You will find cross trainers and ellipticals in any gym you go to, and they are also found in home gyms around the world.
But why are they so popular?
Here we take a close look at the five key workout benefits they provide, along with some tips on choosing the right cross trainer for your home or gym.
One of the main benefits of both cross trainers and ellipticals is that they don’t put pressure on the joints. Unlike running, there is no impact on your knees, so this is not a high-impact workout like you get on a treadmill.
This is great news for anyone who does not want to suffer from impacts on their joints. It makes cross trainers especially useful for people with joint pain, and there is a reduced risk of injury.
It’s also a good option for people who are recovering from injuries and want to stay in shape but cannot do other activities.
Cross trainers exercise the whole body, including the legs and arms, providing you with a good cardio workout while working your muscles too.
With cross trainers, you can choose to work out your arms more, or you can let go of the handles and focus on your legs and abs. With both cross trainers and ellipticals, you can mix up your workout by pedalling backwards instead.
However you use yours, you will be strengthening muscles all over your body, and they are incredibly flexible machines.
You have complete freedom to choose your intensity level from a gentle walk to running speed. You can change the resistance, follow different programmes and switch from low-intensity to high-intensity routines.
If your goal is to burn calories and lose weight, there are few other machines that can do this so effectively.
You can use either an elliptical or a cross trainer without using the handles to improve your balance. By focusing on your legs and not holding onto anything, you can strengthen your core, which can help to improve your balance.
One of the key benefits of both ellipticals and cross trainers is that they are so easy to use at home.
They come in all shapes and sizes, and small models can be placed in the corner of the room so you can hop on whenever you want a workout.
If you want to exercise at home, you don’t need to go to the gym when you have your own elliptical or cross trainer. Budgets vary, but compared to some equipment, they are considered relatively inexpensive.
They are also easy to use. There are no special skills needed, and most people can just get on and get started. You may need to find out how the programmes and settings work, but apart from that, most people don’t need any special instruction to start using cross-trainers.
If you think a cross trainer might be a good choice for you, either in your home gym or in your commercial gym, there are several things to keep in mind when choosing one.
Budget is clearly going to be a factor, but you tend to get what you pay for with cross trainers and ellipticals. If your budget is lower, but you want a high-quality machine, consider getting a second-hand model from a top brand like Life Fitness and Technogym. We sell lots of refurbished models that are made by the best manufacturers in the business.
The display is another factor to consider. The most basic models come with speed, calories, heart rate and timer, but more advanced models come with extra programmes. Some even connect to the internet and have interactive features.
The resistance level is another important feature. You want it to have enough resistance to give you a proper workout, and it shouldn’t be too easy. Ideally, find a cross-trainer or elliptical that you can adjust as you get fitter using it.
Whether you are using the machine in your home or gym, you might need to move it around from time to time. Some models come with wheels to make this easier.
Most importantly of all, your elliptical or cross-trainer should be comfortable to use so it is enjoyable for you and other users. Models made by the top brands are usually very comfortable to use, and you should enjoy getting onto yours and working out.
It should also be sturdy, durable and not make too much noise. These are all features that you tend to get with better models.
Cross trainers and ellipticals have long been popular items of gym equipment, and there are many reasons why they are so popular. If you want to get one for your home or commercial gym, take a look over the factors outlined above, then explore our collection at Pinnacle Fitness and find exactly what you need.
