Schwinn 470 Elliptical Review

We purchased the Schwinn 470 Elliptical so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

If you’re looking to purchase exercise equipment for at-home use, there’s a good chance you’ve considered something like the Schwinn 470 Elliptical. Ellipticals give you an awesome cardio workout plus a leg and arm workout when you want it. They’re also famously low impact, which means they’re easy on your muscles and joints and can even help you recover from injury; an elliptical is also a nice companion to a treadmill desk, offering more fitness without too much intensity. In short, ellipticals provide a versatile full-body workout for all ages and fitness levels, and Schwinn is a trusted American brand with a variety of models depending on your needs and budget. We tested the Schwinn 470, which is considered a top model from the brand and one of the best at-home ellipticals on the market. Before you commit to the machine, take a look at our breakdown of all its features and performance.

Setup Process: Long, complicated, and requires heavy lifting

Our Schwinn 470 Elliptical was delivered on the date we set up with Amazon in a large, extremely heavy box. The box took three people to lift up to our second floor. It came with a manual that included step-by-step instructions on how to set up the machine (with illustrations for each step), plus all of the tools and hardware needed for assembly. The machine also comes with oil to use as lube for the machine and extra hardware in case you have any issues during assembly.

Reading through the manual, the steps were pretty easy to follow. When it came time to actually do them, however, we realized they required a lot of strength, some knowledge of mechanics, and careful attention. The whole process took my husband and me over three hours! You’ll definitely want to assemble this machine with two people since the process is complicated and time-consuming and the instructions need to be done in the correct order to make sure you get the most out of your machine. We didn’t like that there weren't any videos on the brand's website to aid us through the setup process, either. 

The one positive aspect of setting up the elliptical ourselves was that we got to know the machine a little more intimately and now know a little more about which parts might need repair or replacements if that ever becomes necessary. You can opt for expert assembly, though, and we highly recommend you splurge for it if you aren’t used to putting together fitness equipment. 

Design: Sturdy and smooth

Measuring 70 inches long, 28 inches wide, and 63 inches tall, the Schwinn 470 features a front flywheel, an oversized crossbar, and center frame support. Overall, it looks and feels durable. 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. We recommend purchasing a mat to prevent sweat, water, or the machine itself from damaging your flooring.

The elliptical has a 20-inch (non-adjustable) stride with Schwinn’s Precision Path Foot Motion Technology—which is designed to mimic a natural running motion—and we always felt comfortable as we performed various workouts over our multi-week testing period. We like the angle and large size of the foot pedals and never felt strained while training. Everything feels natural, right down to the shape and placement of the moving handlebars. There’s also a set of static handlebars.

The 470 model has 25 levels of resistance for a wide range of workout intensity options and a 10-degree motorized adjustable ramp that allows you to change your incline mid-workout. The computer on this machine is really high-end for the price point. All of the controls on the machine are easy to read and adjust thanks to the high-end, dual backlit console display.

The machine also includes lots of convenient features that make workouts particularly user friendly. We love the built-in three-speed fan, water bottle holder, USB charging port, MP3 port, and media shelf—where you can place a tablet to read or follow along with a training app. The media shelf is located in such a way that you can keep an eye on your progress on the machine’s display while simultaneously reading or watching TV on your own device.

As for design flaws, we found the built-in acoustic chamber speakers to be mediocre and not great for loud music or videos where you want to hear the sound clearly. 

Performance: An awesome workout and top-of-the-line functionality

Get ready to sweat! The Schwinn 470 Elliptical performed just like our favorite machines at the gym. It has 29 workout programs to choose from including 12 different workout profiles (mountain rides, fun rides, and challenges), nine heart rate control options (including beginner, advanced, and custom), four custom user-made profiles, two fitness tests, one recovery test, and a quick start—all designed to help you build a workout that gives you the results you want. We each had our own user profile and all of the program settings were intuitive (and some were completely pre-programmed). 

It was so nice for us to have such a high-quality, high-functioning workout machine in our home. With the Schwinn 470, there’s really no excuse to skip a workout. In fact, testing the Schwinn 470 taught us just how much you can actually do on an elliptical. We found that a short HIIT workout would get our heart rate up and engage our muscles without us having to sweat as much or for as long as on a treadmill or bike. We felt constantly challenged as well.

As for stats, the Schwinn 470 tracks time, distance, and calories, and monitors and detects heart rate using contact and telemetry built into the handlebars. The heart rate monitor isn’t as accurate as we hoped, though, and we would suggest a chest strap (not included) for better results. 

Any time we were on this front-drive elliptical machine, we felt comfortable and well-equipped to get the workout we wanted. Moving through different inclines and the 25 levels of resistance was seamless. The resistance is controlled with ECB (eddy current braking) technology, which is an electromagnetic system that most higher-end ellipticals use (as opposed to a manual or motorized system). We found the resistance system to be reliable and, overall, our workouts were smooth, quiet, and comfortable. 

Compatibility: Connects well will apps and has Bluetooth capabilities

The Schwinn 470’s free accompanying app, Schwinn Trainer, is a great way to track our workouts and measure performance. All of our stats from our elliptical workouts—time, distance, and calories—are automatically loaded to the app after each session. 

You can also connect the machine and your stats to other apps like MyFitnessPal, a more versatile app that works with tons of other machines, or RunSocial, an app lets you “run” through scenic routes and locations. Plus, it works with GoogleFit, Apple Health, and MapMyRun/Ride. All metrics can be transferred using the machine’s Bluetooth.

Price: As you’d expect

Compared to other high-end ellipticals and even other Schwinn models, the 470 has a mid-level price—but it’s built like a top-tier machine. If you’re after a good-looking elliptical (like something you would see in a fitness center) with a lot of features and want to stay below $1,000, we definitely recommend this model. 

If you want to purchase expert assembly, it’s around $90 if you’re buying the machine on Amazon or around $250 from the manufacturer’s site. If you’re nervous about assembling it yourself—even just a little bit—we think it’s worth the extra money. 

Competition: Similar features at different prices

Bowflex Lateral X LX5: For more than double the price, the Bowflex Lateral X LX5 has an adjustable lateral range and instructor-led video workouts. Plus, it’s much more compact than the Schwinn model. However, for an in-home machine, we would still opt for the Schwinn 470 as it does its job well and costs a whole lot less.

XTERRA Fitness FS1.5: If you’re looking for a budget option, the $350 XTERRA Fitness FS1.5 is a solid choice. It features a similar heavy-duty steel frame and LCD screen, but it lacks some of the programming and resistance variety and has a shorter stride length than the Schwinn.

If you would like to take a look at some other options, check out our roundup of the best ellipticals.