With all the benefits of a cross trainer, you might want to start using one but not quite know how it works. We have put a step by step guide together for those who haven’t used a cross trainer before. It is probably one of the easier machines to use in the gym as you just step on to it and get going.
Buy your very own cross trainer
If you’d prefer to exercise from home, you can buy your very own cross trainer machine if you have enough space in the house. Some prefer going to the gym to exercise and here you will very possibly find a cross trainer, almost every gym has one.
How to use a cross trainer
Firstly, you will need to step onto the cross trainer putting your feet on the steps and holding the bars, you will need to be facing the little screen. The cross trainer won’t start working until you start pedalling and push and pull the handles evenly. You will then see a big green ‘go’ button, once you have clicked it you can select a setting. You can find preset programs like going uphill, for example, or you can just stick with the manual setting.
Once you have your setting sorted you can start to pick up the pace, increase your pedalling resistance by pressing the up and down arrows, these are sometimes on the handles as well as the screen but never on the bars.
If you want to see how hard you are working you can check out your heart rate, you will need to hold the handles to gauge the intensity of your workout. When you have finished your workout, make sure the machine has fully stopped before climbing off. There should be a ‘cool down’ button you can press that will gradually bring the resistance down and stop your workout. There is also a stop button in case you feel dizzy or faint, you can click these to bring the cross trainer to an immediate halt.
Good techniques to master on the cross trainer
Some pedal backwards on a cross trainer, this is considered advanced, and most people stick to pedalling forward as it’s much simpler to balance this way. Make sure you aren’t leaning back or forwards when you’re using the machine, it’s best to stand up straight and look forward. It’s advised to hold the handles, but not too tight or loosely. Cross trainers don’t actually need too much technique, it’s more about how you stand, if you’ve got this you will be fine.
It will take some time to get used to the cross trainer, but it definitely isn’t the hardest machine to use at the gym, or in your home. Once you have used it a few times it will be second nature and you’ll be able to pick up some techniques along the way.
