Are you a fitness freak who is looking for a boredom buster at the gym? Cross training might be the solution you are looking for. This training is also known as the circuit training and is a combination of various exercises which are designed to develop you into that all-around athlete.
The cross-training or elliptical workout includes important elements including the cardio, flexibility and strength training. If you are already a professional, you can perform these exercises to mix up the current routine. For the beginner, there can be nothing better than the cross training because it is not geared towards a specific fitness goal.
What is even better is the fact that you can rent a treadmill or a cross trainer and get it installed at your home gym. Get prices and quotations from a reputed cross trainer and treadmill supplier.
Cross trainer and treadmill hire for home: Why should you do it?
As stated in the previous section a cross trainer or a treadmill is a great way to improve the overall fitness levels. An all-around athlete needs to work on his endurance as well as the strength. The exercises you will perform on a cross trainer, and a treadmill will offer you excellent durability as well as aerobic workout.
This will scorch those flabby fat deposits and tone the important muscle groups. It doesn’t matter the sports you are involved in or your skill level for that matter; everyone will benefit from cross training. If you are asking why it is so important to vary the routine, then the answer is a pretty simple one.
When you vary your regimen and exercise routine, you increase the chances of keeping both your mind and body engaged in the workout sessions. It will help alleviate the stress and quite certainly the boredom of routine. Additionally the more you stick to a single routine, the more are the chances that you tire and weaken specific muscles which in turn leads to injuries.
Things to expect
Well, if truth be told you are supposed to expect the unexpected when it comes to any form of exercise regimens. Cross training can vary significantly with respect to the exercise regimen and results depending on the individual. You should ideally perform all exercise under expert supervision to minimize the risk of injuries. A professional gym instructor will be better at ascertaining the experience, skill and difficulty level that should be set according to your body capabilities and fitness goals.
Do you need any specialized equipment?
Other than the treadmill or a cross trainer machine you do require certain additional equipment to get started. Let us have a look.
- You need a specific cross trainer or treadmill shoes for this form of exercise. Any old pair of running shoes won’t do it for you. That is mainly because running shoes are designed for running in repetitive steps in the forward direction. There are specific cross training shoes available in the market which provide basic comfort as well as greater stability when it comes to physical activities. There are outsoles which are accurate for the lateral movements.
- Athletic socks are the next on the list as you should never overlook the importance of a pair. These are lightly padded and ergonomic with respect to the feet dexterity. These also help in managing sweat which is essential for a good cross-training experience.
- You need a pair of stretchable shorts, also called the athletic bottoms as these will allow you a complete range of motion and a perfect fit for lifting, sprinting and twisting.
- You should ideally dress in lightweight and breathable fabric; tank tops for women and tees for men should suffice to promote natural inflow.
- Sports bras and racerbacks are perfect for that uninhibited upper body movements and excellent support for heavy workouts.
- Additionally, you should invest in an ultra-soft towel of microfiber which will keep the sweat in check and help you feel fresh.
- You can also look around and select various knees, calf and elbow sleeves to protect the important joints and soft tissues while performing functional fitness exercises.
- And finally don’t forget that bottle of water, as hydration is the key for any exercise and not just cross training.
What should you look for before investing or hiring?
There are several key considerations to make about your device before you make a purchase or rent one. Here are some of the common ones,
- For that safe and effective workout always go for an elliptical or a cross trainer that has a warm up and cool down feature. Easy to read consoles and handrails to provide adequate balance are some of the key safety features that you should ideally go for.
- If you are purchasing, make sure that it is a maintenance free elliptical trainer with a one year warranty period. Always make sure you service your equipment with the help of a trained expert.
- Go for machines with additional safety features that include a pin and lock so that children can not move the pedals. The machine is not a toy and can cause severe injuries if mishandled.
There are a few bonus features as well
- You can look for a machine that houses a water bottle holder for easy access to hydration while working out.
- A heart rate monitor is another cool feature to consider.
- You can also invest in professional grade devices that include Wi-Fi, fitness tracker apps and other motivational software. Yes, you might have to spend more money than you had initially intended, but all this will increase the fun quotient for your regimen.
Ideally before buying anything you must do a bit of shopping around. Try visiting a few retailers who specialize in fitness equipment. What you need to do is try a few of these devices and judge your comfort level for each of them. Pay importance to the readability of the console and make sure the dimensions fit within your available real estate.
