Cross Trainers

A cross trainer, also known as an elliptical trainer is a machine used in athletic training and exercise. The motion of a cross trainer uses pedals to help the exerciser simulate climbing stairs, walking, and running. It is considered a lower impact exercise machine because it works out the muscles without putting excessive pressure on the body’s joints, helping to lower the risk of sustaining an impact injury. Because of their low impact movement, cross trainers can be a great way for people with certain injuries and joint paint to exercise and keep active.

Elliptical trainers were first popularised in the fitness market in the 1990s, and their design and structure has improved over the years. Most cross trainers help work both the user’s upper and lower body, encouraging movement in the arms and legs while training. Some models have adjustable incline, stride length and resistance settings that can be changed to vary the workout pattern. Changing the incline and stride length can change which muscle groups are getting worked, so many people who want to focus their exercise on target areas enjoy this feature.

The pedal motion of cross trainers is primarily produced from the exerciser’s legs, though many models include a design that combines the pedals’ movement with handle levers that utilise power from the arms and upper body muscles. The path that the pedals travel along is elliptical shaped, hence where the machine its name. Some cross trainers enable a user to walk or run backward as well as forward.

Cross trainers are good alternative to treadmills, because they offer a cardio workout with similar heart rate and exertion of the muscles in the legs. There are even claims that the motion of an elliptical machine, which exercises multiple muscle groups at the same time, is able to more effectively burn calories with less perceived effort. It has been shown that varying the stride lengths on a cross trainer will utilise a wider variety of the body’s muscle groups. Stride length is very important in an elliptical cross trainer. As the stride is lengthened on the machine, the more calories are burned with little to no extra effort by the user. When choosing a machine to work out with, a minimum stride length of 20 inches is recommended for the most effective exercise.

Cross trainers are gaining popularity in gyms and with individuals. They are quiet and easy to use machines with many different settings and levels to give one the ultimate exercise. Cross trainers and ellipticals are able to give users an enjoyable low impact, high cardio workout.