Cross trainer or treadmill?

[puntingking]

Hello everyone. I got a question to ask. I am looking to purchase either a Cross trainer or a treadmill for my fitness goals and for general wellbeing. What is better for your overall health? Treadmill is generally alot more money than a cross trainer. Thank you to any of you who can help. 

[contentguy]

I've got both, though my cross trainer cost 2x what my treadmill.
I'd suggest you avoid falling into the trap of buying a 'cheap' cross trainer because treadmills are more expensive.
You're unlikely to enjoy it, especially if you've had any experience of using pro gym equipment.

Look out for second hand, and go for a decent brand.  I'd recommend Life Fitness, Precor or Octane.
I bet there are a few for sale having been purchased during lockdown and not used.

Or give the guys at fitness superstore in Northampton a call, they're really good.

Cheers

Guy

[Gordon Bennett]

Isn't home gym equipment in short supply at the moment due to every Tom, Dick and Harry wanting some? Might actually be a case of you'll have to make do with what you can find? I found 4 old rusting cast iron 10kg barbell plates in my shed a month ago and got £90 for them on eBay.... I was inundated with messages from people up to 75 miles away offering to come and get them right there and then.
Maybe higher value stuff like you're after will still be around but keep in mind it mightn't be as easy to get hold of one as you might think. Good luck

[contentguy]

Isn't home gym equipment in short supply at the moment due to every Tom, Dick and Harry wanting some? Might actually be a case of you'll have to make do with what you can find? I found 4 old rusting cast iron 10kg barbell plates in my shed a month ago and got £90 for them on eBay.... I was inundated with messages from people up to 75 miles away offering to come and get them right there and then.
Maybe higher value stuff like you're after will still be around but keep in mind it mightn't be as easy to get hold of one as you might think. Good luck

I think it's got better, there's lots of stuff on Fitness Superstore on next day delivery, and checking ebay, there's lots of stuff on there.

Buying it's one thing, using it is another, now where did I leave my treadmill?

Guy

[Xtro]

Hello everyone. I got a question to ask. I am looking to purchase either a Cross trainer or a treadmill for my fitness goals and for general wellbeing. What is better for your overall health? Treadmill is generally alot more money than a cross trainer. Thank you to any of you who can help. 

On yer bike.... Literally -
High Intensity Training - Horizon: The Truth About Exercise - BBC Two -
External Link/Members Only

Or save your hard earned cash....
HIIT at home - The Truth About Getting Fit - BBC One -
External Link/Members Only

[Gordon Bennett]

I think it's got better, there's lots of stuff on Fitness Superstore on next day delivery, and checking ebay, there's lots of stuff on there.

Buying it's one thing, using it is another, now where did I leave my treadmill thing to hang clothes on.

Guy

I've corrected above for you. Apologies if I'm judging you by my own lazy standards

[Marmalade]

On yer bike.... Literally -
High Intensity Training - Horizon: The Truth About Exercise - BBC Two -
External Link/Members Only

Or save your hard earned cash....
HIIT at home - The Truth About Getting Fit - BBC One -
External Link/Members Only

When any BBC thingie starts with the words "The Truth about..." I wonder if if it's straight out of the Daily Mail school of reporting. Bring on Paul Dacre, out with license fees, bring in shock alert and snake oil reassurance vibes. Then wheel in Stacey Dooley for the sceptics as she chats to a bloke who nearly killed himself with H.I.T.

[contentguy]

I've corrected above for you. Apologies if I'm judging you by my own lazy standards

You're spot on 

[Strawberry]

Stairmaster if you have the clearance, serious beast, excellent effect.

[Brazilian Martian]

Cross trainer i find is better for losing weight and treadmill if it has the incline ability is good for building muscle and bulk

[puntingking]

I've got both, though my cross trainer cost 2x what my treadmill.
I'd suggest you avoid falling into the trap of buying a 'cheap' cross trainer because treadmills are more expensive.
You're unlikely to enjoy it, especially if you've had any experience of using pro gym equipment.

Look out for second hand, and go for a decent brand.  I'd recommend Life Fitness, Precor or Octane.
I bet there are a few for sale having been purchased during lockdown and not used.

Or give the guys at fitness superstore in Northampton a call, they're really good.

Cheers

Guy

Thanks 

[puntingking]

Thanks for all your help guys.
Messages are noted 

[Strawberry]

Aside from my daft post,I agree with trying to get a refurbed or second hand gym standard machine. Incline facility is also useful for both treadmill and cross-trainer.

Self-powered curved treadmills powered by your own stride, are supposed to require minimum maintenance, as well as providing a more natural footfall. However the price tag may reflect this, and they do take a little getting used to. I had to hang onto the rails the first time I tried one.

[contentguy]

Aside from my daft post,I agree with trying to get a refurbed gym standard machine. Incline facility is also useful for both treadmill and cross-trainer.

Self-powered curved treadmills powered by your own stride, are supposed to require minimum maintenance, as well as providing a more natural footfall. However the price tag may reflect this, and they do take a little getting used to. I had to hang onto the rails the first time I tried one.

I'd not seen curved treadmills before, they look funky.

If buying a normal powered treadmill, don't assume they're all the same, some have very hard decks offering little support and can be uncomfortable to run on.  Consider one with an orthopedic belt, they're a bit more money but much more comfortable.  A good belt could make the difference between actually running on it, or using as a clothes horse.

Alternatively, if consider this for zero impact running:

External Link/Members Only

Guy

[Yankee21]

Cross trainer.
Uses all major muscle groups in the body.
Non impact.

[puntingking]

Cross trainer.
Uses all major muscle groups in the body.
Non impact.

I have chosen the cross trainer. Ordering it for home delivery for next Friday. 

[Blackpool Rock]

Cross trainer.
Uses all major muscle groups in the body.
Non impact.

This is what I was going to post 

[Blackpool Rock]

On yer bike.... Literally -
High Intensity Training - Horizon: The Truth About Exercise - BBC Two -
External Link/Members Only

Or save your hard earned cash....
HIIT at home - The Truth About Getting Fit - BBC One -
External Link/Members Only

Yeah I remember when this was aired thinking it's just bullshit.
So for what was it 3 x 20 seconds a week on a bike going as fast as you can they claim you get fit 
Well it will have benefit Vs someone who does no exercise but compared to someone who does 1-2 hours a few times a week their fitness simply can't be as good.
I'm willing to bet if two people went out for a longish bike ride of 50-60 miles then the guy who only does 1 minute a week would seriously be struggling at the end due to lack of stamina whereas the guy who did more exercise would still be fine

[Blackpool Rock]

Stairmaster if you have the clearance, serious beast, excellent effect.

Yeah there's often a queue for the stairmasters in my gym as word went round that they burn more calories than any of the other cardio equipment but then it all depends how fast / what level you have all the machines on.

Alternatively go for a hilly countryside walk and take in some fresh air and the sights / sounds of nature which also has positive health benefits 

[Billy no mates]

I recently bought a treadmill (3 months ago), I like to run, but only indoors, and I didn’t enjoy returning to the gym after lockdown. It had the positive added affect of my missus using it nearly all days. She sets it at a low speed maybe 6k p/hour, a 6% incline and does 30 minutes of walking. I don’t think she would have used a cross trainer at all.

[mh]

Whether XT or runner, get one with a tablet holder and exercise will whizz by, especially with some HD porn for a work out of all the important muscles. 

[Blackpool Rock]

Whether XT or runner, get one with a tablet holder and exercise will whizz by, especially with some HD porn for a work out of all the important muscles. 

Surely there is a risk of serious injury doing this 
I mean at peak performance the body needs all the blood pumping around to carry oxygen so diverting it elsewhere may result in light headedness or even passing out 

[Xtro]

Yeah I remember when this was aired thinking it's just bullshit.
So for what was it 3 x 20 seconds a week on a bike going as fast as you can they claim you get fit 
Well it will have benefit Vs someone who does no exercise but compared to someone who does 1-2 hours a few times a week their fitness simply can't be as good.
I'm willing to bet if two people went out for a longish bike ride of 50-60 miles then the guy who only does 1 minute a week would seriously be struggling at the end due to lack of stamina whereas the guy who did more exercise would still be fine

That is more a debate about general health vs endurance. Good points though.   

[mh]

Surely there is a risk of serious injury doing this 
I mean at peak performance the body needs all the blood pumping around to carry oxygen so diverting it elsewhere may result in light headedness or even passing out 

Perhaps I just don't lose that much blood in my case.   

[sir wanksalot]

Surely there is a risk of serious injury doing this 
I mean at peak performance the body needs all the blood pumping around to carry oxygen so diverting it elsewhere may result in light headedness or even passing out 

Hmmm I don't think I have ever had a wank whilst walking or running at the same time.....

I''ll be right back-got something to do.

[Vic69]

I recently bought a treadmill (3 months ago), I like to run, but only indoors, and I didn’t enjoy returning to the gym after lockdown. It had the positive added affect of my missus using it nearly all days. She sets it at a low speed maybe 6k p/hour, a 6% incline and does 30 minutes of walking. I don’t think she would have used a cross trainer at all.

I totally agree, I got a treadmill last September, and have gone from someone who has never run in all of their adult life
to being able to run 5k (can recommend the couch to 5k app, if it can work on me it will work on anyone).  I agree with your comment on running outdoors, who wants to go out on a cold dark night?

[mh]

Hmmm I don't think I have ever had a wank whilst walking or running at the same time.....

I''ll be right back-got something to do.

I was worried for you so checked you had posted since this! 

How did the "something" go?

[sir wanksalot]

I was worried for you so checked you had posted since this! 

How did the "something" go?

I had to put the bins out. Why? What did YOU think I meant? 

[mh]

I had to put the bins out. Why? What did YOU think I meant? 

Well now I think you might have been wanking while putting the bins out...!