This pandemic has upended our every plan. Being cooped up at home has taken its toll on our minds and body. While some of us are left dealing with the pandemic stress, some of us are concerned about the “quarantine 15”, that we have gained over the past few months.
If you are one of the latter, who succumbed to the pandemic binge eating and now desperately looking for a way to go back to your agile past self, you might be thinking of buying some gym accessories for some home workout. And buying an elliptical might be the first thing that pops into your mind when you are considering faster weight loss.
However, with so many options and technology available out in the market, finding the best elliptical for you is no cakewalk. To make this easier for you, in this article, we will discuss one of the pivotal features that impact elliptical’s performance and price –it’s weight.
As Schwinn is one of the most trusted names among the fitness accessories brands, we will highlight some of the top Schwinn Ellipticals and their weight.
Schwinn Elliptical Models with Their Weight
Heavy-duty commercial grade elliptical usually weighs more than the machines that are designed for home use. Here we have listed down some of the best Schwinn ellipticals for home use.
Schwinn 411 Elliptical
Schwinn 411 elliptical is a compact lightweight machine, especially suitable for home use. Weighing 120 lbs. it won’t be wise to use it for a heavy-duty workout. With a 70.1-inch length and 28.1 inches width, it has a rather compact design without compromising the key features.
Schwinn 470 Elliptical
Schwinn 470 Elliptical is yet another wise pick for home use. The 70 inches long and 28-inch wide machine has a smooth design. The flywheel of Schwinn 470 elliptical weighs about 20 lbs. the machine itself weighs about 189.2 lbs. and quite heavier for a home machine.
However, the high weight also means it will provide fluid movement and durability of use. Besides, it has a small wheels attached at the base, so you can easily move it around the house.
Schwinn 430 Elliptical
Schwinn 430 is one of the best budget-friendly ellipticals for home use. It has a front-drive design, which means the flywheel is located at the front. This specific will give you the illusion of climbing up the stair when you are pedaling the machine.
This space-saving design (70.1-inch length, 28.2-inch width) also saves cost. With a 20 lbs. flywheel, Schwinn 430 weighs about 183 lbs; quite a heavy and durable machine for home use.
Schwinn 570 Elliptical
Schwinn 570 is a heavyweight elliptical designed for home use. With a 13 lbs. flywheel weight, it weighs about 164 lbs. With a 70 inches length and 28 inches width, you can easily fit this into a compact space. Despite leaning on the heavier side, as it has two front wheels fitted with it, you can easily move it around.
Schwinn A 40 Elliptical
Schwinn A 40 is the perfect elliptical for beginners. However, being a lightweight machine it cannot support over 270 lbs. load. It will be a perfect starter elliptical machine if you are an average build user. With 64.5 inches in height and 23.7 inches in width, it weighs about 111.3 lbs; far lighter than the models mentioned above.
Here is a chart with Schwinn Ellipticals’ weight and maximum load to help you compare and grasp the difference.
| Model | Weight (lbs.) | Maximum Load (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Schwinn 411 elliptical | 120 | 300 |
| Schiwnn 470 elliptical | 189.2 | 300 |
| Schwinn 430 elliptical | 183 | 300 |
| Schwinn 570 elliptical | 164.2 | 300 |
| Schiwnn A 40 elliptical | 111.3 | 270 |
Why Does Weight Matter When Selecting an Elliptical?
Before we dive into specific models and compare their weight and specs, you need to understand why the weight of the machine itself is vital for its performance.
The Weight of the Flywheel
If you have ever used an elliptical you might already know there is a flywheel that keeps an elliptical moving. In fact, you can call it the heart of the machine that controls its movement. The weight of the flywheel is what impacts the overall weight of the machine.
An elliptical or even an exercise bicycle works with the inertia of the flywheel. The heavier the flywheel the higher will be the inertia. It means, the heavier the wheel the more it will likely be doing what it is doing- movement or repose.
The higher the weight, the more you have to exert yourself to propel it into action; and once it gets into motion, the less you have to invest your energy to keep it moving. The mechanics of inertia will work in your favor. And this mechanism just mimics the natural movement of how you ride a bicycle- you need to paddle hard the first few minutes, but once it gets the momentum, you can minimize your effort.
The heavier the machine the higher the inertia will be and the more it will feel natural to you, providing you the fluidity of motion.
On the other hand, the lighter the weight the jerkier the movement and pedaling will feel to you. You can get that machine running with relative ease than a heavier one but it won’t provide any resistance.
What Else Can the Flywheel Weight Impact?
Aside from the swift movement, the weight of the flywheel also impacts the quietness of the machine. The heavier the machine the quieter it will operate. The weight of the flywheel also determines the lifespan of the machine.
As you pedal the elliptical its flywheel starts to wear off. If the flywheel is made of heavier metal the wear-off process will be slower than usual, resulting in a longer life span for the machine.
And last but not least the price of an elliptical also depends on its weight. Higher weight usually means you have to spend more and vice versa for the lighter ones.
Flywheel weight usually varies between 13 lbs. to 35 lbs. on average. Having said that, it can go even higher than 35 lbs.
If you are wondering what should be the ideal weight for a flywheel, look for a machine that has a flywheel weight of 28 lbs. to 30 lbs. at the very least. If you want to avoid jerky movement, go for a higher flywheel weight, somewhere between 44 lbs. to 46 lbs.
Things to Consider for Selecting Elliptical’s Weight
- Heavier elliptical tends to be more spacious or large in design. So you need to make sure you have enough space in your home to accommodate a heavier one.
- The weight of the flywheel or even the overall machine usually impacts its price. The heavier the machine the higher the price will be. So make sure you have those extra bucks to spend if you go for a heavier elliptical.
- You also need to consider your own body weight before you buy an elliptical. Lighter elliptical usually is not suitable for heavy-weight users. Go for the one that can carry your weight and give you a comfortable weight loss journey.
- If you are planning to frequently move the machine around the house, you definitely should go for a weight that you can comfortably move. Although you can take the parts apart when you are moving, you can never dismember the flywheel. So a heavier machine might not be the best option for moving it around.
The Bottom Line
This entire discussion boils down to it- always look for the flywheel weight when you are buying an elliptical machine. Because every other feature from the smoothness of performance or quietness of the machine hinges on this one particular.
Apart from the weight, you should also consider the stride length and resistance for a smooth performance. And don’t forget to try out how it feels before you finally buy one.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to the comfort it delivers to your movement. The price, specs, or even the weight shouldn’t determine what model of elliptical you buy.
Recent Posts
Exercising isn't exactly everyone's cup of tea. Especially for seniors, it can seem nothing short of meaningless torture. They can tolerate only a few exclusive exercising types of equipment like the...
Schwinn makes phenomenal indoor exercise equipment. Most of these pieces of equipment provide features to connect them to your gadgets, such as your smartphone, laptop, tablet, Apple Watch, and other...