Four benefits of the Cross Trainer
The cross trainer. Also known as the KING of all workout equipment.
Many gym regulars will often complain of muscle fatigue, the boredom of their running routine and predictability of treadmills. It’s easy to get bored in the gym if you don’t give yourself some variety in your workout – and boredom often results in lack of motivation and reduced exercise.
If you’re looking to mix up your workout, cross trainers provide a much needed respite from the boring walking or running regime. Instead of exercising your legs only, it is time to give your body a wholesome challenge. Let’s get into it!
So, what are the benefits of a cross trainer?
1. You’ll burn calories
A great way to burn calories, the cross trainer works all muscles with the upper body and lower body being used simultaneously. Obviously the higher the resistance, the more calories you’ll burn within your workout window. You’ll even improve your cardiovascular fitness, as exercising on a cross trainer raises your heart rate into the zone most beneficial for weight loss and fitness.
2. It even protects your joints
The benefits of a cross trainer go far beyond weight loss, and include the protection of your joints. This machine causes minimal stress upon your body because your feet never leave the pedals so there is less impact on your joints, muscles and bones with each rotation. This makes cross trainers a fantastic alternative for people who experience joint problems or pain, as the amount of pressure applied to the joints, particularly in the knee and hip, are reduced significantly.
3. Targets your arms, legs, thighs and butt!
Cross trainers target more sets of muscles than any other individual piece of training equipment. Making it the best option for a kick ass workout!
4. …and it’s great for cardiac health
Low-intensity cross training is the perfect aerobic exercise that can strengthen your heart muscles, reduce predisposition to coronary diseases, and improve cardio respiratory fitness.
You’re probably wondering how do I actually use this machine? Well we’ve got you covered!
If you’re someone who would like to take advantage of these cross trainer benefits but are new to the world of fitness, then this form of exercise is perfect for you.
Gyms can be a daunting place to be if you’re not sure what exactly you’re doing. But don’t worry, as the cross trainer is one of the most straight-forward machines to operate.
This piece of equipment is performed by the legs rotating in a circular motion. The two pedals move back and forth in sync with the handlebars.
While the first 30-seconds on the machine may feel a little strange, it doesn’t take long to get used to the motion and feel a burning sensation in your legs!
The bottom line is including the cross trainer into your gym routine can help strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles, all while boosting your stamina, improving your balance and burning a lot of calories (like A LOT). Try it out during your next workout!
