Elliptical Cross Trainer Buyer Guide
Elliptical Cross Trainer Overview
Elliptical cross trainers are excellent pieces of home fitness equipment and provide a whole body workout.
The elliptical or cross trainer as it is also known is designed to incorporate the movement of 4 different exercises into one.
These are cross country skiing, walking/running, cycling and stepping and as your foot does not leave the footplate,
elliptical cross trainers are a non-impact exercise which is ideal for people who may have lower body joint problems or
are looking for an alternative workout to compliment their current exercise programme. Elliptical cross trainers can also be used
in a reverse motion which targets different muscle groups, giving a more efficient workout. When purchasing an elliptical cross trainer,
as with any fitness product, you need to decide what will suit you the best in terms of budget, space and features.
The cross trainer that is right for you may not be the most expensive or the cheapest but hopefully this buying guide will
help you decide which features you would like or need.
Resistance
Most elliptical cross trainers have what we call magnetic resistance which means that there is a flywheel with a bank
of magnets which at the press of a button or the turn of a dial will add magnetic resistance by moving the magnets closer
to or away from the flywheel. Elliptical cross trainers with magnetic resistance have a smoother movement which provides a
more enjoyable workout. At the lower end of the market you will find some elliptical cross trainers with non magnetic
resistance which is basically a strap which runs around the flywheel and this is tightened or released to provide the resistance,
this can be very jerky and not as smooth as magnetic resistance, meaning your ‘flow’ as you are working out maybe interrupted.
So take this into consideration when buying your elliptical cross trainer. Also it is worth noting that the heavier the flywheel
the smoother the movement. We would always recommend an elliptical cross trainer which has magnetic resistance.
Size
The concept of the elliptical cross trainer motion means that the longer the stride the better it is which means that
the longer elliptical cross trainers have the best movement. Obviously we don’t all have the room for a large cross trainer
but there are quite a few models out there which can fold, allowing you to have an elliptical cross trainer
giving you the best workout but without taking up too much room, when not in use. This is not to say that you would not
benefit from a shorter elliptical cross trainer but the movement will be slightly steeper which, is more the cycling/stepping motion.
Features
As with treadmills, the technology on elliptical cross trainers is advancing all the time. Most elliptical cross trainers
will have at least 2 programmes and some cross trainers will have MP3 docking stations with speaker systems. The higher end
elliptical cross trainers will have various built in programmes and will include heart rate control which will keep you in your
heart rate training zone making sure that you get the best from your workout. Another excellent feature that is available on Proform
and Nordictrack elliptical cross trainers is I-fit.
I-fit Card Programmes
These are interactive programmes which are available on SD-Card which is inserted into the console of the machine.
Once in the machine they load a virtual exercise programme and help target specific areas i.e. weight loss, body shaping and wellness,
they come in 3 levels, one, two and three depending on your own fitness. They run for between 30 and 45 minutes. They are all 8
week workouts and include 24 programmes and are designed for you too reach a certain goal within this time, almost like having a
personal trainer with you as the card allows the machine to speak to you! There is also a dedicated website at www.i-fit.com where
you can download thousands of extra programmes to your elliptical cross trainer.
Warranties
Elliptical cross trainer warranties are very important and there should be at least 12 months. Most cross trainers will have
2 year warranties and there are brands out there that will have extensions of this. It is always worth sticking with branded elliptical
cross trainers such as Weslo, Proform, Nordictrack, Reebok, v-fit to name a few as these brands will have good warranties with good back up support.
We hope this elliptical cross trainer guide will help you purchase
the right elliptical for you. However should you require any further information about elliptical cross trainers, then please
contact our sales team on 0845 643 5656.
Please Note: it is always advisable to consult with your GP before entering into any exercise regime.