Schwinn Airdyne AD6 Review

Quick Summary

The Schwinn Airdyne AD6 ($699) is a total-body trainer with thousands of satisfied owners. For all ability levels it supports cardiovascular fitness, weight management and body toning/strengthening.

Unlike most exercise bikes, the AD6 has moving handlebars. Leg rests are attached so you can exercise two ways: Use the handlebars in isolation, or move your arms and legs together.

Harnessing fan air for resistance, the AD6 naturally changes with your effort and gives infinite options. As you pedal harder, you increase the challenge. In contrast other types of exercise bikes have preset resistance settings. Typically they let you choose from 20 tension levels.

The bike’s LCD monitor shows your exercise time, distance, speed, RPM, Watts and calories. Additionally it can display pulse as measured with a Polar or Polar-compatible chest strap.

Specifications

Model	Schwinn Airdyne AD6
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the bike's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	78%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$699
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$599
Resistance The flywheel in an exercise bike is what creates resistance. You can choose the level of resistance to increase your workout intensity.	Infinite
Resistance Type The type of resistance shows what kind of flywheel is being used (if any), and its weight if the manufacturer provides it.	Air
Type Type refers to the style of the ride: Recumbent bikes allow you to lay back, while Upright bikes are more like road bikes (lean forward).	Upright Bike
Drive System The bike's drive system is how your pedaling interacts with the rest of the bike (flywheel) to give you a good workout.	N/A
Frame It's important to choose an exercise bike that will last, and the material of the frame determines how durable the bike is.	Steel
Seat The most important part for comfortability during your workout, the seat should be adjustable and have ample cushioning.	Padded & Vertically Adjustable
Pedals Pedals are the driving force for an exercise bike, and should be comfortable, adjustable, and easy to control without slipping.	Standard
Programs Bike Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	0
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Wireless
Display Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	LCD
Max. Weight Max. User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that the bike can safely support, which can represent durability.	300 lbs
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	49.7"x 25.7"x 50.9"
Accessory Tray Some bikes include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers
Cooling Fans
Portable? Some exercise bikes can fold up and/or have wheels that make it easy to roll them around for convenience and to save space.
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Frame: 10 years Parts: 2 Years Electronics: 2 Years Labor: 6 Months

Our Rating

Rating: 78/100. The Airdyne AD6 ($699) is among three air bikes in Schwinn Fitness’ current lineup. Others are the AD2 ($399) and AD7 ($999). Bikes in this series have the bonus of moving handlebars, and in general air bikes are popular for meeting any challenge level. While other types of exercise bikes have preset resistance choices, air bikes respond to your effort.

Compared with the cheaper AD2 this model’s main advantages are wireless telemetry and a classier look. Compared with the AD7 it’s less adjustable and lighter in weight… but for most shoppers the Airdyne AD6 is a good fit.

An easy-to-read screen shows the following fields at once: time, speed, distance, Watts, calories and pulse. Pulse can be measured with a wireless chest strap (not included).

A reading rack is sold separately for $39.

Pros:

Smooth pedaling with fan air
Unlimited resistance levels
Moving handlebars
Footrests
Data monitor
Wireless telemetry
Bottle holder
Compact frame
Transport wheels
Two-year parts warranty

Cons:

No training programs or user profiles
Seat only adjusts vertically; the AD7 is more ergonomic
Quality control has room for improvement

Introduction

The Airdyne AD6 is a good-looking air bike for home use. Unlike most other stationary bikes, it lets you optionally exercise your whole body at once: Use the moving handlebars as you pedal, or use the handlebars while resting your legs. Below are details about the electronics, parts, free warranty and guarantee.

Workout Programs

Schwinn Airdyne bikes have data monitors, but they lack training programs.

The Airdyne AD6 has an advanced monitor compared with the AD2. It shows all your data fields at once, while the cheaper monitor has the “scan” function. Readouts include time, distance, speed, Watts, calories and pulse. Additionally a RevMeter shows at the top of the screen. The meter is especially useful during interval training.

You can choose from English and Metric settings.

Schwinn Airdyne AD6 Features

The Airdyne AD6 is a breezy ride. The bike gathers wind resistance as you spin an uncovered fan wheel. The AD7 can be paired with a fan wheel cover.

The seat is padded and adjusts vertically for a wide range of rider heights.

Handlebars with simple padded grips move as you pedal or rest your feet.

Foot rests are built into the bike frame.

The pedals have foot straps and textured surfaces to help keep your feet in place during total-body training.

For wireless heart rate monitoring the Schwinn AD6 is compatible with Polar chest straps.

A water bottle holder attaches to the bike frame.

Airdyne bikes are cord-free and compact. The AD6 has a footprint just under 50” x 26”, and transport wheels are attached. The console is powered by two AA batteries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Schwinn Airdyne a good exercise bike?

Overall we’d say yes, for users seeking a bike with air resistance.

How do you use a Schwinn Airdyne bike?

Pedaling the bike while simultaneously working the handles.

How do you increase resistance on the Schwinn Airdyne bike?

The great thing about these bikes is the resistance increases with the pedaling intensity. The harder one pedals, the higher the resistance.

Are Airdyne bikes good for seniors?

So long as balance and mobility aren’t an issue, then yes.

What muscles does the Schwinn Airdye work?

In addition to the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves, this bike also works the forearms and triceps.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Schwinn Airdyne AD6 is sold with free warranty coverage including:

– Frame: 10 years

– Mechanical: 2 years

– Electrical: 2 years

– Labor: 6 months

Additionally the manufacturer gives a 60-day money-back guarantee. Refunds exclude shipping and restocking.

Conclusion

Affordable total-body training is the aim of Schwinn Fitness’ Airdyne AD6. While some owners report faulty parts, most user reviews are positive. Some riders would be more comfortable on the AD7 ($999) – it has better seat adjustability – but for adults in the average height range this trainer can offer good enough ergonomics for everyday use.