I’m a bit of a fitness junkie. Whether it’s treadmills or kettlebells or upright bikes, I love squeezing in a good cardio sesh with unique and feature-rich equipment.
That said, few pieces of gear have served me as well as my air bike. Fitted with a belt-driven air resistance system, air bikes provide a cooling blast of air the harder you work.
Today, I’ll be discussing one of the most popular air bikes currently on the market: The Schwinn Airdyne AD7.
Just what makes it so special? What does the Schwinn offer that competitors fall short on?
With all that said, let’s jump in below!
Factors to Consider Before Buying an Air Bike
Air bikes comprise a unique category of exercise equipment. Unlike other types of exercise bikes, air bikes feature wind resistance that’s produced through a large fan.
The harder the rider works, the more resistance they feel to the movement. Potentially, an air bike could provide infinite variations of tension that are completely user-controlled.
Moreover, air bikes feature handles that move along with the pedaling action, allowing users to get a full-body workout as they move their legs.
As tension increases based on the rider’s movements, the rider achieves both cardiovascular and strength training.
Compared to other bikes, air bikes are dead-simple to use and don’t feature too many excess “bells and whistles”.
Simply jump on the seat and start pedaling to immediately feel variable resistance.
That said, users should keep in mind that air bikes are a tad noisier than other types of equipment.
The harder you pedal, the more you’ll hear the white-noise whirring of the internal belt-driven fan.
Essential Questions to Ask
Before you opt for an air bike, consider these key questions:
- Do I want exercise equipment that allows for endless degrees of user-controlled resistance?
- Do I want to achieve a full-body, low-impact workout? Or would I prefer a more targeted machine?
- Do I have the space to squeeze in new exercise equipment in my home?
- What money am I willing to set aside from new equipment?
You’ll want to factor in your primary motivations, obligations, and goals when it comes to selecting new equipment.
If you suffer from mobility impairments, we suggest reaching out to your primary care physician before investing in a full-body workout air bike.
The Schwinn Airdyne AD7
Reader, I’m pleased to introduce you to the Schwinn Airdyne AD7.
Replete with air resistance technology and heavy-duty steel construction, the air bike allows riders to tap into their fullest potential without any give.
Using the power of a fan-driven system, the Airdyne allows riders to achieve infinitely variable levels of resistance.
Tension automatically scales depending on how fast the rider is going, providing a highly micro-dynamic resistance experience.
Whether you want to achieve a heart-pumping cardio session or improve your muscle tone, the Airdyne lets you do it all.
The bike offers telemetric heart rate monitoring, multi-position handgrips, and a versatile low-maintenance pedal system.
The multi-functional LCD console displays information related to calories, watts, time, speed, distance, heart rate, and rotations per minute (RPM).
Pros
- Utilizes single-stage direct drive system for quieter fan performance
- Features corrosion-resistant steel frame for increased bike longevity
- Fan is optimized for higher resistance variation and vibration reduction
Cons
- Fan may be louder at higher RPMs
- Chest band for heart rate monitoring may be sold separately
- Some state the LCD display font is somewhat small
Features and Benefits of the Schwinn Airdyne AD7
Sturdy Construction
The Schwinn Airdyne AD7 features a single-stage direct drive system that allows for accurate power transfer, low maintenance, and completely variable resistance.
Moreover, the long-lasting frame is made from all-metal components that are powder-coated for better longevity.
Aside from the frame, the multi-position handlebars are crafted from sweat-wicking materials that can withstand years of abuse.
The bike may be sturdy, yet it features a light footprint at just 53″ x 26.5″ x 52″ (LxWxH). It weighs just 113 pounds yet can support users up to 350 pounds in size.
Users don’t have to fret if the bike will quit on them, especially due to the company’s generous no-questions-asked guarantee.
The frame is covered by a ten-year warranty while the mechanical components are covered for two years.
The bike also features an electrical warranty of two years and a labor warranty for six months.
Includes Training Programs
Not only does the Schwinn Airdyne AD7 come with a sturdy build, but it also features interval training programs for athletes that want to optimize their workout sessions.
The bike features heart rate level indicators and target goals for better aerobic, anaerobic, and fat-burning guarantees.
Users can keep a constant track of their metrics on the high-resolution LCD, which tracks calories burned, watts, time, distance traversed, speed, rotations per minute, and heart rate.
These in-depth metrics and programs allow athletes at all stages in their fitness journey to track their progress over time.
What Do Buyers Think?
When first looking over the Schwinn Airdyne AD7, I made sure to find all the reviews I could on the air bike.
Review #1
“I recently purchased this Airdyne Pro and absolutely love it! It can be used in multiple modes to vary the workout: legs only, legs and arms, arms only, and also standing (similar to an elliptical motion),” one reviewer mentioned. “It was pretty easy to assemble and has a very smooth operation. The display offers several options for workouts: interval training, time goal, calorie goal, etc. It also seems to provide a great cardio workout in less time than other exercise equipment options, possibly due to the increased resistance of the fan.”
Review #2
“I’m not one for public gyms, and needed a convenient way to do cardio and wasn’t willing to settle for anything less than a commercial quality product. After doing a lot of research, I settled on the Airdyne AD7, and am very pleased. It’s very well built and well worth the price, which was frankly much less than I’d budgeted. The unit operates very smoothly and provides a great workout,” another stated.
Review #3
“Excellent! Easy to assemble and NO issues! I’m 6’5″ and 320lbs. I was concerned. It is stable, sturdy, and does not seem to stress under my weight. We were looking for something sturdy. For what we paid, it should be heavy-duty. It is,” yet another reviewer commented.
Most buyers are pleasantly surprised by the performance and durability of the Airdyne bike, stating that it offers great support at a budget-friendly price.
Popular Alternatives to the Schwinn Airdyne AD7
Below, I’ve drawn up a list of the Airdyne’s major competitors in the air bike category. Each competitor offers slightly distinct features that set them apart from Schwinn products.
Sunny Health & Fitness Zephyr Air Bike
Built with an internal belt and chain drive system, the Sunny Health & Fitness Zephyr Air Bike uses a fan wheel to create resistance and keep the bike whisper-quiet at any intensity.
The pedals are connected to the chain drive, which gives the rider the feeling of biking outdoors.
More than that, the Sunny Health & Fitness Zephyr Air Bike features a sturdy construction: A steel cage protects and keeps the resistance wheel intact while the outer steel frame resists unintended vibration.
Users can keep track of their performance metrics on the central console, which displays time, speed, rotations per minute, distance, calories burned, and more.
Users can place a mobile device alongside the console to follow their favorite fitness videos.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Zephyr Air Bike also features adjustable arms, which are padded with high-density and slip-resistant materials.
The handlebars can be shifted to maintain resistance and help tone all the major muscle groups.
Users appreciate the wide padded saddle, which is ergonomically molded to provide excellent support for the longest rides.
The seat can be height adjusted to ensure a comfortable fit with an inseam range of 21.5″ to 33.5″.
Pros
- Components are made from solid metal for long-term durability
- Works all major muscle groups through adjustable user positioning
- Can be adjusted for a wide range of heights
Cons
- Some complain that seat extension bar may rust over time
Marcy Exercise Upright Fan Bike
Made from premium steel, the Marcy Exercise Upright Fan Bike is a multi-functional exercise bike that combines durability with high performance.
The frame is constructed from 14-gauge steel tubing that’s scratch-resistant and powder coated for a smooth finish.
With dual-action exercise arms, the air bike is meant to provide an effective, highly efficient workout.
The handles have a broad range of motion that targets both the upper and lower body simultaneously.
Like the Schwinn AD7, the Marcy Exercise Upright Fan Bike is powered by a unique resistance system that ditches the weighted flywheel for a fan to increase resistance as you pedal faster.
The system produces cool air that increases your comfort and endurance for the longest rides.
Moreover, the bike is fitted with a high-tech LCD monitor that acts as an odometer. The sharp screen displays time, speed, distance, and calories burned in a large-print font for easy reading.
The seat can be adjusted to accommodate users of different heights and body types.
Owing to its wide degree of adjustability, users with mobility issues can facilitate the most pain-relieving movement of their bodies.
Pros
- Dual-action exercise arms include upper body in the workout
- Fan-based resistance system allows for infinite degrees of tension for a tougher workout
- Frame is constructed from 14-gauge steel tubing for durable, long-term performance
Cons
- Date and time monitor displays information in the European notation, which could be confusing for some users
Inspire Fitness CB1 Resistance Air Bike
Utilizing dual-action drive, the Inspire Fitness CB1 Resistance Air Bike Trainer uses a belt-driven fan to provide smooth action and an even smoother feel.
The faster you pedal, the more you cool down as the bike generates a soothing blast of air.
The bike features an oversized, height-adjustable seat that provides greater comfort for longer endurance rides.
A steel-constructed frame provides added stability and less vibration, which is especially important for residential environments strict on noise.
Users can pump up the difficulty of the workout by engaging the front footpegs, which allows them to either focus solely on the lower body or use their upper body.
The LCD monitor displays feedback to the user concerning their time, speed, distance, and calories burned.
Most uniquely, the Inspire bike provides transport wheels that allow users to quickly position or stow away the bike when not in use.
Pros
- Allows for both upper and lower body strength-training and cardio
- Belt-driven fan system provides cooling blast of consistent air on long rides
- Features transport wheels that make the bike easy to store
Cons
- Some users complain the fan is somewhat noisy
Final Thoughts
As one of the most powerful performers on the market, the Schwinn Airdyne AD7 takes the cake in terms of durability, performance, and special features.
It’s hard to match the bike’s unparalleled construction and versatile pre-configured workouts.
If you’re interested in fitness equipment for your home or garage gym that will serve you well for years to come, look no further than the Schwinn Airdyne AD7.
