Cross trainer

The History of the Cross Trainer

In the 1990s, the fitness industry was looking for new equipment to support the growing trend toward low-impact cardiovascular exercise. Treadmills were already established, but like jogging, they put stress on the knees and hips. Stationary bikes, on the other hand, provided a good cardiovascular workout but did not engage the whole body.

In 1995, the U.S. company Precor brought the first commercial elliptical trainer to market. What made it special was the elliptical, or oval-shaped, motion of the pedals: it simulated the movement of running but without jarring impacts on the joints. This made it possible to effectively challenge both the cardiovascular system and the muscles of the legs, buttocks, and core—and with virtually no risk of injury.

Elliptical trainers were soon further developed:

Moving handles were added, allowing the upper body and arms to be trained as well. Manufacturers integrated workout programs, heart rate monitoring, and later multimedia features. Over time, more compact home machines emerged alongside large studio ellipticals.

Today, elliptical trainers are among the most popular fitness machines for homes and gyms worldwide. They are considered the perfect combination of a treadmill, stepper, and exercise bike—with a smooth motion that activates almost the entire body.

Which elliptical trainer is right for you?

The selection of elliptical trainers is very diverse. In the Shark Fitness online shop, you will find models from renowned brands such as Spirit Fitness, Tunturi, Horizon Fitness, NordicTrack, Matrix Fitness, Life Fitness and more. The key is that the machine meets your personal needs: Do you have limited space available? Do you value the connection of multimedia functions? Or are you looking for as many training options as possible?

We present you with three models that stand out for their excellent value for money and versatile features.

More effective home workouts: The benefits of the incline function on the elliptical trainer

The incline function of a cross trainer provides a significantly more intense and effective workout. While training without an incline primarily improves overall fitness, the incline enables targeted additional resistance: the leg, glute, and core muscles work harder, calorie burn increases, and muscle building is optimally supported. Those who want to train endurance and strength at the same time benefit particularly from this function – it makes a difference and helps to achieve personal fitness goals faster.

The incline function of elliptical trainers allows you to change the angle of movement, making your workout more intense. Depending on the model, this is achieved either by raising the entire rail on which the pedals run or by adjusting the pedals themselves. While adjusting the rail makes the entire path of motion steeper, raising the pedals creates a steeper movement pattern without changing the rail.

There is a difference between manual and electric incline adjustment: With the manual option, you set the incline directly on the machine before your workout—usually on simpler models. The electric adjustment, on the other hand, allows you to adjust the incline during your workout at the touch of a button. This is particularly useful for interval training or for specifically targeting different muscle groups.

A particularly good example of an elliptical with an incline function is the Spirit Fitness XE395. With its 20-level electronic incline adjustment, the workout can be individually tailored and realistically simulates the feeling of walking uphill. This specifically targets the legs and glute muscles, which increases calorie burn and boosts workout intensity. The XE395 is ideal for anyone looking to specifically improve their endurance and strength while seeking a joint-friendly yet challenging workout.