Schwinn Elliptical Trainers – Nautilus' Mid
Priced Elliptical Line
If you're looking at Schwinn elliptical trainers,
you're probably in the market for a decent budget machine rather than something
high end that will really knock your socks off. The elliptical reviews we've
seen tend to be all over the board with this brand, primarily because it does
fit a niche market. For anyone who wants a basic machine, Schwinn elliptical
trainers aren't a bad deal. The problem lies with what your expectations are and
how concerned you are with being able to keep your machine working hard for the
long haul.
If you want a decent budget machine, Schwinn offers several styles that are good
buys. These are all relatively quiet, have a decent stride length, and give you
a fair workout. What you won't get are a lot of extras like customized training
programs or adjustable inclines that could have taken these to the next level.
If you're just starting out with your elliptical training, these might be a good
first machine, but if you're an experienced user you might want to move to the
next level up and get a mid priced machine.
Schwinn Elliptical Trainers at Amazon.com
Some elliptical reviews as well as a leading consumer advocate agency
recommended the Schwinn 430 as a good deal. We don't necessarily disagree – it's
fine for the budget market, but it doesn't measure up to some other brands at a
higher price point. For a solid elliptical trainer at a nice price, however,
you're getting stability and nice performance that will work for the average
user.
Nautilus Health and Fitness Group Owns Schwinn
Unfortunately, Schwinn is a decent name in fitness equipment that is owned by a
company that is facing some problems. Nautilus Health and Fitness Group markets
their Schwinn elliptical trainers to the budget market and has been incredibly
successful at it, particularly since these machines are surprisingly quiet and
stable. But because the parent company, Nautilus, is having some financial woes,
they have taken a few short cuts that undercut the overall quality of the
product.
The parts come from overseas and ocassionally have problems with reliability and
durability. Parts that were once metal are being replaced with plastic parts,
and the fit when assembled isn't as good as it should be. Fortunately, they've
kept the core elements in place, so the basic mechanics of it are still
excellent for the price. You'll notice cheaper parts in the non-essential areas,
where they may wear out a bit quicker, but they aren't key to getting a good
workout. With most Schwinn elliptical trainers coming in at under $1000, you can
get a solid, basic machine that will give you great performance for a few years,
and good performance for a few years more. That's not a bad return on your
investment.
The Warranty Tells the Story
One thing all elliptical reviews agree on when they talk about Schwinn
ellipticals – the warranty doesn't stack up. Depending on which model you look
at, parts coverage may last one or two years; very reasonable for a budget
elliptical. The labor coverage is the real issue, lasting a mere ninety days to
six months depending on the model. Nautilus clearly doesn't want to have to
hassle with these machines once they've been sold. It's a shame; Schwinn
elliptical trainers are a good deal for a budget elliptical, but they could have
been better with a longer warranty.
Reviews
The Schwinn
420 – An Affordable, Basic Machine
An entry level, budget friendly elliptical that will give
you a good workout for just under $600; one of the most popular elliptical
machines selling at Amazon!
The Schwinn
430 – Compact,
Great Value
A compact cross trainer with 18 inch stride and articulating foot plates that
delivers on its promise.
The Schwinn 431 – Striking Gold in
the Budget Market
A hefty 25 lb flywheel gives you a smooth ride and exceptional stability you
won't find anywhere else for less than $1000.
The
Schwinn 460 – Unique V-Stride Technology
The Schwinn 460 with variable stride technology is an excellent choice. Good fit
for a family with multiple users.
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