Schwinn 470 Elliptical
Editor’s Conclusion
For a great low-impact cardio workout, the Schwinn 470 elliptical is worth checking out. This machine is built very similar to the ellipticals found at your local gym, with a slightly smaller footprint to be used at home.
An elliptical is an excellent machine for those that want to gain all of the benefits of a good run, but want to take it easy on their knees and joints.
The Precision Path foot motion technology glides incredibly smoothly for a natural range of motion that feels just like running without making contact with the ground. The swinging arms fit in a great upper body workout, and users can increase the resistance to build muscle as they burn calories.
With Bluetooth connectivity, you can pair this machine with your smartphone to track your progress or sync up with the Explore the World app to transform your bleak garage into something a little more scenic.
An elliptical is an excellent machine for those that want to gain all of the benefits of a good run, but want to take it easy on their knees and joints.
The Precision Path foot motion technology glides incredibly smoothly for a natural range of motion that feels just like running without making contact with the ground. The swinging arms fit in a great upper body workout, and users can increase the resistance to build muscle as they burn calories.
With Bluetooth connectivity, you can pair this machine with your smartphone to track your progress or sync up with the Explore the World app to transform your bleak garage into something a little more scenic.
Schwinn 470 Elliptical Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Precision path foot motion technology for a smooth ride
Built-in heart rate monitor
High-end Bluetooth compatibility to pair to your health apps or other fitness apps
Water bottle holder
Media shelf
Weight limit of 300 pounds
Smaller footprint than a treadmill
Easy on your joints
Works upper body and lower body for a great compound cardio workout
Cons
Media shelf blocks top screen
Pedals don’t move as smoothly as you approach max weight limit
Key Features
PERFORMANCE
While this machine is considered to be low impact, it doesn’t mean that it is necessarily easier than a treadmill.
The pedals on this elliptical utilize Schwinn’s Precision Path foot motion technology that mirrors your natural gait cycle.
Another great product we reviewed is the Schwinn Fitness A40, so make sure to check it out as well.
When you hop on this machine for a workout session, the range of motion that you can achieve with these pedals is very similar to your natural range of motion that is achieved while running, but you never make constant with the ground. You gain all of the benefits of a killer cardio workout without the strain on your joints.
What I also love about the performance of this machine is that there are a few ways that users can dial up the intensity as needed. The pedals offer up to 25 levels of strong resistance that can be easily adjusted on the central console.
By increasing the resistance, you can build strength in your lower body as you shed calories. With a high level of resistance, this machine almost transforms into a stair climber!
A unique feature of this elliptical is that it also allows users to adjust the incline of the pedals. With a press of a button on the center console, users can adjust the angle of the pedals up to ten degrees.
With high levels of resistance and incline options, there is plenty of ways to squeeze every last drop of strength from your lower body in a relatively short amount of time!
RESISTANCE
After combing through quite a few user reviews, I discovered that many users felt that the resistance offered is a little too high- which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. At the lowest setting, this machine glides along like butter.
The moment you dial up the resistance, the pedals become very still, and moving them will require a good deal of lower body strength.
Often, home workout equipment suffers from being a little too weak. Even at high levels of resistance, the pedals don’t quite deliver the same level of strength training and conditioning as commercial-grade machines.
That’s certainly not the case with the Schwinn 470 elliptical. If you want a machine that doesn’t shy away from max resistance, this is a great choice!
With a high level of resistance, users can fit in a quick 10-minute HIIT workout that burns just as many calories as longer workout sessions at lower settings.
DISPLAY SCREEN
While this device comes with Bluetooth connectivity and plenty of companion workout apps, you don’t necessarily need to fire up your smartphone to get the most out of this machine.
The central console is split into two backlit LCD screens that are easy to read in low-light conditions. The bottom screen details your performance information such as your speed, calories burned, distance, and time in use.
The top screen is used primarily for pre-programmed workouts. This machine offers up to 29 unique workout options that are great for beginners all the way up to experts.
Simply pick out your desired workout from the list, and the top screen displays the targeted time on a countdown clock and the changes in resistance and incline.
If you feel that a workout is just a little too intense, you can also override the resistance by manually bumping it down a few notches.
BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY
With the high range of compatible apps and strong Bluetooth connectivity, working out from home just got a little more fun.
While you can pair your machine with your favorite health app to keep tabs on your progress, the Explore the World app and the RunSocial app are great for keeping your runs exciting, even when working out alone in your garage.
The Explore the World app requires a monthly fee and allows users to virtually run on trails all over the world. With this app, you have unlimited access to their large catalog of trails, and the scenic views will transport you anywhere around the world.
My favorite app, however, is the RunSocial app. This app does not require a monthly fee, but it does require users to pay per route. Some routes cost only a few bucks, while others top out at around 10 bucks. The cost typically depends on the length of the route selected.
With RunSocial, you pick out an avatar and clothing and go for a run on a live virtual course. When other users are using the trail at the same time, their avatar will show up on your screen. Basically, this app turns your daily runs into a fun MMORPG!
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Who doesn’t love bonus features? This machine comes with a few extra bells and whistles that will make your life just a little bit easier. It comes with a built-in heart rate monitor that displays your status on the center console.
The heart rate monitor isn’t exact, but it gives you a general idea. For a more accurate readout, you can pair your wireless HRM to this machine for a more on-the-nose reading.
This design also provides users with a deep water bottle holder to keep them hydrated while they work out and a media rack to mount their smartphone or tablet to watch Netflix or pair with RunSocial or Explore The World apps.
It’s important to note, however, that this media shelf will block the upper progress screen. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a little disappointing.
SIZE
Overall, this unit measures to be 70 inches long, 28 inches wide, and 71 inches tall. It’s not necessarily considered to be a space-saving design, but when compared to your average treadmill it won’t take up that much space.
This machine weighs in at just shy of 170 pounds, which will make it a little bit difficult to move once it is set up.
I suggest finding a forever home to place it to avoid the hassle of trying to move this heavy and cumbersome machine!
What I also like about this machine is that it boasts a max weight capacity of 300 pounds, which is pretty impressive for a cardio machine. While it can accommodate heavier users, some users found that the pedals aren’t quite as smooth as you approach the max weight capacity.
PRICE
The Schwinn 470 elliptical hit’s that sweet spot when it comes to the price tag. If you are in the market for a mid-range machine that is built tough and provides plenty of extra features to keep your workouts engaging and exciting without the price tag of a used car, this is a great choice.
While it’s not exactly budget-friendly, I feel that when you take into consideration the build quality, durability, and features offered from this machine, the price tag makes this machine an incredible value.
While this machine is considered to be low impact, it doesn’t mean that it is necessarily easier than a treadmill.
The pedals on this elliptical utilize Schwinn’s Precision Path foot motion technology that mirrors your natural gait cycle.
Another great product we reviewed is the Schwinn Fitness A40, so make sure to check it out as well.
When you hop on this machine for a workout session, the range of motion that you can achieve with these pedals is very similar to your natural range of motion that is achieved while running, but you never make constant with the ground. You gain all of the benefits of a killer cardio workout without the strain on your joints.
What I also love about the performance of this machine is that there are a few ways that users can dial up the intensity as needed. The pedals offer up to 25 levels of strong resistance that can be easily adjusted on the central console.
By increasing the resistance, you can build strength in your lower body as you shed calories. With a high level of resistance, this machine almost transforms into a stair climber!
A unique feature of this elliptical is that it also allows users to adjust the incline of the pedals. With a press of a button on the center console, users can adjust the angle of the pedals up to ten degrees.
With high levels of resistance and incline options, there is plenty of ways to squeeze every last drop of strength from your lower body in a relatively short amount of time!
RESISTANCE
After combing through quite a few user reviews, I discovered that many users felt that the resistance offered is a little too high- which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. At the lowest setting, this machine glides along like butter.
The moment you dial up the resistance, the pedals become very still, and moving them will require a good deal of lower body strength.
Often, home workout equipment suffers from being a little too weak. Even at high levels of resistance, the pedals don’t quite deliver the same level of strength training and conditioning as commercial-grade machines.
That’s certainly not the case with the Schwinn 470 elliptical. If you want a machine that doesn’t shy away from max resistance, this is a great choice!
With a high level of resistance, users can fit in a quick 10-minute HIIT workout that burns just as many calories as longer workout sessions at lower settings.
DISPLAY SCREEN
While this device comes with Bluetooth connectivity and plenty of companion workout apps, you don’t necessarily need to fire up your smartphone to get the most out of this machine.
The central console is split into two backlit LCD screens that are easy to read in low-light conditions. The bottom screen details your performance information such as your speed, calories burned, distance, and time in use.
The top screen is used primarily for pre-programmed workouts. This machine offers up to 29 unique workout options that are great for beginners all the way up to experts.
Simply pick out your desired workout from the list, and the top screen displays the targeted time on a countdown clock and the changes in resistance and incline.
If you feel that a workout is just a little too intense, you can also override the resistance by manually bumping it down a few notches.
BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY
With the high range of compatible apps and strong Bluetooth connectivity, working out from home just got a little more fun.
While you can pair your machine with your favorite health app to keep tabs on your progress, the Explore the World app and the RunSocial app are great for keeping your runs exciting, even when working out alone in your garage.
The Explore the World app requires a monthly fee and allows users to virtually run on trails all over the world. With this app, you have unlimited access to their large catalog of trails, and the scenic views will transport you anywhere around the world.
My favorite app, however, is the RunSocial app. This app does not require a monthly fee, but it does require users to pay per route. Some routes cost only a few bucks, while others top out at around 10 bucks. The cost typically depends on the length of the route selected.
With RunSocial, you pick out an avatar and clothing and go for a run on a live virtual course. When other users are using the trail at the same time, their avatar will show up on your screen. Basically, this app turns your daily runs into a fun MMORPG!
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Who doesn’t love bonus features? This machine comes with a few extra bells and whistles that will make your life just a little bit easier. It comes with a built-in heart rate monitor that displays your status on the center console.
The heart rate monitor isn’t exact, but it gives you a general idea. For a more accurate readout, you can pair your wireless HRM to this machine for a more on-the-nose reading.
This design also provides users with a deep water bottle holder to keep them hydrated while they work out and a media rack to mount their smartphone or tablet to watch Netflix or pair with RunSocial or Explore The World apps.
It’s important to note, however, that this media shelf will block the upper progress screen. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a little disappointing.
SIZE
Overall, this unit measures to be 70 inches long, 28 inches wide, and 71 inches tall. It’s not necessarily considered to be a space-saving design, but when compared to your average treadmill it won’t take up that much space.
This machine weighs in at just shy of 170 pounds, which will make it a little bit difficult to move once it is set up.
I suggest finding a forever home to place it to avoid the hassle of trying to move this heavy and cumbersome machine!
What I also like about this machine is that it boasts a max weight capacity of 300 pounds, which is pretty impressive for a cardio machine. While it can accommodate heavier users, some users found that the pedals aren’t quite as smooth as you approach the max weight capacity.
PRICE
The Schwinn 470 elliptical hit’s that sweet spot when it comes to the price tag. If you are in the market for a mid-range machine that is built tough and provides plenty of extra features to keep your workouts engaging and exciting without the price tag of a used car, this is a great choice.
While it’s not exactly budget-friendly, I feel that when you take into consideration the build quality, durability, and features offered from this machine, the price tag makes this machine an incredible value.
Verdict
For those on the hunt for a great cardio machine to burn calories and build muscle, the Schwinn 470 elliptical is an excellent choice.
For me, elliptical machines are one of my favorite machines to use on my cardio days. I often spend most of the week beating up my joints with heavy lifts and use my cardio days to give my hard-working joints a little break.
Treadmills are fine, but they can really do a number on your joints and don’t offer much in terms of strength training.
This machine provides high levels of resistance to help build muscles in your lower body, and the addition of a 10 degree incline amps up the challenge as needed. This machine runs incredibly smoothly, provides advanced features to keep your workout exciting and engaging, and is built like a tank.
It may cost a little bit more than your average budget-friendly options out there on the market but it is well worth every penny!
For me, elliptical machines are one of my favorite machines to use on my cardio days. I often spend most of the week beating up my joints with heavy lifts and use my cardio days to give my hard-working joints a little break.
Treadmills are fine, but they can really do a number on your joints and don’t offer much in terms of strength training.
This machine provides high levels of resistance to help build muscles in your lower body, and the addition of a 10 degree incline amps up the challenge as needed. This machine runs incredibly smoothly, provides advanced features to keep your workout exciting and engaging, and is built like a tank.
It may cost a little bit more than your average budget-friendly options out there on the market but it is well worth every penny!
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