Yes, exercise is good. But what keeps you at it?
Elliptical cross trainers are great for reducing the boredom and monotony of exercise.
The elliptical cross trainer is quickly gaining popularity both in and out of the gym. The elliptical machine is an excellent choice for home equipment, especially if you do not want the traditional treadmill or exercise bike.
Respected online physician, Dr Mercola (http://articles.mercola.com), offers this advice: "if you need to workout indoors at home or in a health club the elliptical cross trainer is clearly the top piece of equipment to workout on.
It is my personal favorite as you get so much more of a complete workout than you do with running, and it is far easier on your joints."
Choosing the right cross trainer
You can spend a lot of money on cross trainers, and especially on ellipticals cross trainers. We aim to provide you with value for money, and the best trade off for either the recreational exerciser or the serious exerciser on a limited budget.
What's Your Budget?
As a rule, you should spend as much as you can on cross trainers. If you only have 1-2 hundred dollars, is it worth it to buy the cheaper models? Answer: a lighter cross trainer machine is fine for individual use, though it is not designed for very heavy public usage and not well suited to the demands of bigger people. It may lack some of the refinements of the expensive models. It may be noisier and harder to service. But if you are a casual exerciser of average weight (below 200 lb) these cross trainer machines will be fine. In recent years, a lot of the features of expensive cross trainer models, including magnetic resistance, have been offered on medium-priced models.
Must Have Cross Trainer Features
Features you want to look at include:
- Stride Length. Smaller lentths of 13" are fine for smaller folk, but US adults like something at least 2" longer. Select according to height.
- Adjustable incline. This isn't necessary, but being able to adjust the ramps can add intensity to your workouts.
- Smooth Motion. Make sure the pedals move smoothly and quietly - it shouldn't feel jerky.
- Upper Body Option. You don't need arm handles, but it's a nice option for more intensity.
- The Quiet Factor. You don't want your workout to sound like a freight train.
- Adjustable resistance. Make sure you have a broad range of resistance for maximum benefits.
Safety Features of Cross Trainers
To keep your workout both safe and effective, make sure your elliptical cross trainer offers warm-up and cool-down periods, handrails that provide balance but don't get in the way, an easy-to-read console and, possibly, a heart rate monitor so you don't blow a gasket. ( but see our HRM offer, otherwise) Also, look for a maintenance-free elliptical cross trainer and a warranty (1 year for labor, 1-3 years for parts) just in case something happens.
Extra Features
This is the fun part. What kind of interactivity do you need? You can always buy a heart rate monitor (see menu) as an extra, but some machines include one. Try for the interactive version so that the machine will automatically adjust your workout to keep you in your zone. Generally, consider the number of user programs, console options, warranty and size/structure of the footplate.
Decide how many pre-set cross trainer programs you want (if any) and if you want to be able to create your own customized workouts as well. You may also want a cross trainer machine with iFit.com capabilities--You hook up your machine to your computer and the website takes you through your workouts. The more cross trainer features you choose, the more money you'll need to spend...but it's worth it if it'll help you stay on track. See our Omega cross trainer model.
Other Tips
console: is it easy to see? Easy to use?
handrails or not? Handrails are neither necessary nor desirable when using the full-body facilities of these machines, as the aim is to exercise all limbs at once.
size matters. check dimensions to make sure you have enough space at home and don't forget to measure for ceiling height as well.
Stability depends on the relative weight of the trainer and the machine. A big, heavy person needs a bigger, heavier machine. that is one reason public gyms go for the bigger machines, and screw them down!
one more point: as your fitness improves, you will probably want to change your machine. If it is your first elliptical buy, don't fret too much over choice. Just follow the guidelines above. But remember, you will probably think of upgrading in a couple of years. So don't delay your self-improvement. Make a start now.!
idea: visit epinions.com or consumerreports.com to get the dirt on elliptical cross trainer trainers
Buying a Cross Trainer? 
