When I started prioritizing my health, there were times it felt like learning a new language. There were all these new terms and concepts that flew right over my head.
Trying to figure out what worked best for me felt like trying to decode some ancient mystery.
I knew I needed a lower impact exercise, at least to start with, so I decided to give stationary bikes a shot.
They ended up being a good part of my exercise regimen, and a machine like the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro would have made things even better.
Why an Air Bike?
Cycling in general is a great leg workout that includes cardio – getting your heart rate up. Using a stationary bike is safer than road cycling, and you can watch videos or listen to music without worrying about paying attention to your surroundings.
Cardio workouts in general build up stamina, boost your immune system, and release endorphins that can improve your mood and even your sleep.
Air bikes specifically are great for people who want to start resistance training but don’t want to fuss with a bunch of settings on their machines every time they exercise.
As you pedal faster on an air bike, resistance increases, and vice versa when you slow down.
There are several types of people who would benefit from an air bike.
People looking to build up leg muscle while they do their cardio will love their bike.
Beginners who are unsure of how much resistance is right for them can easily play around to find the perfect pace for them, too.
Anyone with sore joints who needs a low impact workout will also benefit.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to build upper body strength, this is not a machine that matches your goals.
In addition, if you want a constant rate of resistance on your exercise bike no matter how fast you’re going, an air bike isn’t going to cut it.
Essential Questions to Ask
Ask yourself a few questions before investing in an air bike:
- Do I want resistance to automatically go up with my speed or do I want to manually set it?
- Is this the type of exercise I want to get?
- Do I have the space in my home to fit the equipment?
- Am I going to use the bike enough to justify having one in my home?
XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro Overview
The XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro is the companion to the AIR350 Airbike from the same company.
Like the big brother to the AIR350, it’s bigger, holds more weight and has some advanced features when you compare the two.
This bike is designed for heavy duty, so it can last from the time you start exercising until you’re able to unironically use the phrase “beast mode.” (Whether you choose to or not is entirely up to you.)
When I say heavy duty, I’m talking about a steel framed bike with an industrial level drive system.
XTERRA is so confident in the frame it has a lifetime warranty.
Like several modern exercise bikes, the handles move so you can incorporate an upper body workout, and there are foot pegs for a sturdy grip if you want to work your top half alone for a bit.
Features and Benefits
Low-Impact Cardio Workout
Cardio workouts in general have many benefits and focus on raising the heart rate and oxygen intake.
By raising your heart rate, you’re training it like any other muscle to function at higher levels.
Cardio workouts like cycling burn fat and can assist in weight loss efforts.
Cycling focuses on the lower body, but this bike has adjustable handles that allows you to add in an upper body workout with ease.
Being a low-impact workout means it’s suitable for people who suffer from tender joints, are rehabbing injuries, and beginners who may feel like they’re doing something wrong if they’re getting “too sore.”
Resistance
Resistance training means that you’re forcing your muscles to work against forces like gravity or in the case of this bike, wind resistance.
This kind of exercise tones your muscles, can improve balance and flexibility, and helps you burn more fat.
On the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro, cranking up the resistance or easing it off is as simple as speeding up or slowing down.
Leisurely pedal for a low resistance workout or ride like you’re training for the Tour de France to do a high resistance program.
There’s no limit to the levels of resistance you can get to because it’s all based on your speed.
Programs
It can be easy to get stuck in an exercise rut, especially as a beginner.
It can be very frustrating to cycle every day and see few results, and sometimes simply getting on and going isn’t going to be enough.
Luckily, there are built in programs on the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro to help you get the most out of your equipment.
There are lots of simple programs to keep you going, like target distance, target time, target calories and target heart rate to match whatever you’re trying to achieve with your workout.
There are also two different pre-made settings for intervals plus a custom setting.
I love interval training, so having the ability to press a button and have the bike time me for my high-intensity and low-intensity times would be a dream come true.
Console
If you’re sick of there being way too much technology in unnecessary places, you will adore the console on the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro.
No breakable touch screen, no need to wait for some app to load or your Bluetooth to synch up, just some simple buttons to set your targets and/or intervals and off you go.
You don’t have to worry about plugging in your bike, either, because this console only takes 4 AA batteries to run, and even they’re included.
While the bike can measure your heart rate with a chest strap and display it on the console, you do have to get the chest strap yourself, but if you don’t want to fuss with it, you don’t have to worry about where you’re going to put a chest strap you don’t use.
Seat
The seat of a stationary bike is an important part to get right, so the performance design of the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro’s seat, made to keep you comfortable and supported, is a big mark in this bike’s favor.
It’s adjustable as well, so you can put it up high if you’re tall or lower it if you’re on the shorter side.
It also adjusts forward and back, so you can find exactly the right position for you.
Handles
No matter how you like to grip the handlebars while you ride, the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro has you covered with an ergonomic set of handlebars designed to support multiple hand positions.
And if you want to add an upper body workout to your cycling, these handles adjust so you can get your whole body moving at once.
Foot Pedals and Pegs
There’s a lot to love about the foot pedals on the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro.
They’re nice and wide, with anti skid marks to keep your feet where you place them, and they’re dual sided so you never have to worry about flipping them around.
If you don’t feel like pedaling and are using the handles for an upper body workout, there are also two fixed pegs to rest your feet on to keep them in place as you feel the burn in your arms.
Fan
The fan on the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro is the key to the air resistance feature.
By pedaling faster, the fan blades accelerate and generate more resistance for you to work through.
As an added bonus, the fan also cools you down as you ride, which is great if you overheat easily or just don’t want to lug a fan in to blow on you as you bike.
Frame
The frame on the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro is made of steel, so it’s not going anywhere you don’t want it too as you work out, no matter the intensity.
It’s backed by a lifetime warranty as well, so you know it’s made to last.
Drive System
In keeping with the theme of being made to last, the drive system on the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro is a durable system that is industrial grade.
It operates as a fixed gear/direct drive system and is extremely reliable.
Storage & Transport
If you like to move the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro in front of the television during your workout and then move it away after, then the large set of transport wheels on this bike are great for you.
It’s also great if you move, like to rearrange furniture every so often, or just lack the strength to lift a steel framed air bike up off the floor…so most of us.
What Buyers Are Saying
You’ve got all the things I can say about the bike, now for what every day users have to say:
Review #1
Travis Jones gives a glowing review, and even some difficulty with the seat adjustment did not stop him from giving 5 stars.
Review #2
Soltis, an engineer, calls the bike commercial-grade and loves his machine.
Review #3
And finally, Mike can sum up his 5 star experience in just 13 words.
Air Bike Alternatives
Inspire Fitness CB1 Resistance Air Bike Trainer
The Inspire Fitness CB1 Resistance Air Bike Trainer is similar to the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 in their steel construction, adjustable handles for upper body exercise, and the information displayed on the console.
The fan on the Inspire Fitness CB1 Air Bike is smaller than the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 and there’s no mention of pre-made programs in the features or the reviews.
While the height of the seat is adjustable, you cannot move it forward or back. Aesthetically, if you don’t want a bright white exercise machine, this bike comes in a simple black color.
Inspire Fitness CB1 Resistance Air Bike Trainer vs. XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro
- XTERRA Fitness AIR650 has a larger fan
- Inspire Fitness CB1 has a smaller size for tight spaces
- Cannot adjust seat back or forward on the Inspire Fitness CB1
- Foot pedals are smaller on the Inspire Fitness CB1
Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Tornado Fan Air Bike
The Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Tornado Fan Air Bike and the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 are very similar.
They have about the same size fan, the same information display on the console, are compatible with wireless heart monitors, two-way adjustable seats, wide foot pedals and the same kinds of presets for your workout.
The differences are really in the details with this one.
While both have ergonomic handles, the Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Tornado Fan Air Bike design doesn’t give you as many options when it comes to how you hold the handles.
There’s a shelf for your phone or tablet on this air bike. This air bike might be a bit easier to maneuver around thanks to a built-in handle in addition to the wheels.
Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Tornado Fan Air Bike vs. XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro
- Both have adjustable seats
- Similar displays
- Less options to how to hold the handles
- Comes with handle for easy movement
Body Rider BRF980
The Body Rider BRF980 is the bike on the list with the most differences to the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro.
Both are air resistance bikes with similar LCD displays, however the Body Rider also has a manual tension adjuster to add resistance as well, and a media shelf under the display to hold your phone or tablet while you exercise.
The biggest difference is probably that this bike has a seat with a back on it for extra support if you need it.
The seat adjusts two ways like the XTERRA Fitness AIR650, and while the pedals are smaller they do have a strap to keep your feet in place.
Body Rider BRF980 vs. XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro
- Body Rider has a back on the seat
- Similar displays
- Manual tension adjustment dial
- Two-way seat adjustment
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot of reasons to get an air bike.
Maybe you overheat while exercising. Maybe you want to take the easy path to resistance training.
Maybe you need a low impact way to do cardio. If any of these descriptions fit you, riding a bike like the XTERRA Fitness AIR650 Airbike Pro could be your new favorite hobby.
