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Tony Little's Gazelle Crosstrainer Pro: The Simple Exercise Alternative

Looking closely at the Tony Little’s Gazelle Crosstrainer Pro, it seems like such a basic bars-and-pedals contraption – attractive in its not having that more-stylish-but-bulky look of some models of other brands. It boasts of its patented soft-glide technology that gives you better chances for muscle toning.

But upon closer inspection, you get to ask yourself if you really need that soft-glide foot pedaling system. Of course, you need the workout it provides; you would really perspire with all that exertion and, from the looks of it, the upper part of your body would benefit from the very simply designed Tony Little’s Gazelle Crosstrainer Pro, with its easy-to-grip bars and the swaying motion effects of swinging these in synchronicity with the motion of your lower hips. However, the soft-glide foot pedaling system doesn’t really give you that normal-walk or normal-run stride now, does it? Since your feet are fixed to the pedals by straps and you just “glide” instead of “walk” or “run,” retaining only one position of your feet—planted flat on the pedals, the tendons, joints and muscles of the lower limbs are not all that benefited.

The total picture is, along with exercising your upper body’s dorsal muscles and triceps and other muscle groups around there, it also does stretch your sartorius and quadriceps in the lower part of your body; but since the machine doesn’t do much up-and-down motion of the feet, how would it benefit the tendons of that part of your lower limbs? As a result, without stretching your heels and toes, you could imagine yourself pulling your hamstrings a lot of times.

Sad to say, this is the major flaw in all these cross trainers and elliptical machines: the necessity of impact on the lower joints is totally disregarded. With this in mind, wouldn’t it be more totally beneficial for your total-body workout if you just brisk-walk on soft ground (hard, cemented pavements are not recommended) some few blocks, rather than spend on a cross trainer?

This is not saying the Tony Little’s Gazelle Crosstrainer Pro is not the machine to buy. IF it is not safe for you to do the actual brisk walking a few minutes a day -- if this is a threat to your life and limbs -- then, by all means, Tony Little’s Gazelle Crosstrainer Pro is the perfect buy for all the cardiovascular exercising and muscle toning you need in the confines of your own home. It is not only reasonably priced for those on a tight budget, it is also sturdy. Plus, it comes packaged with motivational video as well as a toll free number to reach a personal trainer for any questions that you might have.