Whether you’re already familiar with elliptical cross trainers, or barely know much about this form of cardio workout, there’s a whole load of reasons why they’re pretty fantastic. Not convinced? Take a look at our top 5 reasons why we love the elliptical cross trainer… Training on cross trainer First things first… what exactly is an elliptical? An elliptical - or cross trainer – is one of the most common cardio machines you’ll find in the gym, along with treadmills and exercise bikes. An elliptical pretty much merges the movements of the treadmill, exercise bike and steppers to result in a workout that engages your entire body. Featuring moving handles, you work your upper and lower body simultaneously in an ellipse motion. 5 big benefits of the elliptical cross trainer #1. Keeps your joints happy One of the most obvious benefits of the elliptical is its massive reduction in impact. Running outside - or even on a treadmill with an impact-reducing tread belt - puts pressure on your joints, which can lead to discomfort, wear and tear on your joints and even injury. An elliptical gives you a fantastic cardiovascular workout, but minus that pressure that your joints simply do not need. With the elliptical, your feet never leave the pedals. This makes it great for everyone as a way to protect your body and prevent potential future issues, as well as being ideal for those suffering from physical conditions. #2. Gets your entire body working HARD Training on an elliptical is brilliant because it gives you a total body workout. Thanks to the moving handlebars, you engage both your upper and lower body. Making you work all your lower leg muscles, it offers a great way to strengthen and build your lower legs. Most cross trainers also have the stationary bar or handles too. Using these, you hold your upper body still, putting more intense focus your legs and glutes. And of course, with the resistance level changes, you can really challenge your body! #3. Great for the home If you’re looking for a cardio machine for home, the elliptical is a great choice because it isn’t difficult to maintain. Because of the low impact nature of the exercise you do on it, it gets less wear and tear – just like you do when on it! Much lower maintenance than a treadmill, for example. Plus, you can get some really compact ellipticals designed specifically for homes where space may be limited (some even fold) and they’re pretty quiet too, so you won’t annoy other family members. #4. Activates more muscle groups The elliptical allows you to reverse stride, which activates more muscle groups, and puts more emphasis on certain muscles, such as your quadriceps. A great way to burn more calories. Plus, it also mixes up your routine -  a great boredom buster - and ensures your body keeps working hard. [caption id="attachment_756" align="alignnone" width="550"]woman on cross trainer Ellipticals engage more muscles in the lower body[/caption] #5. You’re working harder than you know! The beauty of the elliptical is that you’re most likely working a lot harder than you actually think. Because of the impact-free elliptical stride action, your motion is more natural, controlled and smooth so you perceive your exertion to be lower than it actually is. So more calories burned, for less perceived effort. Great! But don’t worry, if you want to feel that burn, you can – ramp up the resistance and enjoy some interval training. You’ll feel body blitzed, but you’ll still have done more than you think! Bonus! Our Top Picks Ready to go elliptical shopping? Here are our top choices…
  • On a budget? The Horizon Syros Elliptical is a fantastic entry level machine. Compact, well-built and easy to use, it’s brilliant for home use and caters to all fitness levels. With 3 year warranty too and just £399, it’s a star buy.
  • No room in the house? Get outside! Whether you’ve no space in the house, or simply love the great outdoors, the BH Fitness OUTwalk Outdoor Elliptical (£799) is the answer. Built to withstand extreme conditions, you can train in or outdoors. Top features include ultra-smooth motion, 8 resistance levels and optional wireless heart rate.
  • Climb that hill We love the Nordic Track E7.2 Cross Trainer because of its innovative incline ramp. Featuring 5 positions up to 20 degrees, you can mix up your training with challenging hill climbs. There’s also an adjustable stride path to target different muscle groups, 20 workouts and iFit Live compatibility. All that for just £499! [caption id="attachment_758" align="alignnone" width="600"]Octane Nordic Track ellipticals The NordicTrack E7.2 and Octane Q47x Ellipticals[/caption]
  • Looking for entertainment? Look no further than the Vision XF40 Touch Elliptical. This exciting elliptical delivers high definition training with its innovative touch-screen console, built in Virtual Active™ programmes, critically acclaimed SPRINT 8® programme and Passport™ interactive training compatibility. There’s a lot to like! Oh, and it folds.
  • Technologically advanced Leaders in the field of ellipticals, Octane Fitness produce some of the most advanced cross trainers on the market. The Octane Q47x elliptical is ultra-durable with electronically adjustable SmartStride, unique converging path and Octane's signature Workout Booster modes.
Read our guide to elliptical trainers.