If you'd like toned and supple limbs but don't like the high-impact, muscle-building effects of lifting weights, look into an elliptical cross trainer. Perhaps you’ve seen them in a gym: those two-handed and two-footed pieces of equipment that mimic the actions of ski-ing. Cross trainers are ideal if you want to lose some weight, become more flexible, or increase your everyday fitness.
Lose weight
Cross trainers are a very effective way to burn calories without stressing your body. They work arms and legs at the same time, in addition to flexing your stomach and sides with gentle twisting movements. This leads to an all-over workout and burns calories more effectively than exercising arms or legs only. So cross trainers are an ideal way to lose weight.
Become more flexible
Staying flexible helps maintain muscle tone, keeping all your
muscles active - which means fewer mobility problems as you
age. The range of movements on a cross trainer - side to side, up and down,
and forwards
and backwards at the same time - are called ellipticals, because
they move your body in ovals. As well as burning calories, elliptical movements build
flexibility without risk.
Increase everyday fitness
A few sessions a week on a cross trainer will improve your aerobic fitness - the basic conditioning that lets you walk, run, or swim without getting out of breath too quickly. Better aerobic fitness means more energy and enthusiasm for everyday life.
So now you know your cross trainers, let's find out what features you should look for:
Features to look for in a cross trainer
Argos guide to cross trainers
- What cross trainers do for you
- Features to look for in a cross trainer
- Choosing the right cross trainer
- Confused? Try the Jargon Buster