Introducing Your New Favorite Air Bike: The Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™

Air bikes are popular in functional fitness gyms, increasing resistance as you pedal harder and decreasing resistance when you take it easy. However, many air bikes don't meet the needs of gym-goers and lifters. Some are too flimsy. Some are too clunky. Some have strict resistance options that limit function.

That's why the Strive Air Bike featuring VPR™ was born — to make air bike training more customizable, whether you're looking to tackle low-intensity steady-state cardio, HIIT training, endurance efforts, or rehab work.

The crowning feature? Variable Pitch Resistance (VPR™), so you can control the angles of the fan blades, which in turn controls the resistance to a greater degree and thus provides a wider variety of workout experiences. Just like REP's full lineup of equipment, this premium indoor bicycle is built to last, perform, and look good while doing so.

Below, we'll dive into the details and what you can expect when bringing this air bike into your home gym or commercial space.

Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™ Highlights

"We just made the best bike we possibly could," says Ryan McGrotty, co-founder and co-CEO of REP Fitness. After multiple iterations, innovations, and fine-tuning, the Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™ is a top-quality product competitively priced at $1299.

Here's a look at all the bike's highlights:

• Price: $1,299.99
• Resistance Type: Variable Pitch Resistance (VPR™)
• Resistance Adjustments: 8 adjustable pitches, plus increased/decreased resistance based on your pedal speed
• Drive System: Dual-stage belt-drive
• Footprint: 53.24" H x 57.4" L x 27.23" W
• Q-Factor: 8.4"
• Water Bottle Holder: Yes
• Ratcheting Seat: Quick seat adjustments for multi-user ease of use
• Magnetic Fan Cover: Adjust the amount of wind from the fan
• Max Watts per 60 RPM: 442 at resistance level 8
• Minimum Watts per 60 RPM: 110 at resistance level 1

A Quick Look at the Best Exercise Bike for Home Gyms

The Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™  is the result of extensive development by REP's engineering team. "We've been working with this VPR™ technology for over two years," says product marketing manager Adam Brandt. "We debuted it at FIBO in 2024, but we wanted to improve it and change the design — so we delayed the release of the product to get it right." 

Here's a quick look at features and functionality:

Variable Pitch Resistance/VPR™: This technology gives you control over the angle (or pitch) of the fan blades on the air bike. When the pitch is increased or decreased by pushing or pulling a handle — located beneath the center console — resistance increases or decreases.

4-Way Seat Adjustments: Make quick and efficient adjustments to the seat height with a ratcheting seat system — ideal for partner workouts or multi-user homes. Plus forward and back adjustments for the perfect fit.

Intuitive Console: This back-lit LCD tracks and provides you with all the metrics you need, is easy to navigate, and comes pre-programmed with effective workouts. Plus, it offers Bluetooth and ANT+ for heart rate monitors and fitness app connectivity.

Magnetic Fan Cover: Other bikes either don't offer a fan cover, charge you more to add it to your cart, or require you to install/uninstall it with annoying screws. To eliminate that hassle, we've included a magnetic fan cover without an additional charge. Easily pop it off when you're looking for some wind in your hair to cool you down, or pop it on in the winter months to keep you from getting cold.

Compact Build: We won't name names, but other air bikes on the market tend to take up a good deal of space. Our solution for smaller home gyms was a more compact build, taking up only 10.8 square feet — about the size of a standard coffee table.

Q-Factor: "Q-factor is the distance between the two pedals [on the bike]," explains REP Director of Engineering Brian Venturella, "If the bike has a wide Q-factor, it can feel weird and uncomfortable." Similar to a road bike, the REP® Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™ has a reduced Q-factor of 8.4-inches for elevated comfort.

Knurled Touch Points: We're a strengh equipment company — of course we're going to have knurling throughout this air bike. You'll find this on the VPR™ adjustment handle, foot pegs, rear pickup bar, and even on the battery door behind the console.

Creature Comforts: With comfort front of mind, we've included a water bottle and phone holder, foot pegs that don't spin, multi-grip ergonomic handles, and a dedicated handle and wheels to move it around with ease.

Who Should Get the Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™?

If you want this stationary bike — and nobody tells you what to do — go on with your bad self and bring it home. However, to help those of you who are on the fence about whether or not to invest in the best fan bike on the market, we'll detail exactly who this ride is perfect for and who should consider looking elsewhere.

Ideal for:

• Functional fitness, hybrid, and strength athletes of all levels
• Anyone looking to tackle air bike workouts, but with more resistance options
• Folks who like to trian for endurance, power, low intensity, high intensity, and rehab
• People who enjoy built-in perks like a water bottle holder, phone holder, removable wind guard, ergonomic handles with multiple grips, easy-to-use console with programming, and knurled touch points
• Anyone looking for an exercise bike that looks sleek, is sturdy enough for intense workouts, and is built to last

Not the right fit for:

• Those who prefer a built-in touch screen
• Athletes seeking a forward-leaning spin-style bike without moving arms
  
• Older adults or rehab patients who need a back rest or recliner position on their bike
• Folks on a tight budget

Takeaway

The Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™ is designed for anyone who wants more resistance customization from their air bike. Its Variable Pitch Resistance™ unlocks training capabilitites standard air bikes overlook, giving you access to speed work, endurance sessions, low-intensity steady state, HIIT, rehab training, and "the highest level of resistance you've ever felt on an air bike," says McGrotty. Plus, it looks cool as hell.

FAQs

Is cycling on an air bike better than on other stationary bikes?

"Better" is a hard thing to nail down, but an air bike is well known for providing quick and efficient workouts, particularly high intensity interval training which has you working through sprints and rest periods.

How much does the Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™ cost?

This bike costs $1,299.99 with free shipping and handling.

Will I fit on the Strive™ Air Bike featuring VPR™?

While all bodies are different, the Strive Air Bike featuring VPR™ was constructed to support as many athletes as possible. Built with a heavy-duty steel frame and base to withstand heavy use and with 4-way seat adjustments to suit a variety of heights.

Rosie Borchert is a NASM-CPT, former Nike Volleyball coach, and fitness writer whose work has appeared on BarBend and Tonal. If anyone would like to hire her to play beach volleyball, snowboard, binge watch TV, or go climbing, please get in touch.

This article was reviewed by Ashley Boyer, ACE-CPT, for accuracy.