Is an elliptical trainer for you? Some of these cross trainers are equipped with some awesome aerobic advantages, and are fast rising to the top of the short list of preferred exercise equipment. Take a few minutes to acquaint yourself with some of the options available and some important factors that will effect your workouts.

How Will An Elliptical Cross Trainer Benefit You?

The standard elliptical trainer is a combination of the treadmill, ski machine, and stair climber. All the workout benefits combined from these three fitness machines into one unbelievably low impact exercise machine. While standing on the foot pedals and using the handrails or arm bars for even weight distribution, you stride in an oval (elliptical) motion either forwards or backwards. This motion almost completely mimics walking and running. These arm bars contribute to your upper body workout, thus maximizing your efforts and giving you a total body workout.

What Sets the Elliptical Trainers Apart From the Competition?

For all the runners, elliptical trainers offer the same degree of exercise as running, without the damaging high impact on the joints and bones. No matter whether you qualify on a beginner or an advanced fitness level, this is a tried and true workout for everyone.

These cross trainers use the motions of biking, walking or running, even stairs and take it to an impressive level beyond these separate machines by contributing to a more thorough workout for your entire body all combined in one superior fitness machine. The beauty of it is with vastly decreased impact exercising offered by the elliptical trainer, you feel less tired for longer. Meaning you're able to increase your workouts, eventually resulting in more weight loss.

Elliptical workouts, in their simplicity, contribute to building bone density, lowering the risks of osteoporosis, and stimulate your metabolism , by giving weight resistant workouts. Your metabolism raises from this exercise, resulting in continued calorie burn for some time after an intense workout.

What You Should Know Before You Purchase An Elliptical Cross Trainer

Keep in mind these preferred features for maximizing your elliptical workouts:

Arm Bars - When locked in place, aid in maintaining your balance, however, remember NOT to use them for support! This both impedes your posture as well as minimizing your workout results. The dual motion arm bars, while not absolutely necessary for a workout, do increase the benefits of a thorough cardiovascular workout.

Forward and Reverse Motion - Most elliptical cross trainers sport this feature , which definitely sets them apart from, and above the competition. The damage caused to the knee and ankles from the high impact treadmill and stair climber is not an issue with cross trainers. With the additional benefit of reverse motion, the trainer challenges your body through a variety of workouts.

Varying Levels of Resistance - You may want to opt for the "smart" cross trainers of better quality for the convenience of one-touch adjustments for the various resistance levels. This allows for a more productive workout, by changing the resistance levels at random stages to achieve your target heart rate.

Durability - narrow your choices of cross trainers down by their durability. To qualify as safe, a trainer should not move at all when used in a rigorous workout. Again, the lesser quality machines at lower prices are not built with long term durability in mind. Consider the machines maximum weight capacity, the higher it offers, the more durable it will be. Stride Length - These measurements vary from machines of lesser quality to a better quality trainer. Standard range is 14" - 18". There are longer lengths offered, 18" - 20" which offer more of a workout for your leg muscles, and contribute to a smoother, more rhythmic elliptical movement.

These features are, once again, some key features to be aware of when purchasing an elliptical cross trainer, including the LCD console, varying routines offered, the warranty available, and the length of the foot pedals.

Now you know the basics of elliptical cross trainers, choose a trainer that maximizes your efforts to better your health.

Curious about how the experts at Consumer Guide and Consumer Reports rated the cross trainers? Take a look at our ratings page concerning the cross trainers.