Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

NOTE: I originally reviewed this machine in December 2010. This revised review is being published in August 2011. I am drastically revising my review of the Schwinn A40 Elliptical Trainer, which I originally rated with five stars, down to the lowest possible rating. Why, you ask? Simply because my machine suffered a major structural failure after only seven months of light usage. The shaft that attaches the right-hand pedal arm to the crank broke off where it was welded in place. I super-glued it back, but that repair lasted only about a week before it came off again. As much as I liked this machine at first (despite its initial "Pedal" error problem--see the "Comments" to this review), it is now useless to me except as a decorative fixture in my spare room until I can figure out how to dispose of it. That this machine suffered a debilitating failure after such little use indicates to me that it is of very poor quality. I am neither a large nor heavy person (let's just say I weigh not much more than HALF of its specified weight limit of 275 pounds), and it rarely saw more than 20 minutes of use per day, six days a week. It should not have broken in such a major way. The fact that I got it free through the Vine program does not diminish my disappointment and frustration--if I had paid for it, I would be REALLY irritated. I contacted Schwinn about this and got NO satisfaction whatsoever. Even though the Owner's Manual CLEARLY says the "frame," which is the part that broke, is warranted for two years, the Schwinn rep refused to honor the warranty and said I'd have to buy a new part. That's the worst kind of bait and switch in my book. Although at first this A40 trainer seemed like a very good way to undertake a fitness-improving exercise program, the fact is that mine lasted for only seven months. I can't imagine how quickly it would have fallen apart under a bigger, heavier user. I advise those considering such a machine to avoid this one. If you have a morbid fascination to learn the history of my experiences with it, I include my original five-star review as a comment to this one. My bottom line--DO NOT BUY THIS MACHINE. It won't last, and when it breaks Schwinn will leave you out in the cold.