Cross trainer questions - please help!

[emsiewill]

I've recently bought a cross-trainer on ebay, but it came without any instructions. Obviously, I've worked out what to do with it, but I have a couple of questions and I wondered whether anyone out there could help.

Firstly - is doing 1/2 hour on the crosstrainer the same as a 1/2 hour run in terms of the amount of exercise I am getting? I seem to go further in 1/2 hour according to the monitor on the machine, but don't seem to get as out of breath after using the cross trainer as I do when I have been for a run. If I could be sure it was doing me as much good, then I would prefer it instead of running, as it is easier to fit in to my life (ie can do it while watching Corrie!), and easier on my knees.

Secondly - is there any other way to use the machine to exercise other parts of me / get more benefit from it. I know you can go backwards as well as forwards, but just want to make sure I'm using it to its full potential.

Having lost a stone since the end of April with a moderately healthy eating plan, and 3 x 1/2 hour runs every week, I am keen to continue to get fitter and lose weight, so don't want to give up on running if it will put my long term goal (lose 4 stone) at risk.

Thanks

can you perhaps contact the manufacturer and say that you've lost the booklet that came with it and could they send you another one? Or see if the manufacurer has a website, you might be able to download some information.
If you dont have any joy, I'll ask my trainer when i see him next.

Thanks, that's a good idea. And if you could ask your trainer, that would be great. Oh well, there's something to keep me occupied while mn is down!

bump

according to mu cross trainer it is 5 times more beneficial than if you walked the equivalent distance

What make is it ?

Does it have a hill programme ? My gym advisor gave me this routine as part of an overall programme:

Select hill programme (one that has up bits & flat bits IYSWIM) about 2 difficulty levels lower than usual. Then aim to do 60 rpm on the flat bits and 75-80 rpm on the hills( ie use the flats as recovery). It's a killer but has improved my CV fitness a lot and has had a knock-on effect on my running. Ideally do 20-30 mins.

30 mins burns around 400 calories at my weight & difficulty level which is equivalent to running 4 miles so in my case the 2 are fairly equivalent.

I often go backwards on the cool-down as it helps to stretch my calves. Also consciously using your arms to pull towards or push away increases the effect on your upper body.

I guess the most imprtant thing is to make sure you are still challenging yourself and not just going through the motions. If you don't need a towel you're not trying

Hi Twink, I was hoping you would see this. It's a fairly basic model, so doesn't have hill mode. I can monitor my speed, distance and calories - at the moment in 30 mins I go about 10K, and burn abut 250 cals (not convinced the monitor is right though - in 30 mins running, I go about 5K). I have been increasing the tension as I'm getting used to it, so suppose that increases the challenge.

I most definately need a towel by the end - in fact a shower is a necessity!

I really don't want to stop or slow the good effect that the running has been having on my fitness and weight loss, but as the mornings and evenings get darker, it's getting harder to find a time to fit it in, and as I said before, it's much easier to do some work on the cross trainer, as I can do it when dh isn't here, but the children are.

Oh, and the make is Orbitrek - I went on the website, downloaded the manual, and was presented with instructions on how to put it together! I suppose you get what you pay for - ie this is a basic model, so not going to offer many fancy options.