 A wise choice |
| Review Date: April 6, 2007 |
| Reviewer: SGT SCOTT, Dallas, Texas |
| I am a soldier who has recently returned from deployment. While I was deployed I injured both knees and am unalbe to run due to the impact. I had tried ellipticals while I was deployed and was quite impressed with the work out I got. When I returned I went out and started searching for one of my own. My goal was to keep it under $1000. I tried many different brands and discovered that not all ellipticals are created equal. Many of them are cheaply made and shake side to side or make alot of noise. The stride is very important. I am 6 foot tall and the 16 inch stride on some of them just didnt cut it. I ended up buying a Proform 160 from the Proform website since it had an 18 inch stride and seemed to be sturdy, however, after discovering how little they care about customer service, I cancelled my order. I ended up buying an Image 9.5 from Walmart. I used it for about 3 weeks and came to the conclusion that the foot pedals were spaced too far apart and it put pressure on my knees and made my hips hurt. After thinking about it for a minute it made sense to me, who runs with thier feet that far apart anyway. My feet almost land in a straight line when I run. So I set out to find one with closer pedals. Overall I tried almost 2 dozen different machines and finally found the Schwinn 430 at a fitness store. I tried the 418 and 438 also, but the 430 seemed to be the most comfortable to me. The 438 and some of the other brands seem to have a high arch on the upstroke. The 430 was very smooth and ultra quiet. It is very well made and should last for many years. Amazon had the best deal on it and had it to me in about 8 days. It is a very comfortable machine. After all of this I would say to anyone wanting to buy an elliptical, try alot of them, I tried all the ones at Sears, Oshmans, Academy and Fitness in motion. Make sure the stride length, pedal angle and pedal spacing are comfortable for you, after all, if its not comfortable you wont want to use it. The only thing I think could be improved on the Schwinn 430 is a backlit display. Luckily I work out with the lights on so its not a problem, haha. I tried many machines that were between $2-3000 and this one was still more comfortable to me. It is a heavy machine, so get help carrying it in, but you will be glad its heavy when you ride it. It is some assembly required, but it has fairly clear instructions, so there shouldnt be a problem with assembly. Happy Hunting! |
Best elliptical under $1000
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| Review Date: September 1, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Eagle Vision, Southeastern United States |
INTRO:
Shopping around for ellipticals, I look at the range of $150 to $5000. Obviously the fitness club versions are great, with the quiet operation, range of resistance, electronic analysis, durability, comfort and range of adjustments for stride. After shopping for several months (6 to be exact - riding dozens of machines), the MOST IMPORTANT thing to realize is that you have to be comfortable with the stride of an elliptical. This varies in 'orbit' from one manufacturer to another. The stride length is another consideration (ride it for at least 10-15 minutes to get a true feel). If you're not comfortable, it will become a $800-$5000 towel rack. Next, you need a machine that is solid and stable for your body weight.
As a homeowner, more important features were durability, quiet ride, comfort, general data about exercise (i.e. calories, speed, distance, cadence), and saving space.
I ordered from Amazon and it originated out of Pennsylvania. It took a week for delivery and delivery is only to your door. I was contacted when the shipment arrived and the delivery was on schedule. The condition of the box was good and there was no damage to the cosmetics of the machine when I received it. The box is massive and heavy (200 lbs) and it is difficult to push on high grade pile carpet.
SETUP:
After reading the reviews from this site, I decided to take a chance. After unpacking, I checked that all parts were correct and present. Outside of some inconsistencies with a couple of lines on assembly, the setup was easy and clear for 98%. The supplied tools made the job even easier (I was ready with my huge toolchest to decide on what I needed).
APPEARANCE:
Enameled coated frame, plastic housing for the brake, and pedals. The pedals are hard plastic and I would have preferred a higher grade pedal with rubberized grips. The handles are covered with comfortable 'rubber'. The heart rate monitor is only on the console handlebar but that doesn't bother me (I don't need constant instantaneous heart rate monitoring). The electronic monitor is lightweight plastic which is where the materials kind of skimp for the price.
The electronic display is well organized allowing simultaneous data to be displayed (Interval/time, RPM/watts, speed/calories). The caveat is that the display is not backlit but who wants to exercise in the dark? The water bottle holder is a nice touch but practically out of the way during the operation to be useful when riding.
The footprint is small (62" long x 27" wide) and there are rollers on the front to allow easier navigation if it has to be moved. This was the main attraction of this model over the more expensive Schwinns (saving space).
USE:
Quick start is a nice way to start using your machine. You can push the various parameters to display what you want. I personally find that the RPM (your cadence), calories, and time to be most important.
This is an extremely quiet machine for operation outside of the loud beeps that arise from the electronic console. The operation is smooth and comfortable, and I found it quite enjoyable. Being 200 pounds, I found the machine to be stable and did not rock or squeak, unlike many models in this price range and lower.
Warranty for labor is 6 months but, hey, you put it together. How can they cover your work?
SUMMARY:
For the price and features, given the smooth operation, features and solid feel (with the exception of the plastic pedals), I believe this machine is worthy of consideration. Like a golf club or even a shoe, the equipment has to fit the person: make sure that the stride length and elliptical motion fit you.
UPDATE:
After some use it started to squeak. My first thought was "You get what you pay for". I got off of the machine and tried to localize the sound but it only occurred with weight on the pedal. However, I adjusted and tightened two bolts and loosened one other on the left pedal, and it went back to quiet operation. Assembly is the first thing to consider if it starts to make noise. Localize where it is coming from and then adjust the screws. Keep the handle tools that came with the machine to make your adjustments. It is so smooth and so quiet, I cannot justify spending any more money unless you weigh more than the limits of the machine. Any more electronic features is just a wasted luxury. |
Assemby and Ease of Use
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| Review Date: February 24, 2007 |
| Reviewer: J. Schreiber, |
I don't know what all the prior fuss is about. I had no trouble reading the assembly manuel and putting the elliptical together all by myself in under 2 hours. And I'm a female! The parts were labeled correctly, formed correcty and there were no missing or malformed pieces. It is on the heavy side, but my being a stubborn individual-I didn't want to wait for my husband to get back home from his trip in a few days and I was anxious to start using it, so I did it myself. I really had no trouble. But being female if I'm lost in out in the real world I ask for directions, and when it comes to assembling items I read the directions very throughly and line everything up before I begin. Men usually don't follow those methods and hence they get frusted, confused then angry.
This is my first elliptical and for the money this is an excellent value with the features you get. You can input your weight and height and customize it for your target fitness goals, like you can on those more expensive health club machines. The display is large and easy to read. I would be nicer if the background lit up, but I can live with it.
The motions are smooth and the machine is very quiet-very easy to hear your music, the TV or carry on conversations and you don't have to compete with the background noise of the machine-much like you have to do with our treadmill. That thing is noisey.
I'm quite pleased with this unit and I really don't see myself purchasing a more expensive higher end one in the near future, unless this one should go belly up-which I doubt, it is so heavy duty and very well made.
I will recommend this to anyone and everyone. It is by far a superior piece of home exercise equipment for the money that most people can afford. Your health and fitness is worth the investment. |
Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer
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| Review Date: April 5, 2008 |
| Reviewer: P. Stone, Upstate NY |
Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer
Excellent machine and value. We had a Proform unit that was given to us for free and it quickly turned to junk, started knocking after a few months use. Could not even replace the worn parts as they don't carry certain parts anymore. Resistance was awful as it used a leather belt for friction and no reverse. So I figured I'd spring for a club quality unit like a Life Fitness or Precor model that I'm used to from the clubs I've belonged to over the years. But they cost about 2-3 grand for the home units! And even the 3-4K club pro units many still broke down from time to time anyway.
My Son bought a 430 a year or two ago and I was impressed with it's build quality and smoothness of operation (He has had no issues). I thought I wanted a rear drive unit, but changed my mind after I used his. Some reviews say the front drive units give you an unwanted bunny hop stride, but I have not found this to be true. I was most impressed with the smoothness of the electronic resistance. Brings your heart rate up very quickly depending on the program and level chosen.
Unit went together very easy with the supplied tools (Allen wrench combo with Phillips head and a hex wrench). I think the typo error in the manual regarding which bolts to use for attaching the main unit assembly to the stabilizers (feet) has now been corrected for step 2. Amazon had noted there was an error in the manual for this step. Most of the bolts used are the button top ones that the allen wrench fits into makes assembly a breeze. Even taking my time it only took me about 1.5 hours from assembly to finish, which included unpacking the parts (great packaging) and laying them out before assembly.
A few tips. I sprayed a little extra white lithium grease on each moving part even though they were pre-greased. Spray can at Home Depot is only a few bucks. Same for a spray can of Teflon Silicone spray that I bought to spray on the track wheels and tracks. Don't use WD 40 as it attracts dust and dirt.
I picked up a 4 pack of these black rubber (24 inch by 24 inch) interlocking mats at Loews for $16. They are about 1/2 inch thick (these mats are thicker than the ones that Walmart sells). Because they are nice and firm, they don't allow the machine to rock when placed underneath it. They can also be trimmed to fit around the machine with a sharp knife, razor blade or scissors.
I also cut out two pieces of indoor/outdoor type carpet (bought at Walmart) with type with the rubber backing. Which I cut to fit into the plastic foot pedals. This machine is almost silent operation-wise. The only sounds I was hearing were the squeaking of my rubber sneakers against the plastic foot holders. The two carpet pieces are a cheap and silent fix for this. Some have noted that they thought these foot holders were cheap. But I find them to be very beefy for plastic units.
Lastly, the only con that I see as others have noted is that the computer (which works great) is not back lit. But to spend an extra $200 for the next model up just to get this feature and a fan for the same basic machine . . . one can just buy a battery operated, cheap book light that can clip onto the computer. I like the ones that have a clip on one end and an 8-10 inch gooseneck with the light on the other end. Probably cost about $10. Personally, I can still see the computer without the back light as I just turn a lamp on in the room. I don't workout in the dark anyway.
Conclusion: You can't go wrong with the 430 for $599 "delivered in about 7 days" with Amazon's free shipping . . . for a unit of this quality. For what I almost spent I could get 5 to 6 of these units (one for each room of my house) for what I was going to spend on the Life Fitness or Precor models and after I read all the reviews on those more expensive units, I was not impressed with what I was going to get for my money. Each of the expensive units had drawbacks in their reviews especially the Precor models. The 430 actually had great reviews on Amazon's site and these were from over 150 "actual" users.
Thanks to all who took the time to send in their reviews which helped me make the decision to buy a 430!
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Can't say enough good things about the Schwinn 430
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| Review Date: July 12, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Ticketbndr, Texas |
If you've read some of the other reviews here, you're likely already pretty convinced the Schwinn 430 is a great machine. I can't add much to the praise already posted by others, but I can certainly agree with them and tell you that I (a 45 year old woman) had NO problems putting the machine together by myself. It did take about 3 hours, but that was taking a couple breaks and a phone call in between. Just do what the manual suggests and make sure all the parts are there before you begin (they were) and lay them out in order. Then just follow the directions.
One piece of advice: When you're installing the Console Handlebar (Step 4), cover the hole in the console mast with a piece of packing tape or just tape a piece of paper over it to block it. In attaching the handlebar, I fumbled one of the screws and of course it rolled right into the console mast, which meant I had to remove six bolts in order to remove the mast to reach the screw. Fortunately it got caught on the little metal lip and didn't drop down into the main unit.
My unit is virtually SILENT - no sqeaks, clicks or any other noises. I'm pretty close to the weight limit for the 430 model and was a little apprehensive about that, but the machine doesn't feel at all wobbly - it feels quite sturdy/stable.
I spent a month researching ellipticals, reading reviews and looking at different machines and wish now I'd just gone ahead and ordered this one. I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone in the market for an elliptical trainer.
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Perfect for the home gym.
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| Review Date: July 28, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Cutest Chicken Farmer, Newark, DE United States |
I was so very skeptical about buying a piece of equipment that's been altered for use at home. But after wrestling it out of it's packaging (which was a feat in and of itself), putting it together was a breeze. Seriously. I was dreading it, but it went together like a charm.
And using it was such an unexpected pleasure! The 'action' on it was like the commercial ones you'd find in a real gym - it was smooth, there were no 'hitches' or 'bumps' that I was expecting. The digital readout panel was actually better than the one that I was used to at the gym. There is also a way to check your 'recovery', meaning, how quickly your heart rate returns to normal after a workout, and it grades you so you can keep track of the improvements to your cardiovascular health.
It doesn't take up much room, it's pleasant to look at, and delightful to use. I would recommend this machine to anyone looking for a piece of cardio equipment for their home. I would've expected to pay nearly double for what I did. In addition to singing its accolades, above, it didn't put much of a dent in the ol' wallet, either.
I did tons of research in consumer reports before I made the plunge in purchasing an elliptical, and all roads led back to this machine. So I'm saving you the time and trouble for your research. Get yourself one of these, you'll be so happy that you did! |
Love It!!
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| Review Date: May 17, 2007 |
| Reviewer: M. Bear, |
It's been almost two months, and I still love this Schwinn! Great product, very sturdily built, haven't had any problems with it so far. I decided to purchase this one because the foot pads were closer together than some of the other brands I looked at. I am a very small-framed female and when I demo-ed other brands in the store the foot pads were so far apart, it stressed my hip joints and felt very uncomfortable. But not with the Schwinn, the foot pads are just the right distance and the stride feels great.
The variety of programs, levels and speeds also makes this product a great buy for the money. The only thing I dislike is the heartrate monitor, I find it does not give accurate readings unless you hold the handgrip for over a minute. I would have liked to see a quicker heartrate reading, but overall, I do not mind. I don't take my heartrate that often anyway.
Great product, I would definitely purchase a Schwinn again. They may be a bit higher priced than comparable models, but you get what you pay for! And I would rather spend a few extra dollars and get a good, solid product that will last a long time. |
Great Elliptical!!
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| Review Date: April 5, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Bev, Western NY |
I bought this item after much research and this particular model was suggested to me by a friend. No problems at all with shipping; package was in perfect shape though only delivered to my back steps. I opened up the box and brought in pieces individually, with the flywheel being the heaviest (though I was able to bring in myself). It took me about 2 hours to put together. Instruction book was better than most I have seen, and only problem was the misprint in bolt sizes, but you can figure that out easily (as everyone has noted on their reviews). The elliptical's size is on the smaller size and fits well in my sitting room. Easily moved if need be.
In regards to the workout. I cross train on my treadmill and found this workout to be as effective. There are a variety of programs so you can vary your workout. The backward motion is a little awkward for me (I am 5'3") but found that holding onto the lower handlebars works well (versus the movable upper ones). The machine is very quiet, only slight squeeking coming from the upper handlebars that disappeared with a little WD40. It has very smooth movement and you can definitely tell a difference with increasing the level, which I was worried about as it doesn't have an incline as some gym machines do. The heel rise can occur when you do not sit back on your heels when working out, so you just need to be aware of your foot placement. The foot pads are comfortable and a good size.
Most of all, for those who do monitor their heart rate, I have a Polar F11 heart monitor (with chest strap) and this monitor is within a 3 beat difference at the most. I recommend to let the monitor read for a minumum of 45 seconds before you follow the rate. This held true for me even if pacing at 70 RPM's or above. I listen to my IPOD when I work out, so I have not used the book holder. The water holder holds 24 oz Polar Spring bottles without any difficulty taking out and replacing the bottle.
I highly recommend this for anyone who is looking at increasing their fitness level in the comfort of their own home. It's very well built/solid, quiet, effective, and affordable ($599, free pad, free shipping). |
Love it!!!
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| Review Date: April 5, 2007 |
| Reviewer: a reviewer, Utah, USA |
This arrived earlier than expected. Great delivery company, and ours was brought into the house, even up several stairs. My ten year old son put it together with a little help from dad (took about two hours). Was a breeze to assemble, no problems at all.
I am so glad to have this! It is a great workout, and unbelievably quiet. Very sturdy and well built. I love it! |
Fantastic piece of equipment for the price!
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| Review Date: April 2, 2007 |
| Reviewer: K. Wheeler, Lincoln, NE |
| My husband and I finished off a bottle of wine before assembling the unit. : ) It only took us an hour and a half to assemble, and our kids were running around like a couple of nuts during the process. After we finished the assembly, we both took a turn on a preset program. The machine is extremely sturdy, quiet, and worked like a charm - just like a unit found at a gym. We're extremely pleased with our purchase and would recommend it to anyone! |
A couple months later...
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| Review Date: August 25, 2008 |
| Reviewer: PJ, Nashville, TN United States |
I've had this elliptical for just shy of two months. I had read all the reviews about assembly nightmares, missing or damaged parts, noise during use, etc. It seemed most were happy with the purchase except for a few defective products and a bad customer service rep or two, so I figured it was a gamble purchase but odds were in my favor + warranty and all.
Arrival/assembly:
There were no missing or broken parts when I received the machine but the packaging wasn't so hot. Nevertheless, this machine is so sturdy that it would really have to be mishandled hard to have bent/broken parts. None missing, thank god. Assembly was a pain. Not rocket science but tedious and annoying. I'd say it took a couple hours and a couple of the screws seemed to be very stubborn. Sturdy tho! And it got done..
Use:
After the second use I heard the loud screech that other reviews mention. Their tips about losening the bolts 1/4 turn until it stopped were so helpful and no more noise even 2 months later. I did have to tighten the area that attaches to the foot pedal 'thing' because there was a slight squeak. However, it was easy to hear where it came from, simply to adjust and for the price I wouldn't complain. Besides Schwinn recommends you always check the stability and make any needed adjustments each time before use (safety, blah blah blah)
Functionality:
I get a great workout with this machine. Now I'm just shy of 6'3 so I might have liked a tad longer stride length but honestly it's not a big deal and I wouldn't have paid the price difference for it. The display is fine for what it's worth. There are, in my opinion, cool features like 'recovery score' for your heart rate, etc. I do not rely on accuracy for calories or speed but it's close enough I'm sure. The heart rate monitor is s-l-o-w to take readings but it does work--again, price range.
Overall:
What a great buy thru Amazon. While I might have changed a couple tiny things, there is no way it could have happened in this price range so 5 stars. It's so great to be able to workout at home at my convenience. I may not be America's Next Top Model with this elliptical :) but at least I'm getting my 30 minutes of exercise a day without financing some outrageous equipment. I truly feel great and you can't put a price on that.
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Great machine at a great price
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| Review Date: October 10, 2007 |
| Reviewer: JD, Germantown |
Was considering getting a treadmill (NordicTrak x10 / incline), but my sister talked me into getting the elliptical. I had never even used one. (It's been years since I've been in a gym.) I'm so glad I took her advice. This machine is better than a treadmill. So quiet, more mobile, and low impact. I also love that you can adjust the tension / difficulty. (In my mind, I was picturing those silly machines where you swing your straight legs back and forth.)
I researched the different models and the reviews were VERY helpful in making my decision to go with the Schwinn. (and who doesn't have good memories of their first Schwinn?). The price, with free delivery, was also very good.
Regarding delivery: I had no problems at all. I never had to track it because it arrived 3 to 4 days earlier than anticipated. I got a call from Eagle at 9:30 on a Friday night and the guy delivered it the next day. (Bonus in that I didn't have to miss work to be home to accept it.) As you know, the box is pretty big and I was concerned when I saw that they only sent one delivery guy (smaller than me :)). But bless him. He cartwheeled the box up to the 2nd floor (condo) in about a minute. (And I gladly gave him a $20 tip - hope that was enough?) Try doing that with a treadmill - ha!
Regarding Set Up: Set up was easy. Honestly - anyone who can follow simple instructions can put this together. There is actually an instruction "booklet" with pictures! Not some cheap paper that you have to unfold a bunch of times with instructions in 6 different languages. It took me 2 hours solo (while watching tv). Do yourself a favor: Take your time. Get rid of the packing materials and put the kids and pets in another room. Lay everything out. And get out your cereal bowls. The bolts and washers come shrink-wrapped on a piece of cardboard. Cut the bolts and washers apart and put each type in a bowl with the part number. (Criticism: Yes - the bolts could be better named.) And put shoes on. The fly-wheel is heavy and it has to be upright. If it falls over on your foot, (or a small child :)) it WILL do damage.
I also didn't care for the wiring connections for the display panel. My connections did not "snap" together and the separate wires are exposed before they come together where they are fused. I felt like if I tugged on it too hard, they might come apart. And it turned out that AFTER I had it completely assembled, the cables weren't properly connected. I turned it on and got an error message!!!!! AGHHHH!!!!
So I had to partially take it apart and reconnect the wiring. I recommend connecting the panel to the wiring at your first opportunity, to test it. Before putting on any other parts.
While it was frustrating to have to take it apart again, I was still REEALLY glad it wasn't defective and I didn't have to try to get service or have to pack it back up (in the mangled box) to ship it back.
My machine doesn't make any squeaky sounds at all. But seeing the way that all of the parts connect and work together, I would expect that it would be necessary to occasionally oil and tighten the bolts. Haven't had to yet, though.
The display panel is a little dim and you need to watch out for the cord. But I read that some of the other elliptical models require batteries, so this is still better, I think.
I'm not a gym rat, so my review is probably not as worthwhile to those who spend serious time working out and use the high-end gym equipment. But I can say that this machine provides a good workout. I could hardly do 4 minutes when I got it a month ago and now I'm up to 2.5 miles. I try to do this twice a day. My heart-rate is no longer explosive, I feel great, and I really notice a difference in my leg tone.
I would recommend this machine to everyone.
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Sturdy For A Home Gym
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| Review Date: February 28, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Gary J. Tittel Jr., |
Got this item along with a free Bowflex mat for $499.00 from an Amazon Gold Box special.
No problems putting it together and all the parts were there and in perfect shape, the required tools were even included. I assembled it in just over an hour (even though I'm a male and get frustrated easily according to previous review).
Very solid machine and super quite. No need to blast the sound on the TV. The display is easy to use and understand but it would be better if it was backlit. Overall nice piece of equipment for the home gym. |
Great Value!
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| Review Date: March 31, 2007 |
| Reviewer: My Two Cents, Providence, RI United States |
Our Schwinn 430 arrived yesterday, four days earlier than expected. My husband and I put it together in about an hour and a half, and it was relatively simple to do. All the parts were packaged and labeled very well and there was an insert with a correction to the instructions on step 2.
As for the feel of the machine, it's very smooth and sturdy. If you're not looking for any fancy electronics and are looking to save some $$$, it's worth getting it over the 418 and 438. The pedals on this model are made of plastic, not rubber, and are cheaper looking and feeling than the other models. However, with sneakers on, you probably won't notice the difference. Also, the handle bars with heart rate sensors are lower than the other models, but they don't feel too low, which I was afraid of.
All in all, I'm so glad I decided to get this elliptical machine. The whole transaction has gone very smoothly, and I'm working up a sweat already! The 18" stride is a good compromise for me(5'2") and my husband (6") and is comparable to the feel of higher-priced machines.
Hopefully the machine will hold up to a lot of use.
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Very Sturdy Elliptical - Love it
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| Review Date: March 9, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Hemant K. Anugonda, Philadelphia, PA |
After shopping around for a long time me and my wife decided to by this elliptical. We were really skeptical because we were buying online but its totally worth it. I have owned this machine for 2 months now and I must say that I am impressed.
Schwinn is a class company and is a part of Nautilus which supplies most of the gym equipment to the big boys like LA fitness, Ballys etc. We shopped and tried most of the elliptical brands like Proform, Reebok, Horizon etc but nothing is as good as Schwinn. Me and my wife were able to put this together in 2 hrs. I think thats great!!!
When me and my wife were looking around for an exercise machine we were mainly looking for something that was as good as we have in a Gym. Most of the ones in the gym cost around $2500 .. which is ridiculous... and since the bar was set so high we had to shop around for a while and Schwinn 430 was our answer. I think its sturdier than most of the exercise mahines in the gym and its affordable got it for $599 on amazon + free shipping.
Pros:
Very Sturdy, A lot of program options, Smooth, no noise, No battery required,
Affordable(when compared to other high end ones), Ultimate performance, 1 year warranty on parts(most of the other companies give 3 months only), decently compact.
Cons:
Manual that is supplied is not too clear about the instructions (you will still be able to figure out the instructions though)
No Backlight on the exercise monitor screen(not a major issue)
If you are over 250 pounds, it may be a little wobly.
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Schwinn 430 Elliptical-WOW
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| Review Date: March 13, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Geoffrey Hulstrunk, |
| My wife is rather prone to injuring herself when working out, so when she said she was interested in buying an elliptical I was honestly afraid it would be more money wasted on yet another machine that would never be used. I could not have been more wrong! My wife and I have used the machine for nearly three weeks without a single complaint. It provides an awesome workout in much less time than we used to spend on the treadmill. The only two problems (if you can call them problems) were 1) way too much packing tape securing parts inside the box-it was a nightmare just preparing to assemble. 2)When securing the base rail to the main frame, it was somewhat difficult to get the bolt/nut threads to engage, although I finally secured them this took nearly half an hour. Other than these two minor issues, the assembly process goes smoothly and you can feel the quality built into the machine from both the weight of the pieces and the finish. Having previously done welding myself, I was very impressed by the quality of the welds throughout the machine-nothing cheap here! I expect this elliptical to last many years and we finally have a piece of exercise equipment that we actually use. |
What else is there to say?
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| Review Date: May 19, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Felicia K. Tapley, houston, Texas USA |
| I'm not going to beat around the bush. I'm a 5'5" 21 year old female and i got this thing upstairs in my house with the help of my 26 year old sister. I put it together by myself in about 4 hours....it took that long only beacause i was pretty sleepy AND i took breaks in between. assembly was easy and i probably could have done it with out the manual which only confused me. It's a solid well built machine that doesn't make noise and rocks very little when on carpet. It's offers a great workout and very challenging. For someone who is used to using treadmills, Precors and Cybex Arc Trainers from my college gym, i find it WAAAAAAAAY more than sufficient. If you want a quality, stable machine that offers an excellent workout and $499-$1000 is your price range...stop investigating other ellipticals and GET THE SCHWINN. My only regret is that I wasted months and months ruminating over which machine to buy....listen to the reviews ppl.... (Oh yeah, it was delivered by Eagle GL shipping...an excellent company might i add...they are all about great customer service!:) |
Great compromise
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| Review Date: July 17, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Matthew Cummings, Cleveland, OH |
We've had our Schwinn 430 for about 2 months now. My wife and I live in an apartment complex with a crappy gym. For about a year, we belonged to a big downtown gym, went less and less, and finally decided that if the machine was right in front of us, we'd have to use it! And we have.
Purchase: We bought it for $599, as the gold box price was no longer available. So easy with Amazon, we have used them many times before.
Delivery: Eagle shipping leaves a bit to be desired. They only had one set of drivers in our area, and the estimated morning delivery turned into about 4:00 p.m.
Setup: This was the most frustrating part, not because of difficulty with the directions or weight, but because Schwinn quality control is a bit loose. The hinge points for the 2 moving arms are mounted by sliding them over a horizontal bar extending through the main support post that holds the display. The black plastic bushing in one of the arms was too small to fit over the horizontal post. Of course this is only discovered half-way into the assembly. Schwinn must deal with this quite a lot, as the representative easily trouble-shot the issue with me, then overnight shipped a replacement to us. Getting the defective bushing out was very difficult, and I ended up hammering it out by wedging a screwdriver into the plastic. Pliers were not powerful enough. But I digress.
With the new bushing, finishing assembly was a breeze.
Usage: After about a week, the lubricant that comes on all of the moving parts wore off, and the squeaking others complain about began. I purchased some lithium-based lubricant at Lowe's for like $5, partially disassembled and reassembled the machine, and after about a week of working itself in, this baby is noise-free! I'd HIGHLY RECOMMEND lubricating with this type of stuff the first time you put it together.
While not as sturdy as the precor machines at the gym, this is a great product. It doesn't lift or move forward with usage (on carpet). It doesn't sway side to side. The motion is very smooth and quiet, the stride is nearly as long as the professional models but longer than cheaper models. I'm 5'11" and my wife is 5'5" and it's fine for us both. The program modes are adequate. The resistance of the fly-wheel is smoothly gradated, and I doubt the top setting would be easy for anybody. There are two wheels on the front and a handle on the back that make moving it fairly easy, though it is tough to maneuver in tight spaces like our apartment.
Overall impression: Great compromise on affordability and quality. Highly recommended product. |
Great machine
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| Review Date: September 1, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Cynthia, Calif. |
I bought this elliptical based on the reviews that I read. I am very happy with this purchase! It arrived quickly, and my husband was able to build it within and hour and a half. There weren't any problems with bolts not lining up correctly, and the directions were very straight forward. We did add a little extra grease as other reviewers had said to do. I was looking for a machine that was in this price range, and this one had the best reviews. These are features that I love about the elliptical:
* Very sturdy construction, and no wobbling whatsoever on the carpet.
* Gym quality for such a reasonable price
* Compact and easily fits in a bedroom w/o taking up too much space.
* Multiple programs to choose from, or manual if you like.
* Very smooth flow with no squeaking while you're working out.
I felt that for the money, this machine can't be beat. I'm only 5'2", but my husband is 6', and he can't believe how sturdy and well built the elliptical is. Very very happy with my purchase!!! |
Great Workout and Great Customer Service!
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| Review Date: October 6, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Tracy S. Mcaden, Sammamish, WA |
After giving up on the idea that I would ever make it back to the gym, I decided to buy a home elliptical machine. I have been using Elliptical machines on and off for about 15 years. I prefer Elliptical machines over any other aerobic exercise due to the strenous low impact workout it provides.
I did a lot of research and decided on the Schwinn 430. My criteria was:
1. Quality of machine and workout
2. Affordability
3. Ease of use
4. Reliability
5. Footprint
6. Features
7. Warranty
8. Stride length (min 18 in.)
The 430 met all of my criteria. I have used it every day for the week that I have owned it. I have been extremely pleased. It actually has exceeded my expectations. The workout is top notch. I am in decent shape and get a great workout at level 3. Since there are 16 levels of resistance, I do not believe I will outgrow this machine in my lifetime.
The machine is very well designed and sturdy. The room I have it in is rather small. It fits very well. Even though it has a compact design, it still provides for an eighteen inch stride length, which was one of my criterion.
I was able to assemble it without any assistance in about 2 hours. I did have an issue getting the left handle bar to line up, so actually ended up stripping the bolts. I called Nautilus's customer service. They were extremely helpful and sent the new handle bar out with extra bolts (actually a whole new pack of bolts) the next day. I received the package right on schedule. Could not have been more pleased with the whole interaction.
I highly recommend the 430. |
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