Exercise bikes with moving arms explained

Air bikes

An air bike has handles that move back and forth with the pedals, linked to a large fan. The harder you push and pull, the more resistance you meet. You can use arms only, legs only or both. See what is an air bike and how to use an air bike.

Air bikes are loud at high effort and blow air towards you. They suit short, hard sessions more than long, calm rides.

Dual-action upright bikes

Some upright bikes and cross trainer hybrids have handlebars that move with the pedals, linked to the same magnetic flywheel. The feel is calmer than an air bike, with numbered resistance levels. Listings often call them dual-action bikes or bikes with moving handlebars.

They are quiet and take a similar space to a normal upright, plus room for the moving handles. Check that the handles can be locked if you also want to ride legs only.

Because the arms and legs share one resistance setting, a level that feels right for the legs may feel light or heavy for the arms. Try different levels and decide whether you prefer a steady push and pull or mainly leg work with light arm movement.

Recumbents with arm levers or arm cranks

Some recumbent bikes have arm levers at the sides that move with the pedals, or a separate arm crank in front of the seat. They keep the supported seat and easy access of a recumbent while adding arm movement. Listings use terms such as arm exerciser, push pedals or moving arms.

Check whether the arms share the main resistance or have their own. Our guide to the best recumbent exercise bikes and what is a recumbent exercise bike explain the base design.

Bikes with arm resistance bands

Many folding and recumbent bikes come with elastic bands attached to the frame, so you can do pulling and pressing movements while you pedal or between rides. For example, the Sunny Smart Folding X-Bike (SF-B223012) and the AceFuture 4-in-1 both list arm and leg resistance bands.

Bands are simple and quiet, but they are separate from the pedalling resistance and offer less control than linked arms. They wear over time and can be replaced. See are folding exercise bikes any good.

The types side by side

See recumbent bikes →

What to check in a listing

Look closely at photos and the description. Some listings say moving arms when they mean bands, and some show linked arms only on the top model in a range.

• How the arms work: linked to the flywheel, separate crank or bands.
• Locking: whether the arms can be fixed for legs-only riding.
• Space: room for the arm movement at the sides and front.
• Max user weight and seat range: see max user weight explained.
• Noise: magnetic for quiet, fan for intensity.

Alternatives that use arms and legs

If moving arms are the main reason for your purchase, a rowing machine or a cross trainer also uses the arms and legs together. Our rowing machine vs exercise bike and exercise bike vs cross trainer comparisons explain the differences. For a fan-based option without arms, see Concept2 BikeErg vs Assault AirBike.

Our best rowing machines for home guide is a good place to start if a rower appeals.

Frequently asked questions

Do exercise bikes with moving arms exist that are quiet? Yes. Dual-action uprights and recumbents with arm levers use magnetic resistance and are quiet. Air bikes are loud.

Can I lock the arms on a dual-action bike? Many allow it, but not all. Check the listing or manual.

Are arm bands as good as moving handles? They are different. Bands are a simple add-on; linked handles work with the bike's own resistance.

Which recumbent bikes have moving arms? Some models list arm levers or an arm exerciser. Check the description and photos to see how the arms connect.