10 Best Air Bike Alternatives for Core Conditioning

Ranked Air Bike Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Air Bike on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   

   1. Cable Russian Twists

   54% match

   • Abs
   • Cable
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A good swap when you have a cable machine to work with, and it still works the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Connect a standard handle attachment, and position the cable to a middle pulley position.
   2. Lie on a stability ball perpendicular to the cable and grab the handle with one hand. You should be approximately arm's length away from the pulley, with the tension of the weight on the cable.
   3. Grab the handle with both hands and fully extend your arms above your chest. You hands should be directly in-line with the pulley. If not, adjust the pulley up or down until they are.
   4. Keep your hips elevated and abs engaged. Rotate your torso away from the pulley for a full-quarter rotation. Your body should be flat from head to knees.
   5. Pause for a moment and in a slow and controlled manner reset to the starting position. You should still have side tension on the cable in the resting position.
   6. Repeat the same movement to failure.
   7. Then, reposition and repeat the same series of movements on the opposite side.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Air Bike
   • Equipment: a cable, not a cardio machine
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Air Bike
2. Play demonstration

   2. Crab Twist Toe Touch

   51% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   It still works the abs, through a different movement.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by sitting on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
   2. Place your hands behind you, fingers pointing towards your feet, and lift your hips off the ground.
   3. Extend one leg straight out in front of you while simultaneously reaching your opposite hand towards your toes.
   4. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
   5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Air Bike
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Air Bike
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Air Bike
3. Play demonstration

   3. Spine Twist

   50% match

   • Abs
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the ground with your legs extended in front of you.
   2. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart.
   3. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows pointing outwards.
   4. Engage your abs and slowly twist your torso to the right, bringing your right elbow towards your left knee.
   5. Pause for a moment at the end of the twist, then slowly return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat the twist to the left side, bringing your left elbow towards your right knee.
   7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Air Bike
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Air Bike
4. 

   4. Single-cone Sprint Drill

   49% match

   • Quadriceps
   • Other
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the quadriceps rather than the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. This drill teaches quick foot action. You need a single cone. Begin standing next to the cone with one arm back and one arm forward.
   2. Chop the feet as quickly as possible, blocking with the arms. Circle the cone, keep your knees up, with violent foot action.
   3. Rest after three trips around the cone.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quadriceps, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
   • Body position: standing, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Air Bike
5. Play demonstration

   5. Astride Jumps

   49% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it uses the same equipment, but it works the heart and lungs rather than the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Bend your knees and lower your body into a squat position.
   3. Jump explosively upwards, extending your legs and arms.
   4. While in the air, spread your legs apart and bring your arms out to the sides.
   5. Land softly with your feet shoulder-width apart, bending your knees to absorb the impact.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
   • Body position: standing, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Air Bike
6. Play demonstration

   6. High Knee Against Wall

   48% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand facing a wall with your feet hip-width apart.
   2. Place your hands on the wall for support.
   3. Engage your core and lift your right knee up towards your chest, while keeping your left foot on the ground.
   4. Quickly switch legs, bringing your left knee up towards your chest and lowering your right foot back down.
   5. Continue alternating legs in a running motion, bringing your knees up as high as possible.
   6. Maintain a fast pace and keep your upper body stable throughout the exercise.
   7. Repeat for the desired duration or number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
   • Body position: standing, not seated
7. 

   7. Bench Sprint

   48% match

   • Glutes
   • Other
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the glutes rather than the abs.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand on the ground with one foot resting on a bench or box with your heel close to the edge.
   2. Push off with your foot on top of the bench, extending through the hip and knee.
   3. Land with the opposite foot on top of the box, returning your other foot back to the start position.
   4. Continue alternating from one foot to another to complete the set.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: glutes, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
   • Body position: standing, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Air Bike
8. Play demonstration

   Progression

   8. Scissor Jumps

   48% match

   • Cardio
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Jump off the ground and simultaneously cross your right leg in front of your left leg.
   3. As you land, quickly switch legs, crossing your left leg in front of your right leg.
   4. Continue alternating legs and jumping as quickly as possible.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: your heart and lungs, not abs
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
   • Body position: standing, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Air Bike
9. Play demonstration

   9. Assisted Motion Russian Twist

   48% match

   • Abs
   • Medicine-ball
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
   2. Hold the medicine ball with both hands in front of your chest.
   3. Lean back slightly, engaging your abs and keeping your back straight.
   4. Slowly twist your torso to the right, bringing the medicine ball towards the right side of your body.
   5. Pause for a moment, then twist your torso to the left, bringing the medicine ball towards the left side of your body.
   6. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Air Bike
   • Equipment: free weights, not a cardio machine
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Air Bike
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Air Bike
10. Play demonstration

    10. Russian Twist

    48% match

    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
    2. Lean back slightly while keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Hold your hands together in front of your chest or hold a weight if desired.
    4. Lift your feet off the ground, balancing on your sit bones.
    5. Twist your torso to the right, bringing your hands or weight towards the right side of your body.
    6. Pause for a moment, then twist your torso to the left, bringing your hands or weight towards the left side of your body.
    7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: abs, the same as the Air Bike
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Air Bike
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Air Bike