When the button on my pants popped off during my lunch break, I decided it was time that I purchase an exercise machine. I used to use a treadmill at the gym, but I heard that elliptical machines burn just as many calories and they don’t put the same stress on your knees and joints. So which one to buy? It was something I wanted to last, but not something I wanted to have to take out a second mortgage to afford. After spending a couple of hours sifting through information on the web, I decided on the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer for several different reasons.

The first factor that must be considered when making a purchase like this is the price. How much do I want to spend? When I came up with a price range, I narrowed my choices considerably. It seemed like anything under three hundred bucks was just too cheap; all of the reviews, both of consumers and of exercise websites (run by professionals I hope) indicated that these would fall apart quickly. The machines in a little higher category seemed to be respected, so I decided to spend between $ 500 and $ 750. The Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer jumped out at me - on sale at Amazon for $ 599!

The many unique features of this machine are what really made my decision easy. Compared to many of the other options available in my price range, the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer is a complex machine with a multitude of different exercise options. The system runs on what they call BioGlide motion technology. This system makes every stride that you take on the elliptical smooth and natural-feeling. It really works too. When I exercise on the Schwinn 430 I don’t even feel like I’m on some machine. Some of the cheaper elliptical machines that I’ve tried out feel very clunky and unnatural. The BioGlide eliminates this disconcerting feeling. Coupled with this technology is the BioFit foot pads and hand pads. This simply adds to the comfort of the machine, ensuring a smooth effective workout. There are eight different resistance levels, and a total of eight different exercise routines. Of course there is a heart rate monitor, a water bottle holder, and wheels on the bottom so the unit is easy to move around. The LCD display is simple and very easy to view while exercising.

Of course I compared the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Trainer to some of the more expensive Schwinn models. A step up from the 430 is the 431 and then up from there is the 460. There are surprisingly very few differences, particularly between the Schwinn 430 and the Schwinn 431. The only real difference is that the 431 has a few more exercise programs… for an extra one hundred dollars (not to mention it is significantly larger in size and heavier, making it more difficult to store!) The Schwinn 460 Elliptical was really out of my price range. Even so it seems to be a very similar unit just with more bells and whistles, like a harness (yippie, I’m training to be an astronaut…)

This is another important aspect of purchasing an elliptical trainer that I thought was important.  The frame has a 15 year warranty, and the electronics and the parts have a 2 year warranty.  This seemed fair enough to me, and the Scwhinn Elliptical Trainers seemed to have superior warranties to other machines. 

This is the one thing that I wasn’t so thrilled about. Assembling this machine was quite a laborious task…one that I’m pleased to say I will not ever have to do again! It took me the better part of a Saturday afternoon to do, and after turning the different instructions and diagrams in every way possible, it finally stood fully assembled on the floor of my basement. 

However, like I said, I will never have to do it again! All of the reviews state that this machine is solid and will last…that’s what counts. It has plenty of features for me to diminish my spare tire, but not so many that I’ll get confused. Ultimately, its sturdy, provides comfortable effective exercise, and it is very affordable!