I hate cardio. I think it’s tedious, boring, and not nearly as fun as maxing out on the bench press. While I don’t usually enjoy cardio, I recognize that it has a ton of fat-burning and general health benefits.
If you want to be an overall fit person, you can’t skip cardio. That’s why I grew to enjoy the air bike so much. If you’ve never used an air bike, it’s a particularly brutal and effective way to get cardio in.
The Schwinn Airdyne AD2 is a great choice in the lineup of available options.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Air Bike
The Schwinn Airdyne AD2 solves a handful of major problems that most people have with cardio: It’s boring, it takes too long, and it doesn’t seem to benefit muscle growth or strength production.
Air bikes are an extremely high-intensity cardio method. Just four minutes of concentrated effort on one is enough to leave your lungs, heart and muscles smoked all day.
They’re the perfect solution for someone who needs to get in some real work but doesn’t have a ton of time.
While the air bike is a great solution for athletes with little time on their hands, it’s not the ideal solution for everyone.
You might already have access to a gym with an air bike — if that’s the case, congratulations. However, the air bike stands out because it’s a low-time commitment exercise machine.
Because of that, you probably don’t want to invest the time it takes to commute to the gym. Owning one for your home gym can be a game-changer in terms of time commitment.
Before you purchase one, make sure that it’s the smartest option for you in your training journey.
Introducing the Schwinn Airdyne AD2
Let’s get down to specifics.
This air bike allows the user to pedal with the upper and lower body simultaneously, allowing for a greater overall cardio effect.
Why?
Because the greater amount of muscle fibers utilized by the body, the greater amount of oxygen the body needs to keep itself going. That in turn requires you to breathe heavier, which is the main factor in calorie burn and cardio training.
The other factor that makes it such a good training tool is the variable resistance provided by the fan system.
Wind resistance means the harder to push, the more resistance the bike offers — it’s challenging for every skill level. This bike also comes in two other different versions, the AD6 and AD7, both of which are a bit heavier-duty than this bike.
It also comes with a few more bells and whistles than the Assault bike, a common feature of most Crossfit gyms.
Features and benefits of the Schwinn Airdyne AD2
Infinite Resistance
As mentioned previously, the Schwinn Airdyne AD2 provides infinite levels of resistance. This is something that practically no other exercise machine can claim.
No matter how much resistance the trainee offers the bike, it responds with a proportionate amount of resistance back.
This allows the bike to be useful for any skill level. It also means it can be used effectively for low-intensity steady-state cardio as well as high-intensity cardio training.
This is similar to the variable resistance available in running, except with the air bike, it’s measurable. The faster you run, the harder your muscles work. In the same way, the air bike allows for sprint-level effort in a bike.
Those who have ever seen the body of a sprinter know that sprinting is one of the most effective ways to develop power, explosiveness, and speed while burning fat at the same time.
The other great feature about air bikes is that they are low-impact. This means that you can train at a high intensity without worrying about damaging your joints.
LCD Display
The LCD display allows the user to track a handful of important metrics.
Keeping track of the time elapsed is one — this is a vital feature for practicing HIIT workouts successfully.
In addition, the screen displays info such as calories burned and distance travelled.
Many workouts program a set distance or number of calories for the air bike specifically, making this a massively important feature for any exercise bike to have.
Synchronized Movement
A huge part of fitness is allowing the trainee to move and function naturally and as their body intends.
Any training tool that emphasizes natural human movement patterns is a top-tier device.
The Schwinn Airdyne AD2 allows for simultaneous movement of all four limbs, simulating walking or running at a high intensity.
This also allows for a greater overall cardio effect because of the total-body activation it provides.
Foot Pegs
While they might not seem like an advanced feature, foot pegs are actually incredibly useful in allowing the user to alter his or her training session.
Using foot pegs allows the trainee to pedal the bike using only the upper body, providing more of a resistance effect for the upper body musculature.
In the same way, the user can pedal without using the upper body to target the lower body muscles.
Purely Mechanical
The bike is totally mechanical apart from the batteries required to run the LCD screen.
That means that there is less to go wrong and less to break. It also means that you don’t have to worry about finding a place to plug the bike in.
That can be a huge game-changer for those with gyms built in a shed in the backyard.
What Others are Saying About the Schwinn Airdyne AD2
Here’s a handful of review for the Schwinn Airdyne AD2.
“There’s a reason that most rehabs and MMA gyms around the country have these bikes: they are incredibly effective, for both the super fit and the not so fit alike! There are a couple of drawbacks to previous versions of the Airdyne bike: one was the noise level; they were quite loud. The second was the chain driven mechanism, which wasn’t all that smooth. That isn’t to say that older Airdynes weren’t great (they were,) just to point out some of the shortcomings. The Pro model has rectified both of these shortfalls. I was hesitant to spend so much on a bike without getting to actually try it, but after watching as many videos as I could find, I decided to take a chance on the Airdyne Pro, and I’m very pleased with the bike. With the exception of the arms, assembly is straight forward, and the construction is rock solid.” – V
“I’ve had this airdyne for over a month now and I’ve been using it for HIIT (20 seconds all-out intensity 10 seconds rest) and it hasn’t disappointed me at all. First of all, this airdyne arrived in great condition, it was easy to assemble as the instructions are very easy to understand and there isn’t much parts to assemble the airdyne. When I first got on the airdyne to do my intervals, I was gasping for air within the first 5 minutes and my thighs felt like they were going to explode. The resistance the fan offers is tough and I guarantee that your quads will feel like mince meat the next day. As far as the airdyne goes, it is very sturdy as it doesn’t wobble around when you’re on it and it also has adjustable feet for uneven surfaces. The parts are very sturdy and versatile and I have inspected the belt and bearings multiple times after use with no signs of extreme wear. Personally, I didn’t think this airdyne was up to the task of HIIT, but I was wrong which makes this airdyne ideal if you are on a budget.” – Stephen
“Holy smokes this piece of equipment gives you an amazing workout! It’s oldschool and I love it. It’s a great addition to my rouge room gym. I’ve used it 4 times a week as part of my HIIT/Tabata workout and it’s been flawless. No wobbling, no clicking noises, no harshness on any body part. The seat is comfortable and the action of the pedals and rowers are very smooth. I highly recommend this piece of equipment.” – Amazon Reviewer
Alternatives to the Schwinn Airdyne AD2
While the Schwinn Airdyne AD2 is a great exercise bike option, there are some other great alternatives on the market.
While they all essentially perform the same function, they come with a variety of features and building specifications that can make them ideal for the right trainee.
Here’s a handful of the best.
Body Rider Exercise Upright Fan Bike
A lighter-weight version of the popular air bike, the Body Rider Exercise Upright Fan Bike bike can be a great option for home use.
It still provides a similar whole-body training effect, but without the total amount of resistance that other options offer.
If you primarily use your exercise bike for low-intensity cardio, this can be an affordable option.
However, be warned: It’s not nearly as durable as the other bikes on this list, so if you plan on abusing your air bike, consider looking at other options. The frame is mostly plastic and isn’t built to the degree that many other bikes are.
Octane Airdyne ADX Fan Bike
Another option you’ll want to consider for your fan bike needs is the Octane Airdyne ADX Fan Bike.
It’s a truly versatile air bike that’s perfect for HIIT training, warming up, and cooling down.
I really like the moisture-repellent double-coated steel body of this fan bike, and the oversized cushion seat really makes for a comfortable workout session.
Another feature I like about this fan bike is the Tachometer, which visually signals how hard you’re exercising and provides you with an average calorie burn per minute during your workout.
It’s very addicting to keep your eye on the Tachometer during your workout, and actually makes you want to push yourself harder during your workouts.
Marcy Exercise Upright Fan Bike
Rounding out our list of alternatives is the Marcy Exercise Upright Fan Bike. Some of the features I like about this bike is that it’s easy to transport and that there are adjustable levers that allow you to stabilize your workout on any surface.
In addition, this bike is made from a well-established brand name in fitness, Marcy, that has been around since 1934. If you’re still not convinced in the reliability of this bike, Marcy also offers a 2-year limited warranty on its bike.
Final Thoughts
Cardio is a difficult game for just about everyone.
Having a good selection of training tools that can provide variability and variety can alleviate the boredom that most people experience with cardio training and allow for a greater number of training variables to be introduced.
The Schwinn Airdyne AD2 is a great, affordable option for those looking to add a valuable cardio tool to their lineup of training equipment.
It’s quick, brutal, effective, and loaded with potential for workouts.
