Exercise Plus Nutrition | Cross Trainer

 A Cross Trainer or Elliptical Trainer is an exercise machine, which replicates walking or running in an non impact motion. This therefore reduces the pressure on the joints and decreases the amount of injuries which can occur with conventional walking and more likely running.  A Cross Trainer allows you to vary your workout from high intensity to low intensity as most machines have varying resistance controls.  A Cross Trainer’s motion is generated by the user; it has minimal impact on the joints because of the flowing motion but is considered weight bearing.  This machine is considered primarily as a cardio training machine rather than a machine to build muscles. 

An Elliptical Machine allows you to use both upper and lower body.  A cross trainer has a platform for each foot to stand on and handles which move in a backwards and forward motion. The person using the machine uses the arms as a secondary source of force.  If the machine is designed well, the handle motion is well co ordinate with the motion of the legs.  On poorly designed machines power of the legs take over the machine and the speed of the handles are too fast and the motion feels unnatural.  This also does not allow the arms to use as a force. 

There are three types of Cross Trainers, which are defined by the location of the drive or motor.  The Cross Trainer was first designed was a rear drive, the front drive was then designed and the current machine has a centre drive.  A good machine allows the user to use preset programmes which vary the workout.  Machines have varying pedal motion paths, they vary in resistance and the newer machines vary stride length. Some machines can be also driven in reverse.   Elliptical Fitness is comparable to any cardiovascular fitness with the benefit of being able to use your arms, legs and core muscles while training.  The cardiovascular benefits are the same as a treadmill in the effort of the leg muscles and the heart.  The degree of calories burnt during an Elliptical Exercise programme is the same as an Exercise Treadmill programme.  This is great as some people find the pounding of the joints of the legs on a treadmill to not be beneficial to their bodies especially if they have experienced any injuries of the lower limbs.

Because your feet and arms do not leave the machine an elliptical trainer does not impact on the joints. This allows people who are beginning a exercise programme, and may be over weight to exercise in a safe manner, and will decrease the chance of injury when starting out on a programme, but in saying that a cross Trainer can also be used to get a superior high level Elliptical Exercise programme.