Health & Beauty

We would all like to drive the top of the line Lexus, but our budget may limit us to a Kia. That is true with elliptical trainers. A Precor rocks, but with a $3,000+ price tag, it is out of the range of most casual exercisers. Spending thousands of dollars can be a risky investment if you are considering getting back into shape, but have doubts about your commitment.

In the past, I’ve had reservations about recommending elliptical trainers under $1,000. To reach a budget price, the manufacturer had to compromise on the engineering and the quality of the components. Recently, I tested a Schwinn 430 elliptical trainer and was pleasantly surprised. It is a standout in the array of budget models. Overall, it had a smooth elliptical motion, and a sturdy feel.

Comfortable 18″ Stride

A common problem with budget ellipticals is a short, bouncy stride. With an elliptical, you want to feel like you are walking on air. The Schwinn 430 comes with an 18? stride. It is the right length for an average height individual. With the 18? stride you will find you keep more level, and have less up and down action. The stride is more elliptical than circular.

Articulating Foot Pedals

The popularity of elliptical trainers is the reduced impact. This is because there is no reverse action and consequently minimal impact. To further reduce strain and stress the Schwinn 430 comes with articulating foot pedals. These pedals angle with the elliptical motion. Many people complain about numbness in their feet when working out. Articulating foot pedals is an excellent solution to that problem.

Sturdy Machine Weight

In order to sell at a budget price, most inexpensive elliptical are lightweight. Although not a heavy weight machine, the Schwinn 430 weighs a reasonable 152 lbs. This extra weight will contribute to the stability and provide a solid feel. This is important for individuals who are carrying a few extra pounds. If you weigh over 200 lbs., you don’t want to be on a 100 lb. elliptical. You may end up bouncing it across the room.

One criticism of the Schwinn 430 is the short service warranty. It covers 90-days, which is typical for an elliptical at this price range. Although, you do get 2-year parts and 1-year electronic coverage. If you purchase the 430, I would suggest you consider an extended warranty.

It is also important to remind you this is a budget elliptical, which means it has limitations. I would not recommend this machine for exercise fanatics, very tall individuals, very heavy users, and multiple users. You should consider an elliptical in the $1,500+ price range. However, for a budget elliptical, the Schwinn 430 elliptical trainer is one of the better values.

Fred Waters was the former V.P. of Marketing for a fitness equipment manufacturer. He is author of the Elliptical Trainer Review and Rating site, where you can learn more about the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer and over 40 other models.

Tags: elliptical, trainer, schwinn, 430, machine, crosstrainer, exercise, fitness, equipment, eliptical