{"id":13864,"date":"2024-05-08T10:25:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T09:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mensfitness.co.uk\/?p=13864"},"modified":"2024-06-13T14:18:18","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T13:18:18","slug":"how-to-use-an-air-bike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mensfitness.co.uk\/features\/how-to-use-an-air-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Use An Air Bike"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Understand how to use an air bike properly and you’ll be able to make huge cardio gains.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re clued up on the best exercise bikes<\/a>, you’ll know the air bike has hugely risen in popularity over recent years. One of the stars of the show on the CrossFit scene, it\u2019s an excellent cardio machine for pushing your lung capacity and general endurance to the limits. But how many of us know how to use an air bike properly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One major advantage of the air bike is that it’s not particularly technical. While good technique will allow you to be more efficient, you’ll get a solid, lung-busting workout however you go about it. That’s unlike machines like rowers and ski machines, for which proper form is a more integral factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does an air bike differ from a regular bike?<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe air bike involves moving your arms,\u201d says Kahn Porter<\/a>, a seven-time CrossFit Games athlete, \u201cwhich works more muscle groups, making it more challenging.” He adds that you can increase the resistance on stationary bikes, whereas the air bike only has one setting.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not say air bikes aren\u2019t challenging. Anyone who’s had a go on the likes of the AssaultBike Classic<\/a> or Schwinn Airdyne AD8<\/a> will testify to that. Moving the arm handles and pedals simultaneously moves the flywheel, positioned at the front of the bike. The quicker you move the handles and pedals, the faster the flywheel moves \u2013 and the more air the blades of the flywheel have to contend with. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, in turn, increases the resistance on the movement. Moving slowly, on the other hand, equates to little resistance.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe air bike is a machine everyone loves to hate,\u201d says Porter, \u201cas doing intervals and sprints on them will leave even the fittest people in the world rolling round on the floor afterwards.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common air bike mistakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you fatigue on an air bike, which can happen very quickly, people will often start to drop their chest as they get more tired,\u201d add Porter. Instead, focus on keeping an upright torso, which will allow you to breathe more efficiently. It might be tough when you\u2019re feeling worn down by the bike, but in the long run it will help.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnother thing people do when they get tired is rock excessively side to side to involve more of their upper body,\u201d says Porter, \u201cmost likely when their legs are feeling heavy and struggling to keep their pace up.\u201d Form does deteriorate when you\u2019re fatigued, but it\u2019s important to avoid rotating and keep your chest as open as possible.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Your air bike technique will inevitably start to deteriorate as you fatigue, but try to get into a rhythm with each push and pull | Image: Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Effective air bike technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n