Can't get on with crosstrainer. Am I too short?

[YarnyStasher]

I can't seem to get on with the ones in our gym at all. My knees get sore very quickly, I can't get into any rhythm. I have to stop after less than 5 minutes.

(I usually do 10 minutes rowing and 20 minutes running as well as some cycling, so I don't think it can be because I'm ridiculously unfit.)

Might it be because I'm 5'1? Anyone else had this issue.

[Dontwanttobeyourmonkeywrench]

I can't get on with the cross trainer either, although I never thought of the height thing (5"2) I don't seem to be able to get my feet placed properly and when I use it the inner part of my knee and the outer part of my hip (on the same side) hurt.

Maybe it's a technique thing bit I'll be watching for tips.

[Suzannewithaplan]

There are a variety of different styles of cross trainer, I find some of them comfortable and some impossible to get on with.

I'm about your height so maybe they tend to be more difficult for us shorter folk?

[sunbathe]

I'm tall and can't get on with crosstrainers at all.

They make my knees hurt.

[SirChenjin]

I can't use them either - never thought of it being a height thing (5' 2" here), but that would sound right. I never seem to be able to stretch far enough and they hurt my elbows and knees.

[YarnyStasher]

So glad it's not just me!

[EauRouge]

I'm 5'4" and can't get on with them. I find the feet bits too far apart and too far from the handle bits so I end up in a really awkward position. DH got me a rowing machine for Christmas and I can't get the hang of that either, I think a lot of machines are built with 6'2" blokes in mind.

[YarnyStasher]

Yes, Eau the feet are too far apart. That's it exactly!