Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
The Schwinn 420 elliptical trainer is the latest version of their extremely popular and reliable 430. The 430 has been one of the best on the market since it has been around due to its low cost and reliable performance. The 420 has a few minor improvements over the 430, but all in all they are basically the same machine. Perhaps Schwinn plans to discontinue the 430 line, and use the 420 instead. Either way, you'll get a great machine at an affordable price with Schwinn. Below is our review of this model.
Schwinn 420 Features
At 152 lbs, this is a fairly light elliptical machine. Though it's lightweight, it feels sturdy and well made and does not wobble all over the place when you work out unlike some other low-priced machines. This elliptical is rated to support up to 300 lbs, but honestly 250 lbs is probably closer to the ideal weight limit.
The elliptical motion is smooth and comfortable, and with an 18" stride length is comfortable for both short and tall people. If you're over 6' though, you may find it too short of a stride for you. The articulating foot pedals are comfortable, and do help to reduce any strain on your ankles and feet.
The LCD display is nothing to write home about, but it does the trick. You get readouts for speed, time, distance, calories and watts, and your progress and resistance levels.
Value for Money
Generally, when you're looking in the under $1,000 range, the quality of elliptical machines is...well, not very good. Schwinn, on the other hand, actually managed to make a reliable, durable elliptical for about $600-$700. The two year warranty on parts is good, especially in this price range, but the labor warranty is only 90 days. They make up for this somewhat with an additional one year warranty on the electronics. If you can purchase an extended warranty, it may be a good idea to do so.
Bottom Line
If you are a hardcore user, and have multiple people who will be hitting the machine throughout the day for several hours, this machine won't hold up. It is not designed for serious, heavy-duty use such as you'd see in a gym. But if you want a reliable elliptical exercise machine that you can use daily, then this is a good choice. The average home user, with one or two people working out each day, will get their money's worth out of the Schwinn 420 elliptical trainer. It is a slight improvement on their proven 430 elliptical, so the track record for this machine is solid and established. All in all, a good machine for a great value.
Find out more about the full range of Schwinn elliptical trainers
