The Schwinn Airdyne AD6 is primarily designed for home use, but unlike many stationary bike models, there is the option to exercise your whole body. You can use the handlebars as you’re pedaling or while you rest your legs.
If you’re looking for a budget friendly exercise bike, you may be interested in the Schwinn Airdyne AD6. In this article, we’ll explore this model in a little more detail to help you to make an informed purchase decision.
The Schwinn Ad6 Airdyne Exercise Bike Basics
While this bike does have a data monitor, it does not have built in training programs. You can view all your data at once including speed, distance, time, calories, pulse and watts. There is also a RevMeter at the top of the screen, which is useful if you’re interval training.
The AD6 is easy to use and the uncovered fan wheel adds wind resistance to your workout. The padded seat is vertically adjustable to suit your height and reach, while the padded grips on the handlebars allow you to comfortably exercise your arms as you rest your feet or pedal. There is also a water bottle holder attached to the frame, so you can stay hydrated throughout your workout.
Best Features of the Airdyne AD6
The Schwinn Airdyne AD6 fan bike has some great features that enhance its functionality and user experience. Some of the best features include:
Easy to Use Console:
Although the AD6 console is not as sophisticated as some that you would find on higher priced models, it does provide all the fitness data you’ll need within a glance. The console displays speed, time, distance, calories, RPM and watts. If you connect the option heart rate strap, you can also monitor your heart rate.
At the top of the console screen is an RevMeter, which shows a graphical representation, so you can easily see how hard you’re pedaling. There are also three buttons to stop/pause/start, set your preferences and enter your altitude.
The console automatically wakes up when you start pedaling and it will pause for five minutes of inactivity before auto switch off. This provides enough time to pause for a bathroom break or take a drink without needing to reset your workout data.
Comfortable Experience:
One of the main issues many people find with exercise bikes is the seat being uncomfortable. However, the seat on the AD6 is well padded and comfortable. You can also adjust it vertically so you can comfortably reach the pedals. There is also an integrated bottle holder and pedal straps, so you can feel comfortable throughout your workout.
Wind Resistance:
The AD6 has a friction less fan that provides wind resistance as you’re cycling. The harder you’re pedaling, the more resistance you’ll generate. This means that you can get a really great workout without the potential noise of a large flywheel that could bother your family or neighbors.
Compact Design:
While the bike has a substantial weight of 112 pounds to ensure stability, it does have a compact design for easy transport and storage. When not in use, the bike requires just 26 by 50 inches of space, and there is a strap to prevent the fan, handlebars and pedals from moving during transport.
There are also transport wheels, so you can tip the bike to the front and wheel it into a closet or another area of your home.
Pros and Cons of the Schwinn AD6
Of course, no product is perfect, so it is important to be aware of both the positives and potential negatives before you make your final purchase decision.
The Pros
- Solid Company Reputation: Schwinn has over 100 years of expertise in the cycling and fitness industry, so you can benefit from their experience in designing great quality bikes. Additionally, the AD6 is supported with a 15 year frame warranty, with a three year warranty on the other parts, so you can have confidence of many years of trouble free use.
- Easy Read Console: Unlike many budget friendly exercise bikes, the AD6 doesn’t simply have a “scan” for your fitness data. You can easily monitor your exercise data including pulse, speed, distance, calories and RPM to help you more accurately track your efforts towards your fitness goals.
- Optional Extras: While the AD6 is at the lower end of the cost scale, you can tailor it to suit your needs with the optional accessories and extras. This includes a reading rack, windscreen and heart rate monitoring.
- High Weight Capacity: Since many exercise bikes have a capacity of 250 pounds, it is nice to see that the Schwinn Airdyne AD6 can support users up to 300 pounds.
- Easy to Transport: The AD6 is not the lightest exercise bike on the market at 112 pounds, but this does make it sturdy to use. Fortunately, Schwinn has included transport wheels to make it easier to move the bike to different areas of your home to find the perfect spot to workout.
The Cons
- No Horizontal Seat Adjustment: Although the seat does adjust vertically, so you can move it up and down, there is no way to move it forward or back. This may make it difficult for some users to feel completely comfortable if they need to be further forward to comfortably reach the handlebars and pedals.
- Unusual Noises: Some users have reported clunking or clicking noises as they use the bike, which may indicate a misaligned part, something broken or another quality control issue.
- No Built in Training Programs: If you’re just getting started or want to give your fitness a real boost, you may prefer an exercise bike that has built in training programs suited to your fitness goals.
Who is the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne Exercise Bike Best For?
The AD6 is a great option for those who are looking for moderate cardio workouts at home, particularly if you don’t have the space for a home gym. The transport wheels and compact storage design allows you to easily move the bike into a closet or corner of a room when not in use.
Additionally, the AD6 is a solid bike that can accommodate users up to 300 pounds. So, if you are on the heavier side, this is a budget friendly exercise bike that you should be able to comfortably use.
However, if you’re looking for an exercise bike with pre-programmed workouts and a sophisticated console that allows you to download your workout data, this is not the right choice for you.