Hey guys, so today we will be taking you through a review of a product we tested a while ago. It’s called the Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine and yes it’s another one of those home based exercise thing-ama-bobs.
However, with everything that’s going on in the world with the Covid-19 pandemic and all the uncertainty surrounding the use of public facilities i.e. Gyms and Health Clubs.
We agreed that this is the perfect time to help you guys make an informed decision before jumping online and buying the first piece of cardio equipment you see advertised.
Okay so back to our product, the Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine is a classic yet modern elliptical style cardio machine. It is designed to deliver full body workouts at various intensities with very low impact. It forms part of Schwinn’s home based training product catalogue that they advertise as the perfect range for those looking to set up a home based gym.
(Or for those of you who want an expensive coat hanger, yeah you’re not fooling anyone Susan we know you haven’t used your cross trainer since you bought it!)
Jokes aside, let’s jump straight into it shall we?
Being a seasoned athletic trainer and high performance coach, I have personally (recreationally and professionally) used gym equipment in particular cardio equipment, for the better part of 12 years now. So I’d say I know a thing or two about what works, what is value for money and what is basically just hyped up marketing of a pretty crappy product line.
So how about we kick things off with what we liked about the Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine:
Summary
To summarize the Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine is an entry level home based elliptical machine. It’s designed to assemble easily and fit perfectly into any home or living space. Despite forming part of Schwinn’s “budget” options, it serves as really good value for money because despite its shortcomings it more than makes up for it with its overall user experience and design.
All in all I would give the Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine a solid and well deserving 7.5/10
Pros
Cons
Okay so we have the pros and the cons out of the way. I think it is my turn to weigh my two cents into the conversation.
As an individual that uses gym equipment for a living I am quite critical when it comes investing in cardio equipment. So just like I would explain it to one of my athletes I am going to break it down for you guys in a way that makes it a lot less sales driven and a bit more empathetic.
Cardio equipment is a tricky thing to navigate, simply because there is a lot of crap being sold on the market. So this is one of those things you need to lean towards spending a fair amount of money on. You would ideally want to be looking for a trusted brand with transparent terms and conditions such as warranties and return policies.
Now in terms of the Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine, they cover both my main concerns. Schwinn is a global leader and recognised brand with great customer service. Equally, their quality is top grade and ultimately very reliable.
This particular unit is perfect for the entry level home gym or just an extra option for exercise when you only have 15 minutes to spare or the weather is quite crappy.
If you are a seasoned athlete or veteran in the gym I’d lean towards one of their more advanced options. As this current version will likely frustrate you in its limited options and overall entry level standard.
So I guess it begs the question, would I buy the Schwinn Compact Elliptical Machine?
For myself, no, but for someone in need of a high quality compact piece of cardio equipment? Absolutely.
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