What’s the Best Schwinn Exercise Bike for Your Home Gym? Here Are Our Top 4 Picks

Schwinn is one of those names that is synonymous with bicycles, whether it’s road cycling or indoor exercise bikes. And with so many great options to choose from, it can be difficult to name the best Schwinn exercise bike because, as always, it’s going to depend on a few things. 

Mainly, it’s going to depend on your fitness goals, fitness levels, and more. Luckily, we’ve found our top four Schwinn exercise bikes that can be used by a wide range of people. So whether you’re a competitive cyclist looking for a high-quality indoor trainer or someone who just wants a quick cardio workout, we’ve got something for you. 

All We Do is Schwinn, Schwinn, Schwinn No Matter What 

One of my first road bikes was a Schwinn, and now as an adult I’m reviewing Schwinn exercise bikes—it’s crazy how life repeats itself sometimes. But do you know what’s not crazy? Getting your fitness equipment reviews from a team of dedicated certified personal trainers, CrossFit Level 1 Trainers, and competitive endurance athletes. 

No, dear reader, that’s just common sense and a great way to get no-nonsense reviews from people who have tested hundreds of exercise bikes, ellipticals, treadmills, and stair climbers. 

Our Picks for the Best Schwinn Exercise Bike

• Best Schwinn Indoor Cycling Bike: Schwinn IC4 
• Best Recumbent Schwinn Exercise Bike: Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike 
• Best Schwinn Air Bike: Schwinn Airdyne AD7 
• Best Schwinn Upright Exercise Bike: Schwinn 170 Upright Bike 

Best Schwinn Indoor Cycling Bike: Schwinn IC4

Good for: Those who want a studio cycling class experience from the comfort of their home gym

Schwinn IC4

Schwinn IC4

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Product Highlights

• Connects to Peloton and Zwift apps
• 100 levels of resistance
• Sturdy and doesn’t shake while exercising

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Connects to Peloton and Zwift apps
• 100 levels of resistance
• Sturdy and doesn’t shake while exercising

Cons

• LCD display is bare bones
• Android users may notice a lag in metrics shown
• Parts note clearly labeled to help with assembly

Bottom Line

For under $1,000, the Schwinn IC4 is a solid purchase and one of the best exercise bikes if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Peloton.

The Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike is our go-to pick for those who want a Peloton alternative that costs several hundred dollars less than the world’s most popular exercise bike. And, unlike the Peloton bike that only allows you to use the Peloton app, you have an almost endless array of cycling apps that can be used with this bike—basically everything but iFIT.

Read our Peloton vs Schwinn IC4 comparison for a full tale of the tape. 

One downside is that it doesn’t come with a screen so you’ll have to supply your own iPad or laptop to take advantage of the JRNY, Explore the World, or any other cycling app you might choose to use with this bike. 

If you have a JRNY membership, you can also connect the bike to your preferred app via Bluetooth to take advantage of the auto-resistance feature, which allows your trainer to make the resistance harder or easier. This feature can be turned off, but it’s one of the many bike features that makes this a great choice for studio cycling enthusiasts who want to workout at home. 

The riding experience is similar to what you’d find on most other studio cycling bikes around this price point. You have quiet magnetic resistance, a hefty 40-pound flywheel, and 100 levels of micro-adjustable resistance. You’ll also get a pair of 3-pound dumbbells for live or on-demand classes that involve upper-body work. 

If you’re on a budget or don’t care much about fitness apps you could opt for the Schwinn IC3, but be aware it uses friction resistance instead of magnetic so it will be a bit louder and require some upkeep during its lifetime. 

Get more of our thoughts on this bike by reading our Schwinn IC4 review. 

It should also be noted that Schwinn’s parent company, Nautilus, produces a very similar bike: the Bowflex C6.  

Best Recumbent Schwinn Exercise Bike: Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

Good for: Seniors, or those looking for a low-impact exercise bike 

Schwinn 230 Recumbent

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike

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Product Highlights

• Recumbent bike comes with 16 levels of magnetic resistance
• Highly adjustable, contoured and ventilated seat
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Costs $500
• Made with lots of plastic
• Display isn't great

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Ventilated seat to keep you cool during long workouts
• Easily adjustable for people of all heights
• Lightweight, at only 80 pounds
• A great value in the $500 price range (with free shipping)

Cons

• Sells out frequently (you may be able to find it on Amazon)
• Made with a lot of plastic
• The console is not backlit

Bottom Line

The Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike offers a great value with 16 levels of magnetic resistance and plenty of built-in features. And all at $500.

The Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike is one of the best recumbent exercise bikes for seniors or anyone else who may be looking for a more accessible stationary exercise bike. The walk-through design makes getting in and out of the seat simple for those with mobility issues, the ventilated backrest and seat keep you cool during longer rides, and it comes with 16 magnetic resistance levels. 

Related: Calories burned walking a mile

The bike comes with 13 built-in workout programs and an LCD display to keep track of your heart rate, total distance, speed, and calories burned, so it’s pretty basic in terms of its tech features. Also, the LCD display on this one isn’t backlit so those with eyesight issues may want to get a tablet on the media holder ASAP. On the bright side, the screen has a USB port so you can charge your devices as you ride. 

But like other Schwinn bikes, the Schwinn 230 has Bluetooth capabilities to connect to cycling apps like Zwift or the Peloton app to help diversify your riding experience. You can also connect to Polar heart rate monitors via Bluetooth as well. 

Although bulky, this recumbent bike only weighs 80 pounds so it’s quite easy to move around your home gym if needed. It’s also highly adjustable to allow users of multiple sizes to fit comfortably into the seat. 

We’re usually cautious about recommending products with a lot of plastic parts, as they’re more likely to break even if the item is well taken care of, but we have not run into any problems with our Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike over the many months of testing it. 

The 300-pound weight capacity isn’t the best, but for around $600 it’s better than most at this price range, and it comes with a water bottle holder (which isn’t always the case with recumbent bikes). 

Read our full Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike review for more information and to see how it compares to the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike. 

Best Schwinn Air Bike: Schwinn Airdyne AD7 

Good for: Anyone looking for a high-intensity workout 

Schwinn AD7

Schwinn AD7 Airdyne Pro Air Bike

GGR Score: 4.6

Community Score: 2.4

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Product Highlights

• Powerful solid steel cranks
• Doubled-coated steel body construction
• 9 programmable workout options
• Multi-grip handle bars
• Oversized, padded seat

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Quiet and low-maintenance belt drive system
• Best monitor on any air bike we’ve tested
• Has heavy-duty rubber grips and pedals
• Solid steel construction
• Responsive ride

Cons

• Made with lots of plastic, which reduces noise but isn’t durable
• Fan guard and other accessories cost extra
• Price is over $1,000

Bottom Line

The Schwinn Airdyne AD7 is one of the quieter air bikes on the market, thanks to its low-maintenance, belt-drive system. Priced over $1,000, this bike has a great monitor and is a durable option.

The Schwinn Airdyne AD7, otherwise known as the Schwinn Airdyne Pro, was crowned the quietest air bike in our best air bike roundup for a surprising reason: It has plastic parts. 

Most air bikes are made of metal, which can produce a lot of noise when you’re pedaling hard and pushing those handlebars, but the AD7’s construction reduces the decibels so you’re not disturbing your partner or roommates. 

It was also one of the first air bikes to use a belt-drive system rather than a chain-drive not only to reduce noise levels, but keep maintenance to a minimum. In fact, the only sound you’ll really hear on this bike is the whooshing created by the fan blades. 

And while not impressive when compared to other exercise bikes, the multi-display LCD screen is easily one of the best we’ve seen on air bikes. 

We will say this bike is quite tough, so unless you have experience with air bikes already, you might want to look into more beginner-friendly models (our suggestion would be the AssaultBike Classic). But if you’re looking for a full-body workout that will tax your upper- and lower-body muscles, then Schwinn’s is a great choice. 

While it’s one of the more expensive air bikes on the market, it is one that we think is well worth the price. 

Get our full thoughts on this bike by reading our Schwinn Airdyne AD7 review. 

Best Schwinn Upright Exercise Bike: Schwinn 170 Upright Bike 

Good for: Anyone looking for a simple, high-value upright exercise bike 

Schwinn 170

Schwinn 170 Upright Bike

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Product Highlights

• Upright bike 
• Bluetooth-enabled 
• 25 levels of resistance
• 29 built-in programs
• Dual LCD screens
• 300-lb user weight capacity

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 29 preset exercise programs
• 25 different levels of magnetic resistance
• 300-lb user weight capacity

Cons

• 13-pound flywheel
• Reviews say seat isn’t very comfortable

Bottom Line

The Schwinn 170 is a Bluetooth-enabled upright bike with overall positive reviews.

The Schwinn 170 Upright Bike is the only Schwinn exercise bike on this list that we haven’t personally tested, but based on our years of experience of testing and reviewing exercise equipment, we like what we see. 

The $550 price tag might seem a bit high for an upright bike until you realize that this bike has more than meets the eye. Bluetooth connectivity isn’t typically found on bikes in this price range, but with the Schwinn 170 you can connect to multiple cycling apps to take advantage of cycling classes and to keep track of your progress. 

It also has an impressive 25 levels of resistance, which according to customer reviews is whisper-quiet, 29 built-in workout programs, and a 300-pound weight capacity. 

All of this makes the Schwinn 170 the best Schwinn exercise bike when it comes to value. The adjustable seat allows users from 5 feet to 6 feet, 4 inches tall to feel comfortable at all points of their ride. 

There are two backlit LCD displays to keep track of all your metrics, but the only downside is the tablet holder is built into those displays so anything you place there will cover up those screens (which also has a charging port). That’s not the biggest problem in the world, but unless your cycling app tracks your metrics in real time, you won’t be able to see them until your ride is over. 

Get our full breakdown of this bike in our Schwinn 170 Upright Bike review. 

Which Schwinn Exercise Bike Should You Buy?

There’s a case to be made for every Schwinn exercise bike, but at the end of the day, it’s going to depend on what you want. For most general trainees we’d recommend the Schwinn 170 Upright Bike; for road cyclist and studio cycling enthusiasts we’d pick the Schwinn IC4; the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike is best for seniors and those with mobility issues; and CrossFitters and those looking for a high-intensity workout should go for the Schwinn Airdyne AD7. 

Schwinn’s Brand Policies

Here’s a look at some of Schwinn Fitness’ brand policies. 

Warranty

Most Schwinn exercise bikes come with a 10-year frame warranty, which is about the industry standard, and coverage for things like parts and electronics is usually two to three years. 

Returns

Schwinn allows returns of all of its products within six weeks of delivery and will refund your full purchase, minus shipping and handling. You must receive a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number from a Schwinn customer service representative before returning the item.

Financing

Financing options are available on all Schwinn exercise bikes, and if you pay the full amount within 18 months you won’t be charged any interest on your purchase. 

Final Verdict of Best Schwinn Exercise Bike Review 

Schwinn has been around since 1895 so it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about bikes. We’ve tested multiple Schwinn bikes and while we recommend most of them for home gym use, the ones on this list stand out as some of the best Schwinn exercise bikes. 

The ability to connect to multiple cycling apps via Bluetooth is a game changer in a day and age when most smart home gym equipment is only compatible with one app. Plus, their price points are pretty budget-friendly when it comes to exercise bikes (with some exceptions). 

Best Schwinn Exercise Bike FAQs

Anthony O'Reilly, CPT

Anthony O'Reilly is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and personal trainer whose work has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and BarBend, and previously was an award-winning reporter and photographer for newspapers on Long Island and Queens, NY. After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. Outside of work, he still enjoys Little Debbie cakes but offsets them with rigorous hikes and workouts. He's an avid Manchester United supporter, through thick and thin.

Further reading

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