Schwinn 520 Review

07/07/201518/09/2019 FitnessEquipmentGuide

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Schwinn 520 Recumbent Elliptical – A Good Buy For You?

Elliptical bike combos are growing more popular year after year. And one of the bikes that’s getting some attention is the Schwinn 520.

Unlike the Proform Hybrid Trainer, this is not a 2-in-1 exercise machine (where you can use it as both an elliptical trainer OR a recumbent bike).

You can only use it for one thing – reclined elliptical training.

The main benefit of this is that it uses more lower body muscles than a standard recumbent bike. So in theory at least, you can burn more calories.

So is the Schwinn 520 right for you? Here’s a list of the pros and cons to help you decide:

The Basics:

Price: $549 + Free Shipping

Resistance Type: Airdyne

Stride Length: 14 ”

Built-in Workouts: 3

Footprint (L x W): 62″ x 28″

User Weight Capacity: 300 lbs

Warranty: 5 years on the frame, 1 year on parts and electronics, 3 months on wear parts

Schwinn 520 Review – Pros:

Easy on the Knees

This machine is extremely low impact and easy on the knees. The Airdyne resistance basically means the harder you pedal, the more resistance you get – so you can go at your own pace and listen to your body.

If you’re recovering from a knee injury or knee surgery, this can be a great way to get back into your exercise routine.

Oversized, Adjustable Pedals

The pedals are easily adjustable. So the bike easily accommodates users of all heights, which makes this trainer/bike a good option for multiple user families.

Ventilated Seat Back

The ventilated seat back lets air through to your back as you pedal. This can help keep you cool as you pedal.

The bottom seat is also “extra” padded which basically means it’s more comfortable than a cheapie department store bike seat (which often feels like you’re sitting on a rock).

Heart Rate Monitor

You can stay on top of your heart rate with the hand grips.

Granted you have to be grasping these for a while to get a reading, but it’s still a handy feature to have if you want to stay in your target heart rate zone.

Schwinn 520 Review – Cons:

Basic, Non-Backlit Console

Given that the price of this machine usually runs around $600, you would expect a much better console. Unfortunately that’s just not the case here.

It’s not backlit which makes it very hard to read. Plus it’s extremely simple – not a lot of workout feedback or built-in workout programs.

No Arm Bars

When something is advertised as an elliptical most people expect it to have moving arm bars so they can tone their arms. you don’t get arm bars with the Schwinn 520.

It might be better if this machine was advertised as an elliptical bike (with emphasis on the bike part) so that people don’t feel mislead.

Short Warranty

The parts warranty on this machine is only 90 days – which doesn’t give you a lot of protection.

Airdyne Resistance

Although people love this type of resistance with the Schwinn Airdyne bike, it can be a bit annoying on this unit.

Why? Because again, people see this as an elliptical trainer (and not so much as a bike). As such, they expect to be able to adjust the resistance either manually or with the push of a button.

Airdyne resistance doesn’t work that way – the harder you pedal, the higher the resistance. There is no manual or button to push. So it’s self-generating in a way.

Bottom Line?

If you’re looking for a machine that is low impact and easy on the joints, you may really like the Schwinn 520. It gives you an elliptical trainer motion – with the comfort of relaxing in a recumbent seat.

(However, if that’s what you’re looking for, you may be better off just going with a really good recumbent bike like the Nordictrack Commercial VR25 )

The 520 has some real drawbacks however and can be confusing for buyers who aren’t sure exactly what they’re getting. Just know that this is really more of a bike than an elliptical trainer – and be aware of the cons listed above before you buy.

How To Save:

You can get a special discount on the Schwinn 520 Recumbent Elliptical by going through this link . You can usually get Free Shipping and read the latest user reviews as well.