Recommendation for Cross Trainer

Scaf

Scaf

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I am a lazy fat git and have decided to use the lockdown as the motivation to do something about it.
The only time I have managed to endure time in a gym previously was on a cross trainer so thought I might buy one.
No point buying complete **** but it will end up an ornament in a few months so I don’t want to spend thousands ...........
So a budget of £1200 but very happily to spend less!!
And recommendations ?
 
jonny

jonny

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Last year I fitted out our gym and included a Bowflex MAX trainer. They come in various versions... the M3 model would be about the right price. I bought from Fitness Superstore who do deliveries etc. These machines are a cross between a step machine and a cross trainer and are fantastic fitness machines. I do 14 minutes a day which is apparently equivalent to 30 minutes on the treadmill (since you are lifting your body weight which you don't do on a treadmill.)
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

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I have an entry level Nordic track cross trainer and am very happy with it. I think it's £600 rrp but i got an ex display for nearly half that.

Their more expensive machines look pretty good too
 
Scaf

Scaf

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jonny said:
Last year I fitted out our gym and included a Bowflex MAX trainer. They come in various versions... the M3 model would be about the right price. I bought from Fitness Superstore who do deliveries etc. These machines are a cross between a step machine and a cross trainer and are fantastic fitness machines. I do 14 minutes a day which is apparently equivalent to 30 minutes on the treadmill (since you are lifting your body weight which you don't do on a treadmill.)
Click to expand...

Thanks, I am watching a Max M5 on eBay at the moment
 
philw696

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I can second a Nordic.
Got ours for free as a non runner from friends here in France.
It had moved from the apartment to the balcony.
It had not even got to its running in service. Nearly 1200 Euro's worth of kit for nothing.
Love it.
 
Scaf

Scaf

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Well I have acquired a Blowflex M3 that I will collect in the morning £350 for what I am told is a glorified clothes airer, so very little use.

May even get my money back when I get bored in month or two.

Does look like a quality machine, so we shall see.
 
Last edited:
todd.the.submariner

todd.the.submariner

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Might not align with exactly what you asked but... given my experience of a few decades keeping fit onboard ships and submarines, I’d recommend ditching all mechanical trainers completely. They all artificially constrain movement and cause joint issues.
Recommend a set of adjustable dumbbells (or a full set if you have room), some floor mats, bench, and pull-up bar.
Doing circuit sets of moderate weight 30 minutes a day beats boring cardio, and works all of your balance and helper muscles as well.
Ping me if you’re interested, can forward more detailed recommendations.


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Scaf

Scaf

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Thanks for the tip and I may well do some weights and well (my sone has a half decent set) but right here right now I can't ride my bike round the block without getting out of breath so I need the boring cardio, if I get this Covid-19 I want to be the fittest I can be to fight it.
I am riding the push bike also which is more enjoyable.
 
todd.the.submariner

todd.the.submariner

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Sounds like a practical plan. Remember that short bouts of high intensity will give more cardio training than the long and slow approach, even if you’re starting well below what you’d call fit.

Have a look at Tabata Intervals for the optimal approach. Do those a few times a day with a warmup and cool down and you’ll rapidly get cardio-fit!


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Scaf

Scaf

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Yes thanks, the M3 has a basic interval training built in which I am using.

Lockdown is quite hard, can't imagine what a sub would be like with weeks / months at sea !
 
JonW

JonW

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todd.the.submariner said:
Might not align with exactly what you asked but... given my experience of a few decades keeping fit onboard ships and submarines, I’d recommend ditching all mechanical trainers completely. They all artificially constrain movement and cause joint issues.
Recommend a set of adjustable dumbbells (or a full set if you have room), some floor mats, bench, and pull-up bar.
Doing circuit sets of moderate weight 30 minutes a day beats boring cardio, and works all of your balance and helper muscles as well.
Ping me if you’re interested, can forward more detailed recommendations.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I would be interested in some details of the circuits please? Either by PM or on here...
 
todd.the.submariner

todd.the.submariner

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Happy to talk circuits at length, but here’s the general principle: work everything, but don’t overwork. 20-30 minutes of strength and then a short cardio is plenty. Especially for those of us of a certain vintage.

Warm up with light cardio and some stretches.
Pick a set of exercises that hit both “pulling and pushing” for legs, chest/back, and arms, plus some overall core tensioning such as planks and bear crawls.
Example, try 30 seconds on/off
Squats, pushups, pull-ups Roman deadlift (straight legged squat to work hamstrings), overhead press, bent row, farmers carry of one weight at a time

Do this three times through, then some cardio to shake everything back into place and burn some fat. Always do strength work before cardio to deplete blood sugar, it makes the cardio more effective at reducing fat... though it also makes the cardio much harder. If you’re up to it, do your cardio in Tabata intervals followed by a five minute cool down.

Enjoy, and do follow up with questions any time, this is a long time hobby of mine, and I’ve made all of the mistakes already.


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