Of the elliptical trainer (also Cross trainercalled) has a high market share among the home sports equipment. It is also a very effective training device with an extremely good joint-sparing and also effective from the training ago effective endurance training in their own homes can be operated. This is especially important for people who are overweight and finally want to get the curve and lose weight. But also competitive athletes who have to perform their training sessions in the covered space because of bad weather, so can not go jogging, use this exercise equipment very often. The reason for this is that with the crosstrainer all muscle groups can be trained. A one-sided burden does not arise. Of course, finding the right exercise machine with the right or most important features is crucial. Meanwhile, however, there are many manufacturers who offer such training equipment. The selection is correspondingly large. However, there are some criteria that you can look for when buying one elliptical trainer absolutely should pay attention.

Three different and yet same devices

Especially in competitive athletes and people with obesity, the movement that is simulated with this training device, very important. There are three differences between the movements of the crosstrainer. According to the design, these training devices are also designed. The devices that simulate a movement that comes very close to jogging is the flywheel at the back. In this way, the exerciser is forced to perform a high-low movement with the body. Another device form of elliptical trainer simulates the process of a fast running – colloquially also called walking. These units have the flywheel at the front. In these devices, the burden on intervertebral discs and knees is particularly spared. These devices are therefore particularly well suited for people who already have joint problems, such as those who are overweight and through training on the elliptical trainer want to support their diet, but are unable to do other performance or endurance sports in their current physical condition. The other equipment group, which is also referred to as crosstrainer, have their construction again a joint in the rear area. These devices are unfortunately a little more expensive than the other two models previously described. Because the technology, which leads to an even flatter stride, requires a very complex technology, which is not exactly cheap. Although these three variants of the crosstrainer are different in their construction, they cause the same sequence of movements – but only less or very gently for the joints. However, they do not differ from their other technical equipment. Depending on the manufacturer or model, crosstrainers generally have a magnetic brake system or have an induction brake system or a generator brake. In all variants of elliptical trainer applies, safety first. Therefore, only devices should be purchased, which have a TÜV or GS mark. In the corresponding comparison of the institutes was also tested or tested that the other components of a crosstrainer, such as pedal arms have the prescribed distance. Anyone who decides to purchase such a home-based training device must, of course, also have a suitable installation site. There should be a little space on both sides.

Optimally or minimally equipped training computer

In order to be able to perform an effective training with the elliptical trainer, a component on this training device is of crucial importance – the training computer. When buying this type of training device but make sure that the device has just the most necessary functions. Because too many functions that you want to or should be able to do, can make daily training a fun killer, rather demotivating instead of motivating. There are devices with more than 5 load profiles. But these 5 profiles are quite sufficient – even for a competitive athlete who sees the cross trainer as a bad weather replacement. However, it is important that the training computer has an integrated pulse-controlled program. When purchasing an elliptical trainer, make sure that the display is clearly arranged, especially in connection with the training computer. The most important functions should be visible at a glance. During the training you can not use it, that you also have to click through a menu. This would severely affect the training effect and ultimately the overall training success, especially because computer lay people have to spend a lot of time quickly and not focus on actual training. Too much data that can be displayed is also confusing during the training session. If the training computer needs to be controlled by buttons, then these should be large and easily accessible. Incidentally, the manufacturers have designed the exercise computers of an elliptical trainer in such a way that if one of the standard functions is not sufficient, one can simply extend these with additionally available software. Some training computers on an elliptical trainer have a pulse-controlled program. This is ideal especially for sports people or beginners and weight loss. And competitive athletes also enjoy using this function on the crosstrainer, because this way it is possible to train in the optimal pulse zone.

System for pulse measurement

Depending on the device and manufacturer, an elliptical trainer has a different system for pulse measurement. There are elliptical trainers that are equipped with an ear clip for it, but also devices with a handheld pulse meter. Here it is of course a matter of taste, which type of device you choose. However, there are always deviations especially in the pulse measurement with ear clip, because it can slip quickly. The ear clip, which is included in the scope of delivery of a crosstrainer, is not standardized to the individual ear shape of the later user, but has a standard size. But the hand-held pulse meter can also have its disadvantages. For some users of an elliptical trainer, the handheld pulse meter is rather annoying, because on this training device finally „worked“ with the hands. In addition, the hand-held pulse meter must have constant contact with the palm of the crosstrainer user. This can very quickly lead to a cramped posture with correspondingly intensive training, which of course is not exactly conducive to the training success. It is for this reason to consider whether one does not resort to the proven telemetric heart rate measurement. That means simply strapping on a chest strap with the appropriate sensors to perform an accurate heart rate monitor outside of the Elliptical Trainer training computer system. There are also wireless systems that, depending on the manufacturer and model of a crosstrainer transmit the data to the training computer. The telemetric heart rate measurement is considered very accurate, which allows you to train effectively in the right training zones.

Pay attention to your own height

As with the bike, care should be taken when choosing a cross trainer that its size or the step length, which is given, is also tailored to your own height. An elliptical trainer with a stride length of 40 cm, for example, is too big for a person with only approx. 160 cm height. Because then the user has the feeling to have to go really fast, while a user with a height of 180 cm, the step length of 40 cm feels very comfortable. But even your own athletic history plays a big role, whether you can use an elliptical trainer with a stride length of 40 cm at all. So, if you’ve ever played a ball game in a club, you feel that your stride is also comfortable, even if you’re only 160 cm tall.