Schwinn Elliptical Trainers Review: A Low Impact Total Body Workout

As time goes by, researchers are discovering more and more benefits in exercising. Exercise can help improve your mood, improve sleep, improve cardiac function, lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and reduce pain. Furthermore, if you need to lose weight, it is also one of the best ways to achieve this goal.

Introduced in 1997, elliptical trainers have gained increasing popularity. Schwinn makes four different elliptical trainers with varying features. Known for a low impact, total body workout, Schwinn elliptical trainers are quality-made.

The benefits of an elliptical trainer include:

• Low impact - Ulike other weight-bearing exercises, elliptical trainers are low impact. They burn as many calories as jogging without the risk of injury. Furthermore, since they are low impact, they are a great exercise machine for those recovering from a joint injury.
• Upper and lower body workout - With these machine, you get a complete body workout. In fact, since most machines work in reverse too, you can also exercise muscles in your legs that don't usually get exercise with other machine. Since both the upper and lower body are working out, you will achieve your targeted heart rate more quickly, and less time is spent in trying to achieve results. Additionally, since you're working your full body, there is also a lower percieved rate of exertion. Even though you're working harder and burning more calories, it doesn't feel like it.
• Since it is a weight-bearing exercise, not only will you build bone density, but you will reduce the risk of osteoporosis too.
• More quiet - Since they don't have motors, they are usually quiet.

When looking for an elliptical trainer, it is recommended buyers look for these features:

• Front Drive versus Rear Drive - Rear drive ellipticals were made first, and they are usually more expensive. Some people believe the rear drive has a smoother feel. The stride length differs too. As a rule of thumb, a 20" stride on a front drive elliptical is equivalent to an 18" stride on a rear drive elliptical. Front drives have a tendency to get dirtier an be harder to clean and maintain too.
• Belt versus Magnetic Resistance: Whereas belt resistance uses a rubber belt against a flywheel to create resistance, magnetic resistance uses a magnetic field to a cast iron flywheel to create resistance. The lower end magnetic machines move the magnet closer or further away from the flywheel to vary the resistance while higher end models use an "Eddy Current Brake (ECB)." The Eddy Current Brake uses electricity applied to an electro magnet to create more resistance.
• The optimal stride length should be between 16 to 19 inches.
• Upper handlebars for upper body workout.
• Reverse motion
• Adjustable incline

With the exception of an adjustable incline, Schwinn elliptical trainers have all of these great features.

Unlike most other reviews, since the workout programs are the heart of an exercise machine, this review will describe the various workout programs available dependent upon the model. The workout programs include:

• Manual program - This program adjusts the resistance level of your workout to make it easier or more challenging.
• Calorie goal - This features lets you select the number of calories you would like to burn during your workout.
• BMI measurement - This feature has you enter your height and weight, and it tells you your body mass index.
• Recovery test - This feature tells you how quickly your heart recovers from an exercise state to a more restful state.
• Results mode - This feature displays your basic workout statistics. It includes: average speed, total time, total distance, total calories burned, average watts, and average heart rate.
• Heart rate control program - This feature shows what heart rate zone your workout was in. It includes: 60% to 70% of your maximum heart rate, 70% to 80% of your maximum heart rate zone, and 80% to 90% of your maximum heart rate zone.
• Time trial - This feature allows you to workout against a preset pacer. You set the distance and speed of the pacer.
• Custom user defined programs
• Fitness test - This feature measures improvements in your physical fitness level.
• Profile programs - Ride in the park, rolling hills, plateau, speed intervals, strength intervals, pyramid intervals, ramp interval I, ramp interval II, pike's peak, and cross-training.

To help you make an informed buying decision, the following is a brief overview of the various Schwinn elliptical models.

• Schwinn 460 Variable Elliptical Trainer - This elliptical trainer is the deluxe model and the most expensive out of all four of the Schwinn elliptical trainer models availabe. Unlike the other models, it has an adjustable stride and a chest telemetry strap. However, compared to the Schwinn 431, the user weight maximum, the number of workout programs, and the warranty are all less.
• Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer - In my opinion, this machine should be the deluxe model. It has a 300 pound user weight and the highest number of workout programs (19) for $180.00 less that the Schwinn 460.
• Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer - This model has the lowest number of resistance levels and workout programs of all four model. It also has a lower user weight than either the 431 or 420. The warranty is exactly the same as the 431.
• Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer - This is the least costly model. However, it has eight more resistance levels and one more workout program than the Schwinn 430. The warranty is not as good as the other models, and it does not have a water bottle holder unlike the other models.

In light of my research, the Schwinn 431 Elliptical trainer has the most bang for the buck. It has the highest number of workout programs while the number of resistance levels are the same as the more expensive Schwinn elliptical trainers. The warranty is also the best.

Considering the many benefits of exercise and elliptical trainers, there is never a better time to get started than now. Currently, all Schwinn elliptical trainers are anywhere from 25% to 39% off the list price. In addition to significant savings off the list price, orders $25.00 or over qualify for FREE Super Saving Shipping. Amazon is a name you know and can trust. Don't wait for prices to go up; place your order today!