SCHWINN 420 ELLIPTICAL TRAINER REVIEWS
Mon, Jun 28, 2010
Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
- Provides smooth upper- and lower-body cardiovascular workout with 16 resistance levels
- 12 workout programs, including 6 course profiles, fitness test and custom workout
- Integrated grip heart rate system for simple fitness monitoring
- Ergonomic handles for multiple workout positions; natural-feeling 18-inch stride
- 300-pound maximum user weight; 5-year warranty on frame, 1 year on parts and electronics
The Schwinn® 420A elliptical is engineered with biomechanically designed linkages for a comfortable and natural elliptical path. BioDyne™ performance features a perimeter-weighted flywheel with high inertia for smooth, consistent workouts.Ideal for the home gym for fitness enthusiasts of any skill level, the Schwinn 420 provides an effective cardiovascular workout by combining upper and lower body flexibility and coordination into one impact-free motion. Elliptical trainers emulate the natura
List Price: $ 799.00
SALE Price: $ 597.54
Rating: 
(out of 67 reviews)
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Tags: Elliptical, Reviews, Schwinn, Trainer
Review by C. Craig for Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
Rating:
I ended up buying this at a local sports store and like the previous two reviewers was a bit wary to buy it because there were no reviews. I ended up finally buying it because of the reputation that Schwinn has with its other ellipticals and was not disappointed.
I had no difficulty putting it together by myself but it would be best to have two people. Thank you reviewer Toasty for informing me that the water bottle holder is not included. I’ll stop searching my house for the damn thing now. I thought I lost it. The bolts, screws, and washers come on two cardboard sheets along with two wrenches and a hex/screw driver. You will have the screws left over for the water bottle holder. The programming was pretty straight forward until I got to the custom program level. I’m still not sure how I got past that screen.
The elliptical itself feels sturdy and well built. I am 300 pounds and it supports my weight without shaking or wobbling. The 18″ stride and the handles feel comfortable for my 5’10″ frame. I heard some complaints from the salesmen at the sports store that the handles were to far forward but I did not have that problem. The console is pretty basic but what was expected for the price.
Bottom line is if you are looking for a sub $600 elliptical that is well built, this is the one for you.
Review by toasty for Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
Rating:
I was wary if purchasing a product with no reviews on Amazon, but I found other reviews of this machine online and decided to take a risk. I’m glad I did. So far, this machine has met all my expectations.
Setup
Took about 1.5 hours total with 2 people (don’t even attempt to do this with 1 person). As I expected, some parts were harder to do than others because of the way the holes line up, but in the end I managed to put it all together. Don’t make the mistake of adjusting the levelers before you put it all together like I did; otherwise you’ll have to put them back at factory setting to realign the holes so the bolts can go through. I also made sure to spray all the moving parts with silicone lubricant as I was putting it together.
Note that you may want an actual wrench of some sort, in addition to the tools they provide you with. Also note that the cupholder they describe in the instructions is not actually included. (even though it is in the product description, an addendum to the instructions says it is not included) The touted “magazine rack” is also just a lip on the console, so don’t expect anything fancy.
Console
The interface is very confusing (and I work in computers, so I’m not a novice with technology). I still haven’t managed to figure out how to do a customized program, despite running through the instructions step-by-step. However, since I rarely do programs anyway, I don’t really care about this feature. There is also no backlight.
The heart rate monitor takes a while to settle at your “real” heart rate, almost a minute, so either always keep your hands on the monitor or don’t count on using it too often.
Use
This machine is super-quiet, with no squeaking so far. I can watch TV at normal volume while doing my workouts. There were several complaints that on the 430 (the predecessor to this model), the easiest level was acutally pretty difficult, and I don’t find that to be the case here at all even though I haven’t worked out at all in months.
The stride works for me, as I’m short (5’0″). The handlebars are also fine for me, but just barely. Any further and they would be very awkward to grip.
Review by S. Hinitz for Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
Rating:
As Toasty mentioned, I was also unsure of purchasing this machine without any reviews posted but I did anyway. I’ve been working out with Precor elliptical machine at a nearby gym and I quite liked it but decided to purchase Schwinn 420 for my exercise room at home (did not want to pay thousands of dollars).
The assembly took just under 2 hours and you do need 2 people. The package is quite heavy as well so do not attempt to build this on your own. The workout is smooth and quiet which is a real treat. I also found setting the custom work-out was a bit hard but I figured it out eventually.
And no, the WATER BOTTLE HOLDER is NOT INCLUDED in this purchase.
Overall you will not be disappointed with this machine especially at this price. It looks good, makes you work out hard and keeps you in shape. I’m short (5′ 2″) and my husband’s 6′ but we both find the size of this machine suiting.
Review by steve for Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
Rating:
Programming the console:
Lots of people have complained about the user manual for this machine. I heartily agree with the gentleman who described it as “crap.” However, the machine itself is quite good. Here is what I have learned about programming it:
Notes:
To begin programming, always start by hitting Stop/Reset until “Schwinn 20″ scrolls across the top of the screen. When you see that, you are ready to begin.
Also, however limited, be sure you read, understand, and program with machine with the few details that are included in the Schwinn instruction book.
Whether used by one person or by several people, I recommend you program a default user into the machine. That user will have weight/height/age preprogrammed in. The “guest” user will have to enter that data each time the machine is used.
Programming a User (only one user can be programmed):
Press “Start” (After you see “schwinn 20″ see above.)
Press “up/down” to select “add user”
Press “Start” and read ‘Enter Name” across top
Press “Start” then press “up/down” to select first letter of name
Press “Start” and “up/down” for next letter until all letters are entered
When all letters are entered, press “Start” repeatedly until all spaces are used up and “Enter Weight” appears.
Press “Start” then “up/down” arrows to enter your weight.
Press “Start” and read “Target Weight” across the top.
Press “Start” and use “up/down” to enter your target weight.
Press “Start” and read “Height” across the top.
Press “Start” and enter your height in inches
Press “Start” and read “Age” across the top
Press “Start” and enter your age.
Press “Start” and “Custom 1″ program will appear.
To accept a flat program without changing resistance (you can select other programs when you get on the machine for an exercise session):
Press “Start” repeatedly until the bar disappears off to the left of the screen, and the words “User Added” appear.
To create a custom program with varied resistance per segment:
Each press of the “Start” button moves you to the next segment so, change the first segment using “up/down” buttons, then press “Start” and program the next setment, etc until all setments are programmed to your desire. If you mis-program a setment, press “stop” to move backward and re-program the previous segment.
You have now programmed the user. Each time you start exercising you will select the name and choose which program you will run – either the custom program, or any of the other programs available in the computer.
To begin a session:
Press “Stop” until “Schwinn 20″ scrolls across the top of the machine.
Press “Start” then “up/down” to select user by name, or “Guest” user.
Press “Start” and follow the prompts using the technique described above. When the program appears, you can use the “up/down” arrows to select the program you wish to use.
The hardware:
Once I completely re-lubricated with silicone-based spray, it worked smoothly and quietly. I haven’t had it long enough to give it a real tryout.
The delivery:
I’m writing this review to point out a potential problem which was for me entirely unexpected and unpleasant — the delivery.
I tracked the shipment using Amazon’s system. On the day that had been showing as “estimated delivery date” the tracking system showed it as “out for delivery.” I waited all day and it never showed up.
Late in the afternoon I received a call from the trucking company indicating that they wanted to deliver it the next day. I asked why it had not been delivered today, the scheduled date. The reply: Oh, we just got it from the cross country shipper, we could not have delivered it today. So, I had to hang around the house for a second day to receive the shipment. What’s the point of a tracking system if it doesn’t work? That was problem number one.
During the same conversation, I was asked “You don’t live on a cul-de-sac, do you?” I said no, but I have a 1/4 mile driveway. “Oh, that’s a problem” I was told. The semi probably won’t be able to negotiate your driveway and turn around at the end. “Semi?” I queried? “You do home delivery in a semi? It sounds to me as though your company is not qualified to make home deliveries.” Her answer: “Well, your choices are either to refuse delivery and we’ll ship it back, or you meet our truck with a pickup truck at some convenient location and we’ll transfer it to your vehicle.” I eventually arranged the pickup truck and a meeting at the local airport, but I was certainly miffed. The delivery conditions had stated “at your front door or inside your garage” — a delivery standard that they could not possibly have met with the enormous semi that delivered the box. The large box was dwarfed by the cavernous interior of the huge truck that it was delivered in. That was problem number two.
So, buyer, beware. Depending upon whether a semi truck can get to your front door, you may or may not have the delivery that you were expecting.
If I could do it separately, I would give the machine a four-star rating, and the delivery a one-star rating. So, overall, it gets a three.
Review by F. Webb for Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer
Rating:
After spending much time looking at many different Elliptical’s and reading all the reviews, I decided to take a chance on the newer Schwinn model 420 over the 430. Its been in use now for 2 weeks by both my wife and I,(6 times a week) and I’m very happy with my choice.
The shipping by via ABF was very fast (4 days) and they called ahead to set up a delivery time. The weight of the 420 in approximately 160lb, so have some help ready if you think you need it. I had the box in the basement and the 420 put together in a little more than 2 hours by myself. Tools are included if you don’t happen to have any of your own. Socket wrenches and a screw driver make it a little faster. I lubricated all moving parts during assembly, this machine makes no noise what so ever while it is in use and is very sturdy. ( Lets remember, this is a machine with moving parts and most all moving parts need lubricated from time to time!) I found no hole or bolt alignment problems and the assembly instructions were very clear.
The operation of the 420 is very smooth, both my wife (5’10″) and myself (6’1″) have no problem with the handle bar reach. Although both of us have long legs, the 18 inch stride seems very comfortable.
Not being a computer or programing wizard, the console instructions could of been made a little clearer. The read out is clear and the manual operation is simple enough but I am still trying to work out the customized programs. There are 16 levels of resistance and going up and down threw them is done easily.
All in all. For the price (599.00 + free shipping) this is a great deal and a very good Elliptical in my opinion.
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