Rear or Front Wheel Drive Cross Trainer
Buying a Rear or Front Wheel Drive Cross Trainer
Like most things choosing a cross trainer is down to personal preference but here are a few guidelines to help anyone new to working out on an elliptical. Some fitness trainers suggest there are advantages buying a rear driven cross trainer mainly the stride length being longer making for a more flexible workout. The longer stride gives a jogging or walking type of motion when compared to a front wheel cross trainer.
On a rear drive cross trainer your body is positioned towards the centre of the machine whereas on a front drive model you tend to lean forward. Trainers compare this action as resembling an uphill hike with legs tending to move in a steeper like fashion. The difference in style does not mean it will affect your workout in any way as both types of cross trainer provide an excellent way of keeping fit and burning calories.
Rear Wheel Cross Trainers
View Full range of Rear Drive Cross Trainers
Elliptical trainers continue to grow in popularity and there are many to choose from on the market. Low price rear drive models from popular makes such as Body Sculpture, Beny Sports V-Fit, Marcy, York and Reebok start from just over £100. Higher end models from leading fitness brands such as Life Fitness and Precor offer award winning home versions of popular health club ellipticals. Something like the Life Fitness CSX Club series (X9i) is just over £3000.
Front Wheel Cross Trainers
View Full range of Front Drive Cross Trainers
Front drive cross trainers were introduced more recently and due to the location and mechanics of the parts can work out more expensive. Just like the rear driven cross trainers they exercise muscle groups simultaneously. This provides an intense workout in less time for faster results. Their dual lever action is designed to provide a cardiovascular workout with minimal impact on the joints rather than build muscles.
Brands such as Horizon Fitness, Nordic Track, Fuel Fitness, Bremshey, Vision Fitness and Tunturi produce high quality cross trainers starting from around £400 going up t0 £3000 depending on what features are available. In the end whichever crosstrainer you go for will be down to your personal preference, fitness requirements and of course budget.
Fortunately many stockists make it easy for to shop by price, brand, best selling and most popular. Both Gym World and John Lewis stock a good range of front and rear drive cross trainers with a full description and specification for each model. Gym World also stock a range of high-end commercial cross trainers with installation options available.
The quality and build of both styles of cross trainer will determine how well they perform and how comfortable they are to use. For frequent use it is best to invest in a robust high quality model especially if you want a frequent use and heavy duty exercise machine that will last for many years. For light use there are cheap cross trainers available for beginners that will give a low impact exercise and will tone your upper and lower body.
Reebok B5.8e LE Crosstrainer
Reebok B5.8e Limited Edition Crosstrainer with i-Pod docking station
Follow a great fat-burning session on an elliptical crosstrainer and lose any excess weight in no time. The essential requirement for long term health benefits is to buy a reliable and sturdy machine like this limited edition crosstrainer.
The Reebok 5.8 elliptical offers high performance combined with good looks that will grace any home. For that extra incentive there is an iPod docking station so you can keep fit to your favourite music.
Reebok B5.8 LE with i-Pod Docking Station
One Size Fits All – Low Impact Crosstrainer
The adjustable footplates make the Reebok 5.8LE a versatile machine for both tall and small builds. The pedals have a soft pad inlay for added comfort. Other key features on this limited model is the colour LCD display. The Polar chest belt measures your heart rate as you exercise and transmits this to the console.
The LCD will then display this information by changing colour. This easy to read console will give you at a glance feedback so you get the best from your fitness routine.
The Reebok brand is known globally for creating innovative products & fitness equipment for today’s lifestyles. You’ll find gym standard exercise machines designed for those seeking the ultimate home fitness experience.
The sleek lines of the 5.8 model and high gloss finish adds a touch of class to a crosstrainer made for achieving maximum results. Part of a limited edition it will have a unique number as there will only be 500 pieces manufactured.
Reebok Elliptical Cross Trainers
Reebok B5.8e Key Features
- Reebok Performance Series 5.8e LE Elliptical Cross Trainer
- i-Pod Docking Charging Dock
- Performance Speakers
- High Gloss Finish
- Crystal Multi-Colour LCD Console
- Speed/ Time/ Distance/ Calories/ Pulse/ RPM/ Watt
- Pulse measuring: Hand pulse including POLAR chest belt
- 12 Multi levels of Programs + 5 Individual
- Comfortable & Moveable Footplates
- Brake system: M-Force EMS electro induction
- Fly wheel weight/resistance: 10kg
- User profile memory: 9
- Heart Rate controlled programmes
- Bottle and holder: Yes
- Max User Weight 150kg
- Assembled dimensions: 140 x 58 x 162cms
- Floor Level Adjustment
Tunturi C65 19in Stride Cross Trainer
Tunturi C65 19” Stride Cross Trainer
You won’t feel like you’re exercising on your own with the Tunturi C65 Cross Trainer because there is an excellent coaching program. T-Trainer is your own personal fitness coach that will keep you focussed and add interest to your workout.
Tunturi C65 Cross Trainer
View more Tunturi Elliptical Cross Trainers
There is a total of 121 programmes including quick start, manual, constant Watt, constant HRC, 10 preset programs, 100 user programs, HR max limit, T-Ride™, T-Trainer™, race & fitness test. When you buy a gym quality elliptical cross trainer like the Tunturi C65 you get a sturdy reliable product made to last. Expect smooth quiet action with fantastic functionality including T-Ride interactive software capabilities for a realistic simulation of outdoor exercise.
The C65 19” stride cross trainer sports a new look console with a 4 inch full colour graphic display. The interactive feedback is easy to read and provides valuable information on your progress so you stay on track. There is also a wireless chest strap which sends accurate heart rate measurements direct to the console.
Tunturi Cross Trainers
Tunturi C65 Key Features
- 4 inch graphic full colour display
- 121 Programmes
- Preset programmes: 10
- User programmes: 100
- 5 T-Ride programmes,
- 20 users register
- Heart Rate Monitoring (via chest strap & hand sensors)
- Fitness test
- PC connection (USB) allows access to T-Ride and T-Trainer software
- Maximum user weight: 135 kg (21 stone)
- Brake system – electromagnetic
- Flywheel Mass: 38kg (84lbs)
- Stride length: 50 cm / 19 inches
- Colour: Slate Grey,
- Transport wheels
- Overall Size: 183 x 70 x 170cm (75” x 28” x 67”)
Buying a more expensive model not only brings far superior features it has a smooth silent operating system. This combined with an electromagnetic brake and 19 inch rear-driven stride gives a smooth pedaling motion. Having a longer stride provides an elliptical movement similar to jogging which would suit more advanced or taller users.
Horizon Andes 3 Folding Elliptical Cross Trainer
Horizon Andes 3 Folding Cross Trainer
If you want to keep fit at home but haven’t got much room buying a folding cross trainer is the answer. The Horizon Andes 3 elliptical is not a cheap and flimsy model it is sturdy and well made. Great low impact exercises and gentle workouts can be performed indoors at your own pace. Beginners to the more experienced will enjoy the choice of programs for a varied routine.
Horizon Folding Cross Trainer
View more Horizon Cross Trainers
The Horizon Andes 3 cross trainer is easy to use and set up with the added bonus of being fold away. Losing weight and toning up at home is a pleasure when you can rely on a good piece of training equipment that is well worth the money. What’s more it wont break the bank at around £500 or under at some stores.
Cheaper models are best left for the occasional training session and not for those serious about keeping fit. Gym quality products from trusted manufactures like Horizon fitness are better options . The 10 preset programs add variety while for extra comfort there is a 16” stride length with non slip footpads.
Horizon Fitness Crosstrainers
Horizon Andes 3 Key Features
- 10 Programs
- 16 Resistance levels
- 2 User Options
- Heavy Duty design
- Non slip Footpads
- 16” stride
- Hand Pulse Grips
- Dual colour LCD Console
- Dimensions: H 187 x W 60 x L 181cms
- Folded Dimensions: H 187 x W 60 x L 74 cms
The easy to read console will provide you with invaluable feed back to help you achieve your fitness goals. The ten programs include: manual, mountain, weight loss, hills, cardio challenge, beginner, beginner hills, THR zone. For added convenience you can select the two user facility which is ideal if more than one are using the exercise machine. The Horizon Fitness crosstrainer is designed to store each user’s information and progress.
Pro-Form 380 Razor Elliptical Cross Trainer
Pro-Form 380 Razor Elliptical Cross Trainer
You can rely on the ProForm brand to produce an affordable exercise machine that will suit most budgets and fitness levels. The Proform 380 Razor elliptical is just one of many middle of the market models that make it possible to bring the gym into your home.
For less than £300 you have a smooth slimline cross trainer with no less than 20 pre-programmed workouts.
View range of Elliptical Cross Trainers
You’ll never get tired of the same old routines and will feel motivated to continue on course to keeping fit. Upper and lower body workouts will be a breeze with the Pro-Form 380 providing continuous easy to follow programs.
The fluid action movement provides a total body low impact workout that is gentle on the joints toning your arms, chest, thighs, hips and legs.
Proform 380 Razor Key Features
- 20 Built-in Programmes
- 10 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance SMR
- Oversize Footpedals
- Non slip footpads
- EKG Heart Rate Monitor
- Backlit Display
- ReflexStep Cushioning
- Max Weight 115kg
Deciding to keep in shape at home means you want a quiet smooth running machine that is easy to move around. You’ll find this model has built-in wheels in its slim body for positioning into your favourite spot. Non interrupted exercises can be enjoyed with controls at your fingertips.
For increasing calorie burn the 10 level Digital silent magnetic resistance can be adjusted from the backlit digital display.
