How to Do Air Bike
Start and end of one clean rep of Air Bike.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Core |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Bodyweight |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Air Bike
- Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground. For this exercise, you will need to put your hands beside your head. Be careful however to not strain with the neck as you perform it. Now lift your shoulders into the crunch position.
- Bring knees up to where they are perpendicular to the floor, with your lower legs parallel to the floor. This will be your starting position.
- Now simultaneously, slowly go through a cycle pedal motion kicking forward with the right leg and bringing in the knee of the left leg. Bring your right elbow close to your left knee by crunching to the side, as you breathe out.
- Go back to the initial position as you breathe in.
- Crunch to the opposite side as you cycle your legs and bring closer your left elbow to your right knee and exhale.
- Continue alternating in this manner until all of the recommended repetitions for each side have been completed.
Muscles worked
- Core (primary): braces the trunk and resists twisting to protect the spine.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
Form tips
- Brace as if about to take a light punch and breathe shallowly — don't hold your breath for the whole set.
- Own the largest range you can control with clean form before you chase extra reps.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.
Common mistakes
- Cranking with the hip flexors or neck instead of moving from the trunk.
- Cutting the range short to squeeze out extra reps instead of owning each full one.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Air Bike work?
Air Bike is a focused movement that primarily works the core.
What equipment do I need for Air Bike?
None — Air Bike is a bodyweight movement, so you only need your bodyweight and a little space.
How many sets and reps should I do for Air Bike?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Bodyweight movement: once you own the top of a rep range, progress by slowing the tempo, pausing at the hardest point, or moving to a harder variation instead of adding load.
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