Comparison MAXXUS CX 6.1 vs Pro-Form Endurance 520E

The maximum weight of the user for which the cross trainer is designed. This parameter should be adhered to as accurately as possible, do not be mistaken about the fact that 3-5 kg over the calculated weight will not affect the device. Yes, most likely, the simulator will be able to work for some time, but it will experience loads exceeding the calculated ones, and at best it will fail earlier than expected, and at worst it may break at the most unfortunate moment, which is fraught with injuries. In addition, this case is usually not covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and you will have to eliminate the consequences at your own expense.

The weight of the flywheel installed in the cross trainer. It is a massive wheel, the rotation of which ensures the movement of the pedals and creates a load on them. It is believed that the more weight, the better: a massive flywheel provides smooth movement with a minimum of jerks and creates uniform loads that mimic natural ones as much as possible. This is especially important for athletes with a large body weight — from 100 kg and above. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the cost of the entire cross trainer directly depends on the weight of the flywheel, and for home non-professional use it is not always justified to look for a machine with a very heavy flywheel.

The number of fixed load levels (pedal resistance during movement) provided for in the design of the cross trainer. The more such levels provided in the design, the wider the possibilities for adjusting the load and the more accurately it can be adjusted to the requirements of a particular user. At the same time, the abundance of adjustments accordingly affects the price.

Q factor — the distance between the cross trainer pedals. Anatomically correct running position for ankles suggests a Q factor between 50mm and 90mm. The exact value depends on the height and build of a particular user. Cross trainer with a Q factor up to 90 mm allows you to remove excess stress from the joints of the legs. Of course, it must be taken into account that with the growth of the Q factor, the load on the user's muscular system automatically increases. So, models with an indicator above 90 mm allow for more effective training. But at the same time, an anatomically incorrect position of the legs is assumed, which can adversely affect the health of the joints. If the user has any diseases associated with the joints, you should choose a cross trainer with an optimal Q factor for your height and build (from 50 to 90 mm).

The maximum horizontal distance between the pedals of the cross trainer, determines, respectively, the length of the athlete's step when working on the machine. It is believed that for people of average height, a step length of 400 – 500 mm is optimal, and many cross trainers are made with this calculation. At the same time, there are models with a variable step length, which allows you to adjust it to the personal preferences of different users.

Anyway, the step length should be chosen depending on height, physique and personal preferences. Too small a step will lead to the fact that you have to mince, and the imitation of walking will turn into marking time, and too wide will lead to inconvenience and an unjustified increase in load without increasing efficiency. Ideally, it is advisable to test the cross trainer before buying — how comfortable you will be on it. This applies to both fixed and adjustable step lengths.

The ability to change the angle of inclination of the pedals on which the feet are placed while working out on the cross trainer. Thus, you can change the direction of the load and focus on a particular muscle group. This feature is relatively rare, mainly in professional-level machines.

The number of training programs provided for in the design of the cross trainer. Different programs have different purposes — strengthening the cardiovascular system, maintaining physical fitness, burning fat, etc. At the same time, the operation of the program relieves you of the need to manually set the parameters — this is done by the machine. Accordingly, the more training programs the cross trainer has, the wider its capabilities and the more convenient the training. And some models may even provide the possibility of custom programs.

Heart rate-dependent is a type of training programme in which the load is adjusted depending on the athlete’s heart rate. Simply put, you just need to set the desired rate — and the simulator will automatically adjust all training parameters so that this heart rate is maintained for the required time.

The simplest version of a heart rate programme is the constant heart rate mode when the heart rate is maintained at the same level throughout the entire workout. However, the range of such programmes is not limited to this. As in the case of training ones, the wider this set, the more opportunities you have to choose the optimal option for each specific moment.

Information that the machine can display during operation.

— Workout time. The display of workout time can include both a total time counter and specialized functions — for example, the time spent in the “target zone” (working at a certain heart rate that is optimal for a particular mode), the total training time per day/week/month, etc. Specific features differ from model to model.

— Distance. Display of the "distance travelled" — the distance conditionally covered by the user during the workout. By default, this feature displays the distance travelled since the machine was turned on, but some models may have more advanced features, such as summing up distances over a certain period.

— Speed. Displaying the conditional speed of the user's movement (that is, the speed of movement on the ground, which would give the same load as the movement on the cross trainer at the current moment). Usually, a function is provided to display the current speed. However, some models can also calculate the average speed for passing the distance.

— Revolutions per minute. The display of the simulator displays information about the speed of movement of the pedals (revolutions per minute, rpm). This information will be extremely useful if the user conducts workouts according to the planned programs. The revs data allow...s you to maintain the optimal pace of your workout, giving you a benchmark to compare your current speed with the reference speed required by your workout program. Depending on the model of the cross trainer, the simulator can only display the speed in real time or show the dynamics of changes in rpm throughout the entire workout. Advanced models allow you to save data on the dynamics of the speed of movement of the pedals, which opens up the possibility of a comparative analysis of the efficiency of training.

— Heart rate. The ability to measure the user's heart rate during training. This parameter is one of the most important, for different training goals (burning fat, maintaining tone, strengthening the cardiovascular system) the optimal heart rate will be different. It also depends on several other parameters: gender, age, physique, etc. Exceeding the maximum allowable heart rate is fraught with unpleasant health consequences. You can learn more about this in the specialized literature, and best of all, consult a trainer or doctor. To measure the heart rate, special sensors are used. In different models of cross trainers sensors can have a different design: a clip on the ear, a chest block with a belt, sensitive plates on the handles of the machine, etc.

— Recovery test. The presence of a recovery test function in the cross trainer. This function allows you to determine the rate of recovery of the body after physical labour and, accordingly, its general physical condition and fitness for such loads. Usually, for this, the heart rate is measured twice — immediately after training and 1 minute later — after which the machine gives an estimate, which is deciphered using special tables. Recovery test machines, by definition, have heart rate measurement capability (see above).

— Calorie consumption. Displays the amount of energy expended by the user during the workout. This allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of the work to a certain extent, especially if it is aimed at burning fat and you need to track energy costs. Note that in most models, the estimation of calorie consumption is done quite approximately, without taking into account the individual characteristics of the body. However, for amateur training, this accuracy is quite enough.

— Generated power. The display shows how much power, in Watts (W), was generated during the workout. The power generated is directly related to the pedalling speed and the selected load. This parameter is especially relevant for cross trainers with a built-in generator. Machines of this type operate in a completely autonomous mode — to power the electronics in the cross trainer, a battery is provided, which is regularly recharged from the generator. But the calculation of the generated power can also be carried out in traditional mains/battery cross trainers. Experienced users use the power-generated data to gauge the overall level of efficiency of a workout. The generated power gives an overall estimate of the pedalling speed, the level of the selected load and the training time. Upon reaching a certain value of generated power, experienced users often end their workout.

— Workout chart. On the screen of the cross trainer, a schedule of the training program is displayed, on which the level of load and the duration of the training are shown in a convenient form. The chart allows you to visually assess the amount of energy expended, and at the same time, the calories burned, at various stages of the lesson. Additionally, this allows you to take control of the load rate. A decreasing or increasing chart will tell you when it is desirable to increase the load, and when to reduce it, to evenly distribute forces throughout the entire training program. Some models allow you to save the results of training in a graphical form and compare the diagrams of past sessions with each other.

— Fat analyzer. The presence of the function of measuring the amount of fat in the body (in percent). The operation of such a metre is based on the use of a weak electric current passed through the human body: different types of human tissues have different resistance, and the amount of fat can be deduced from the characteristics of the discharge. This technology is not accurate, but to a certain extent it allows you to evaluate the features of the physique; and by measuring the fat content before and after a course of training, you can get a pretty clear result. The measuring current is considered harmless for healthy people. However, we note that there are several limitations here: in particular, the fat analyzer cannot be used by pregnant women, children under 10 years old, and people with electronic pacemakers installed. And anyway, it is advisable to consult a doctor before buying a machine with this function.

— Body mass index (BMI). The automatic calculation of the body mass index allows you to adjust the training modes for each user, as well as more objectively evaluate the result of training programs. Body mass index (BMI) is the ratio of a person's height to their weight. It is calculated using the following formula: weight/height/height. Let's assume that the user weighs 70 kg and is 1.76 m tall. In this case, BMI = 70/1.76/1.76 = 22.6. The normal BMI is considered to be an index from 19 to 24. If the user's BMI is insufficient (less than 19), then the machine will recommend workouts based on gaining body density and increasing muscle mass. When the MBI is excessive (over 24), the machine will recommend using a training program to reduce fat mass.

— Basal metabolic rate (BMR). Ability to calculate basal metabolic rate — the minimum amount of energy required by the body for normal functioning (for the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems, as well as various organs). In other words, basal metabolic rate is the amount of energy that the body spends directly on functioning, without saving it in the form of fat. This parameter is extremely important for organizing proper nutrition, especially when exercising to burn fat and reduce excess weight. Some formulas allow you to determine BMR by weight, height, age and sex of a person. However, they allow you to get only an average result, while the machine can take into account many additional factors that affect the metabolic rate. Usually, basal metabolic rate is determined by energy spent per day.

— Room temperature. The ability to measure and show the temperature in the room on the display of the cross trainer. This function will help you more accurately assess the conditions for training and choose the appropriate form of clothing, as well as, if necessary, take measures to ensure a comfortable temperature (open the window; turn on the air conditioner — or vice versa, the heater).

The above list is not exhaustive; in modern cross trainers, other types of information can also be shown on the display.