When it comes to low-impact cardio workouts, it’s tough to beat the smooth glide of the best ellipticals. “Ellipticals are a wonderful option for individuals who want to increase their cardio exercise volume but need a low-impact way to do it,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, a certified personal trainer. Considering its limited impact on both your joints and your budget, we think the Schwinn 430 might be the right fit for those who instinctively roll their eyes at flashy new tech and just want to get to work.
While we haven’t had the pleasure of personally testing the Schwinn 430 Elliptical, BarBend editorial member Kate Meier has spent plenty of quality time with the similar Schwinn 470. The highlight for both is something seldom seen on ellipticals — incline capability. Although you’ll need to hop off and manually adjust it yourself, this rare inclusion can help raise your workout intensity. Keep scrolling for our full Schwinn 430 Elliptical review, and for detailed information about how we test all of our equipment, check out the BarBend equipment testing methodology.
This affordable elliptical features 26 resistance levels and six levels of incline. A whopping 22 preset workout programs can add some structure to your training. The 20-inch stride length is on par with more expensive machines.
Main Takeaways
- Unlike most ellipticals, the Schwinn 430 features six levels of manually-adjustable incline.
- It lacks much of the technology that has become common on the best cardio machines, including Bluetooth.
- At just $999.99, its price tag lands about $200 below the average range we see for many ellipticals.
Schwinn 430 Elliptical Specs
| Price | $999 |
| Product Dimensions | 70.1″ L x 28.2″ W x 63.2″ H |
| User Weight Capacity | 300lbs |
| Resistance Levels | 20 |
| Product Weight | 168.7lbs |
| Incline Levels | 6 |
| Stride Length | 20” |
| Display | LCD Screen |
As the middle child in Schwinn’s three-elliptical lineup, the 430 displays a few characteristics of both its pricier and less-expensive siblings. The heavy overall weight offers the durability and stability of high-end machines and it has all the underrated niceties that are often overlooked, like a three-speed fan, water bottle holder, and media shelf.
The perfect example is its standout feature — incline. There aren’t many ellipticals out there that offer incline training, so that sounds pretty good, huh? The only caveat is that instead of tapping a button mid-workout, you’ll need to hop off and adjust the six levels yourself. High-end feature, budget implementation.
Its LCD display aims to provide some structure to your elliptical workouts and help you keep tabs on your metrics, including time, distance, and calories burned. Aside from the heart rate monitoring, that’s about it tech-wise. But at this price point, we’re happy that it hits the essential benchmarks we look for in quality ellipticals: 20-inch stride length, 20-pound flywheel, 300-pound weight capacity, and cushioned foot pedals.
For anyone trying to work around knee discomfort, these are important features that can save your joints a bit of stress. “In addition to being low-impact, ellipticals (at least the ones with moving arms) provide a whole-body workout,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto. “They’re an excellent option for people who need to maximize their exercise time.”
Most ellipticals land between $1,200 and $1,500, so for $999.99, so we shouldn’t and wouldn’t expect an Apple Store experience. But come on, an AUX port? In the rare case that you haven’t lost the headphone adapter that came with your phone, the absence of Bluetooth capability may have you ignoring the speakers altogether. Overall, though, this budget-friendly elliptical seems to have all the tools you need for solid cardio workouts.
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the Schwinn 430 Elliptical
“For those who need low-impact exercise options, ellipticals sit near the top of the list,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto. “These cardio machines provide a full-body workout without putting undue stress on the joints.” Check out who we think may most benefit from the low-impact cardio workouts on offer from the Schwinn 430 Elliptical.
Recommended for:
- Athletes with a limited budget
- Those looking for low-tech, high-quality elliptical workouts
- Anyone who wants incline capability in their elliptical
Not Recommended for:
- Tall users or those with low ceilings
- People who need to move their elliptical often
- Tech-forward people who value advanced features like touchscreens
Our Experience Training With the Schwinn 430 Elliptical
The BarBend team is chock full of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and fitness enthusiasts. After putting over 20 ellipticals to the test, we know how to separate the studs from the duds. We rate every elliptical we climb aboard on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across multiple categories, including adjustability, tech capabilities, portability, and more. Take a look at what our team had to say about the Schwinn 430 Elliptical.
Incline Capability
Even some of the best commercial ellipticals you’ll find in big-box gyms can’t match the Schwinn 430’s six incline options. While you’ll have to hop off the machine to make the adjustments yourself, this capability can help you ramp up the intensity of your workout experience. Studies also find that increasing the angle on your elliptical can help further engage muscle groups like the quadriceps. (1)(2)
BarBend expert reviewer Kate Meier, who has used the similar Schwinn 470, notes how rare it is to see this on an elliptical. “There aren’t many ellipticals that offer incline at all, much less in this price range,” she notes.
Capritto also highlights how this feature can make the 430 stand out as you search for a new elliptical. “If you want something that can provide you with a way to do high-intensity interval workouts and slow, steady cardio, look for models with more resistance and incline levels,” she says. “If you only intend to do steady-state cardio, you can get away with fewer of each.”
Footprint and Portability
First off, the Schwinn 430 takes up about 12% more floor space than most ellipticals we’ve tested. Most models land between 11 and 13 square feet, and the 430 measures 13.73 square feet — about the size of a typical loveseat. (3) This category earns a 3 out of 5 from Meier, but for her, the measurement to keep an eye on is its height. “The main thing I’d advise (especially for taller people) is to measure your ceiling height,” she cautions. Remember that while the 430 may be one of the best ellipticals with incline, its height means you’ll be creeping up higher than a typical model.
Let’s do the math. At peak incline, the max pedal height is 26 inches. Then, at the lowest incline setting, the pedals reach up to 21 inches. That means that under a standard 8-foot ceiling (96 inches), a person standing 6 feet tall (70 inches) may be shaving off a few hairs. You also probably want at least a half foot of clearance to operate safely, so make sure you’re setting it up in a room with high ceilings.
The good news is that it has a set of transport wheels to help you relocate it if you do find yourself bonking your head. We’ve actually wheeled the (slightly heavier) Schwinn 470 around our gym with ease.
Technology
While its level of tech is more Honda Accord than Tesla, the Schwinn 430 offers enough technology to garner a 3 out of 5 from Meier. On the handlebars, you’ll find the heart rate sensors that help inform the metrics on Schwinn’s DualTrack LCD screen. The display is actually divided into two separate screens — a smaller display for metrics and a larger screen for your workout data. Those 22 preset workout programs include Heart Rate Control, Custom, or the Fitness Test. Meier also highlights the speakers, but they lack one important component.
“The speakers are nice, but there’s no Bluetooth,” Meier says. “So, you’ll have to use an AUX cord to hook up your device.” If you’d rather just fire up a session on one of the best workout apps via your own device, it can easily slot in the media shelf. Plus, you can keep your device charged up while you stream by plugging it into the USB port.
Adjustability and Ergonomics
For users between 5 feet 4 inches and 6 feet, the 20-inch stride length on the Schwinn 430 Elliptical should support a comfortable, low-impact workout. (4) According to Schwinn, their Precision Path Foot Motion technology can mimic a natural running motion, plus the oversized foot plates offer a bit of cushioning under your feet. As you adjust between the 20 levels of resistance, you have a bit of give as you raise and lower your heels. The quick-adjust buttons also allow you to jump to a specific level without breaking stride.
Remember that you can also adjust the incline across six set levels, but you’ll just need to hop off the machine to do so. Overall, the Schwinn 430’s adjustability and ergonomics earn a 3 out of 5 from Meier. As Capritto notes, its moving arms can help you take on upper-body workouts at home while supporting your posture. “Compared to other forms of low-impact cardio, like cycling and rowing, ellipticals keep the user in the upright position, making them ideal for individuals who struggle with back pain, too,” she says.
What to Consider Before Buying the Schwinn 430 Elliptical
Before you decide whether the Schwinn 430 Elliptical is a match for your home gym, BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto says to keep a few key factors in mind.
- Footprint and Portability: At nearly 170 pounds, the Schwinn 430 is heavier than average, so consider Capritto’s wise words. “You’ll be really frustrated if you buy an elliptical that doesn’t fit in your intended space or, if you need to be flexible with your space, isn’t easy to move.” Remember that the 430’s incline also inches you closer to your ceiling, so make sure to measure your ceiling height.
- Incline Capability: The Schwinn 430’s six levels of manually-adjustable incline distinguish it from other ellipticals, be sure to ask yourself how much additional value that capability adds. If you don’t plan on using it much, you may be better off with a more affordable model.
- Value: Most ellipticals (especially high-end models) will ring up for around $1,200 to $1,500. We think the $1,000 price tag makes the Schwinn 430 a good value — 4 out of 5 from our team — but keep in mind that it lacks advanced features like a giant touchscreen.
Schwinn 430 Elliptical Vs. Competitors
To provide a sense of what else is out there in this price range, we lined up the Schwinn 430 Elliptical against two more of the best ellipticals under $1,000 that we’ve tested. The Horizon EX-59 and Niceday Elliptical Machine CT11 are comparable to the 430 in several areas, but as you’ll see, there are a few key differences. Check out their specs below to see if any can fit nicely in your budget and training space.
| Schwinn 430 Elliptical | Horizon EX-59 | Niceday Elliptical Machine CT11 | |
| Price | $999 | $999 | $799.99 |
| Product Dimensions | 70.1″ L x 28.2″ W x 63.2″ H | 64.5” H x 74” L x 25” W | 62” H x 48” L x 25” W |
| User Weight Capacity | 300lbs | 300lbs | 400lbs |
| Resistance Levels | 20 | 10 | 16 |
| Product Weight | 168.7lbs | 145lbs | 106lbs |
| Incline Levels | 6 | N/A | N/A |
| Stride Length | 20” | 18” | 15.5” |
| Display | LCD Screen | LCD Screen | LCD Screen |
Ordering and Assembling the Schwinn 430 Elliptical
While we haven’t assembled the Schwinn 430 Elliptical, we have put the near-identical Schwinn 470 together ourselves and rated that experience 2.5 out of 5. That model weighs about 20 pounds more and with all the heavy pieces to connect, it definitely required two people. At 168 pounds, we don’t imagine the 430 would be a walk in the park, either. Some customers report needing to pay for professional assembly. Others note that they could tough it out on their own, but it required several hours.
Places to Buy the Schwinn 430 Elliptical
You can purchase the Schwinn 430 Elliptical directly from schwinnfitness.com or major retailers, like Amazon or Target.
Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews
From their start as a bicycle manufacturer all the way back (way, way back) in 1895, Schwinn has been synonymous with quality products. Nowadays, they also make some of the best exercise bikes, treadmills, and other fitness equipment our team has tested. Overall, customer reviews for the Schwinn 430 Elliptical seem mostly positive, with many noting the value and quality of the build. At the time of writing, there are over 6,000 ratings on Amazon that average out to 4.1 out of 5 stars.
Warranties
The warranty on the Schwinn 430 Elliptical matches what we typically see on similar machines, earning a solid 3 out of 5 from the BarBend team. With your purchase, you’ll get a 10-year warranty on the frame, along with two years of coverage on parts, one year for the electronics, and 90 days on labor. You can also purchase additional protection plans of either three or five years for $99 or $129, respectively.
Final Thoughts on the Schwinn 430 Elliptical
As BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto knows from experience, ellipticals like the Schwinn 430 can be a vital piece of equipment for many people. “I recommend ellipticals to individuals who need a low-impact form of cardio exercise. They provide a way to get the heart rate up without stressing the joints.” A rare feature of the 430 may also unlock something that those with knee or ankle issues may not typically enjoy in their cardio — the varied intensity offered by incline training.
By raising the angle of its gliding motion, you can ramp up the variety of steady-state or HIIT workouts while still keeping your feet firmly planted on the cushioned foot pedals. Just make sure to grab your tape measure and step ladder to ensure you have enough overhead clearance. But as long as you have the space, we think the Schwinn 430 Elliptical offers plenty of value for those on a limited budget.
Schwinn 430 Elliptical FAQs
How much does a Schwinn 430 elliptical weigh?
The Schwinn 430 Elliptical weighs in at 168.7 pounds, making it one of the heavier ellipticals we’ve tested.
Does Schwinn 430 have incline?
Yes, the Schwinn 430 Elliptical trainer features six levels of manually-adjustable incline. This allows you to increase the difficulty of your workout and mix up your training.
Does the Schwinn 430 have wheels?
Yes, you’ll find two transport wheels at the front of the machine to assist in relocating. While we’ve only moved around the similar Schwinn 470 ourselves, we think that — even at 20 pounds heavier — most people would be able to lift from the rear and move by themselves.
References
- Hummer, E. T., Murphy, E. N., Suprak, D. N., Brilla, L. R., & San Juan, J. G. (2021). Movement direction impacts knee joint kinematics during elliptical exercise at varying incline angles. The Knee, 29, 201–207.
- Ferley, D. D., Osborn, R. W., & Vukovich, M. D. (2014). The effects of incline and level-grade high-intensity interval treadmill training on running economy and muscle power in well-trained distance runners. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 28(5), 1298–1309.
- Jaramillo, C. (2022, December 29). A guide to sofa dimensions & sizes. SeatUp, LLC. https://seatup.com/blog/guide-to-sofa-dimensions/
- Bueckert, S. (2021, May 19). What is the ideal elliptical stride length to best fit you?. Sunny Health and Fitness. https://sunnyhealthfitness.com/blogs/products/best-elliptical-stride-length
