The Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer – The Price Tag Belies Its Features

The Schwinn 420 elliptical trainer is manufactured by Schwinn, the company that brought us outstanding bicycles at reasonable prices a few decades back. Today there are plenty of dedicated exercisers as well as occasional users who love the new Schwinn 420. The reasonable price is one of its best selling points – you can catch this machine on sale for around $599, a price tag that belies its great features.

What You Get

The Schwinn 420 elliptical trainer is a work horse that can withstand years of wear and tear. It takes even the heaviest users in stride without wobbling or the annoying squeaks and groans sometimes experienced with elliptical trainers in this price range. The parts are sturdy and well made, and alignment of the parts during assembly indicates that these are manufactured with quality in mind. The operation is extremely smooth, particularly for a machine with a relatively small footprint. The ability to switch from miles to kilometers and back is a nice touch.

Features of the Schwinn 420 include:

• 16 Levels of Resistance
• 18” Stride Length
• 12 Programs (1 manual; 8 profiles)
• Eddy Current Brakes
• Fixed and moving handlebars
• iPod/MP3 holder
• Contact heart rate grips
• Cushioned, pivoting footplates
• 18-lb front flywheel
• Measures in miles and kilometers
• 300 lb. user capacity
• Transport Wheels
• Water Bottle Holder
• Warranties: 5 years frame, 1 year parts and electronics, 90 days wear and labor

The Word on the Street

UPDATE: The Schwinn 420 has been replaced by the new 430, a solid pick in the budget elliptical category.  You can read our review here.

One of the biggest upgrades on the new model is the new 20" stride length, giving you much more room to stretch out and accommodating more users.  The price thankfully has remained about the same.

You can still find manuals for the 420 if that is what you are looking for, as well as replacement parts such as power cords and motherboards on Amazon and similar sites.

The eddy current brakes and articulating foot plates give users a smooth, reliable ride that is appreciated by both consumers and pro trainers. Reviews give the Schwinn 420 top marks for minimal noise levels, reliability, sturdy construction and ergonomics.

The elliptical trainer’s warranty is a bit disappointing, particularly where wear and labor are covered for just 90 days. It’s a shame, because consumers rarely have to use the warranty. Schwinn could easily offer more substantial coverage without any loss of revenue.

Consumers were quick to notice that the smooth glide and comfortable feel of the Schwinn 420 elliptical trainer felt as close to a professional, gym quality experience as you can get for under $1000. A few complaints about the console indicate that it can be difficult to read, but it’s accurate and durable. 

The only real complaint with the Schwinn 420 elliptical was that the first resistance level can be a bit tough for beginners or anyone who is out of shape. This may limit the number of training programs you can use until you’ve built up your stamina. Once you’re able to move on, however, the multiple programs are challenging, interesting and versatile.

Our Thoughts on the Schwinn 420

The Schwinn 420 cross trainer may be one of the best ellipticals you can buy for under $1000. The fact that you can get it for as low as $599 makes it an exceptional buy. If you’re looking for a long lasting, versatile machine that can withstand a real workout beating, this is a good choice.

If you’re really out of shape or have any issues with asthma or other breathing problems, do be sure to try this model out before buying. You may discover that you’ll need to really push yourself at the lowest resistance, which could be discouraging.

But if you’re ready to give yourself a solid workout, the Schwinn 420 elliptical trainer could be just what you’re looking for, especially given its low price tag.

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