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Reviews and General Information on the Best Home Exercise Bikes
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Schwinn AD6 Airdyne Review
Best Full-Body Exercise Bike

Wind in My Hair on an Exercise Bike? Yes, Please!

I’ve always wondered: How does one reach a point where they are no longer able to get into a pair of pants? Well, the wondering is over, because I am one of those people.
My initial reaction, apart from being annoyed, was to wear another pair that day, and maybe go out and buy another pair. But, I really like those pants and I want to be able to wear them again, so the thought of losing weight crossed my mind once or twice. The trouble is, while I like sports, I don’t have a lot of time to spare. So, I decided to look into some alternatives that are less time consuming than going to the gym.

Schwinn AD6 Bike with Heart Rate Monitor

Schwinn AD6 Airdyne
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As witnessed by this website, I went with exercise bikes, because they help me save a ton of time and spare me the hassle of going to and from the gym. I can enjoy an intensive cardio workout in the comfort of my own bedroom, and once I’m done exercising, I can simply move the bike into my closet so it doesn’t get in the way. But, choosing the right one is easier said than done. After looking at over one hundred different models, I have a pretty good idea which ones might be worth it, and the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne bike definitely falls into that category.

AD6 vs. AD2

Before taking a more in-depth view at the Schwinn AD6, I would like to make a quick comparison with the Schwinn’s very own AD2 Airdyne model (see here on Amazon). When a brand releases several models in the same series, differentiating between them can be difficult, but luckily, you have me to come to your rescue.

Right off the bat, I can tell you that the Airdyne 6 is a big step forward. The Schwinn AD2 is one of the few models using the single stage-belt drive, while the AD6 opts to go with the dual-stage Super Torque belt drive, making the pedaling experience smoother and more natural. Another upgrade is reflected in the fact that the AD6 is shipped with an integrated heart rate monitor.

The Airdyne 6 also has a clear advantage in the comfort department, with its extra-padded oversized seat, which will go easier on your behind than that of the AD2. There are slight differences in their weight as well. The AD2 weighs 96 pounds, while the AD6 is a bit heavier at 115 pounds. Speaking about weight, the AD6’s maximum user weight is 300lbs, considerably more than AD2’s 250-pound limit. And last but not least, you can tell Schwinn paid more attention to build quality with the AD6, since the frame alone comes with a 15-year warranty, whereas the AD2 offered only 5 years on its frame.

Putting it Together

Even though the instructions clearly state that the assembly of the bike requires two people, it can very well be a one-person job. It isn’t rocket science. Every part has a clear label indicating the side where it corresponds. All the necessary tools, as well as bolts and screws are also included in the package.
Unlike most manufacturers, Schwinn clearly cares about customer satisfaction, so they made the entire process as easy as possible. You will have the bike up and running in no time.

Resistance

The best part of having a fan is the unlimited resistance, which you can achieve simply by pedaling harder. Also, on the plus side, the harder you pedal, the breezier it gets. This type of resistance is low on the noise too, which means that nothing will get in the way of you doing some other activities while pedaling, like watching TV or listening to music. At top speeds it does become louder, but not to the point of becoming annoying.

What’s great about the AD6 Airdyne bike is that it provides you with a full-body workout. Unlike most exercise bikes which only focus on your lower body, this one engages your upper body as well. I can only applaud this approach, but there are some problems with it, because once you reach a reasonably high level of resistance your legs will be put through the paces, which is the ultimate goal, but you won’t be able to keep up with the resistance with your upper body.

the console

Console

Even though Schwinn improved the computer by adding a RevMeter RPM gauge for better statistics, as well as stats on calories, distance and speed, the LCD is a tad on the dark side, making the numbers displayed hard to read sometimes.

Comfort and Ergonomics

While the seat is fairly comfortable for an upright bike, after a while, you will begin to feel numbness, so you may not be able to work out as much as you would like to in a single session. Still, it’s nothing that can’t be solved with the help of a cushion. The pedals have foot straps which can be adjusted easily to fit your preferences.

Something which I found to be very useful is the integrated bottle holder placed right in front of the console. This way, you can continuously pedal without stopping to get yourself a drink and cool off. And despite the exercise bike not offering other toys like an mp3 port, Schwinn has such accessories available for sale.

The Final Word

All in all, the Schwinn AD6 Airdyne bike is an extremely well-built bicycle and the fact that you can use it for both your upper and lower body is a huge plus, because this feature catapults it among the very best bikes of its kind. By engaging your whole body, you will lose weight a lot easier. It features four levelers for increased stability, because you wouldn’t want to be afraid to hop on a stationary bike.

Truth to be told, it is not the cheapest bike available, but it makes up for its price tag in quality. If you want to know even more about the Schwinn AD6 then go to Amazon, which is the best online retailer for great deals on this exercise bike.

Further Information

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