Cross Trainers

Cross Trainers at NRG Fitness BV: Your Complete Low-Impact Cardio Solution for Home

With a cross trainer, you bring home a versatile fitness machine that combines knee-friendly cardio, effective fat burning and muscle strengthening. Thanks to magnetic resistance, a longer stride length and the option to move both forwards and backwards, your training stays challenging and varied. Recent research has also shown that heart-rate-controlled training on a cross trainer (%HR-reserve = %VO₂-reserve) is highly accurate for determining training zones, resulting in faster progress (Dalleck & Kravitz, 2013). Prefer to train at home, save time and still get results? Then a cross trainer for home is an ideal choice.

How Effective Is a Cross Trainer?

A cross trainer combines stepping, cycling and skiing movements, so your legs, glutes, arms, shoulders and core all work at the same time. An exercise physiology study by Dalleck & Kravitz (2013) found that maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and heart rate on an elliptical trainer are practically the same as on a treadmill, while joint loading remains lower. This allows beginners and advanced users alike to train intensively without impact on the knees or ankles.

Examples from our range:

• Toorx ERX-600 – 16 kg flywheel, 51 cm stride length, 24 magnetic resistance levels and foldable.
• Toorx ERX-650 – 16 kg flywheel, tilting pedals (0–8°) and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Toorx ERX-9500 TFT – 32 kg flywheel, 56 cm stride length, 32 induction resistance levels & integrated touchscreen.

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Can You Lose Weight with a Cross Trainer?

Yes. According to the calorie table from Harvard Medical School, someone weighing 70–75 kg burns around 650 kcal per hour on an “elliptical trainer: general”. Train at around 70% of your heart rate reserve for 450–600 kcal/hour and add one or two HIIT sessions for increased afterburn for up to 24 hours.

All the Toorx models mentioned above are heart-rate controlled and connect via Bluetooth to apps such as Kinomap or Zwift, so calorie and heart-rate data are logged automatically.

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How Long Should You Use a Cross Trainer to See Results?

For general fitness and weight management, 3 sessions × 30 min per week (90 min total) is sufficient. For faster results, add 2 short HIIT workouts of 15–20 min. With 24–32 resistance levels on the ERX series, you can switch from recovery pace to climbing sprints within a single workout.

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What Is a Good Cross Trainer for Home?

	ERX-600 (foldable)	ERX-650 (all-round)	ERX-9500 TFT (pro)
Flywheel	16 kg	16 kg	32 kg
Stride length	51 cm	51 cm	56 cm
Resistance levels	24	24	32 (induction)
Programmes	20 + app	16 + app	32 + fitness test
Bluetooth / Apps	Kinomap, Zwift	Kinomap, Zwift	TFT, Kinomap, Zwift
Foldable	✔	–	–
Max. user weight	130 kg	130 kg	180 kg

Buying checklist:

• Flywheel ≥ 8 kg – guarantees smooth resistance (ERX series = 16–32 kg).
• Stride length 45–55 cm – ideal for users ≥ 1.70 m (ERX-600/650 = 51 cm).
• Bluetooth connectivity – for interactive app training.
• Foldable frame – useful when space is limited (ERX-600).
• Max. load ≥ 20% above your body weight – ensures durability.

What Should You Look for When Buying a Cross Trainer?

1. Front-drive or rear-drive: front-drive gives a longer, running-like stride; rear-drive feels more compact.
2. Resistance levels & programmes: more levels = more training variety.
3. Noise: choose a model with a magnetic braking system for quiet workouts—useful if you live in an apartment with sensitive sports flooring.
4. Warranty & service: choose NRG for home assembly and fast parts delivery.

How Do You Choose a Cross Trainer?

First determine your goal (weight loss, rehabilitation, muscle building), measure your available space and set your budget. Then compare specifications and reviews. Our product filters “buy cross trainer” and “home cross trainer” help you make the right choice in one click.

Is a Cross Trainer Good for Your Knees?

Yes. During the elliptical movement, your foot stays on the pedal, making peak reaction forces considerably lower than during running. A biomechanical analysis by Jensen et al. (2007) showed that tibiofemoral compression and shear forces on a cross trainer are only 60–70% of those during jogging. In people with knee osteoarthritis, pain scores decreased significantly after 8 weeks of “low-impact elliptical training” (Seo et al., 2017). This is why many physiotherapists recommend a cross trainer for (post-)rehabilitation or to help prevent overloading.

What Are the Side Effects of a Cross Trainer?

Tingling feet (“numb toes”) can occur if you place too much weight on the balls of your feet. Distribute your body weight over the whole foot. Lower-back tension can occur if you round your back or “hang” from the handles. Keep your torso upright and engage your core. Knee valgus when pedalling backwards has been measured in EMG studies; limit this variation or reduce the incline if you experience instability. With correct posture and changes in pace, side effects are rare.

Is It Worth Buying a Cross Trainer?

A two-year Finnish cohort study of 954 schoolchildren supports this: Syväoja et al. (2019) showed that improvements in aerobic and muscular fitness (+1 SD) were associated with an increase in average school grades (Δ GPA ≈ 0.3 point). A home cross trainer makes regular training easier, keeping both physical and cognitive benefits within reach.

Which Is Better, a Treadmill or a Cross Trainer?

Physiology – Maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and peak heart rates are nearly identical on both machines (Dalleck & Kravitz, 2013). Loading – The elliptical path reduces knee and hip impact by around 30% compared with running (Jensen et al., 2007). Muscle focus – A treadmill mainly targets the lower legs and hamstring drive; a cross trainer also trains your arms, shoulders and core. Choose a treadmill for targeted running technique and bone loading; choose a cross trainer for low-impact full-body cardio.

Which Parts of the Body Do You Train with a Cross Trainer?

You train the following at the same time:

• Quadriceps & hamstrings – drive during the downward and backward phase.
• Gluteus maximus – more active at a higher incline or when pedalling backwards.
• Calves – stabilise every step.
• Core – keeps the torso and pelvis stable.
• Arms, shoulders & upper back – by actively pushing and pulling the handles.

In short: an efficient total-body workout.

Look Beyond the Cross Trainer

Want to expand your home gym? Combine your cross trainer with a rowing machine for extra back and core training, use a recumbent bike for home on recovery days or add a ski trainer for explosive HIIT sessions. Trampolines improve plyometrics and coordination, while our sports flooring protects your floor against vibration and wear.

Buy a Cross Trainer?

Explore our extensive range and find the best cross trainer for your goals. Order online today from NRG. We deliver and assemble at home, so all you need to do is get moving.