Home Exercising: Cross Trainers or Treadmills?

Cross trainers and treadmills are staples of fitness regimes all over the world, and many prefer using them to running or cycling in the great outdoors for a number of reasons, but what is the difference between the two in terms of the kind of exercise they offer?

The key difference between treadmills and cross trainers or elliptical trainers is the movement made when using them, and which of these movements the fitness enthusiast prefers will depend on their health and their personal goals. Both treadmills and ellipticals are preferred by many as an alternative to road running simply because they offer many of the same benefits without time constraints or adverse weather conditions interrupting an exercise programme.

Treadmills offer a natural movement much the same as road running, and they can be a great indoor solution for keen runners with busy schedules or for those who don't wish to run on dark, wet winter evenings. Though the challenges presented by the weather and wind resistance are removed, many modern treadmills include gradient control technology to simulate an uneven surface. Running, although an excellent cardiovascular workout, is a high impact exercise which can prove problematic for people with existing joint injuries as it puts strain on ankles, knees and the back. Modern treadmills often include a shock absorbing design to combat this, so for those with concerns regarding impact it is worth seeking out a high performance treadmill with joint protection.

Cross trainers are a highly low impact exercise machine, and their elliptical movement helps protect the back, knees and ankles. A cross trainer is a terrific piece of exercise equipment for maintaining an effective fitness regime and increasing the challenge with in-built resistance mechanisms and handles. Cross trainers with handles work both the upper and lower body simultaneously, maximising the efficiency of the workout time and burning more calories than a treadmill or an exercise bike.

For keen fitness enthusiasts who wish to add a piece of exercise equipment to their home, there are many compact and high performance treadmills and cross trainers available for domestic use. Both of these machines offer the advantages of fitting exercise around work and other commitments, and many high-end models include heart rate monitors as well as speed and distance measures to allow you to track progress and formulate your own fitness programme to suit your goals.

There are a huge number of online fitness shops which stock treadmills and cross trainers to suit all budgets and abilities. Each of these workout machines have their own advantages to suit differing needs, and many of them are available in folding units to offer space saving fitness solutions for those with little room for large exercise machines.

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