Cross Trainers
Cross Trainer Buying Guide
Cross trainers, or elliptical machines are the choice of exercise equipment next to the ever-eternal stationary bike. The key thing about these two very similar machines is that while the stationary bike mimics only the motions of you while biking, the elliptical trainer gives you a rather wider range of motion for you to move on, ultimately targeting more than just your legs or even merely burning calories.
Apart from that, working out on an elliptical trainer reduces stress on your joints and provides lower impact stress on both your upper and lower body. Speaking of upper and lower body, it allows you work out these two different muscle groups at the same time, saving time and effort while you work out. A lot of elliptical trainers for home use have been in the market for a long time, and it is very important that you consider a few things before purchasing one for your home.
Make sure you have the right goals before buying any exercise equipment. The worst thing to see inside your home is an old rusted-away, piece of exercise equipment that at one point you had paid for, but had led to disuse and had now rotten away in a corner somewhere.
The other thing to look out for is the type of trainer you will be buying. Try to ask if you are looking at a basic, standard or elite class. That will determine how much the equipment is, and how it benefits you paying that amount of money. Also, that also tells you the amount of flexibility on the product and the features it carries along with it.
If you’re looking for the best cross trainer, understand that the basic models start at around $500 and as the name suggests, are pretty basic. While they provide you ample mobility, a basic elliptical trainer will allow you to exercise your legs and your arms. The rest will depend on your imagination. If you want to get excited for each workout session, you may want to consider investing $1,500 or more for a standard or an elite model instead.
Where to keep the elliptical is another issue to consider. Try to look for machines that either don’t take up a lot of space; or compact, or stores/folds down to a tiny space. Try to find out where the drive wheel is. The drive wheel or flywheel is where the centre of action is, and sometimes, will determine both bulk and where the stress will be when you do your workout. Elliptical machines with fly wheels at the back normally cannot be folded into storage and will require a room of its own. The ones you might want to investigate on are machines with the fly wheels at the front or a centre drive design, whereas, they have the flywheel on either side of the machine. These can offer you options for storage, mobility and foldability.
When exercising, resistance is a big factor. That is the reason why you can change the weights on your dumbbells, or increase the incline on your treadmill. The same is true for this machine. A good braking system is also something to shop around for. True that you are stationary while working out, the braking system also contributes to how well you balance of this machine when you want to stop for a moment. It also helps you pace down a bit when needed.
Electronic magnetic resistance are the best type of braking system on units like these, as they offer the least resistance and stress. Another thing a very good braking system will provide you is silence. The less friction you get from these machines, the less noise. It shouldn’t feel like you’re riding a knife sharpening grinder each time you climb up one of these.
A lot of these standard and elite models will offer you a console where you can track your performances, whether how many calories, distance, and resistance level you are currently on. These fitness trackers may have the ability to sync with your mobile devices, and store your information. There are consoles on LCD screens, backlit, even for your convenience, and will vary size depending on your preference.
A lot more features to look for depending just on how convenient you want your workouts to be are holders, whether these hold your water containers, or your towels, or your iPod while you listen to some music. These are all extras but they do give you a very enjoyable time on the machine.
Getting back to the fitness trackers, should you want to invest in an elliptical with a tracker, might as well look for good built in fitness trackers that are accurate and sound. Answer questions like, does it offer you different workout programs as well to optimize on your workout? These programs can be customized as well, and it is highly recommended that you only work out according to your own capacity. Stop trying to work out like a bodybuilder if your frame if that of a ballet dancer. Some consoles provide you enough options for you to work out the way you want at a pace you can work on.
Finally, because this is no light equipment you are bringing into your home, and neither is it an inexpensive piece of equipment, check the warranty. More or less the cheaper the machine, the less warranty is offered. However, warranties range from 1 year to 5 years. Try to find out if there is a different set of warranty for the motor as well as the body, or to even the accessories like the console or the trackers.
The key to the matter is that if there is something you are not familiar with, try to investigate, in order for you to make a purchase that is educated, and with sound decision. We hope you find yourself the best elliptical trainer, and until then, enjoy!
2016 UK Cross Trainer Reviews
£: £0 – £500
££: £500 – £1000
£££: £1000 – £1500
££££: £1500+
| Product Name (click link for full review article) | Product Features | Product Weight (kg) | Maximum User Weight (kg) | Price Range(£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Frontier Olympus Max Long Stride Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 55 | 136 | ££ |
JTX Smart Stride 23 – Variable stride elliptical cross trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 60 | - | ££ |
Sole E55 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 120 | 170 | £££ |
NordicTrack E11.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 101 | 147 | ££ |
Sole Fitness E20 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 79 | 136 | ££ |
JTX Hill-Stride Incline Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | - | 160 | £ |
JTX Smart Stride 21 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | - | 160 | ££ |
Sole E95 Elliptical Cross Trainer  | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 107 | 170 | £££ |
JTX 2-In-1 Cross Trainer Bike | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 32 | 110 | £ |
Tunturi C85 Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 105 | 150 | ££££ |
Tunturi Platinum Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 118 | 150 | ££££ |
Tunturi Platinum Cross Sprinter | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 115 | 150 | ££££ |
Tunturi Pure R 10.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 70 | 150 | ££££ |
Tunturi Pure F 8.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 80 | 150 | £££ |
Tunturi Pure R 6.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 65 | 135 | ££ |
Tunturi Pure R 4.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 62 | 135 | ££ |
Tunturi Classic R 3.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 58 | 135 | ££ |
Tunturi Pure F 10.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 81 | 150 | ££££ |
Tunturi Pure F 4.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 74 | 135 | ££ |
York Active 110 Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 58 | 110 | £ |
York Active 120 2-in-1 Cycle Cross Trainer | [tie_list type="checklist"]
[/tie_list] | 58 | - | £ |