Schwinn 430 vs 470 – Comparing side-by-side Two Ellipticals from Schwinn 

When it comes to getting a quality elliptical trainer, Schwinn is a brand that should definitely be on your radar. With more than a century of experience, a reputation for excellence and a product range to meet all experience and budget levels, Schwinn is a home cardio equipment market leader.

Two of the most popular compact ellipticals in the Schwinn stable are the 430 and the 470. Today, we compare these two machines so you can discover which one best suits your needs.

Console

The Schwinn 470 comes with a large display unit. The 5-inch monitor is backlit for ease of viewing in all lighting conditions.

Stride Length

The stride length on the 470 is 20 inches. Many competing models in its price range are set at 18 inches, so the extra couple of inches allows you to get a fuller, more natural range of motion.

Auto Incline

The Schwinn 470 provides you with an auto incline to 10 degrees. This is the only Schwinn elliptical to offer auto incline. This function makes for a more intensive workout, allowing you to ramp up the workload instantly.

Foot Pedals

The foot pedals on the Schwinn 470 are oversized, allowing for a range of foot positions to work your leg muscles slightly differently. The pedals are also well-cushioned for low joint impact. Articulating foot pedals also ensure ideal ankle motion.

Because the flywheel on the 470 is positioned at the front of the machine, the pedals are able to be positioned closer together than otherwise, This provides for better ergonomic stride movement.

Tablet Holder / Charger

The Schwinn 470 provides you with a secure tablet holder to hold your device. In addition, the console features a charging port so you can enjoy your onboard entertainment without fear of losing power.

Schwinn Connect

The 470 is Bluetooth enabled. This allows you to connect with the Schwinn Connect app so that you can upload your training diagnostics to your phone or tablet. You are also able to access a world of training programs through the internet.

Programs

The 470 provides you with 29 built-in workout programs. Included are a dozen pre-set heart rate programs, two fitness tests, a recovery test, and four custom programs.

25 Resistance Levels

You get 25 levels of eddy current resistance on the Schwinn 470. That gives you plenty of range to progressively increase your resistance as you get fitter. The transition between resistance levels is smooth and natural.

Dual Handles

There are two sets of handlebars on the 470. One set moves in unison with the foot pedals. This means that you can work your upper body as well as your lower body through a full range of motion. The other set of handles are fixed at the center of the frame. Holding onto these handles allows you to focus on working your lower body.

Workout Programs

The Schwinn 430 delivers 22 workout programs, which is seven less than you get with the 470. Still, it provides you with plenty of choices to meet all training goals.

Resistance

You get 20 levels of eddy current resistance on the 430, which is 5 less than on the 470. Again, the difference is not significant unless you are an advanced trainer. Twenty resistance levels will allow all family members to train at their own pace.

Flywheel

As with the 470, this model comes fitted with high inertia, perimeter weighted flywheel for a jerk-free, natural stride motion. This machine also features the same front-drive system that allows for closer, more natural pedal positioning. You will also notice that, unlike competitors, both Schwinn ellipticals position the foot pedals at an ideal height for easy mounting and dismounting.

Manual Incline

The big difference between these two models is that the incline on the Schwinn 430 requires manual adjustment, whereas on the 470 it is automatic. This means that 430 users will have to dismount the unit in order to change the incline. This obviously interrupts the workouts, making it impractical for such protocols as HIIT training.

Console

Like the 470, this unit provides you with a large, attractive and easy to follow dual track display. This allows you to see your training data while also viewing your tablet. However, the screen on the 430 is not backlit like the 470. There is also no Bluetooth connectivity on the 430.

What Others are Saying

There are a lot of positive comments from verified purchasers of both Schwinn ellipticals online. When it comes to the 470, buyers seem to love the incline function, as well as its sturdy build, massive workout choice, and smooth elliptical motion. There were some negative comments related to the unreliability of the calorie counter and pulse monitor. The 470 is telemetry strap enabled but does not come with a chest strap. The built-in hand sensors are the same as on the 430 and are not overly trustworthy.

Buyers of the 430 tend to be, on the whole, beginner exercisers. Many of them mention the value for money, ease of assembly and smooth motion. Negatives that were mentioned related to the lack of backlight on the console, lack of auto incline and pulse and calorie counter unreliability.

So, which is Best? Compare side-by-side

From our comparison, it is obvious that the Schwinn 470 is a better elliptical than the 430. Of course, it is also the more expensive model. For those extra dollars, you get more programs more resistance, app integration via Bluetooth, a backlit screen and auto incline functionality. If you are a beginner or casual exerciser, none of those features are a game-changer, so we would recommend going for the 430.

However, if you are after a more intense workout that will challenge you now and on into the future, paying the extra money for the 470 is the smart way to go!

Final Thoughts

For most people, the Schwinn 430 will be more than adequate to meet their home cardio needs. However, if you want a motorized incline function and additional resistance levels as well as app integration then, the Schwinn 470 is worth the extra investment.