Schwinn 420 Elliptical Trainer

I was wary if purchasing a product with no reviews on Amazon, but I found other reviews of this machine online and decided to take a risk. I’m glad I did. So far, this machine has met all my expectations.

Setup

Took about 1.5 hours total with 2 people (don’t even attempt to do this with 1 person). As I expected, some parts were harder to do than others because of the way the holes line up, but in the end I managed to put it all together. Don’t make the mistake of adjusting the levelers before you put it all together like I did; otherwise you’ll have to put them back at factory setting to realign the holes so the bolts can go through. I also made sure to spray all the moving parts with silicone lubricant as I was putting it together.

Note that you may want an actual wrench of some sort, in addition to the tools they provide you with. Also note that the cupholder they describe in the instructions is not actually included. (even though it is in the product description, an addendum to the instructions says it is not included) The touted “magazine rack” is also just a lip on the console, so don’t expect anything fancy.

Console

The interface is very confusing (and I work in computers, so I’m not a novice with technology). I still haven’t managed to figure out how to do a customized program, despite running through the instructions step-by-step. However, since I rarely do programs anyway, I don’t really care about this feature. There is also no backlight.

The heart rate monitor takes a while to settle at your “real” heart rate, almost a minute, so either always keep your hands on the monitor or don’t count on using it too often.

Use

This machine is super-quiet, with no squeaking so far. I can watch TV at normal volume while doing my workouts. There were several complaints that on the 430 (the predecessor to this model), the easiest level was acutally pretty difficult, and I don’t find that to be the case here at all even though I haven’t worked out at all in months.

The stride works for me, as I’m short (5’0″). The handlebars are also fine for me, but just barely. Any further and they would be very awkward to grip.
Rating: 4 / 5

Programming the console:

Lots of people have complained about the user manual for this machine. I heartily agree with the gentleman who described it as “crap.” However, the machine itself is quite good. Here is what I have learned about programming it:

Notes:

To begin programming, always start by hitting Stop/Reset until “Schwinn 20″ scrolls across the top of the screen. When you see that, you are ready to begin.

Also, however limited, be sure you read, understand, and program with machine with the few details that are included in the Schwinn instruction book.

Whether used by one person or by several people, I recommend you program a default user into the machine. That user will have weight/height/age preprogrammed in. The “guest” user will have to enter that data each time the machine is used.

Programming a User (only one user can be programmed):

Press “Start” (After you see “schwinn 20″ see above.)

Press “up/down” to select “add user”

Press “Start” and read ‘Enter Name” across top

Press “Start” then press “up/down” to select first letter of name

Press “Start” and “up/down” for next letter until all letters are entered

When all letters are entered, press “Start” repeatedly until all spaces are used up and “Enter Weight” appears.

Press “Start” then “up/down” arrows to enter your weight.

Press “Start” and read “Target Weight” across the top.

Press “Start” and use “up/down” to enter your target weight.

Press “Start” and read “Height” across the top.

Press “Start” and enter your height in inches

Press “Start” and read “Age” across the top

Press “Start” and enter your age.

Press “Start” and “Custom 1″ program will appear.

To accept a flat program without changing resistance (you can select other programs when you get on the machine for an exercise session):

Press “Start” repeatedly until the bar disappears off to the left of the screen, and the words “User Added” appear.

To create a custom program with varied resistance per segment:

Each press of the “Start” button moves you to the next segment so, change the first segment using “up/down” buttons, then press “Start” and program the next setment, etc until all setments are programmed to your desire. If you mis-program a setment, press “stop” to move backward and re-program the previous segment.

You have now programmed the user. Each time you start exercising you will select the name and choose which program you will run – either the custom program, or any of the other programs available in the computer.

To begin a session:

Press “Stop” until “Schwinn 20″ scrolls across the top of the machine.

Press “Start” then “up/down” to select user by name, or “Guest” user.

Press “Start” and follow the prompts using the technique described above. When the program appears, you can use the “up/down” arrows to select the program you wish to use.

The hardware:

Once I completely re-lubricated with silicone-based spray, it worked smoothly and quietly. I haven’t had it long enough to give it a real tryout.

The delivery:

I’m writing this review to point out a potential problem which was for me entirely unexpected and unpleasant — the delivery.

I tracked the shipment using Amazon’s system. On the day that had been showing as “estimated delivery date” the tracking system showed it as “out for delivery.” I waited all day and it never showed up.

Late in the afternoon I received a call from the trucking company indicating that they wanted to deliver it the next day. I asked why it had not been delivered today, the scheduled date. The reply: Oh, we just got it from the cross country shipper, we could not have delivered it today. So, I had to hang around the house for a second day to receive the shipment. What’s the point of a tracking system if it doesn’t work? That was problem number one.

During the same conversation, I was asked “You don’t live on a cul-de-sac, do you?” I said no, but I have a 1/4 mile driveway. “Oh, that’s a problem” I was told. The semi probably won’t be able to negotiate your driveway and turn around at the end. “Semi?” I queried? “You do home delivery in a semi? It sounds to me as though your company is not qualified to make home deliveries.” Her answer: “Well, your choices are either to refuse delivery and we’ll ship it back, or you meet our truck with a pickup truck at some convenient location and we’ll transfer it to your vehicle.” I eventually arranged the pickup truck and a meeting at the local airport, but I was certainly miffed. The delivery conditions had stated “at your front door or inside your garage” — a delivery standard that they could not possibly have met with the enormous semi that delivered the box. The large box was dwarfed by the cavernous interior of the huge truck that it was delivered in. That was problem number two.

So, buyer, beware. Depending upon whether a semi truck can get to your front door, you may or may not have the delivery that you were expecting.

If I could do it separately, I would give the machine a four-star rating, and the delivery a one-star rating. So, overall, it gets a three.

Rating: 3 / 5