A Schwinn Airdyne Bike -- Better Than Magnetic Bikes?

I own and ride a Schwinn Airdyne exercise bike and have used the same machine for 20 years and counting. On top of that, it was used when I got it... Like any quality exercise bicycle, it's been a convenient way to work in some exercise all this time. That probably means I have used it more simply because it is right close and easy to get to. It surely means no fees have gone to pay for club or gym membership. That also means no travel time to and from somewhere just to exercise. It's quite a savings really. But why does the older model Airdyne in particular still make sense with all the other bike types available now?

The dual action design is one large plus. That way you work not only the major muscles of the lower body, as does any bike, but also the upper body muscles as well. That may not be a clear advantage, but consider this... Long=term weight loss is most likely maintained with an increased metabolism. That results often from more muscle and strength. See, with better muscle tone, you potentially burn more calories all the time even at rest. Forget about developing big weight lifter muscle... not going to happen. But pumping and pedaling can develop more balanced strength and lead to more fat burning away for real weight loss that stays lost for good...

Fan resistance is what you work against as you pedal and pump. All you do to get more resistance and load is pump and pedal faster. Of course you're stirring up near gale force winds as you really get with it. It's really sort of fun stirring up all that air. It's a great way to keep cool on hot days too. Not doubt, you also get plenty of noise as a result of that big fan too.

Electronic drives as now found on most recumbent and upright stationary bikes certainly make for quiet and for computer power. That ability to program the drives lets you simulate real world rides. The reality is that the drives are generally reliable and long-lasting. The potential is there for catastrophic failure. If the electronics fails, you just lost your bike without what will prove to be very expensive repair bills. On the other hand the electronics on the Airdyne bike is nowhere near as powerful or as complicated. What you have instead is a mostly mechanical device that may likely need nearly no or even really no repairs at all.

Sometimes basic requirements may go overlooked. For example, it goes without saying that pedaling or pumping on an exercise bicycle should be a solid sort of experience, not a moving one. Yet, in truth, many lesser exercise machines are in reality a shaky, rock and weave kind of ride. That makes for a bike that self-destructs. It makes too for a machine that does everything but encourage hard effort that produces faster results. The Air dyne bikes are tank like and build to stay put under heavy use and stress. Don't overlook the importance of a stable platform for working on.

Maintenance is best when it is not necessary at all though with any mechanical device that is rare but is exactly what I've experienced with my personal Airdyne. That's what I've had after twenty years. My machine has a few battle scars and it could use one new pedal. But that's about it except for a few batteries for the electronic timer. It's a simple, rugged machine that just does what it's designed to do.

My Schwinn Airdyne exercise bike continues to work perfectly after all these years of hard use. Schwinn doesn't get much repeat business on this model. One's probably all you'll ever need. The one I have probably is going to outlast me...




Pedal stationary bicycles to work out no matter what the time of year or weather. A schwinn airdyne exercise bike helps you burn fat with a trusty machine.

Get tips about the proven schwinn airdyne bike at another of our articles.