Elliptical cross trainer, which one?

[PJ S]

Apologies if already done to death previously, but indulge me.
Too many years of not bothering to move as much as I should has resulted in now deciding I need to bother rather than it being an option.
So, which £200-300 (give or take £50) elliptical cross trainer should I be looking at getting?

Wary of York/Reebok/Nordictrack actually making anything worth the price being charged – get the impression they're relying upon their brand image/name to capture the sale rather than doing anything technically innovative or sticking their name to something that is built to a price.
Maybe that's unfair, and I do remember the early iterations of Nordictrack with the banana shaped foot rails and skipping rope pulley system, so not sure if they've sat on their laurels since then or have brought something to the table, but I have been somewhat impressed with the specs of the 9ZL, until I watched the YT assembly video!

There you have it chaps, over to you to clue me up on what's waht and what/which I should be focussing my attention on.
I will be aiming to use it daily for a good 30-45 mins, if I don't collapse after 10 on the first day.......

[Driller]

For that kind of money, for an elliptical, you're not going to get anything useful or comfortable enough.

You'll get quite a handy exercise bike though .

[PJ S]

Driller said:

For that kind of money, for an elliptical, you're not going to get anything useful or comfortable enough.

How so?
The Nordic E9 ZL not good? – http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/compact_ellipt...
22kg flywheel, 17" stride.

If not, then what should I be looking at, and why?

Others I've been looking at:
http://www.purefitnessandsports.co.uk/bh-fitness-i...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004K0TMIM

Both 16" stride, so not sure how that 1" difference affects me at 6' 1" with a 33" inside leg.

Edited by PJ S on Wednesday 18th September 16:18

[BenM77]

I've got a Nordic Track exercise bike and running machine at home and I'm very pleased with the build quality.

Just my opinion but I would put a running machine at the top of the cardio equipment list. Followed by a rowing machine or exercise bike.


Better still, buy a kettlebell and a pair of trainers

[PJ S]

Treadmill is out due to my weight – not good for jarring lower limb parts – and as the apartment is above another, I've noise to concern myself with.
When I used to go to the gym (so long ago I've forgotten what one looks like!) I enjoyed the stepper when I wasn't hauling weights around myself.

[BenM77]

A kettlebell is what you want.



Buy a 16kg kettlebell and you will get a very good workout.


Or you can buy a cross trainer

[PJ S]

No it's not, I'd be a bloody liability with thon thing being swung about the apartment – doubt there'd be a wall unscathed by it, not to mention pools of blood from clonking myself over the head with it, and mangled clackers.
About the only positive thing likely to result from one, would be a 14" weener – but it's not as if 2 more inches is going to offset the wobble-rest time that I'm in need of improving.

So thanks for the suggestion, but you can keep it!

Edited by PJ S on Wednesday 18th September 23:54

[BenM77]

PJ S said:

No it's not, I'd be a bloody liability with thon thing being swung about the apartment – doubt there'd be a wall unscathed by it, not to mention pools of blood from clonking myself over the head with it, and mangled clackers.
About the only positive thing likely to result from one, would be a 14" weener – it's not as if 2 more inches is going to offset the wobble-rest time that I'm in need of improving.

So thanks for the suggestion, but you can keep it!

In that case the Nordic track one in the link gets my vote. I bought my exercise bike and running machine from the fitness superstore and would recommend them.

[Driller]

PJ S said:

How so?
The Nordic E9 ZL not good? – http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/compact_ellipt...
22kg flywheel, 17" stride.

Just to be clear I was trying to be helpful and not a PITA

Just because it says "22kg flywheel and 17" stride" does not make it a good machine. There are loads of things to consider and you should try a whole bunch in the shop as they are all different shapes and sizes with different movement envelopes.

Have you considered for example that that Nordic Track has the pedals either side of a rear mounted flywheel.

Why is that important? Because it means that the pedals will be spaced further apart due to the width of the flywheel and this is like running around "bandy legged". Alright for 5 mins but it gets really uncomfortable after more time.

This is just one element of many and as I said I really recommend going in and physically trying a few out.

I'll stop bleating on now, I hope you get the machine you want

[PJ S]

The problem is Driller, I've no idea where to look for them over here in NI, and I doubt the prices will be the same as online from places that sell them day in, day out.
I'm also looking at the aspect of buying someone's cast off, which they paid £500+ for, that I can hopefully pick up for a lot less, even after finding some way of getting 60-70kgs brought over from the mainland.

I only know as much as I've been able to glean from various websites/forum comments, which indicates I'm better with a heavier flywheel and longer stride length – although I get the impression 14" is the norm, and one remark suggested 16" is 'gym level'.
I was aware of the supposed hip concerns with pedals splayed out wider than one's natural width, but not sure if that was something affecting relatively few or shorter users, or a bad design everyone should avoid.

I'd love to be able to throw £700+ at a Sole E25 or Bremshey CF5, but that's not a reality.

[Driller]

I understand completely your situation and that it's not the right time to invest too much which was why I suggested the exercise bike.

I'm 6'3" if it helps and I found the splayed legged elliptics gave hip and knee pain. I didn't think about getting used stuff though, why not try and get hold of a Vision Fitness or Horizon machine with a front mounted flywheel? These can be had for £700 new so second hand maybe £300 or £400 odd?

[PJ S]

Yeah, looking at a couple of Horizons and Fuel fronties.
Bike doesn't appeal for some reason – guess I'd prefer to stand upright rather than sit, which is partly the reason for the weight gain!

Edited by PJ S on Thursday 19th September 14:02

[LordGrover]

Concept 2 rower is the way forward - may struggle to get a decent used one in budget though.

[PJ S]

LordGrover said:

Concept 2 rower is the way forward - may struggle to get a decent used one in budget though.

me above said:

....and as the apartment is above another, I've noise to concern myself with.

Not to mention a rowing machine is the best part of 40' long, ffs!

[Regiment]

Do yourself a favour and just go for a run or get Insanity or do something that doesn't waste your money on some crappy machine, if you want to do that then get a bloody rowing machine or a treadmill. Cross trainers are hateful things that I see filled with horrible people who are too lazy to run, or even walk, on a treadmill

"No, I want a nice machine that I can hold with my hands and I want to pretend I'm a cross country skier"

[anonymous-user]

Horizon andes is the way to go, they are rated very highly and have a look on ebay, for second hand ones.

[KENZ]

A good cross trainer will allow you to have a full body workout. Crank up the level and you'll feel it for sure:-)

[Driller]

Regiment said:

Do yourself a favour and just go for a run or get Insanity or do something that doesn't waste your money on some crappy machine, if you want to do that then get a bloody rowing machine or a treadmill. Cross trainers are hateful things that I see filled with horrible people who are too lazy to run, or even walk, on a treadmill

"No, I want a nice machine that I can hold with my hands and I want to pretend I'm a cross country skier"

What a peculiar thing to say! What makes a cross trainer a "crappy machine" and a C2 not?

I have a C2, exercise bike and cross trainer-it's just another useful machine that you get out what you put in.

[PJ S]

The Spruce goose said:

Horizon andes is the way to go, they are rated very highly and have a look on ebay, for second hand ones.

Cheers SG, you've echoed Driller's suggestion, and I had a good chat yesterday with a company that does reconditioned ones.

Had a bit of a go on two machines locally, one rear the other front.
The rear flywheel had adjustable stride, but as much as it was a bigger ellipse, it was deeper rather than longer.
The Fuel front wasn't bad, except when placing the hands on the HR sensors, the upright bars were hitting me on the forearm unless I tucked my elbows in, which was a vey unnatural position.
So both try outs has made me realise I'm looking for a flatter ellipse stride pattern, and 20".

Of course, if I had £1K to play with, I might seriously consider one of these..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_cFNZ2t-V0

[Driller]

Do you see what I mean now?

Between two machines the differences can be huge and the only way to know is to try them.