The best air walker and air glider exercise machines
Air walkers, also known as air gliders, are exercise machines that provide a great way to get a full-body, calorie-burning, low-impact aerobic workout at home.
Though they might look a little unorthodox, air walkers offer an easy method for keeping fit, even if you only have 10 to 15 minutes a day for exercise.
Our top pick, the Sunny Health & Fitness Air Walk Trainer, isn’t just the best overall but also our favorite budget model as it delivers smooth movement while also being easy to assemble and compact.
When someone first gave me an air walker for my home gym, I tried it and wondered, how in the world is this exercise? All I’m doing is swinging my feet. After about 10 minutes of nonstop striding, however, I broke a sweat and realized that continuing for another 10 to 20 minutes at a brisk clip would constitute a decent full-body aerobic workout.
Air walkers — especially those with built-in resistance — provide low-impact exercise for your leg, arm, and abdominal muscles. Think of it as an elliptical trainer’s low-tech, less glamorous, space- and money-saving cousin.
On an air walker, you keep your legs mostly straight as you move them back and forth (or even side to side on some models) as opposed to bending and straightening them like on an elliptical. Also, air gliders are smaller and more economical, making them convenient and portable pieces of home exercise equipment that don’t need electricity to function properly.
To find those worth owning, we’ve tested air walkers from brands like Gazelle and Sunny Health & Fitness, each of which offered its own unique take on the tried-and-true design. No matter if you want a basic model, something to use outside, or one that comes standard with a variety of workouts (who doesn’t want to work out with Tony Little?), the following guide has you covered.
We’ve also included some tips on how to shop for an air walker and some insight into the air walker workout, at the end of this guide. As with any health and exercise product, follow the instructions, and practice safe use. If you have any health-related concerns, consult a medical professional before using them.
