Personal Trainers Forum

[Personaltrainer]

Elliptical Cross Trainers: Cross Fitness Training In Your Own Home.

Finding that perfect fitness machine that "does it all" may be
more real than expected due to the fact that the latest research
supported, cardiovascular fitness machines are now available on
the market. Elliptical cross trainers offer a truly beneficial
yet low impact workout. They really are the fitness machine that
gives that sought after total body workout.

La Crosse, a research team at the University of Wisconsin,
conducted a comparison of a treadmill to an elliptical cross
trainer, the NordicTrak Ellipse. Special attention was directed
toward the low impact, elliptical motion of the cross trainer in
contrast to the high impact walking or running required on the
treadmill.

Their research demonstrated the impact level on the cross
trainer minimally registered as regular walking. However,
running on a treadmill was clearly the top ranking high impact
workout most liable to result in pain in the knees, as well as
joints. Over a period of time this would lead to joint, bone,
and muscles injury, perhaps permanently. Both fitness machines
were equal in the intensity of their respective workouts. There
were no noteworthy differences between the two concerning
calories burned, heart rate, or respiratory rate.

A more recent study was requested by the American Council on
Exercise (ACE) to look closely at, and correlate the various
attributes and advantages of four different elliptical cross
trainers. This study, guided by Dr. Len Kravitz, was supervised
at the University of Mississippi.

The four cross trainers selected for meticulous testing along
with the manufacturers name and purchase price, from lowest to
highest, are as follows:

Guthy-Renkers Power Train - $200
Cyclone Cross Trainer by Quantum Television - $399
Health Rider Elliptical Cross Trainer by ICON Health & Fitness,
Inc. - $499
NordicTrak Ellipse - $600

The research team, supervised by Dr. Kravitz, selected seven
men and seven women for a total of 14 participants to use the
machines for an intense workout to test whether the machines
worked differently for males or females, and to compare the
calories burned, the stride rate, heart rate, and respiratory
rate. All four cross trainers maintained corresponding test
results. The perceived exertion ratings varied from 12.5 - 13
confirming the elliptical workouts were challenging yet
comfortable . The research team also confirmed that both men and
women received intense workouts and the calories burned was
proportionate to that of running an 11.5 minute mile.

A survey was also conducted by the research team to gather
informative responses from the 14 participants. After compiling
their responses, they rated the cross trainers from the most to
the least preferred. The most preferred elliptical trainer was
NordicTrak's Ellipse. The least preferred was Quantum
Television's Cyclone, with the other two, the Health Rider then
the Power Train being in that order. Five women complained f
hitting their knees on the center guard panel on the Cyclone,
causing a disruption in stride. After approximately one hour of
usage, the Health Rider's noise level elevated drastically due
to low quality parts. Some issues have recently been addressed
by the Consumer Reports magazine, concerning the stability of
the Ellipse. It is evidently clear that the study requested by
ACE proved the Ellipse to be a reliable and beneficial addition
to your workout regimen.

Dr. Kravitz made statements alluding that the Cyclone and the
Power Train appeared to have been manufactured low quality to
manage a competitive price. Th Health Rider received good
ratings considering it was made available before the final
product had been fully tested. The elliptical motion was fluid
and it performed well. In comparison to the other cross
trainers, the Ellipse is, by far, more durable with near
effortless movement.

Both universities have substantiated NordicTrak's Ellipse to be
highly effective for an excellent cardiovascular workout.
Keeping all of this in mind, you may want to compile your own
research before you decide on whether an elliptical cross
trainer will be productive for you.