Schwinn Elliptical Trainers - A Good Trainer For A Good Price

Don't be turned off by Schwinn elliptical trainers just because they are made by Nautilus, the same company that makes those Bowflex machines you see on late-night TV. Schwinn's ellipticals are quality machines. Schwinn's 418 has won awards from Consumer Report for being one of the best ellipticals on the market. They make a variety of sporting goods, including treadmills, and are known for their excellent quality in everything they do.

Not Your Gym's Elliptical

Schwinn's ellipticals are not like the big, tough gargantuans you run on at the gym. Their ellipticals are especially designed to be simple and compact, and to come with a reasonable price tag. These machines are designed specifically for home use.

Schwinn makes several models, including the 418, the 428P, the 430 and the 438. They are pretty much the same, but the 430 and 438 have more extra features. They are all just around $1,000.

The simpler models all have the same standard features that most ellipticals have, including foot adjustment control, an 18 inch stride path, attractive and sturdy design, and programmable features. The 438 has different handrail settings, 21 different programs, and other adjustable features you can use to vary your workout.

The 438, in particular, is a great buy. It's an improvement over the other models. Among other things, it can hold up to 300 pounds, and is sturdy but not overly bulky. It has a wireless heart rate monitor and larger foot plates.

The 418 Is A "Best Buy"

As mentioned earlier, the 418 was rated highly by Consumer Reports as a best buy elliptical machine. But, it's no hunk of junk. The 418 is quiet, comfortable and sturdy. Even the cheapest model Schwinn offers comes with magnetic resistance which helps to reduce the noise. It comes with 12 different workout programs, which is much more than most machines in that price range.

418's usually go for $1,200, but you can find them for as low as $700 new from certain dealers. They also come with good warrantees so that you can have anything fixed if it goes wrong. This is especially important for a major piece of fitness equipment. The frame is generally covered for up to 15 years. But, with a weight capacity of 275 pounds, that may not be necessary.

A Few Complaints

Some customers reported early on that Schwinn's ellipticals had some faulty parts and loose screws. Schwinn hasn't been in the elliptical trainer business as long as some of the other companies have, so their first round of 418's weren't as sturdy as they could have been.

Since then, there haven't been many complaints, and everything was covered under warrantee.

Overall, people have been happy with their Schwinn elliptical trainers. Reviews have all been good. If you want a simple elliptical for you to use at home and you're on a budget, go with the 418. If you'd like to take advantage of more features and workout programs, spend a little more and get the 438. Schwinn makes a great elliptical at a great price.