Schwinn's Airdyne line is one of the best-known names in air bikes, and the older Airdyne Pro, AD6 and AD2 have all disappeared from Amazon US. The model you can buy new today is the Schwinn AD7 Airdyne Bike, so this review focuses on it: how the air resistance works, what the console tracks, and who it suits.

Schwinn AD7 Airdyne at a Glance

Resistance: progressive wind (air) resistance with no fixed levels
Drive: single-stage belt drive
Fan: perimeter-weighted, optimized for high resistance and lower noise
Console: multi-display, tracks calories, watts, time, distance, speed, RPM and heart rate
Heart rate: telemetry enabled
Handles: moving arms with multi-position hand grips
Typical price: around $1,000

How the Air Resistance Works

An air bike has a large fan where a regular exercise bike has a flywheel. The AD7 uses progressive wind resistance: the harder you pedal and push the arms, the more air the fan has to move, and the harder it gets. There is no knob to turn and no top setting, so the same bike works for a gentle recovery ride and an all-out sprint. Schwinn calls it infinite levels of challenge.

The fan is perimeter weighted, which helps it spin up easily from a standstill and keeps the ride smooth instead of jerky. Schwinn also optimized the fan shape for high resistance with less noise than older Airdyne designs, and the single-stage belt drive keeps the drivetrain running quietly. Any air bike makes some whoosh and moves air at you, which many riders like as a built-in cooling breeze.

Full-Body Workouts

The AD7's arms move with the pedals, so you can push and pull while you ride for a full-body session. Multi-position hand grips let you change where you hold the arms to shift the emphasis between chest, shoulders and back. If you want to focus on your legs, you can simply ride without working the arms.

That combination is why air bikes are popular for high-intensity interval training. Short, hard efforts raise the resistance instantly, and easing off drops it just as fast, so intervals feel natural.

Console and Tracking

The high-resolution multi-display console shows calories, watts, time, distance, speed, RPM and heart rate. The AD7 is heart rate telemetry enabled, so you can pair a compatible chest strap and see your heart rate on the console instead of guessing your effort. Watts and RPM are especially useful for interval work, because they let you repeat the same effort from one session to the next.

Comfort and Setup

The seat is padded and adjustable, so riders of different heights can find a comfortable position. As with any upright bike, take a few minutes to set the seat height so your knee keeps a slight bend at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Check the owner's manual for assembly, care and after-sales contact information.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Resistance rises with your effort, so it never feels too easy as you get fitter
Moving arms with multi-position grips for full-body training
Detailed console with watts, RPM and heart rate
Belt drive and optimized fan for a quieter ride than older Airdyne models

Cons

Costs around $1,000, more than many magnetic exercise bikes
Air resistance always makes some fan noise and airflow
No fixed resistance levels, which some riders who like steady programs may miss

Who Should Buy the Schwinn AD7?

The AD7 is a good fit if you want tough interval workouts at home, like the idea of training your upper body while you ride, and want a console that tracks real effort in watts and heart rate. Its air resistance also scales down well, so it works for beginners who build up gradually.

If you want a near-silent bike for watching TV or prefer preset resistance levels, a magnetic upright or recumbent bike is a better choice. For an air bike from a long-running line, though, the AD7 is the current Airdyne to look at, and buyers rate it highly.

Related reading: under-desk bikes, stretching machines.