Cross trainers are a cult fitness and popular training machine for a reason. This efficient and low impact gym equipment is simple to use in comparison to the other complicated body training equipment like a multi gym station, or cable workout machines.
The only trick to making the most out of an elliptical cross trainer workout is mastering the technique and avoiding the common mistakes. But what are those common mistakes? And how can those mistakes affect the workout results? Well, in this blog we are going to answer the question how you can use the cross trainer the right way.
If you are new to fitness training, this blog will help you get started with your cross trainer workout alongside helping you to avoid some of the most common mistakes.
How to Workout with a Cross Trainer the Right Way
Starting with a new workout or mastering the workout technique might seem overwhelming, but it is way simpler than you think. Unlike other fitness equipment that require multiple different settings to operate smoothly, a cross trainer requires the user to be mindful of a few things.Â
Here are some of the basic tips and ways in which you can workout right with a cross trainer or elliptical machine.
Maintain the Right Posture
One of the first things to pay attention to while working out with a commercial elliptical cross trainer is body posture. Users need to make sure that they exercise with the right body posture, as it can help minimise muscle strain and reduce the chances of any serious muscle injuries.
Working out by paying attention to body posture can help engage the core muscles and provide the best results for every workout session. Therefore, you should mindfully avoid slouching or working out with the wrong posture on a cross trainer.
Avoid Leaning too Much
Pro tip number 2 for exercising with a cross trainer is avoiding meaning on the handles. Apart from your posture the movement of the handle determines if you are working out right with this fitness equipment. You must avoid leaning on the handles as it affects the momentum and rhythm of the workout.
Most exercise bikes have two sets of handles, one stationary and one movable. So in case you want to rest your body a little in between workouts try to hold on to the stationary handles instead of the moving ones. The stationary handle will support your body weight and also save you from injuries that happened due to wrong operation of the handle.
Hold the Handles Firmly
Another common mistake that people make while handling the hand grips of an exercise bike is loosening their hold in between workouts. As cross-trainer machine involve rhythmic movement of the handles which becomes faster as you increase the pedaling speed, it becomes important to maintain a tight hold.
By holding on to the handles firmly you will not only save yourself from getting injured but can also target the upper body muscles. Maintaining a tight hold on the handles would help to work upon the bicep and tricep muscles alongside helping a little with toning the back.
Don't Stand on Your ToesÂ
Standing on the toes is a complete no-no when it comes to cross and elliptical trainer exercises. If you make the mistake of standing on your toes while working out on this fitness equipment, you are exposing yourself to a higher risk of injuries.
Another, negative outcome of this practice is long term muscle and leg joint damage. The toes have very fragile joints that cannot take the pressure of intense cycling motion and cross training. Thus, it is necessary to avoid making this mistake while doing high intensity exercises.
Set the Resistance Right
Many beginners make the mistake of overlooking the resistance settings before their workout. Striving to level up the workout in fitness level over a while is healthy. But as a beginner, if you try to overachieve by working out on higher resistances, then it might lead to unfavorable outcomes.
Always check the resistance knob or settings provided on your fitness equipment to make sure that it aligns with your workout capacity. Start with smaller goals and lesser resistance levels and let your body adapt to it with time.
Workout with Intervals
Lastly, make sure that you take proper breaks in between your exercise sessions and reps to avoid fatigue and exhaustion. Say, if you work out for 10 minutes make sure that you have a rest period or break of about 3 to 5 minutes.
This trick will help you speed up the calorie burning off the body and also prevent your energy from getting drained quickly. Apart from accelerating fat burning and weight loss adding proper intervals to your exercises also help with the regulating cardiovascular functioning of the body making you fitter and stronger.
To Wrap Up
Altogether, fitness training with cross trainer and exercise bikes is no rocket science. It only requires a little bit attention and focus to make your body fitter without exposing yourself to higher chances of injuries and serious accidents
We hope that this blog might have been helpful for you in understanding and learning about the basics and common mistakes of commercial cross trainer machine training. As it is clear, you just have to pay a little attention to these small details and see visible improvement in your exercise outcomes.
FAQs
Q. Is it better to work out at a high speed or for a longer duration on an elliptical cross trainer?
Ans. Working out at a higher speed and for a longer duration can both be suitable options for getting the best results, depending upon your fitness goals and training capacity.
Q. What are the advantages of working out on a cross trainer?
Ans. By including regular cardio workout sessions in your routine, you can focus on toning your muscles, regulate your weight loss journey, and improve hand-arm coordination.
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