My thoughts on Tony's Cross Trainer Pro in the Gazelle line.
Written: Apr 28 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: low to no impact, inexpensive, folds to store.
Cons: You really must get used to the glide.
The Bottom Line: Like other models I liked this one as well. For the money and either the beginner or one who needs low-impact worth I'm recommending the machine.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Tony Little's Gazelle Crosstrainer Pro |
Tony Little‘s Gazelle Cross Trainer Pro is another model in his line. Costing less than $150 it is certainly affordable.
Please keep this machine away from children and check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
About the Cross Trainer Pro and how it works:
The machine is advertised as one “of the best workout machines available on the market today. With its soft glide technology, this aerobic machine provides a low impact work out to your upper and lower body muscles groups.
Tony Little's Gazelle Cross Trainer Pro we are told is designed with his patented dual pivot system and independent foot action to give your legs and feet a greater range of motion and provide a smooth workout. At the same time, it provides a challenging workout due to the bi-directional hydraulic resistance that the machine is equipped with.” www.fitnessquest.com
The maximum user weight is 300 pounds. The machine weighs about 49 pounds and measures about 43 1/2 inches long by 34 inches wide by 54 inches high.
Tony Little’s products are made by Fitness Quest and come with a 1-year warranty.
Like other models I was concerned about sturdiness. The Cross Trainer Pro is a bit lighter and has a lower user weight than others in the line. Still I found it sturdy.
The machine folds so it can easily be moved and put away – not that I recommend that because if you do it may never come out!
I thought the foot pads (where I put my feet) large. I liked the lip on the top which kept my foot in place.
You get a water bottle holder to attach and videos to watch.
The handles are made of soft foam. Each one has a built in heart rate monitor.
As I glide and what that means is that one leg moves in front while the other one goes in back and then vice versa I can hold onto the handles which move also. The pedals move freely in the air connected by a thin cable.
There is a console that displays distance, speed, time, and calories burned.
Let’s use it:
The first Gazelle I ever saw was in my mom’s condo. I thought it a strange machine to have with elderly people because these gliders are tricky to get used to.
Once your Gazelle is assembled, make sure it is on a solid, level, carpeted (or mat) surface with plenty of clearance space behind and in front of the swinging foot platforms. Practice getting on and off your unit a few times until you are comfortable with this movement. Now you’ll learn to glide.
The material and video will help you so I won’t go into every detail however once you’re comfortable gliding i.e. moving your feet back and forth you can go onto to some other gliding movement.
Please remember to always use a controlled stride. The Cross Trainer has what is called a stride limiter to help prevent over-extended strides. The stride limiter will stop the foot platform from moving past a certain point. This makes the machine a little safer.
A more advanced glide is called the power jog. This of course will increase your heart rate but you have to hold onto the handlebars at all times. If you go to the gym you may see people using elliptical machines while not holding on. Unless you've been using the Cross Trainer for awhile and are comfortable on more advanced glides I would really recommend holding on.
My experience:
I found that I got more of a workout with a wider glide. That makes sense physiologically and it is true on the Cross Trainer. My knees tend to hurt me. The Cross Trainer is perhaps the lowest impact cardio machine on the market. I found it easier to glide with my knees in a straight position. However if you want more of a workout and your knees are alright then glide with bent knees in a low position.
I found that the position of my hands changed my workout. If I held my arms with a high grip the glide was easier because my legs and arms were sharing the work. When I held them lower my legs worked harder.
The Gazelle Cross Trainer Pro has 2 power pistons that can be changed to increase the resistance. Pistons are long metal type units. The concept is quite simple. There are three holes in the unit. A small pin is put into one of three holes. Each hole controls the unit’s resistance.
The resistance can’t be changed while on the machine. I have come across that before and nixed the machine. In the case of the Gazelle Cross Trainer I have different feelings. The nature of the machine makes me want to stay at one resistance for a period of time. It’s not the kind of machine where I would be hopping on and off to change the resistance. This is also alright because since you can change glides and hand positions you’ll get more of a workout just by doing that. Once you’ve gone through all the gliding positions you then will want to play with the resistance. For example you may want to keep it in the aerobic position and play with your arm and leg positions from there.
The three holes translate to three levels. One is for the beginner. This one will be easy once you get the hang of the glide. You will just be gliding. You will get some hip flexor movement which is good but as far as getting a cardio vascular workout you will not unless you really work at getting your stride long.
The middle hole is considered intermediate. I felt a bit of a resistance on that level. For me it was still too easy but I am writing this for you. If you fall into the above category you will be able to work up to this level in a couple of weeks without any problem.
The third is considered advanced. This is not a machine for a runner or someone who wants to build a lot of strength in their legs or work your cardio vascular system to the max. At the most advanced setting this will not be difficult for those who work out. You will not even break a sweat. There are no hills you can program.
Remember that nutrition is 90% of the work so if you follow the nutrition guide and do some exercises you will be sure to feel healthier and lose weight if that is your goal. Of course I always recommend combing weight training with cardio work.
The Cross Trainer Pro is one of the least expensive and lightest in Tony Little’s line. For the money if you are not over 300 pounds it’s a decent machine. I heard some squeaking which I would expect from a machine this light and at this cost. Other than that it’s quiet. Unlike a treadmill there won’t be pounding on the floor to bother your downstairs neighbors.
I hope this has helped. Please feel free to leave me a question or comment. jo
You can find all my fitness equipment reviews here.
Recommended:
Yes
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