Information on how to run faster, lift stronger and think deeper

Nordictrack T 9.5 vs Schwinn Airdyne Pro [Article, Video]

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Jul 29, 2020 9:00:00 AM

Nordictrack T 9.5 vs Schwinn Airdyne Pro

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack 9.5 treadmill and the Schwinn Airdyne Pro. Follow the links for more details.

Click for Instagram

Overview and review of the Schwinn airdyne pro

The Schwinn Airdyne Pro comes in at $999 - $1200. In this article you will learn more about the product itself, its Pros and cons and alternatives you might want to consider. This article has originally been published in the overview "Which conditioning equipment to buy from Rogue".

Overview of the Schwin Airdyne Pro

 
Schwinn has been in the game of producing bikes for over a century now. The Schwinn Airdyne pro is their flagship take on the Airbike market. The special features of this design are the handles and how the fans are formed. This machine will blow some serious air into your face. Great if you train in a hot environment. The handles of the Airdyne pro give you many options to vary your ride and burn calories.
 
Air bikes are unique as the resistance increases the faster you go. This makes for very intense workouts which burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time. You also have less impact than on a treadmill. The Airdyne comes with the following specifications:
 
  • Length 42” 
  • Width 20”
  • Height 52”
  • Color black 
 
This is a solid option for your gym which looks a little more space than comparable products. If you care about looks, that is, but why have a gym otherwise. 
 

Pros of the Schwinn Airdyne Pro

 
The pros of the Schwinn Airdyne are
 
  • Noise canceling design 
  • Handles 
  • Design 
  • Experience 
  • Price 
 
One of the biggest pros of the Schwinn is the noise canceling design. Schwinn was one of the first Airbike companies in the market to look into belts rather than chains to propel the wheel on the Airbike. This makes the bike more reliable and silent. Since then it has become an industry standard. 
 
The new handles are clever and take a leaf out the treadmill and elliptical industry. Most Airbikes have simple handles which leave fewer options. I personally liked and some might say this can get in the way of a very intense workout. 
 
Design is always a matter of taste. I personally like the Schwinn. It looks spacey and tasteful and might even make it even a little interior design statement if out in the right spot. I don’t see that happening with other, more down to earth, models in the market. 
 
Schwinn has been building bikes for a while now. You can be sure you will get a top-notch product with a great finish. 
 
For the quality, you are getting it is aggressively priced just around the $1000 mark. Most other Pro/elite/sport models are usually priced nearer to the $1200 to $2000 mark. 
 

Cons of the Schwinn Airdyne Pro

 
  • Specificity 
  • Price 
 
What you do on an Airbike is not specific to most sports. Most bikes do not have self-moving handles or blow air in your face while riding them. A gym which trains athletes who compete in team sports will still have to invest in equipment like treadmills and run rockets to offer specific training. 
 
If you only want an Airbike and don’t care that much about design or noise canceling there are cheaper options which can be had to get an Airbike into your place. 
 

Alternatives to the Schwinn Airdyne Pro

 
Alternatives to the Schwinn Airdyne Pro Are:
 
 
A concept 2 bike will come in a little cheaper than the Airbike and is more specific for cycling indoors when you can not get out on the road. It will not burn as many calories in the same amount of time but offers you a solid alternative.
 
The Rogue echo bike is a very solid alternative if you want an Airbike. It sells like hot cake and is very popular in the CrossFit community. It is built like a tank and comes in at a good price. Like everything from Rogue, it is designed to work, not to look pretty. In some gyms, it might look displaced. 
 
The concept two rower is solid, time tested machine to build cardiovascular endurance. If you are a fan of water sports this is probably the better option for you than any of the bikes and treadmills. The only downside is that it takes a bit more space than other options. 
 

Summary for the Schwinn Airdyne Pro

 
The Schwinn Airdyne Pro has a good design at a good price point. For a flagship product, it is reasonably priced and comes from a vendor with experience in the market. If you are budget conscious there are also solid Airbike options at a lower price. 
 

Further reading

 
 

Overview and review Nordictrack T 9.5S Treadmill $2299

This is a review of the Nordictrack T 9.5 treadmill which was originally published in "Which Nordictrack treadmill to get". Follow the links for more details.

Related Articles

Overview Nordictrack T 9.5S Treadmill $2299

 
The 9.5 nordictrack treadmill is the top end product with a narrower belt of 20' compared to the 22' of the incline and xx50 series. It also has the biggest screen out of this lineup. Those are the main specifications of interest when you put it into context with the full portfolio. The full specs are:
 
  • 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
  • 1-Year iFit® Membership Included ($468 Value)
  • Bluetooth® Audio Capabilities
  • Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
  • FlexSelect™ Cushioning
  • 20” x 60” Commercial Tread Belt
  • AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
  • Integrated Tray
  • 0-12% Incline
  • 0-12 MPH Speed
  • One Touch® Controls
  • 3.5 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor
  • 1.9” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
  • 300 Lb. User Capacity
  • EKG Grip Pulse
  • SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
  • 78.9” L x 35.5” W x 59.4” H Footprint
  • 10-Year Frame Warranty
  • 2-Year Parts Warranty
  • 1-Year Labor Warranty
 
The 9.5 treadmill is the best treadmill from Nordictrack if you specifically need a belt which is 20' due to space requirements. Otherwise, other models might be a better option for you based on the value you are getting for your money.
 

Pros of the Nordictrack T 9.5 treadmill

 
The pros of the Nordictrack 9.5 are:
 
  • 14-inch screen
  • 20' belt
 
For one of the smaller treadmills from Nordictrack the 9.5 has the biggest screen. If that is what you are looking for, this treadmill is a good fit for you. 
 

Cons of the Nordictrack T 9.5 treadmill

 
The biggest con to the T9.5 model is the value for money. If you pay more than $2000 for a treadmill you might as well go for the 2950 and get an even bigger and more modern treadmill. If you need a small treadmill to squeeze into your money and want to save money, go for the T 6.5 which is below $1000.
 

Alternatives to the T 9.5 treadmill

 
Alternatives to the Nordictrack 9.5 treadmill are:
 
 
A Rogue echo bike is a great option if you want to burn as many calories as possible in the shortest amount of time possible. As it comes in at only around $700 you save yourself a respectable amount of money compared to the NordicTrack 9.5. As an added bonus it is easier on your joints and takes up less space in your home.
 
The NordicTrack 6.5 treadmill is a small size, small budget option from Nordictrack. This is the treadmill to get when you want to fit it into a tight space or not spend more than $1000 to start your indoor runs. 
 
The True form runner is an alternative model that uses a self-propelled belt resting on bearing. This saves you the hassle of an electronic motor in maintenance and electricity costs. This treadmill is especially good for runners who want to simulate sprints and stops with very sudden acceleration and deceleration.
 

Topics: Treadmill