Schwinn 438 Elliptical Machine Review
The Schwinn 438 is an older model from the Schwinn family of elliptical trainers, and originally came with a price tag of $1,300. It's been discontinued, however, and you can get it for closer to the $600 - 700 range. The 438 is a very solid product – it's highly competitive with other elliptical trainers within the same range. This is a relatively larger product so make sure you have the sufficient space in your home (or office) with dimensions of 66 by 25 by 66 inches. The maximum user weight capacity of 300 pounds is heavier than most, and makes this a sturdier, more dependable frame. There are 16 resistant levels to cater to your fitness level at any given moment. There are 21 preset workout programs, and a heart rate monitor is included. Additionally, you can utilize bi-directional motion. And yes, there is a bottle holder. Fortunately for the consumer, there are generous warranty terms, including 15 years for the frame, 2 years for parts, 1 year for electronics, and 6 months for labor and wear items. Overall, a great buy. The only downside is that you're probably going to have to pick it up used at this point.
Schwinn 438
Advantages:
- Durable, especially for a consumer model. It's probably not as rugged as the stuff you'd find in a gym, but most ellipticals you can buy for home use aren't, until you get to the very upper end stuff.
- Electronics are easy to use
- Gives you a good workout
Disadvantages:
- There's one big error in the manual - there are two cylindrical parts that you may have left over if you don't pay attention (hint: look at step 9-1 of the manual for where they go). Another minor one: two washers are already installed, even though they're on the part list. Some people find it time consuming to assemble (but there's a bit of debate on this among people who've used it, with others saying it's very easy).
Useful Links:
http://www.schwinnfitness.com/
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