Schwinn 430 Compact Elliptical Machine Review

Elliptical trainers have long been a favorite with those in search of a great cardio workout. However, many people are now, more than ever in search of an elliptical trainer that allows them to exercise in the comfort of their own home. For many enclosed spaces and crowded environments still generate a sense of unease, so gyms are not ideal. But there are elliptical trainers that are perfect for home use, including some compact models.

However, we are going to be taking a closer look at a full-size model from one of the best-known manufacturers out there – Schwinn and their ‘430 Elliptical Machine’. Schwinn has been around for a long time – and that’s an understatement. The company was formed in the late 1800s and made its name in bikes. It branched out into exercise equipment where it has also built a great reputation for budget-friendly machines.

Value

The Schwinn 430 provides excellent value for its price. It’s going to be hard to find a machine that provides so many value-added and advanced features that would usually only be found on many more expensive machines. For instance, this model is Bluetooth compatible which means that the user can download workout statistics to any Bluetooth-enabled device. It also boasts a 20” long stride path which is generous enough even for those with a fairly lanky frame. It’s worth noting that the price of this elliptical is strong value – but shop around and keep an eye out for specials – you can save a fairly large amount of cash by being patient and spending a bit of time on the Internet.

It would be remiss not to note that there is a bit of a downside to offering such a feature-packed machine at such a low price – something’s got to give. In the case of the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine, there are two things worth noting. Firstly that the build quality is not as great as some of the much more pricey machines. Secondly that some of those excellent functions rely on materials that are not comparable to the really expensive options. That being said, unless you are really punishing this Schwinn model it should provide reliable service for many years.

Guarantee

Let’s be fair to Schwinn. They have faith in their product – and their guarantee should give you at least some peace of mind. It’s not comparable to a unit that could be compared to those found in a gym – but it’s fairly comprehensive. You’ll get a 10-year frame warranty, a two-year parts warranty, and a one-year warranty on electronics. In addition, there is a 90-day guarantee on labor.

Specifications and Value Adds

If you are a beginner to the Elliptical experience this machine is ideal. Firstly, it’s a front-drive elliptical. That allows for a smaller footprint, making it suitable for home use (and also contributing to the lower cost of the unit). One of the issues with front-drive ellipticals is that users tend to lean forward when exercising. However, Schwinn has made allowance for this by providing users with a pedal path with six slope settings. The maximum incline is 9 percent, whi8ch should be more than enough for the beginner to intermediate user.

The Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine is also great for couples who are both on the journey to better physical fitness (or weight loss). The machine low users to save two personalized profiles. The personalization includes a workout program that is unique to each user. However, if setup sounds like too much work then Schwinn has included 22 time-proven preset workouts which should suit the needs of almost everyone, apart from the very experienced. These include nine profile programs, a manual mode, and eight heart-friendly (heart-rate controlled) workouts. The heart rate workouts use data that is collected through contact sensors.

There are also a number of value-added features that have been designed to make workouts just that little bit more fun. Firstly there is a generous tablet-sized shelf. Secondly, there is a USB charging shelf so you can keep your phone charged even if you are using it to supply your favorite tunes from your workout playlist – and perhaps best of all, a set of stereo speakers. The speakers rely on a built-in audio jack that allows you to plug in your device to access that all-important playlist.

The large dual LCD readout makes it incredibly easy to see all your workout stats at a glance – however, it’s certainly not as fancy as some of the readouts on more expensive machines, but everything you need is there. Another nice feature is the onboard cooling fan which should go some way to keeping users cool as they are enjoying their workout. There’s also a built-in water bottle holder, nothing fancy (who needs a fancy water bottle holder?), but it’s an essential feature.

Assembly

Even if you’re not the handiest person on the planet assembling the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine is not going to be overly taxing. The manual is extremely clear and the entire process should take about an hour. Having someone lend a hand will make the process even faster.

In Summary

If you are a hardcore elliptical user then this may not be the machine for you. It simply may not stand up to massive punishment. but if you are new to the elliptical scene it does represent excellent value – especially if you can find one on special. It boasts an above-average stride path for a machine at this price point and there are some nice features. The warranty is good for a machine at this price point. All in all, the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer is a machine that is suitable for a variety of people. If you’re just getting into ellipticals it offers a wide range of valuable features to get you up and going in no time. Likewise, those more experienced will enjoy the convenience features, solid workouts, and comparable performance to much more expensive models.