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Schwinn 470 Elliptical Review: Is It The Right Elliptical For You in 2024?

Ready to improve your cardio setup? This elliptical offers a quiet ride for home gyms and small spaces.
schwinn 470 elliptical review

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Key Features:

  • 25 levels of resistance ensure you can create the workout that’s right for you
  • 29 workout programs enable you to mix up your cardio
  • Bluetooth compatibility allows connection with fitness tracking apps

Cardio workouts are beneficial for your health but some people find a treadmill too painful for their joints. Research has found that when compared to jogging and walking both outside and on the treadmill, using an elliptical has significantly less impact on the joints. So if you’re looking to add an elliptical to your home gym, consider the Schwinn 470 Elliptical. At $1,099, this elliptical has top-of-the-line features at a mid range price.

Below, you’ll learn why reviewers love this elliptical. It comes with thoughtful built-ins like fans, speakers, a charging port and bluetooth connectivity. We’ll dive into the ride, workouts you can do and additional features that make it a standout.

How the Schwinn 470 Elliptical Works

Like most elliptical machines, the Schwinn 470 Elliptical is used for cardio—it mimics walking or running on a fixed track. You can adjust the incline of the foot plates to increase the intensity of your workouts. The handlebars allow for full-body engagement and the large footplates ensure comfort.

Pros of the Schwinn 470 Elliptical

  • Heavy 20-pound flywheel, which means you’ll get a smooth and quiet operation
  • A 20-inch stride mimics a natural running motion and enables those that are taller to feel comfortable
  • Quick touch buttons make adjusting the difficulty mid-workout a breeze
  • Backlit LCD displays
  • Automated incline and 25 resistance levels
  • Three built-in fans
  • Shelf to rest your phone
  • A USB charging port and MP3 port allow you to play music

Related Post: The Top Workout Earbuds for Your Fitness Routine

Cons of the Schwinn 470 Elliptical

  • No live instructor integration or follow scenic routes during your workout
  • The 20 inch-stride can be difficult for people who are short
  • Reviewers claim that the calorie counter isn’t the most accurate.
  • There is a 90-day labor warranty on this machine, which is much shorter than many other brands on the market. For example, NordicTrack’s ellipticals come with a one-year labor warranty.

Working Out With the Schwinn 470 Elliptical

Throughout your workout, you can track your stats including distance, incline and calories burned via the backlit display. You’ll get a visual of your progress throughout your workout, so you can see what’s coming next. For example, if your workout of choice features rolling hills, you’ll be able to see when your resistance increases or decreases. Want to switch it up? You have the option to purchase Schwinn’s Explore the World app, so you can sync your workout to scenic destinations and course lengths, like a 5K through the Japanese countryside. As you increase resistance, you’ll also engage your arms during your workout.

The wide footbeds give you a solid place to stand and keep the pressure off your joints as you increase resistance, and a water bottle holder allows you to keep your bottle within arms reach to stay hydrated.

Who Should Buy Schwinn 470

schwinn 470 elliptical

Given the low-impact nature of an elliptical workout, it’s a great option for those who want a walking or running workout with less stress on the joints, according to the American Council on Exercise (ACE Fitness). Treadmills can be tough on your joints, but the Schwinn 470 allows for a smooth motion—your feet never leave the machine.

Additionally, using an elliptical will engage your upper body during your cardio session for a full-body workout experience.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Schwinn 470

Since ellipticals are so low-impact in nature, if you’re looking to get a cardio machine that can provide a more intense workout, a Schwinn 470 is probably not the right choice for you. And, remaining in the same plane of motion for the entirety of a workout may prove boring for some.

Schwinn 470 Elliptical Specs

Footprint

The dimension of the Schwinn 470 Elliptical is 70.1 inches long by 28.2 inches wide by 63.2 inches high. The machine comes with transport rollers when fully assembled, to aid in moving it around.

Machine weight

The weight of the Schwinn 470 Elliptical is 164 pounds when fully assembled.

Weight capacity

The maximum weight that the Schwinn 470 Elliptical supports is 300 pounds.

Screen

The elliptical is equipped with Schwinn’s DualTrack blue backlit LCD window system. You can use it to track your time, distance and calories burned during your workout.

Price

The Schwinn 470 is currently available for $1,099. Standard shipping is an additional $199. Payment plans are available as well as add-ons, such home setup and protection plans that may affect this base price.

Resistance levels

A weighted flywheel provides 25 levels of resistance and up to 10 degrees of incline.

Assembly

The elliptical is delivered with a detailed manual and all parts and tools necessary for assembly. According to an answer from the Schwinn team in the Q&A section, it typically takes two people up to two hours to fully set up on their own. Assembling an elliptical requires great attention to detail, especially when it comes to the pedals. In order to slide the pedals on accurately, you'll need to get the machine at the perfect angle. You should have no trouble assembling the Schwinn 470 if you’re someone who follows instructions to the letter. If you are short on time or have never assembled training equipment before, you may want to consider paying for assembly upon delivery.

Warranty

The warranty covers the frame for 10 years, the parts for two years, the electronics for one year and labor for 90 days.

Schwinn 470 Elliptical Customer Reviews

The majority of customers say that the elliptical was easy to set up and that it’s more compact than other models. Users report that the machine is quiet, and it’s easy to use in a home gym while watching TV or listening to music. Additionally, many reviews say that the elliptical offers a challenging workout since there are 25 levels of resistance.

Some things that customers don’t like include the LCD screen, which has been described by some as a little dated. Additionally, the Bluetooth doesn’t allow you to connect music and some have trouble with the Explore The World app.

Schwinn 470 vs NordicTrack SE7i

The first noticeable difference between the Schwinn 470 and the NordicTrack SE71 is in the program options—the Schwinn 470 offers 29 workout programs while the NordicTrack SE7i offers 24. Where the NordicTrack SE7i has an 18 inch stride, the NordicTrack has a 20 inch stride, making it a better option for those with longer legs. The NordicTrack folds, allowing you to use it in a smaller space.


What really sets these two apart though is that the NordicTrack has a 10-inch smart touchscreen. Where the Schwinn 470 has LCD displays to track your metrics, you can use NordicTrack’s app to stream trainer-led workouts or monitor your stats.

Schwinn 470 vs Sole E25

Both the Schwinn and the Sole boast 25 levels of resistance and a 20-inch stride. Where the Schwinn stands out most is the variety of built-in workouts—with 25—where the Sole comes with just 10.

Both ellipticals are sturdy, but the Sole weighs in at 212 pounds versus the 167-pound Schwinn, so you’ll want to take that into consideration if you’ll have to move your equipment around. Reviewers have also found that the Schwinn is quieter than the Sole. The Sole can support a 350-pound weight limit, where the Schwinn tops off at 300 pounds. The lifetime warranty on the Sole E25 is probably its most impressive feature.

FAQs

Does the Schwinn 470 have Bluetooth?

Yes, the Schwinn 470 has Bluetooth, allowing you to sync your workout with your favorite app and connect a heart rate monitor.

What apps work with the Schwinn 470?

You can use Schwinn’s Explore the World App, or your favorite fitness tracking app including MyFitnessPal, GoogleFit, Apple Health and MapMyRun.

Where do you plug in a Schwinn 470 elliptical?

The machine plugs into standard electrical wall outlets on 110–120V circuits. The proper cord to use comes with the elliptical.

How do you lubricate a Schwinn 470 elliptical?

Schwinn recommends using 100 percent silicone-based lubricant and avoiding petroleum-based products. To keep your elliptical operating properly and without noise from the rollers, clean them with a damn cloth, then apply the silicone lubricant with a dry cloth weekly.

Final Thoughts

The Schwinn 470 Elliptical is a great buy if you’re looking for a machine that can give you a tough workout. The flywheel operation means that you’ll enjoy a quiet ride—making it ideal for working out at home. Its power incline option and long stride length make it an excellent value for the money. Overall, if you’re in the market for an elliptical that’s got top-of-the-line features, this is for you.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.