Schwinn 470 Elliptical Review (2023)

FAQs

Does Schwinn make good ellipticals? ›

That said, when it comes to budget equipment, Schwinn is one of the better options out there. Their 430 Elliptical is 1 of 3 models you'll find on their website. The 430 falls in the middle in terms of price and features, with the 470 being a little higher end and the 411 being lower grade.

The maximum specified user weight for this machine is 300 pounds. Included heart-rate programs adjust exercise intensity based on a target heart-rate.

5 incline and 5 resistance quick keys to rapidly take you from easy to hard and back again. 20" stride with Precision Path™ Foot Motion Technology simulates a natural running motion.

The 470 has a 20-pound flywheel, which is the minimum weight recommended for a high-quality machine. Its 20-inch stride length is average. It incorporates Schwinn's Precision Path Foot Motion Technology, which is designed to simulate a natural running motion.

3 Precor ellipticals. 1 Precor stationary bike. 1 Life Fitness stair climber. 2 Life Fitness recumbent bikes.

The flywheel is a heavy, revolving wheel that increases momentum and provide stability. Flywheel weight determines the smoothness and quietness of the machine during use. The heavier the weight, the quieter and smoother the ride will be, and vice versa.

A heavier flywheel will deliver a smoother ride. You'll notice that prices tend to go up along with the weight of the wheel. However, this is one area where you don't want to skimp too much. You can find flywheels that weigh less than 15 pounds, and many commercial machines will go up to 30 pounds.

There are small wheels on the front of the machine to move it around if needed. It's quite heavy at 164 pounds and can accommodate riders up to 300 pounds.

Is the elliptical like walking up stairs? ›

The exercise mimics the motion of climbing a staircase or a ladder, and “many people find that when they climb a lot of stairs, their legs are burning a little bit and they're out of breath.”

Although there is no gold standard for stride length for ellipticals, 20 inches is typically the stride length on the commercial ellipticals you may be used to using at the gym. A 20-inch stride length is designed to fit users of most heights (5'3" - 6') relatively comfortably, with emphasis on most.

Adding extra weight to the flywheel gives the bike more rotating inertia. The engine spins up slower, giving more traction and a feeling of smoother power delivery and it also makes the engine revs drop slower, giving less stalling and a greater ability to roll over obstacles.

Many people consider 40 LB to be ideal, but anything over 20+ pounds is going to be heavy enough to generate a good amount of momentum. Most high-quality cycle bikes on the market with a smooth feel will incorporate a heavy flywheel system since these bikes are much easier to manufacture.

Heavier flywheels imitate the way a road bike works. It's why flywheel weight is often important to cyclists who train indoors during the winter. Once momentum builds and the cyclist gets into a rhythm, a heavier flywheel also allows for a smoother and more comfortable ride.

Treadmills are better for aerobic workouts, too, said Hodges. A small 2021 study found that people using a treadmill burned more fat than those using an elliptical. The study suggested that exercising on a treadmill is a good way to improve cardio-metabolic health.

Even competing against yourself can motivate you to push harder. And again: be persistent. 15-30 minutes on your elliptical machine per day is enough to maintain your wanted weight or even lose more.

The elliptical machine allows you to get a good aerobic workout, which can strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles. This, in turn, can help build your stamina and endurance. On an elliptical machine, you can perform both high intensity interval training and steady-state cardio workouts.

You burn more calories on an elliptical machine. An average (160 lb. person) someone exercising for an hour on an elliptical machine burns 365 calories compared to 314 calories burned while walking. An elliptical machine puts far less stress on the hips and knees joints.

Is a front drive or rear drive elliptical better? ›

Front drive ellipticals offer higher incline capabilities, which can serve as an easy way to increase resistance in your training. This may be harder on your joints. Rear drive ellipticals provide a lower exertion exercise option at a base level with less incline options overall.

Having a flatter movement pattern gives rear drive ellipticals a more natural fee. Users report they feel more upright and don't feel as if they have to lean forward as many do with front drive ellipticals. This isn't a given, but many rear drive machines also offer longer stride lengths than front drive ellipticals.

Elliptical workouts protect your knees from stressful impact. Elliptical workouts are known for being a less stressful form of cardio for knees, hips, and the back. “They can be an alternative to running or jogging, due to the reduced impact of hitting the treadmill or ground,” says Aaptiv trainer Candice Cunningham.

Although you may think that moving faster will burn more calories, if you pedal too quickly you'll gain too much momentum and won't be able to fully engage your muscles. Try to find a happy medium. Using an elliptical isn't all about working your legs – you can also engage your arms for a full-body workout.

Add that incline at least part of the time to boost the benefits of your workout. By increasing your slope, you'll burn more calories and pump up your heart rate. Plus, incline works out certain muscles like glutes and hamstrings better than the standard position.

While running does involve swinging your arms back and forth too, this is often done as a way to propel yourself forward, and it requires less mental and physical effort than the pushing-and-pulling motion of the elliptical.

Reset machine Unplug unit from electrical outlet for 3 minutes. Reconnect to outlet.

All generation watches with The Workout App that comes with your Watch, will track your workout without your phone. Heart Rate, distance, duration, current pace, average pace, active calories and total calories. It logs the info in The Health and Activity Apps on your phone.

Schwinn is a well-known fitness brand that offers several types of home exercise bikes that are durable, quiet, and easy to use. While some are more affordable or geared toward beginners, other models come equipped with advanced features, including LCD screens, charging ports, dumbbells, and multiple user profiles.

Is Schwinn a reliable brand? ›

The straightforward answer is yes. While this brand is no longer what it used to be, the bikes they manufacture are still worth what you pay for. Additionally, the Schwinn bikes are made of high-quality materials. So, with good care and maintenance, they will last for a long time.

As it turns out, they like the same bike. Although the Schwinn IC4 and the Bowflex C6 have different names, different branding, and, in many cases, different prices, they share a parent company: Nautilus. In fact, mechanically speaking, they are the exact same bike.

When it comes to overall performance and durability, the Schwinn IC4 has an excellent value. With a price point of $999, near-silent magnetic resistance and Bluetooth connectivity, it's an excellent exercise bike for many kinds of people, including: Those who are looking for a smooth and silent ride.

Faced with a downward sales spiral, Schwinn went into bankruptcy in 1992. The company and name were bought by the Zell/Chilmark Fund, an investment group, in 1993. Zell moved Schwinn's corporate headquarters to Boulder, Colorado.

No, not anymore, Schwinn bikes before the 1980s were made in Chicago in the US but after that time they were imported from Asia. The company was founded by German engineer Ignaz Schwinn in Chicago in 1895.

Schwinn and Cannondale are iconic American bicycle brands, but they don't make their bikes in the United States. Trek is another well-known American bike maker, but only a fraction of its bicycles are made in the USA.

Actually, Schwinn bikes are not expensive at all. Schwinn mostly makes entry-level bikes that cost little but offer decent features for beginners and casual riders. They might be slightly more expensive than similar models because Schwinn is a popular brand, but they're still quite affordable.

Schwinn bikes tend to be more expensive than Huffy bikes, but they also tend to be of better quality. If you are on a budget, Huffy may be a better option for you. However, if you want to get the best quality bike for your child, Schwinn is typically the way to go.

The last U.S.-made Schwinn bike rolled off the production line in 1982.

The resistance levels aren't equal

Although both the Peloton and Schwinn bikes use 100 units of resistance, the intensity and increments of the resistance levels aren't equivalent—the resistance is heavier on the IC4 than the Peloton, so you have to modify what the instructor calls out.

Is Schwinn a Chinese company? ›

Schwinn bikes are manufactured in Taiwan. The Schwinn Company used to have a bike known as Paramount. At the time this was the firm's highest end model. The Schwinn family maintained this name and later on acquired the Paramount factory in Waterford Wisconsin where they started Waterford Precision Cycles.

In 1999 the company changed its name to Direct Focus, Inc. and initiated an IPO on Nasdaq. With the success of Bowflex, the company bought the Nautilus Corporation, Schwinn Fitness, and Stairmaster. In 2002 the company moved to the NYSE and renamed itself The Nautilus Group and is now Nautilus, Inc.

Iqbal explains that aerobic exercise can be effective in helping to reduce belly fat. "Using a bike is a form of aerobic exercise and coupling this with some strength training can be highly effective," she says.

In 1977, the partners managed to secure an order from the great American bicycle company, Schwinn. When Giant's first batch of good quality Schwinn ten-speed bikes rolled off the assembly line, the company's future looked assured.