Schwinn A40 Elliptical Machine (2024) Review

If you’re no longer feeling challenged with your exercise routine, it’s time to up the ante with a fitness product that is designed to push you to your limits! Schwinn have introduced the A40 Elliptical as their entry level Elliptical rower. Its up against its stable mates the 470 Elliptical and the 430 Elliptical.

Made by iconic brand Schwinn, the A40 Elliptical Machine is not just any other elliptical trainer in the market. It’s such an easy-to-use fitness machine that makes exercising seem like a no-brainer.

Click here for the latest price>>>

What makes the Schwinn A40 Elliptical Trainer Best the Around $500 Class?

Featuring a perimeter-weighted high-inertia flywheel, the Schwinn A40 elliptical trainer runs smoothly and quietly, with eight levels of eddy current resistance to keep you on your toes.

The battery-operated (not included!) trainer is built with seven different workout programs, allowing you to customize your workout and keep things challenging at all times. Not only are you stuck with a repetitive up and down marching movement, you get to choose the intensity level based on your specific fitness goals. More so, it has a 17.5” stride length and footplates that make striding as natural as can be.  This stride length is a good mid point for most users, and just shy of that found on the more expensive Schwinn 430 Elliptical.

The stability of the machine is impressive, with an oversized stabilizer providing a good solid platform for the machine to sit on.

Warrenty:

The Schwinn A40 Elliptical Trainer comes with the best warranty deals that only go to show how much the company is committed to making top-quality products in the market. It has a 2-year warranty for the frame, plus a 6-months warranty for the metal parts and electrical components.

Best Features of the Schwinn A40 2024 model:

In addition, if you’re committed to religiously getting the most out of your workouts, the Schwinn A40 Elliptical Trainer is packed with awesome features that allow you to monitor your progress easily. It comes with easy-to-read console that allows you to track your workout progress based on time, distance, pulse, speed, calories and resistance level. It also has ergonomically-designed static handlebars that come with grip heart rate monitors to help you find the workout program that is most compatible for your heart rate. The console also includes a reading rack, water bottle holder, and integrated two-speed fan to keep you engaged and comfortable at any point in time.

At much less than $600, how’s that for a product that allows you to get more than what you pay for?

Let’s look at some of these features in more detail….

Noise:

OK so at this level you can expect some noise to come from the machine.

However I like the way that the designers have given this some real thought, the resistance for example is friction free.  With the Schwinn A40 there is carefully managed scale of resistance in 10 levels, delivered through electromagnets it is much quieter than you might expect.

You will hear some noise creeping out at high intensity levels, but the balanced flywheel gives a smooth operation.  Most of the sound can be eliminated through the use of noise cancelling headphones.

In comparison to other bikes in this price bracket, and given the other features offered by the Schwinn the noise is not a deal breaker for me.

Features of the Schwinn A40:

Stride Length

At 17″ the stride length is on the short side, most trainers are in the 18″-20″ range.  At just an inch short this will still feel like the elliptical in your local gym, except this one is 20% of the price!  The stride of 17″ is perfect for fitness novices, or the elderly.  However it is still possible to get a great workout what ever age or fitness level of the user is.

As this point does not fit else where, the A40 can be run in two directions, forwards and back wards.  This may feel a little strange at first, but it does provide a great change to the muscle groups!

The Console

At the heart of the A40s Console is a simple LCD screen which shows the main stats of your workout: Time, RPM, Distance, Speed, Pulse, Calories, Resistance Level, Chosen Course.

There are 6 easy to use buttons that are easy to access on while working out, for example changing resistance, or the current displayed stat.  Navigation is easy via an intuitive grid display which has touch controls.

There are two small issues with the console, its not back lit so you will have to exercise in reasonably well lit rooms. Also the unit does require power, from a couple of AA batteries (not included) or from a separately supplied power supply.

Heart Rate Monitor

More and more an accurate measurement of heart rate is seen as an essential feature of any cardio machine.  Without this measurement you may not be working at the peak level, and not making the best of your workout time.

The Schwinn A40 Elliptical trainer, has contact heart rate sensors mounted on the handlebars.  These are placed at a good natural height, however you can only use them if you are not using the handlebars.  Most users should not find this an issue.

These sensors are good quality, and quickly pick up your electromagnetic output from your heart beating.  Providing there is a little moisture in your hands then the readout is quickly displayed.

Portability and Comfort Functions

If you are anything like me, i’m always moving things about.  If you choose the A40 Elliptical then there is a good chance that the place you assemble it is not going to be its final home and you will want to try it in different locations.

The A40 is a lightweight trainer, weighing just 90lbs, and is fitted with transport wheels on the forward stabilizer bar.  With the weight of the machine up front it is an easy job to pick up the rear stabiliser and move the unit to a location of your choice.

With its easy portability you can move the elliptical in front of the TV and easily put it away after the workout.

On the console stem on this elliptical is a convenient water bottle holder, well sized and placed.  The console can double as a book or iPad rack so you can keep your mind exercised as well as your body.

To finish off there is a fan mounted on the console.  Given that its powered by just two 4D cell batteries its output is not strong, but its sufficient to provide a cooling air movement while exercising.

Workout Programs

There are 6 programs built into the Schwinn A40, plus a manual or quick start option.  This quick start option lets you jump straight into the workout with out entering weight / height / age etc.  While this will let you get moving faster the heart rate monitoring will not be as useful.  This is because it will not be able to target the ideal tempo for your age, weight ect.

When the program is selected then the A40 will model a course with its built in 8 levels of resistance delivered through the front perimeter flywheel.  Resistance is provided through electro magnets.  Each course is designed to give a different challenge, such as a circuit course or pursuit options.

At the end of each workout the prominent start / stop button will safely end your session.  A quick tap pauses the workout, a three second hold stops it completely.  After the workout then the stats for the session will be shown.

After about 5 minutes of no use then the Schwinn A40 will enter sleep mode.

Dimensions:

The Schwinn A40 weighs in lower than the old 2011 version, at just 91lb.  After assembly the machines dimensions are: 56″ x 23.7″ x 64.5″

Its step height is at its max 16″ high, so if you have low ceilings then you need to add this to your height to ensure that there is sufficient head room.

For more specifications click here>>>

Assembly:

The Schwinn arrives disassembled and there is some element of home assembly required.  This is a straight forward process that can be carried out by one person (although two might make the job a little easier), in an hour or two.

You receive a simple to read manual that breaks the build down into 13 logical steps.  The link is included so you can see for your self just how easy to use this A40 elliptical is.

There is a simple sheet of card with all the fixtures and fittings easily displayed.  Much better than having them in a bag as it lessens the chance of a vital component being missed.  The sheet has easy to follow images on, along with each part being labeled A, B, C etc.

With these easy to follow instructions, and with all the tools included you will soon be up and running on your new Elliptical.

 What are other customers saying?

This bike is brand new, and as yet has no feed back.  However it is a good improvement over the 2011 version which was incredibly popular.

“I love it! It’s smooth, quiet, easy on the joints and simple to figure out. The machine feels completely stable, does not wobble and is quite sturdy.”

“I love this elliptical! It was fairly easy for me to build by myself. I use it at least once per day!”

To read more  Pros and Cons click here.

In summary

With basic features that are convenient and easy to use, the Schwinn A40 Elliptical Trainer is definitely one of the most trusted elliptical machines in the market.  We have dozens of elliptical reviews under our belt, and the A40 stands among the best.

Not only are you getting terrific workouts with the machine, it also allows you to carry on other tasks at ease. While sweating it out, you can catch up on your readings, listen to a podcast or watch your favourite shows.

The best part is you don’t have to go anywhere far to achieve results. That’s right – why go to the gym and wait in queue to use your favourite cardio machine, when you can achieve more at home just by using the product?