Cross trainer advice

[GinWithRosie]

Hoping someone with more experience than I could help please.

I am looking to purchase an exercise machine to use at home, having spent the past 8 or so weeks building up my outdoor walking from zero () to now easily walking 10k every day. I go out early in the morning or evening as I'm still working (either at home or on the rota in school...I'm a teacher). However, from 1st June I'm back in every day so my time will be limited.

For context:I'm late 50s, have a dodgy knee (bakers cyst), and until recently my only exercise was writing on a smart board! I have LOVED this opportunity to discover walking...never thought I'd enjoy it but I get a buzz! I can't run (not even a little bit!) so no point in a treadmill. Hate cycling (arse way to big for comfort on a saddle!) so wondered about a cross trainer. (I also know myself too well, and at the first signs of bad weather, I'd not bother going outside...especially when on a school day I don't get home until 7pm 🤷‍♀️)

I've never been on one though so can't confidently say whether I'd know what to do! Can anyone explain how they work/if it's easy to operate/whether having a dodgy knee would be difficult etc!

Thank you in advance. Lots of questions I know, sorry!!

I watched this thread, but sadly no replies, so I’ve taken the plunge and after a little research have bought myself a cross trainer! I’ve never actually used one before but reviews of this one, and the company itself are good. The company get good reviews for customer service, and they have videos which show you how to use the equipment.

www.jtxfitness.com/jtx-strider-x7-home-cross-trainer

I won’t get it till July, as it seems that this kind of equipment is in very high demand just now. At £400 it was more than I’d originally intended to spend, but I’ll not be going anywhere on holiday this year, and my usual expenses have gone down during lock-down, so that’s my justification. I’ve paid a deposit, and the rest on payments over 6 months - interest-free.

Thanks @Seeingadistance this is a great link. Helpful too that you can spread the cost over 6 months...and you’re right about no holidays for a while, that was my thinking too 👍 Might as well get ‘fitter not fatter’ whilst this is going on 😂

I like your «fitter not fatter» mantra. I’m going to keep repeating that to myself!

I have one, but unfortunately it's broken and I'm gutted because 1) I can't fix it and 2) it was one of my main forms of exercise. It's a nice alternative to running if you've got chronic pain like I have.

@PhilSwagielka I'm hoping that it will be ok to use with my dodgy knee, because I can't run with that...hope you get your fixed soon 👍

@Seeingadistance I've just ordered the JTX one 👍. July delivery, like you 😊. Thanks!

Woo hoo!

I’m really excited about getting this thing I’d never heard of this time last week!

We can compare notes in July - beginning with how to put it together and get started!

Haha...I'm hoping it's not too difficult 😂 (maybe there's a video 👍)

I'm very excited too 😂

Thanks for the link, I just ordered a cross trainer, I've been looking for one for ages! June/ July delivery so looking forward to it. I did manage to get a cheap exercise bike a couple of weeks ago which I've been using for 30mins a day but can't wait to add in the cross trainer as well.

👍 We've started a little club 🥰

@GinWithRosie and @Seeingadistance mine is coming tomorrow! Will let you know how we get on with assembly. I'm very excited!

@UpToonGirl

How did you get on?

I got a text today that mine is coming on Saturday!

My dad has a cross trainer in the garage which I often use. I love to run but injured my calf muscle and have dodgy knees so I can’t run too often or I get lots of pain. I don’t enjoy the cross trainer as much (probably because I’m looking at the garage wall rather than being out and about) but it’s a good work out and much lower impact than running. As I got fitter, I pushed myself more and more and now I am working out at a higher level and faster speed compared to when I first started and feel that its comparable with a run for exertion.
I hope you guys get on well with yours. I find that listening to upbeat music makes me work harder and faster too.

@Seeingadistance ours arrived in one huge box, delivered to our living room. When we opened it we assumed it wouldn't take long to build as it looked like it was mostly done...wrong! it did take dh about five hours, if I'm honest he is not the best at this sort of thing but still surprised it took that long as the reviews all seemed to say one hour!

Once it was finished I was really pleased with it,it's very sturdy and smooth. Been using it every day although I haven't tried any of the programmes yet.

@UpToonGirl

Oh, that sounds good!

I’ll be putting mine together myself, so I’ll race your DH and see if I can do it in less than 5 hours!

Mine is arriving today...take 2 🤷‍♀️ Originally arrived a couple of weeks ago but was damaged 😢 Hopefully this time is more successful 👍

Hope you are both getting on ok with yours 😊

@GinWithRosie fingers crossed you get it today! Still very happy with ours.

Thanks...excited (again 😂😂) xx