Crosstrainer / Ellipsentrainer

In the latest version of the ETM Test Magazine (08/2011), the cardiostrong EX40 was rated best in the crosstrainer test in which 11 products were tested. The test winning EX40 crosstrainer got the top grade "very good" with 95,5%. Stressed were its variety of programmes, convenient handling and safety of design and use. The Taursu X7.3 crosstrainer prevailed in the categorie material and workmanship and won second place in the crosstrainer test with 90%.The Taurus X7.7 crosstrainer is from the same crosstrainer series as the now sold out Taurus X7.3. Compared to the Taursu X7.3, the Taurus X7.7 features an even heavier flywheel and a longer stride length which leads to a more pleasant course of movement. The complete ETM crosstrainer test.

Crosstrainers or elliptical trainers are the most popular pieces of fitness equipment and can be found in many households these days. With good reason, because working out with a crosstrainer exercises almost all large muscle groups and is easy on the joints due to a harmonic course of motion. The elliptical motion of the footplates conveys a pleasant, almost weightless feeling during exercise.

In the latest version of the ETM Test Magazine (08/2011), the cardiostrong EX40 was rated best in the crosstrainer test in which 11 products were tested. The test winning EX40 crosstrainer got the top grade "very good" with 95,5%. Stressed were its variety of programmes, convenient handling and safety of design and use. The Taursu X7.3 crosstrainer prevailed in the categorie material and workmanship and won second place in the crosstrainer test with 90%.The Taurus X7.7 crosstrainer is from the same crosstrainer series as the now sold out Taurus X7.3. Compared to the Taursu X7.3, the Taurus X7.7 features an even heavier flywheel and a longer stride length which leads to a more pleasant course of movement. The complete ETM crosstrainer test.

Crosstrainers or elliptical trainers are the most popular pieces of fitness equipment and can be found in many households these days. With good reason, because working out with a crosstrainer exercises almost all large muscle groups and is easy on the joints due to a harmonic course of motion. The elliptical motion of the footplates conveys a pleasant, almost weightless feeling during exercise. The legs, buttocks and hips in particular are strenghtened when exercising on a crosstrainer. The arms, shoulders, chest and back also benefit from the workout. The flywheel mass of the crosstrainer is important: The heavier it is, the smoother the movement of the crosstrainer and the easier on the joints. More information on crosstrainers can be found on www.crosstrainer.sport-tiedje.de or www.crosstrainer.info .

In the following section we have gathered some recommendations, just in case you are wondering which crosstrainer is the right crosstrainer for you.

Our crosstrainer recommendations for beginners:
cardiostrong EX 40 crosstrainer (smooth running provided by a 28kg flywheel mass, 19 motivationg exercise programmes, comfortable footplates, Test winner of the ETM crosstrainer test, overall grade: "very good", 08/2011)
Reebok C500e crosstrainer (20 kg flywheel mass, 16 exercise programmes, 9 user memory, mdoern desing, blue backlit display, special-offer price!)
Kettler XTR1 crosstrainer ergometer (22 kg flywheel mass, a motion which is very easy on the joints, very sturdy with good technical features, Fit-for-Fun test winner in a new design!)

Our crosstrainer recommendations for advanced users:
cardiostrong EX70 (10 kg flywheel mass at the front, 51 cm stride length, numerous motivating exercise programmes, ergonomic handlebars with adjustment buttons, straightforward seven window display)
Taurus Fitness X7.7 crosstrainer (14,5 kg flywheel mass at the front, this leads to a very harmonic course of motion, good technical features, our price-performance-tip!)
LIVESTRONG® elliptical LS 9.9E (51 cm stride length, SixStar Certified™ frame, electronic incline adjustment system, incl. MP3/iPOD® connection and speakers)
Taurus Fitness X8.7 crosstrainer (14,5 kg flywheel mass, sturdy steel frame, 9 programmes, pleasant course of movement)
Vision X6200 elliptical trainer with the premium console (sturdy base, superb motion, numerous motivating exercise programmes, chest strap included)

Our crosstrainer recommendations for a sophisticated and goal-oriented training:
LifeFitness X1 Advanced crosstrainer (patented elliptical movement system, welded 3,75 x 7,5 cm steel frame, low step on height, two-part LCD display, advanced console)
Circle Fitness EP7000 elliptical trainer (gym-quality crosstrainer, generator-driven, max. weight bearing capacity 182 kg (!), 14 motivating exercise programmes, our price tip!)
cardiostrong EX90 elliptical trainer (revolutionary, space-saving design, adjustable stride length, great course of movement, sturdy frame)

Our high-end crosstrainer recommendations:
LifeFitness X8 Advanced crosstrainer (unique LifeFitness course of movement, LegSculpter Mode - automatically varies the stride length in time intervals in order to exercise different muscles, perfect manufacture and superb electronics)
Taurus X10.7 Pro crosstrainer (gym-quality crosstrainer with an extremely sturdy frame, visual training control and power-saving generator system)

Latest crosstrainer tests:
ETM Test Magazine Crosstraier Test: 08/11 Issue
In its August 2011 issue, the ETM Test Magazine tested eleven crosstrainers/ellipticals of renown manufacturers. The crosstrainer test focused on the quality of the workout and workmanship in particular. Click here, to get to the in-depth ETM Crosstrainer Test. Sport-Tiedje's elliptical trainer test results are pretty impressive.

1st place: cardiostrong EX40 crosstrainer, test grade: "very good" with 95,3%
The EX40 won the categories in the categories exercise quality, safety during use and sturdiness of construction. When it come to the quality of materials, only the Taurus Fintess X7.3 scored better.
2nd place: Horizon Andes 509 crosstrainer , test grade: "very good" with 92,0%
In the crosstrainer test, the variety of programmes of the Andes 509 elliptical trainer convinces in particular. The elliptical trainer was the test winner in that categorie. It was commended that the Horizon elliptical trainer is foldable.
3rd place: X7.3 elliptical trainer by Taurus Fitness, test grade: "good" with 90,0%
The ETM elliptical trainer test emphasised its workmanship and the quality of the materials used in particular. Commended in the test were also safety and sturdiness. The Taurus X7.3 was the test winner in that category. The X7.3 has now sold out. We would like to recommend the Taurus Fitness X7.7 elliptical trainer . This crosstrainer features a heavy flywheel and a large stride length. Both ensure an even more pleasant and smoother course of movement.
4th place: Kettler Elyx 3 elliptical trainer , test grade: "good" with 89,4%
The Elyx3 managed to convice in the crosstrainer test with high stability and smooth running pedals. In the category assembly, the Kettler elliptical trainer had to acknowledge defeat as it was beaten by the EX40 crosstrainer.

Stiftung Warentest Crosstrainer Test: 02/11 Issue
In its February 2011 issue, Stiftung Warentest tested ten crosstrainers/elliptical trainers. The crosstrainer test not only focused on exercise comfort and hanling, the content of harmful substances was also examined.

The Kettler CTR 3 crosstrainer was the winner of the crosstrainer test with an overall "good". It managed to convince with high exercise comfort and its very accurate output display.
The Reebok C5.1e crosstrainer got top grades after the technical inspection and is way ahead when it comes to display accuracy and wear and tear!
Our cardiostrong EX30 elliptical trainer wins over with its versatility. Furthermore, it is in the leading group of the crosstrainer test when it comes to the content of harmful substances. The sturdiness of the cardiostrong EX30 was also stressed.

Fit for Fun Crosstrainer Test April 2005 Issue:
In its April 2005 issue Germany's biggest fitness magazine, Fit for Fun, tested the crosstrainer range of brand manufacturers in collaboration with the Institut für Prävention und Nachsorge (IPN) aus Köln (= Institute for Prefention and Aftercare Cologne). An objective opinion of the crosstrainer market was given for the crosstrainers up to 1000EUR and the crosstrainer up to 2000EUR categorie. Deciding criteria for the assessment of thee tested crosstrainers were the handling, braking system, course of movement and the features of the training computer.

Fit for Fun test winners in thecrosstrainers up to 1000EUR category:
1st place: Kettler XTR1 Crosstrainer, overall grade: 2-3
Fit-for-Fun's conclusiont: Solid crosstrainer which stands out in particular due to its virtually stepless resistance setting. (Follow-up model in a new design: Kettler XTR1 crosstrainer
2nd place: Tunturi C4 Crosstrainer, overall grade: 3+
Fit-for-Fun's conclusion: Covers the basic functions of a crosstrainer in a adequate manner. (no longer available)
3rd place: Horizon Andes 500 Crosstrainer, overall grade: 3
Fit-for-Fun's conclusion: An elliptical trainer with comparably short paths of movement (feet and arms); therefore, preferably suitable for shorter persons. (No longer available, improved follow-up model: Horizon Andes 509)
4th place: Daum ergo_lyps Cardio PC, overall grade: 3-
Fit-for-Fun's conclusion: Compact piece of equiment with good intensity adjustment; however, not really suitable for taller persons. (No longer available, similar model of renown Daum quality: Daum ergo_lyps 8080 TRS 3)

Fit for Fun test winner in the 1000EUR up to 2000EUR category:
1st place:Vision X6200HRT Elliptical Trainer, overall grade: 2+
Fit-for-Fun's conclusion: Well-equipped piece of equipment with relatively large and harmonic paths of movement. (No longer available, sturdier and more comfortable follow-up model: Vision X6200 elliptical mit freier Konsolen-Wahl.)
2nd place: Schwinn 418 Crosstrainer, overall grade: 2
Fit-for-Fun's conclusion: Affordable elliptical trainer, well suited for all types of users. Only crosstrainer in the test which also runs self-contained with own electricity. (no longer available)
3rd place: Lifefitness Sport SX30 Crosstrainer, overall grade: 2
Fit-for-Fun's conclusion: Semiprofessional elliptical trainer, convinces with its smooth pedalling motion; scarce features. (No longer available, improved follow-up modell: Lifefitness X1 Advanced
4th place: U.N.O. Fitness CTX 9 Crosstrainer, overall grade: 3
Fit-for-Fun's conclusion: Massiv piece of exercise equipment with good features; but with pedal and handlebar ergonomics which are in need of improvement. (No longer available, improved follow-up model: U.N.O. XE4000.