Treadmills are a dime a dozen these days, especially because manufacturers know that people are working out at home a lot more than they used to.
There are so many, you may just be tempted to pick one and be done with it.
Before you give away your money on a treadmill you might not like, you should consider the Schwinn 830 Treadmill.
It’s a great treadmill for home use and you’ll get your money’s worth out of it.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Treadmill
Before buying any treadmill you should know what you’re looking for.
Of course, you need something to run on, but treadmills are a whole lot more than a deck and some buttons.
Here are some important features you should consider when buying a treadmill.
Basic Specifications
Size
There are specifications that you must absolutely scrutinize before purchasing a treadmill.
For one, you need to know if it can fit in the area you’re going to put it.
Treadmills are not all one size, and neither are homes.
Plus, you need to allow a few feet of clearance space all around the treadmill, especially in the back, for safety reasons.
Weight Capacity
This is an easy one.
All treadmills have a limit to how much user weight it can handle.
You simply need to make sure it can handle the heaviest person that will be using the treadmill.
For good measure, I’d try to get one that can handle at least 50 pounds more than the heaviest user, so you aren’t constantly pushing the treadmill to the breaking point.
The Console and the LCD Screen
One big consideration is the size and brightness of the LCD screen.
Some of these screens are about the size of a stopwatch.
However, if your treadmill is going to be in a dim area or you have trouble reading small print or seeing small buttons, you’ll need to get a large, back-lit LCD screen with high-contrast writing.
Some LCD screens are like televisions. They can be full-color, high-definition, and even touchscreen.
The Extras
There are a group of features I like to call “The Extras”.
These are features that aren’t going to affect your workout one way or the other but are nice to have.
These features will also drive up the cost of your treadmill, so you’ll need to decide if it’s worth the extra money.
Bottle holders and media holders are the first two.
It’s common to have a bottle of water or sports drink around while working out, so being able to conveniently place it on the treadmill is nice.
Media holders are for your smart devices, books, homework, or anything else that’s sort of flat that you want to put right in front of you.
This gives you some entertainment as you exercise.
Bluetooth capabilities are great because you can connect to various fitness apps like Explore the World, Google Fit, Apple Health, and more.
Some treadmills may also connect to your smart devices so you can play music. Highly advanced treadmills (i.e. expensive treadmills) may also have Wi-Fi capabilities so you can use apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.
The Schwinn 830 Treadmill
If you looked at the Schwinn 810 and liked it, but thought it was too basic, the Schwinn 830 Treadmill might be perfect for you.
The Schwinn 830 Treadmill is a slight upgrade and it has a little bit more of everything.
This includes a high weight capacity, a good maximum speed, a more than fair share of programs and incline levels, and a great warranty.
While it might not be the top choice for seasoned athletes, it’s suitable for non-athletes or people who are pushing to improve their fitness levels.
Pros
- Easy assembly and clear instructions.
- Speakers produce a great sound.
- Can save up to four custom user settings.
- Ten-year warranty on the frame and motor.
- It folds so you can save space or store it.
Cons
- The fan is a bit weak and doesn’t cool much.
- When you start the treadmill, it takes quite a bit of time for it to ramp up to speed.
- Bluetooth doesn’t connect to your devices for music, only to fitness apps.
Features and Benefits of the Schwinn 830 Treadmill
Quick Specs:
- Dimensions: 72.2″L x 35.2″W x 57.6″H
- Product Weight: 200 lbs.
- Deck Size: 55″L x 20″W
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
- Motor: 2.75 CHP
Quality and Construction
The Schwinn 830 is a solid treadmill.
It has a solid steel construction and is very sturdy.
It’s designed to handle a large amount of weight and it does this very well.
The frame comes with a ten-year warranty. That’s proof that this treadmill is meant to last a long time.
The four-cell Softrak™ cushioning system minimizes the impact as you run on the treadmill.
This reduces the force to your joints as well as the force of your weight on the treadmill, leading to less wear and tear.
The treadmill also has a SoftDrop™ Folding system that uses a hydraulic-like technology to make it easy to lift and fold the deck as well as lower the deck.
You don’t want to have to lift a 200-pound treadmill by yourself so the SoftDrop Folding system does most of the work for you.
The Schwinn 830 is a treadmill that is well-manufactured. It’s a great investment that will keep on giving for years.
Incline Levels, Programs, and More
If you’re looking for a challenge, the Schwinn 830 can give it to you.
It has 22 programs categorized as 1 manual, 3 quick Goal, 5 train, 3 weight Control, 5 heart health, 3 interval, and 2 custom programs.
The treadmill also has 12 incline levels and can save settings for up to four users. You should easily be able to work your way to your fitness goals with these many choices.
Console
I admit that I’m not a big fan of the console.
While it’s true that LCD screen has a bright back light and it’s a fair size with highly contrasting writing, it’s simply too busy for the size.
There are buttons and small words all over the console.
The LCD screen displays metrics for thirteen different readings which means it’s full of numbers and charts at any given time.
Sure, you can tune out all of that as you exercise, especially if you have a smart device keeping you entertained.
If the busy console doesn’t bother you, then this is just a small blip in a whole party of amazing features.
Additional Features
The Schwinn 830 has some great additional features.
It has a USB port for charging devices and an audio jack to play music through the speakers.
It has a three-speed cooling fan, a media shelf, and two water bottle holders.
This model doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities to connect to fitness apps.
However, it tracks so many different metrics that it’s easy to overlook this feature.
What Others are Saying About the Schwinn 830 Treadmill
Review #1
3 Weeks Old
“I run 200 plus miles per month at about 8 to 9 mph pace. This tread mill is 3 weeks old so far and works great. I have run 150 miles on it so far. The motor has enough power to handle the fast and long runs. A great value. We’ll see if it holds up.”
Review #2
Great Treadmill!
“This Schwinn 830 Treadmill works great! Strong, smooth, and silent! I love it!”
Review #3
Schwinn 830 Treadmill
“The machine is nice runs smooth, is quiet, inclines easy and it was fairly easy to put together, but you do need two people. The music on the speakers sounds great. I would differently recommend this to a friend/ family member.”
Alternative Choices to the Schwinn 830 Treadmill
SereneLife Compact Folding Treadmill
The SereneLife Compact Folding Treadmill is perfect for people with limited space. It’s small – measuring only 51.2″L x 24″W x 27.5″H.
This also means that it has limited features. It’s more of a bare bones treadmill although it does come with Bluetooth connectivity to smart devices for music or fitness apps.
The backlit LCD screen is a good size and it utilizes a Soft Drop system for easy unfolding. Despite the given weight capacity, I wouldn’t recommend this treadmill for anyone over 200 pounds.
SereneLife Compact Folding Treadmill | Schwinn 830 |
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Merax Folding Treadmill
The Merax Folding Treadmill is another light-duty, compact treadmill that works well.
It doesn’t have a big, brightly lit LCD screen like the others, but the console displays three metrics and is neat and easy to read.
It’s a bare bones treadmill like the one before, but it can hold more weight and still be sturdy.
It has wheels for easy transporting and a great hydraulic lift system.
Merax Folding Treadmill | Schwinn 830 |
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GoPlus Folding Treadmill
The GoPlus Folding Treadmill is the closest to the Schwinn 830 in quality.
It’s made with a solid steel frame and has a cushioning technology that reduces the stress on your joints.
While it doesn’t offer as many options as the Schwinn 830, it does give you selection to push your workout.
There are a few programs and some manual set incline levels. It has an easy to read console and a media holder.
GoPlus Folding Treadmill | Schwinn 830 |
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Final Thoughts on the Schwinn 830 Treadmill
A treadmill is something that needs to be able to handle a lot of abuse.
You and possibly others in your home are going to be running on it so you need something strong, sturdy, and solid.
The Schwinn 830 treadmill is all those things.
It has great programs to help simplify your workout plan and inclines that will challenge you.
With technologies like Softrak™ and SoftDrop™, the treadmill is easy to use and easy to store. It’s a great treadmill for your home gym.