Introduction
Many people find that once they start using an air resistance exercise bike, they don’t want to go back to using a standard upright bike because they can get a much more intense workout on one of these machines.
The Assault Air Bike Trainer is one of the most popular resistance trainers for home users, but Schwinn have also developed a few really impressive models that are suitable for home use, such as the Airdyne AD6 and the Airdyne AD2, for example.
However in this article I want to review the Schwinn Airdyne AD7 Bike because this brand new exercise bike uses the very latest air resistance technology, and appears to be stronger than previous models, with a more impressive console.
Features And Benefits
- infinite levels of air resistance
- optimized high-strength fan with reduced noise
- single-stage direct drive system
- high resolution LCD display with multiple displays
- track time, speed, calories, distance, watts, RPM and pulse
- 9 workout programs
- fully adjustable extra padded seat
- multi-position hand grips
- transport wheels and floor stabilizers
- water bottle holder and phone holder
- corrosion-resistant steel frame
- suitable for users up to 350 pounds
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year mechanical and electrical warranty
Product Dimensions / Weight
This AD7 bike has exact dimensions (in inches) of 41.6 (L) x 19.7 (W) x 52.1 (H) when it is fully assembled, and has a total weight of 113 pounds (51.3 kg).
Positives
The real benefit of this Airdyne AD7 bike is that it has an advanced air resistance system that provides you with infinite levels of resistance.
So instead of having fixed resistance levels, like many of the upright and spin bikes, there is a fan wheel that turns based on the intensity of your pedal action.
If you want to make your workouts harder and burn more calories, you simply need to increase your intensity, and to make your workouts a little easier (or to warm up and cool down before and after your workouts), you simply need to pedal a little slower.
The fan wheel on this machine has been optimised to provide high levels of resistance for even the fittest of users, so you will never outgrow this machine, and it also produces very little noise as well, which isn’t always the case with these air bikes.
The single-stage direct drive system requires very little maintenance, and helps to transfer power really efficiently to provide you with a smooth and consistent workout whenever you vary the intensity.
Therefore you can easily do interval workouts on this machine without experiencing any jerky transitions, and if you don’t want to come up with your own routines, there are 9 built-in workout programs that you can use that will provide you with various different challenges.
As well as providing a smooth ride, you will notice that this AD7 exercise bike has arms attached instead of handlebars, which you can move in tandem as you cycle to help you work your upper body and get a full body cardio workout (although you can choose to just work your legs if you prefer).
These moving handles have multiple hand grip positions to give you a variety of different workout options, and to help you find the most comfortable riding position, and you can also move the seat upwards, downwards, forwards and backwards to help you find the best position.
Unlike some other air bikes, this particular model has a large high resolution LCD display that will help you track time, speed, calories, distance, watts, RPM and pulse (if you purchase a Polar compatible 4.5 kHz – 5.5 kHz chest strap transmitter). You can also use this console to choose your workout program and set yourself goals.
There is a conveniently placed water bottle holder just below this console to help you stay refreshed, as well as a small holder for your phone that you can use to keep yourself entertained while you work out.
Finally, it is worth pointing out that this AD7 exercise bike has a strong and durable steel frame that has been coated with corrosion resistant powder to ensure a longer life, and has four stabilizers attached to the frame to prevent any movement while you exercise.
Negatives
One slight drawback of this Schwinn Airdyne AD7 bike is that the display can be a little difficult to read in dark conditions, and would be much clearer if it had a backlit screen instead.
Another very minor complaint is that the air flow that is generated by the fan blows in your face as you cycle, which will obviously help to keep you cool, but may not be to everyone’s liking. If you find this to be a problem, there is an air diverter that you can buy from Schwinn that will block this air flow, but I don’t think most people will be too worried about this.
Finally, if you are used to using an upright bike and tend to stick to the lower resistance settings, you may find this air resistance exercise bike to be too intense to use for long periods. However this will become less of a problem as you start to become fitter and become accustomed to using an air resistance bike.
Final Thoughts
Overall, you should find that this Airdyne AD7 bike is quieter than many of the other air bikes that are available, and is also exceptionally strong thanks to its durable rust-resistant steel frame construction that can accommodate anyone up to 350 pounds without any problems.
In addition, it also has a really impressive fan wheel and drive system that helps to provide a really smooth and consistent workout every time, with infinite levels of resistance.
So when you consider that you also have the option of working your upper body by using the moving arms, this appears to be a really impressive cardio machine because you can burn a lot of calories if you really want to, particularly if you incorporate high intensity interval training into your workouts and pedal at a high intensity at certain times.