Cross trainer redefined

What makes the elliptical trainer special is its design, which consists of a main frame with a flywheel, wide footplates, and arm bars. The elliptical motion, powered by the use of both arms and legs, simulates a movement pattern that, depending on the model, closely resembles walking, cross-country skiing, or sometimes even climbing stairs.

Tip: Since your feet stay on the footplates at all times and the machine guides both your arms and legs, the workout is especially gentle on your joints. At the same time, in addition to your legs, the workout actively engages muscles and muscle groups such as your calves, glutes, back, abs, shoulders, and arms.

A cardio workout on an elliptical trainer engages almost your entire body and can burn up to 700 kilocalories per hour, depending on the intensity. These are ideal conditions for shedding pounds without putting too much strain on your knees.

What makes the elliptical trainer special is its design, which consists of a main frame with a flywheel, wide footplates, and arm bars. The elliptical motion, powered by the use of both arms and legs, simulates a movement pattern that, depending on the model, closely resembles walking, cross-country skiing, or sometimes even climbing stairs.

Tip: Since your feet stay on the footplates at all times and the machine guides both your arms and legs, the workout is especially gentle on your joints. At the same time, in addition to your legs, the workout actively engages muscles and muscle groups such as your calves, glutes, back, abs, shoulders, and arms.

A cardio workout on an elliptical trainer engages almost your entire body and can burn up to 700 kilocalories per hour, depending on the intensity. These are ideal conditions for shedding pounds without putting too much strain on your knees.

Strictly speaking, cross trainers can be divided into two subcategories: classic cross trainers on the one hand, and so-called elliptical trainers on the other. While they work on the same principle, the two types of equipment differ in the placement of the flywheel. On classic cross trainers like the SPORTSTECH LCX800 it is located at the back.

On elliptical trainers, it is located at the front. The different positions of the flywheel and footplates affect the movement pattern. While cardio training on an elliptical trainer is similar to walking, the movement on a classic cross trainer is more like cross-country skiing, with pronounced up-and-down movements.

We can keep this brief. As a particularly gentle training machine that lets you adjust the intensity very precisely, the elliptical trainer is suitable for everyone. However, if you’re thinking of buying an elliptical and have a cardiovascular or musculoskeletal condition, you should still discuss cardio training on it with your doctor.

Whether you're using an elliptical at the gym or a professional elliptical at home, the braking system determines the training resistance and is therefore the heart of the machine. Ellipticals mainly use three types of braking systems.

• Magnetic braking system: The magnetic braking system is the most commonly used type. A built-in permanent magnet creates the resistance. The resistance level is adjusted by changing the distance between the magnet and the flywheel.
• Induction braking system: Compared with a magnetic braking system, induction braking systems allow for particularly precise resistance adjustment, displayed in watts on the computer screen. They work using an external power supply that controls an electromagnetic field.
• Generator braking system: These systems work similarly to induction braking systems. The difference is that they don't require an external power supply, so you can buy one of these ellipticals even if there's no power outlet nearby.

Note: When buying, be sure to check the number of resistance levels. The more resistance levels an elliptical offers, the smaller the jumps between levels. Machines with a 16-level computer-controlled magnetic braking system are already excellent for comfortable workouts.

Together with the braking system, the elliptical trainer's flywheel is responsible for training resistance and movement quality. The flywheel is a weight disc to which the pedal modules are attached.

As a general rule: The larger the flywheel, the higher you can set the training intensity. Movement quality and smoothness also improve. For ambitious fitness enthusiasts, a machine with a 24-kilogram flywheel, such as the SPORTSTECH CX700 elliptical trainer, is ideal.

Taller people have a longer stride. This is something to consider when buying an elliptical trainer, too. Especially if tall people with long legs will be using it, the stride length should be correspondingly long.

But shorter people also tend to find a longer stride, like the one offered by our model CX700 comfortable. Professional-grade elliptical trainers like the LCX800 from SPORTSTECH even let you adjust the stride length in three stages. If you have any questions about the stride length of SPORTSTECH elliptical trainers, we're happy to help.

For a comfortable, ergonomic, and safe workout, non-slip pedals aren’t the only advantage. A key purchasing criterion is the so-called Q factor, which refers to the distance between the pedals. For an elliptical trainer, this should ideally be between 5 and 13 centimeters. A narrow pedal spacing helps ensure that your movement pattern during cardio training feels as natural as possible and doesn’t put your joints in an unnatural position.

Safety and stability are top priorities when buying a high-quality elliptical trainer. This not only prevents accidents but also helps you enjoy your equipment for as long as possible. Along with a firm footing and the weight of the elliptical, the user's weight is also essential. Test seals such as TÜV and GS are another good sign.

Weight: The equipment is subjected to considerable forces during training, so its components - especially the frame - need to be particularly sturdy. This affects its weight. The heavier the heaviest user, the heavier the equipment needs to be. For heavier athletes, the equipment should weigh at least 60 to 70 kilograms. Since all SPORTSTECH ellipticals have practical transport wheels, moving them is still child's play.

User weight: Every elliptical trainer has a maximum permitted user weight. This should never be exceeded. When buying, the key factor is always the body weight of the heaviest user.

Stable footing: A wobble-free setup is essential for safe cardio training. Ellipticals therefore often have adjustable feet to compensate for uneven floors. We also recommend using a thick floor protection mat. It protects the floor, reduces noise and vibration, and compensates for any remaining unevenness.

If you want to buy an elliptical trainer, it’s not just the hard facts that matter, but also your personal training goals. If you only want to work out now and then to improve your health, a beginner model with a basic training computer, such as the CX608, is an excellent choice. Advanced models such as the SPORTSTECH CX2 and CX700 already offer numerous training programs for creating personalized workouts.

They also include 5 HRC programs, making heart rate-controlled training a breeze. In general, an elliptical trainer should always be compatible with a heart rate monitor for goal-oriented training. If you want more fun and entertainment during cardio workouts, choose a model with an integrated console featuring Google Maps. The Google Maps console lets you ride real-world routes on your elliptical trainer, keeping your workouts varied over time.

Tip: Make sure to choose a training computer that’s as easy to use as possible and displays the basics, such as heart rate, distance covered, workout duration, and speed.

Once you’ve found the right machine, you’re almost ready to get started. First, though, you’ll need to choose where to put it before you can get down to healthy, effective training and shed those extra pounds. Our training tips will help you look great on your brand-new elliptical trainer.

An elliptical trainer can in principle be set up anywhere with enough space. You should allow for a floor area of at least 160 x 70 centimeters. You also need at least one meter of clearance on all sides to work out safely and smoothly. The ceiling height is just as important for an elliptical trainer. Many models are already 160 centimeters tall, or taller, including the arm bars.

The anti-slip pedals also raise you slightly during your workout. To leave enough clearance to the ceiling, allow 40-50 centimeters above the maximum pedal height and your own height. For taller athletes, the ceiling at the setup location must therefore be well over 2 meters high. If you have any questions about pedal height or our elliptical trainers, feel free to contact us by email or phone.

Quick question, quick answer: Yes, losing weight on an elliptical trainer is very effective. Numerous training programs and HRC programs enable optimal workout control for fat burning. If you want to work up a real sweat, you can burn up to 700 kilocalories per hour. That’s equivalent to the energy content of a good 100 grams of body fat.

• To effectively engage your upper and lower body, grip the arm bars firmly with your whole hand. The movement should come from your shoulders and upper arms
• To protect your knee joints, never fully straighten your knees during a workout
• Keep your upper body upright at all times, with your hips not pushed too far back and your lower back straight. Be sure to avoid arching your lower back
• Make sure both feet stay fully on the anti-slip pedals at all times. This is the best way to protect your joints and ensure your muscles are optimally engaged
• Focus on using proper form at the start. After a few sessions, your body will have memorized the movements, so you can read or chat with the smart console on our top models

Whether you're looking for a classic rear-drive elliptical trainer or a front-drive elliptical, you'll find what you're looking for if you want to buy an elliptical that's not only compatible with a heart rate chest strap, but also robust and durable.

While our entry-level CX608, with its 12 KG flywheel, is ideal for beginners, models like the CX625 and CX640 stand out with exciting extras like a smart console with Google Maps functionality, double ball-bearing rollers and a hefty 24 kilograms of flywheel mass.

If you'd rather buy a high-end elliptical trainer, choose our top-of-the-line models CX2 and LCX800. With our professional-grade elliptical trainers, you can work out just like you would on an elliptical at the gym.

Not sure which machine is right for you? Have technical or organizational questions? We're here to help, free of charge. Just send us an email or give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!

We currently deliver to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Belgium is coming soon. We do not currently deliver to other countries (e.g. Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Monaco, or Norway). Deliveries to Switzerland may take longer due to customs clearance.

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• Switzerland: Klarna, TWINT, Unzer
• France: Klarna, PayPal
• Italy, Spain, Netherlands: Klarna