proper maintenance, I bet this could last a couple decades,” said our tester, who scored durability a 4 out of 5.





The AssaultBike Classic is popular in CrossFit gyms, as its self-powered design is ideal for busting out a quick Tabata training session or HIIT workout while also working out upper body muscles like your chest, back, biceps, and triceps.





“This is a great way to simply hit a quick upper-body workout,” noted Jake Herod, BarBend’s expert product tester in his video review. “Because the arms are moveable, it’s going to allow you to burn some extra calories. And you can put your feet on the pegs completely to just focus on your upper body.”






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok34YSJqQgE&feature=youtu.beVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Assault AirBike Review (2022) — Feel the BURN? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok34YSJqQgE&feature=youtu.be)




While its utilitarian design makes it beginner-friendly, you may miss some of the features found on standard exercise bikes. You won’t find a water bottle holder or speakers to blast your jams during your workout, for example.





And while the LCD screen provides basic training metrics, it isn’t a touchscreen, and there aren’t Bluetooth or ANT+ capabilities to connect to fitness apps. Tech capabilities scored a 3 out of 5. “However, there is some limited heart rate connectivity,” noted our tester.





Read our full Assault AirBike Classic Review.





Best Premium Air Bike with Moving Arms: Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0















Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0









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Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0









Bells of Steel's Blitz Air Bike 2.0 utilizes a belt-driven operation that's quieter and requires less maintenance than chain-driven bikes. It also provides a handful of creature comforts, including rubber hand grips, a removable fan guard, and a seat with 10 different height adjustments.

















Shop Bells of Steel


























Specs



  • Price: $799.99


  • Dimensions: 51’’ H x 53’’ L x 23’’ W


  • Weight: 118lbs


  • Resistance: Air


  • Weight Capacity: 350lbs







Pros



  • The belt drive on this air bike can provide a quieter ride, need less maintenance, and last longer than chain-drive belts.


  • Unlike the AssaultBike or Rogue Echo, the 25-inch fan comes with a wind guard that you can pop on or off.


  • The 350-pound weight capacity is 50 pounds higher than the AssaultBike Classic and 20 pounds higher than the Rogue Echo.







Cons



  • At 118 pounds, this bike is 22 pounds heavier than the AssaultBike Classic and may be difficult to move around.


  • There’s no Bluetooth or ANT+ compatibility.


  • The LCD screen isn’t backlit, which can impact readability.






The Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike provides premium comfort, durability, and has impressive features to take your full-body conditioning to new heights. Unlike chain-drive bikes, the belt-drive on this air bike is more durable and provides for a quieter workout experience. Additionally, the 350-pound weight capacity is substantial, 50 pounds more than the AssaultBike Classic and 20 pounds more than the Rogue Echo. Our team gave an overall score of 4 out of 5.





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Adjusting the seat on a Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike.



Premium purchases require stability and durability. The Blitz Air Bike is forged from steel with a powder coat finish to help keep corrosion and rust at bay. Its high-quality construction, however, makes its 118-pound frame heavier than the AssaultBike Classic by more than 20 pounds, resulting in a 3 out of 5 for portability.





That weight, though, has its benefits. “Even when I was pedaling and pumping the arms as fast as I could go, the bike didn’t move or wobble,” noted our tester. Durability scored a 4.5 out of 5.





While most air bikes provide a breeze due to the spinning of the fan, the Blitz comes with a wind guard to ensure you don’t catch cold or disrupt a good hair day. “This is great for the winter when I don’t want a breeze,” said our tester.





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Control screen on the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike.



Amenities include a phone and water bottle holder and an LCD screen to track your training. Additionally, the seat has 10 levels of height adjustments, as well as forward and backward adjustments, to accommodate riders of varying heights. Adjustability and ergonomics scored a 4 out of 5.





While this bike features premium rubber hand grips and knurled foot posts, you won’t find much in the way of tech capabilities. The LCD display provides basic user metrics and some built-in workout programs, but it isn’t backlit, which can make reading your stats difficult in darker rooms. Plus, you won’t find Bluetooth or ANT+ capabilities to pair your fitness apps to the bike. Conveniences scored a 3.75 out of 5.





[Related: The 8 Best Fitness Apps]





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Seat cushion adjustment on the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike.



For overall value, our tester rated it a 4 out of 5. “I highly recommend this bike. It’s super similar to the Fringe Sports Raptor Bike, which costs $949, so you’re saving a good chunk of change with the Bells of Steel Blitz.





Best Budget Exercise Bike with Moving Arms: Titan Fan Bike















Titan Fan Bike









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Titan Fan Bike









Heavy-duty and budget-friendly, the Titan Fan Bike is forged from powder-coated steel with sealed cartridge bearings in every pivot. Solid and stable at 111 pounds, the bike also includes 10-inch turf tires and a knurled steel handle that eases the pain of transport.











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