Schwinn Airdyne AD6 Review

Since we initially tested the Schwinn AD6, we've kept an eye on it to see if any changes may affect its performance or value. While the price has fluctuated slightly in response to pandemic pricing and availability, the bike itself has remained unchanged. The higher-end Schwinn AD7 features a larger fan, a sturdier frame, and hand grips with multiple positions, which may appeal to those seeking a serious workout.

Exercise Quality

The Schwinn Airdyne AD6 is a smooth, low-impact exercise machine that delivers a high-quality exercise experience. It has an upright bicycle position, but you don't feel like you're riding as you might on a regular exercise bike, and I found it to be sturdy enough to handle hard, all-out efforts up to 700 watts. The belt drive system produces an incredibly smooth feeling from the machine, and its enclosed mechanics give it a polished, user-friendly feel. The arm levers travel 18" from front to back, giving your extension a bit of a twist at the end that helps to engage the core. The comically large saddle wouldn't work on a normal bicycle but feels just about ideal for perching on while you grind out the watts. Trying to produce more than about 700 watts on this bike is difficult due to the fan size; if you're looking for a hard-core interval trainer, you may want to look elsewhere. It's an interesting sensation to climb aboard this bike and start striding. There are no settings or resistance adjustments, and it feels almost too easy. As you push a little harder, the fans' resistance seems to ramp up exponentially, and you're quickly operating at an elevated heart rate. The machine is incredibly basic but provides an amazing workout experience that will satisfy most users.

Using the Schwinn AD6 is so straightforward and satisfying; those who haven't been impressed with stationary bicycles or have grown bored with them may want to experience the Airdyne. Unlike most budget exercise bikes, the AD6 isn't conducive to reading or viewing a tablet, and there's no need to follow a class. Despite lacking some of the current technology that dominates the studio-style exercise bike market, the AD6 doesn't induce boredom. You can check your basic stats on the simple console, but having all your limbs moving simultaneously can quickly become an intense workout. If you want an easier workout, slow down; if you want a harder workout, speed up.

The simple console displays an elapsed time that automatically starts when you begin moving the machine; we were always surprised by how few minutes had elapsed when we felt winded. The workout can be as hard or easy as you want, but having both arms and legs working puts you into a target heart rate zone quickly. There is no way to set time, distance, or calorie goals; you just look at the screen and see if you've achieved your desired goal.

Comfort

After extensive testing and comparison, I found the Schwinn AD6 to be incredibly comfortable. Thanks to its belt-driven internals, the machine moves smoothly and without friction, contributing to its overall comfort. The machine operates quietly at low effort but can become loud enough to interrupt a conversation when used at full power. The seat height is adjustable in 1.5cm increments, which we typically dislike on exercise bikes, as cyclists are often particular about saddle height and knee angle. However, we found that it worked just fine on the AD6. The total seat height adjustability is approximately 25cm, making it suitable for a wide range of users. Our 5'1" tester could have lowered the saddle more, leading us to believe that even shorter users could still enjoy the full scope of this machine's workout. While Schwinn does not specify a recommended height range, I estimate it should work for people between 4'10" and 6'2" and possibly a few inches on either side of that range, depending on inseam length and personal preferences. The soft, silicone-wrapped handlebars are comfortable and provide a secure grip even when they become sweaty. The machine's upright positioning is almost furniture-like in comfort, and its low 16" stopover height makes mounting and unmounting the bike effortless, making it an excellent option for seniors or those who may struggle with other fitness equipment.

The seat is incredibly large and supportive; it's not overly soft or ergonomic, but feels more appropriate than a traditional bicycle saddle would on this machine. The seat resembles a cross between a cruiser bike saddle and a tractor seat; it's an odd but agreeable shape that should work well for most users. It's large and wide enough to support riders who prefer a more relaxed seated position without being so wide that it impedes one's pedal stroke. The seat has no fore or aft adjustability, but its tilt can be adjusted. The handlebars have no adjustability, and while we've become accustomed to reviewing exercise machines and praising their adjustability, there's not much need to adjust the AD6.

User Interface

The user interface on the AD6 consists of a 5-inch x 2.5-inch screen with minimal information. However, the data it provides is ideal for the type of workout you get from this machine. The fancy consoles and interactivity I've tested on other exercise bikes wouldn't benefit the AD6. The top of the screen shows an approximate RPM meter, reminiscent of a 1970s Cadillac speedometer. The other data fields are elapsed time, Speed, Distance, Watts, Calories, and Pulse. Elapsed time seems to slow down on this machine; my body told me I'd been working out for more than five minutes, but the screen doesn't lie - the workout can be laborious. Speed is an interesting metric, but it doesn't seem to equate to anything in the real world, as I couldn't imagine the motion of this machine actually propelling me. I found the distance field useful for goal setting and tracking our overall output; a few miles on this machine feels like a great workout. Power is measured in watts, and having it on display allows you to spike your effort and see the instant results or maintain a constant output while trading off effort between arms and legs. The calorie field, like distance, was a good measure of our overall output and another way of setting a workout goal; it also made me realize that this machine could burn calories rapidly. Utilizing the pulse field requires a compatible Polar 4.5 kHz - 5.5 kHz chest strap transmitter, which is available separately.

The console operates on 2 AA batteries while the fan is entirely human-powered, so there is no need to plug the bike in. Schwinn offers an aftermarket reading rack that will hold a book, tablet, or magazine clear of the handlebars, but no app workouts or fitness classes are available for the Airdyne.

Features

The AD6 isn't feature-intensive, which isn't a drawback to this machine. A water bottle holder at the top of the console is large enough to hold most types of water bottles; reaching for your bottle through the moving handlebars can be tricky. The bike's base features adjustable feet to level it on uneven surfaces, and the front wheels allow you to tilt the bike and roll it away for easy storage.

The wide, plastic pedals feature removable and adjustable straps to keep your feet in position while you stride. Additionally, the one-sided pedals are self-leveling, making entry easier. At the bottom of the arm levers are foot pegs that allow you to rest your feet in a static position while working just your arms. Without the straps, I would have found the pedals too slippery for all-out efforts. The AD7 uses a standard aluminum pedal with no straps.

Ease of Setup/Portability

Regarding its setup and storability, the Schwinn AD6 exercise bike received an average rating. Like other budget exercise bikes we tested, it comes in a box and requires assembly. The manufacturer or a third party may offer assembly services. It took me approximately 45 minutes to assemble, and all necessary tools and hardware were included, along with printed instructions. I completed the assembly process alone, as there were no challenging steps or a need for assistance from a second person.

After putting together the AD6, you can roll it on the transport wheels located on the front stabilizer bar by tilting it forward. However, since it weighs 112 pounds, carrying it up or down the stairs wouldn't be advisable. The bike has average dimensions, measuring 46" L x 25" W x 51.75" H, and cannot be easily folded for storage, meaning its footprint cannot be reduced.

Should You Buy the Schwinn Airdyne AD6 Bike?

For a low-impact, high-intensity workout, the AD6 performs incredibly well. It feels high quality, approachable, and user-friendly; the ability to step on and start striding also makes it incredibly convenient. The lack of connected features might not suit everyone's desire to be entertained while working out, but we found it ideal for quick and casual workouts. If you're after a real cycling workout, we've tested the best exercise bikes suited for spin or studio classes. For the price, the Schwinn AD6 impressed us with its function and quality; it absolutely gets our recommendation.

What Other Exercise Bikes Should You Consider?

If the Airdyne experience interests you, but you want to put out intense interval effort, check out the Assaultfitness Assaultbike Classic; it's bigger, not as smooth or refined, but could handle our intervals in excess of 1500 watts. If an app-connected experience appeals to you, the Schwinn IC4 or Renpho AI Smart Exercise bike both work quite well while minimizing your upfront costs.

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