...and get benefits!
Cross trainers, also known as elliptical trainers, are indoor tools allowing you to simulate walking or running with a guided circular motion, often used in cardio training workout. They represent the evolution of exercise bikes and treadmills, combining the circular movement of pedalling and the cross-country skiing movement, allowing the training of the upper part of the body. The specificity of the cross trainer lies in the guided, controlled and regular movement that does not involve any stress or impact on the joints and ligaments. For these reasons, cross trainers are suitable for those affected by joint disorders or recovering from an injury, overweight people, and those suffering pain in the meniscus, ligaments, and back pain.
On HiFi-Tower you will find several models of cross trainers, with basic and advanced features, which will allow you to perform a wide range of exercises at home to tone your muscles without running the risk of accidental trauma. Read on to find out what the main features of this innovative tool are, and take a look at our product gallery to find the one that's right for you.
Elliptical trainers are named after the slightly flattened shape of the pedal stroke they offer. Unlike a normal bicycle (or exercise bike), in cross trainers the pedal stroke is not circular but elliptical; they are used in an upright position, placing your feet on the pedals and pushing forward or backwards. The complete movement of the roll will accompany the foot: this is why the cross trainer allows you to simulate the movement of a fast walk or run.
In addition to the pedals connected to the flywheel inside the equipment, cross trainer bikes are equipped with two handles that swing back and forth together with the pedals as if they were cross-country skiing poles! Thanks to the handles on the elliptical trainer, the workout is complete, making it one complete tool for home fitness to train both leg and core muscles, besides shoulders and arms.
The central part of the cross trainer - the one in front of the user - is called the console, with different controls and power buttons; through the display, you can easily access the basic training data, such as the calories you burn, the kilometres you travel, the time of use and the training programme. Cross trainer machines with electromagnetic mechanisms also allow for varying the training intensity, setting the desired parameters on the console.
Let's have a look at electromagnetic cross trainers, to understand what differentiates them from the models featuring a mechanical resistance. Electromagnetic cross trainers are equipped with a motor in the flywheel area, which allows increasing or decreasing the resistance through the keys on the console panel.
Cross trainers with mechanical resistance, on the other hand, require you to turn a knob manually to vary the resistance of the pedals. For this reason, electromagnetic cross trainer bikes are more comfortable, more sophisticated and of course, so more expensive. Mechanical resistance elliptical trainers are more ‘rudimentary’, slightly more uncomfortable but also cheaper. As there’s no significant difference in terms of how the equipment works, we recommend you to choose your model according to your budget.
As already mentioned, elliptical trainers allow to train both the upper and lower body fully. The muscle groups most affected by movement performed on elliptical trainers are those of the legs, buttocks, pectorals, shoulders and abdomen. Cross trainers are a low-impact, high-calorie workout machines, particularly recommended if you are trying to lose weight and, in general, for those who are new to the world of fitness.
Moreover, as they facilitate fluid movements without any impact on joints and back, they are suitable for people who are overweight or have posture problems; for this very reason, more and more doctors and physiotherapists are recommending to use them, considering this equipment very useful for rehabilitation or to approach physical workout in complete safety. In this regard, it’s important to stress that some cross trainers have sensors to measure the heartbeat, allowing you to monitor and keep the level of heart fatigue under control, thus calibrating your physical effort according to the range of beats.
The most reasonable answer is: it depends on what you are looking for. Depending on the results you want to achieve and what you are willing to do to achieve your goal, the choice of the final product will be an immediate consequence. Below you find a small checklist with the main aspects to consider, to make the perfect purchase choice.
We have seen how a cross trainer guarantees gym results without moving from home, combining different types of movement. For the number of calories burned, it is the only tool that can match the treadmill, but with a much lower probability of suffering traumas. Suitable for a vast audience, it invigorates and contributes to general slimming and toning. These characteristics make it an investment that pays off in health and exceptional aesthetic results.
