For functional fitness
For functional fitness, the two are close. Thruster rates slightly higher: more carry-over to functional fitness.
Air bike does more to prevent injuries.
Both are good choices that build different things for functional fitness, so a plan can use both.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Thruster. A competition staple that joins a front squat and a press.
For hybrid & fitness racing, thruster rates higher on our research criteria: more carry-over to hybrid & fitness racing. Air bike does more to prevent injuries.
For functional fitness, the two are close. Thruster rates slightly higher: more carry-over to functional fitness. Air bike does more to prevent injuries. Both are good choices that build different things for functional fitness, so a plan can use both.
Air bike is easier: it’s easy to learn, while thruster takes some practice.
Air bike needs a treadmill, bike or stair machine, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Thruster needs a barbell and a squat rack, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
Air bike: it rates Good for injury protection in our research rubric, against Fair for thruster.