The Schwinn 431 Elliptical Trainer

UPDATED:
Here is a link to my review of this elliptical.

I’ve been looking at aerobic exercise equipment for the last week or so. I was looking for something that:

• is quiet
• has a small footprint
• is low impact
• costs less than $1000

I decided on an elliptical trainer. Decent ellipticals are non-impact and offer variable resistance settings. After researching them for a few days, I decided I wanted the following on an elliptical trainer:

• At least an 18″ stride. The stride is the max distance between the front and back feet while using the machine. A longer stride is beneficial for taller people and for using the machine at a fast pace. More expensive machines, like those made by Sole, have longer stride lengths.
• Magnetic resistance. The other option for resistance is via belt tension. Machines with belts are louder and don’t last as long.
• A minimum 20 pound flywheel. Heavier flywheels result in a smoother operating machine.
• Support for people 300 pounds or more. I don’t weigh 300 pounds, but a trainer that supports this weight will be solidly built and stable.
• A good console. This is highly subjective, but I wanted something that was modern both in function and appearance.

After a lot of looking, I shortened my list to the Schwinn 431, the Schwinn 438, and the Sole E25. I almost pushed the buy button on the Schwinn 438 when my friend noticed the $100 discount (until August 31) on Amazon for the Schwinn 431. That sealed the deal, and I bought it from Amazon for a total of $689 with free shipping. The trainer is supposed to ship on Friday (4 business days.) Wow, what a steal! I’ll review it here after a few days of using it.