Schwinn A40 Elliptical Review and Comparison

Look, there has never been a better time to start investing in home fitness equipment and it very well could end up being the new normal as we move forward. If you are looking for a high-quality home elliptical machine and demand the best performance for a reasonable price, look no further than the Schwinn A40 elliptical machine to satisfy your fitness needs. The Schwinn A40 is the entry-level machine in Schwinn’s award-winning and highly-rated at home elliptical machine line and is guaranteed to provide you with the industry leading quality that you have come to expect from Schwinn.

Each Schwinn home elliptical machine comes with an easy to read and use LCD console, as well as the patented Schwinn Precision Path Foot technology which allows users to control their stride. The Schwinn A40 comes with eight levels of resistance and seven preset exercise programs that makes for a fully customizable workout experience no matter what your fitness level is. The high speed, high inertia drive system is excellent for at home exercising as it provides users with a smooth and quiet workout so as not to disturb neighbors or other members of the household.

The four models of Schwinn home elliptical machines are all highly rated and each offers something different from the other models. The A40 gives users a nice, entry-level machine that provides users with everything they need to begin a home exercise regiment. For those who do not need the latest technology or bells and whistles that some of the higher-end models come with, the Schwinn A40 home elliptical is the best bang for your buck while giving you the professional-level workout that Schwinn is known for but without ever having to leave your home.

Schwinn A40 Elliptical Review and Specifications:

If you have been doing your research on home elliptical machines, you are probably aware that size and storage are two crucial pieces of information when deciding on which machine to buy. The Schwinn A40 comes with an excellent, space-saving design that can fit in anything from a studio apartment to a home fitness space. From front to back, the Schwinn A40 measures only 59” long, 23” wide, and 64” high, so as you can see it is built from the ground up unlike other machines in the home elliptical market.

The Schwinn A40 is absolutely made for users of all shapes and sizes in mind as the machine comes with a manufacturer’s suggested maximum weight capacity of 275 lbs. This is fairly standard across the home elliptical machine industry and combined with the ergonomically placed handlebars and pedals, users of any height can feel comfortable using this machine. The power supply is simple and straightforward and requires only a standard wall outlet on a 110V-120V circuit for the power cord that is included in the box.

Not only is the Schwinn A40 compact and great for small spaces, but it comes equipped with transport wheels for ease of mobility and storage when you need to move the machine around your house. As with most elliptical machines, the Schwinn A40 is not foldable so you will need to find a space for it even when it is not in use. Finally, weighing in at only 90 lbs, the Schwinn A40 is one of the lightest elliptical machines on the market which makes it easy to use, move, and store away compared to other home elliptical machines.

Schwinn A40 Elliptical Machine Monitor

The Schwinn A40 comes equipped with a nice LCD monitor that is not too fancy, but is everything you need from an entry-level home elliptical machine. The LCD monitor provides you with everything you would expect, including detailed tracking of time, distance, speed, RPM, calories, results, and heart rate. The console is easy to use with conveniently placed, color-coded buttons and large, clear text to keep you informed of your performance.

Since the Schwinn A40 is the entry-level model, it does not come equipped with premium extras like Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity, nor does it come with touchscreen capabilities like many higher end machines do. With the Schwinn A40 console, you get what you see, and that is an easy to read screen with seven preset programs that you can use to add some variety to your regular workouts. The Schwinn A40 console does come equipped with speakers that are an excellent way to stay motivated as you listen to the readouts as you exercise.

As with many home exercise machine lines, the Schwinn home elliptical machines come with varying sizes and functionalities when it comes to the monitor on each model. The higher-end machines come with Bluetooth connectivity, as well as integration with mobile apps such as the RunSocial app or the Schwinn Trainer app. These machines also expectantly come with a larger screen ranging from 5.5” to dual LCD displays that provide users with everything they need in a high-end elliptical machine.

Schwinn A40 Trainer Stride and Incline

The Schwinn A40 home elliptical machine comes with standard 17.5” strides that are smooth and quiet, but unfortunately are not adjustable. Users should not be concerned, however, as 17.5” is fairly standard for the industry and it definitely does not feel cumbersome to operate. The one issue is that because the stride begins and ends at 17.5”, users who are taller than average may find this to be a bit restrictive, although operation is still definitely manageable.

The Schwinn A40 comes equipped with Schwinn’s patented Precision Path Foot Motion Technology which naturally simulates the running motion, while providing a nice low impact workout for your joints. Another drawback for the Schwinn A40 is its lack of any sort of incline for its strides, which of course limits the variety of workouts a user can have. While this definitely is not a mandatory feature, especially on an entry-level model, there is a chance users may eventually get bored of a monotonous workout.

Schwinn A40 Handlebar and Pedals

Like with many home elliptical machines, the Schwinn A40 comes equipped with multiple sets of handlebars to give users full control and stability during their workouts. The fixed handlebars appear below the console and provide a nice ergonomic design and position so that users can feel comfortable in various workout positions. These are also where users can track their pulse and other vitals by holding the heart rate sensors. These readings appear in real-time on the console in front of the user.

The second set of handlebars are the mobile ones that stand vertically and allow the user to activate the classic elliptical motion that provides a nice full body workout. The Schwinn A40 mobile handlebars also come with a nice ergonomic design that provides users with multiple different angles to hold the comfortably constructed handles. The curvature of the handles give users full control over how they want to apply their grip and gives users a way to target different muscle groups in their arms and shoulders.

The pedals on the Schwinn A40 are fairly sized and comfortable for users as the articulation helps to absorb any impact on knee and ankle joints. The footplates themselves are fairly sized and located 17” off the ground and 6” apart which makes for a smooth, natural foot motion. The pedals have a raised edge as well to prevent users from slipping or losing their footing while using the Schwinn A40 home elliptical machine during an intense workout.

Schwinn A40 Accessories and Assembly

If you are looking for a cutting edge home elliptical machine with all the bells and whistles, the Schwinn A40 simply just may not be what you are in the market for. In terms of accessories, the Schwinn A40 home elliptical comes with a media rack on the console so that you can read books or watch a program on your tablet or mobile phone while you workout. As far as technology connections go, there is no Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity with the Schwinn A40, nor is there anywhere to charge a device. There is a conveniently located water bottle holder to ensure you stay hydrated while you exercise.

Assembly of the Schwinn A40 is quite simple and straightforward as far as home elliptical machines go. Schwinn provides you with all of the tools and hardware you will need, as well as a detailed instruction manual that is clear and easy to follow. The main frame of the Schwinn A40 comes already built so all you really need to do is attach the pedals, handlebars, and the console. Overall, unpacking and assembly should take the average person about an hour to complete, and can be safely completed by one person.

The Schwinn A40 does not require much maintenance either aside from keeping dust and dirt out of the rails so that the machine can operate smoothly. The inside of the Schwinn A40 frame comes pre-lubricated and should not require additional lubrication for several years. If that time does come, the Schwinn A40 instruction manual indicates that a silicone-based lubricant will do the job. As well, users should ensure that no moisture or dust builds up on the console by wiping it down after every workout.

Schwinn A40 Warranty, Price, and Shipping

The warranty that Schwinn provides is reasonable but not the best in the home fitness equipment industry. Schwinn provides users with a 3-year warranty for the frame, a 1-year warranty for mechanical and electronics, and 60-days for wear and labour. Not necessarily a ground-breaking warranty, but it does provide customers with a nice peace of mind, especially with longer warranties for the parts that are more prone to breakdown.

Schwinn will ship the A40 elliptical machine to anywhere within the continental United States via UPS or FedEx ground, but they will not deliver to P.O. boxes. Shipping costs and taxes differ by state, but will be clearly marked and explained when you checkout on the Schwinn website. Orders are typically processed within 3-5 business days.

The price of the Schwinn A40 is very attractive and is most likely the reason that people who are into casual workouts are looking at this entry-level machine. Typically the Schwinn A40 retails for less than $500, which is an incredible value for such a highly regarded brand name in the industry. Currently, with the rise in popularity of at-home fitness equipment, the Schwinn A40 is selling for an inflated cost on most after-market websites. In a market where many home elliptical machines cost upwards of several thousand dollars, the Schwinn A40 provides an excellent combination of high quality and high performance at a very reasonable price tag.

Schwinn A40 Elliptical Pros:

• The price tag of the Schwinn A40 is extremely reasonable for such a trusted brand name.
• The Schwinn A40 does not take up much space in your house, making it ideal for apartments.
• The Schwinn A40 has a perimeter flywheel that is extremely smooth and quiet during workouts.
• The Schwinn A40 console comes pre-programmed with six pre-programmed workouts.
• Eight levels of electronic magnetic resistance provide users with an excellent workout.
• Stationary handles come with heart-rate sensors built into them.
• Ergonomic design provides users with a comfortable and stable exercise every time.
• The articulated pedals provide a nice low impact exercise that is easy on the joints.
• Assembly is very straightforward and takes minimal time and effort and can be accomplished by one person.
• Front moving wheels help make it easy to transport the Schwinn A40 around your house.

Schwinn A40 Elliptical Cons:

• Not many bells and whistles for people who are looking for a tech-savvy machine.
• The stride is limited and does not always accommodate extremely tall people.
• The stride is also not adjustable and has no incline which may limit the variety of workout options.
• The manufacturer’s weight capacity of 275 lbs can also be limited to larger people, especially if they are also tall.
• The warranty is fine, but not great as far as industry standards go.

Final Verdict and Comparison

If you are looking at the Schwinn A40 as a potential home elliptical machine, then you already know that for the price range, you are not going to get all of the bells and whistles. The stride is limited to 17.5” and is not adjustable in any way, and there is no incline which limits how much variety you may get in your workout regiment. The technology is not cutting edge by any means but the console does more than enough to provide you with an accurate reading of your vitals as you workout. While the Schwinn A40 is definitely an entry-level model, one thing most users can agree on is that the quality is not entry-level whatsoever. Schwinn is an industry leader in the home fitness industry and has been now for over 100 years. No matter which model you choose, you know that the Schwinn name brings with it high performance and high quality. The Schwinn A40 is stable and secure and provides you with an incredible workout experience all in the comfort of your own home. You will not get the fanciest machine on the market, but for the quality of equipment you get with Schwinn, the price tag of the Schwinn A40 simply cannot be beat.

Schwinn Fitness Elliptical Machines Comparison Chart

Review	Image	Verdict	Price	Capacity	Display	Resistance	Stride	Incline	Programs	Profiles	Bluetooth	HRM
Schwinn 470		Best Value	Check on Amazon	300 Lbs	DualTrack LCD W/ Backlit	25 Levels	20" Fixed	Powered 0-10°	29 Built-in Workouts	4	Yes	Wireless & Contact
Schwinn 430		Great Value	Check on Amazon	300 Lbs	DualTrack LCD W/O Backlit	20 Levels	20" Fixed	Manual 0-10°	22 Built-in Workouts	2	Yes	Contact
Schwinn 411		Great Value	Check on Amazon	300 Lbs	SingleTrack W/O Backlit	16 Levels	18" Fixed	None	13 Built-in Workouts	1	Yes	Wireless & Contact
Schwinn A40		Great Value	Check on Amazon	275 Lbs	SingleTrack W/O Backlit	8 Levels	17.5" Fixed	None	7 Built-in Workouts	1	No	Contact

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Sayed Hamed Hosseiny

Hi, my name is Sayed Hamed Hosseiny. I am a professional health and fitness trainer with nearly 20 years of experience using ellipticals, rowing machines, and spin bikes. I also have my own EU-based Rock Fitness Pro fitness brand where I design, import and sell exercise equipment such as rowing machines and spin bikes. I and writers on my team also often receive fitness equipment to review and evaluate their functionalities and performance from tens of different exercise machines manufacturers. Fitness equipment tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on this website are my opinion (and opinions of my fitness expert colleagues) based on tens of criteria. I never accept payment to write reviews of products or say positive things about fitness equipment products. If brands are interested to have me review their rowers, ellipticals, or spin bikes, they can get in touch with me via email provided on the contact page and send a sample of their product.

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