Why You Should Use A Cross Trainer

You probably have seen a machine with two long handles at the cardio section. Some people call this machine as Elliptical Exercise Machine or Elliptical Bike. Some call it Cross-Trainer. So, what exactly are Elliptical Trainer or the so called Cross-Trainer?

My Cross Trainer

 It is an exercise equipment that combine the movements of the stair climber, treadmill, and the exercise bike into one. It combines the movements and benefits of hiking, cross country skiing, and biking. With elliptical exercise equipment, your legs travel in an elongated circular motion. It is as if you are standing on a cross country ski machine but instead of your feet moving back and forth, the machine forces them to move around in an oval pattern (hence elliptical).

Here are the major benefits of elliptical exercise machines:

1. The most important aspect of using an elliptical trainer is the reduction of impact. It provides the similar type of workout as jogging but without the wear and tear on your joints. Because of your weight, jogging actually places a great deal of stress on the back and joints. If you have ever jogged a lot and without a good pair of jogging shoes, jogging can be hard on your knees, ankles, shins, and back. With elliptical bike, because your limbs remain in continuous contact with the machine, its operation limits the impact to your joints. That’s why most fitness experts recommend the elliptical trainer to people who have a hard time exercising because of physical ailments such as bad joints and arthritis.
2. Depending on the intensity, you may burn more calories with the elliptical trainer compared with the treadmill or the exercise bike. The actual workout feels like a brisk walk even though you are exerting as much effort as a good run. Elliptical trainers burn the between 8 and 12 calories per minute. Not too bad.
3. If you choose an elliptical trainer with dual action handle bars, you can actually get a true cross training workout that uses your whole body, including your upper body. But, for me, I prefer not to hold the bar because I tend to move slower. Without holding the bar, I feel that my abs will actually work slightly harder in stabilizing my body.
4. For those who want to work out your lower legs, the elliptical trainer uses all of the muscles of the lower leg. Therefore, you willstrengthen and build your lower legs.
5. Another great thing about the elliptical trainer is that you can move at a comfortable speed while allowing for the occasional burst of high intensities.
6. Safe to use.When you stop, the machine stops. The amount of resistance on an elliptical trainer will determine how much effort it will take for you to keep your feet moving. The speed will be determined by your own movement.

You can buy them cheaply enough. Here are some of the best prices I have found and best designs in my opinion, depending on your budget.

                                                

Exercise At Home - All Weather

If you have read my previous posts you will know that I enjoy my exercise. There is not a day goes by that I don't do some form of activity (some days I do more than others).

I love nothing more than walking and a bit of a jog with my beloved pooch to jumping on my bike and cycling through the open country - weather permitting of course and this is were the problem can arise.

My Wheels 

I have never let the rain, cold and wind stop me getting outdoors but there is a limit to what I will do when the weather is doing its worst.

For one the dog hates going out in the rain so I tend to take myself for a walk on these days and two there is no way I will jump on my bike to get soaked and come back feeling miserable, cold and wet.

I still get out there but it is not as much fun in the rain now is it? :(

I have always had some weights and ankle weights which I use on a regular basis but felt I needed to do more cardio, so I decided to turn one of my rooms in to a small gym area. I had been wanting to do this for some time but ummed and ahhed about it. My 16 year old daughter had just joined a gym and kept asking me to go with her. I love the gym and spent some years working in one until having my daughter but the time factor was a real problem for me. Half an hour to get there, an hour in the gym and then half an hour to get home, 2 hours out of my day!!!

Creating a small gym at home seemed the most logical option and would also save my daughter a bit of money in the process. So that's what I did.

As space was tight and I wanted room to do floor exercises aswell as using a barbell and also keep cost down, I decided to just buy a cross trainer and barbell (my next post highlights the benefits of using a cross trainer).

Now I can get a good varied workout AT HOME IN ALL WEATHER. Brilliant :)