Best for Home Use
Best for Serious Runners
Best for Walkers
Best for Seniors
Schwinn 830 Review
Brian is a regular competitor and national qualifier in the National Physique Committee events of bodybuilding and classic physique. A veteran writer and editor of more than 24 years, he's published numerous articles on fitness, health, and exercise.
Read full bio >The newest Schwinn 830 (model year 2017) is a folding treadmill for home use. Priced $949 plus shipping, it’s a bit cheaper than the typical home treadmill. How does it perform? Most customer reviews of the Schwinn 830 Treadmill are positive; owners praise it as solid, durable and well-cushioned for walkers. Main features of the new 830 Treadmill include a 2.75 CHP belt motor; a 55” x 20” workout area; power incline to 12 percent; and 22 preset workout programs.
Schwinn treadmill monitors provide an above-average amount of feedback. The 830 Treadmill screen gives you 12 data fields as listed below. These include standards such as time, distance and calories, plus each user profile gets long-term data for goal tracking. Four user profiles can be saved to the machine.
Workout programs on this cardio trainer, although effective, aren’t visually engaging. Thus Schwinn makes it easy to enhance your treadmill workouts with multimedia: The 830 Treadmill console has a ledge to fit a mobile device, and it’s also equipped with a USB charging port and speakers.
In our review the Schwinn 830 is optimized for walkers and joggers, not runners. That’s owing to three cost-saving measures. First, this machine has a bit less horsepower than the standard home treadmill for runners: 2.75 CHP instead of 3.0. Second, it has a shorter track: 55 inches instead of 60. Third, it has rather light cushioning. The cushioning helps make exercise comfortable at low speeds, but runners would benefit from more shock deflection.
Overall the new Schwinn 830 Treadmill can be a comfortable choice for everyday walking and jogging. As mentioned above, most customer reviews are positive. Still we aren’t convinced that this machine is a best buy. Read on for details about its features and standard warranty, or skip to our chart of best treadmills under $1,000.
What We Like:
- Folding Frame: To make the most of your floor space, the Schwinn 830’s workout deck can be stored upright. Pushing the deck upward is easy with shock-assist technology, and then it securely locks in place. When you unlock the deck, it returns slowly and gently to the floor.
- Good Belt Quality: To promote durability and quiet operation, Schwinn equips the 830 Treadmill with a relatively thick workout belt for its price class. Additionally the belt runs over 2.5”-diameter crowned rollers, which are exceptional for the class. Compared with cheaper rollers, these let the tread belt serve for more miles before maintenance is needed.
- Room for Jogging: This treadmill provides a 55” x 20” exercise area. That’s ample room for the typical walker or jogger.
- Power Incline: The Schwinn 830 gives you power incline settings up to 12 percent. This is a favorite treadmill feature for a couple of reasons. First, walking or jogging on an incline lets you burn calories as quickly as a runner would at zero slope. Second, exercising at different angles helps define your lower body muscles.
- Data Feedback: Schwinn treadmill consoles can support up to four user profiles. The 830 Treadmill console shows all the usual statistics: Time, Speed, Distance, Laps, Calories, Heart Rate and Incline Level. Furthermore it tracks your long-term progress. After each workout you can see metrics from your previous session, the past seven days, and the past 30 days. You’ll also see your records for highest calorie burn and longest workout time.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Schwinn treadmills have built-in pulse sensors, which require keeping physical contact with a handlebar. The 830 is also compatible with wireless heart rate transmitters sold separately.
- Built-In Training Programs: To help you exercise efficiently, the new Schwinn 830 arrives with 20 exercise programs that control the speed and incline of your treadmill track. They’re grouped into categories such as Heart Health, Interval, and Weight Control. Additionally each user can save two custom-made routines.
- Amenities: The 830 Treadmill console has a media ledge, a USB charging port, smartphone-compatible speakers, two water bottle holders and a three-speed fan.
Schwinn 830 Treadmill - Key Specs:
| Star Rating: | 3.6-stars |
|---|---|
| Motor: | 2.75 HP |
| Incline: | 0-12% |
| Running Area: | 55” x 20” |
| Folding: | Yes |
| Top Speed: | n/a |
| Weight Capacity: | 300 LBS |
| Dimensions: | 72.2" L x 35.2" W x 57.6" H |
| Built-In Programs: | 22 |
- Warranty: Schwinn treadmill warranties are a bit substandard. The warranty package for the new 830 provides 10 years on the frame and drive, two years on parts and electronics, and one year on labor. For comparison many treadmills under $1000 carry lifetime warranties on their frames and drives. Also, a three-year parts warranty is sometimes standard for the price.
- Electronics: The most common complaint about the Schwinn 830 involves faulty electronics. This problem only applies to a small minority of the units, but it should be mentioned in a thorough review. Again, the electronics are under warranty for two years.
- Thinner Deck: Most good home treadmills have 1”-thick decks. The Schwinn 830 has a thinner deck. At ¾” it’s not quite as sound-absorbent, nor as durable. This cost-saving feature contributes to our overall review that the 830 is better for walkers than runners.
- Suspension: Suspension for the 830’s deck is entry-level. This isn’t a drawback for most treadmill walkers, but joggers should consider levelling up. The Schwinn 870 ($1,099) and most other treadmills over $1,000 give superior shock deflection.
Our Verdict:
The Schwinn 830 Treadmill first attracts attention with its sub-$1,000 price. Customers then see some impressive details, such as goal tracking and wireless telemetry, that might make this machine seem comparable to pricier treadmills. Unfortunately the complete package isn’t exceptional. When you consider the extra expense for delivery, and the short warranty, alternatives look like better buys. Two favorites are the Sole F63 and NordicTrack C 990.