Stiftung Warentest has put cross trainers under the microscope – with a frightening result. 7 out of 8 devices tested were rated “poor”, one manufacturer even pulled the rip cord and took its cross trainer off the market.
Getting more exercise is a classic New Year’s resolution. The popular cross trainers are a joint-gentle way of getting fitter again. But which models are good? This is what Stiftung Warentest wanted to find out and in a recent comparison test they looked at several cross trainers in the price range between 450 and 1,300 euros (source: Stiftung Warentest). So much in advance: No test device was convincing.
Stiftung Warentest: 7 out of 8 cross trainers tested received the grade “poor”
The best grade got hold of Christopeit Eco 2000 with “Sufficient (4.0)”, which is sold for an average price of 600 euros. The one-eyed man among the blind, you might think. According to product testers, if you want to train with the Christopeit for performance, you should set higher wattage than planned. In addition, the movable bars must not be loaded with the maximum permitted weight of 150 kilos, otherwise they will bend.
After all, the harmful naphthalene in the handle is still below the limit value of the GZ mark and, so it is hoped, can evaporate over time. “Anyone who accepts this can use the Christopeit to build up circulation and muscles,” was the sobering conclusion of Stiftung Warentest.
All of the other 8 tested cross trainers, on the other hand, completely failed the test. At the bottom is the UNO Fitness CT 70, which despite the high price of 875 euros does not get beyond a disappointing “poor (5.5)”. Manufacturer Skandika has taken its Hjemma completely off the market after the test by Stiftung Warentest and is offering customers a refund of the purchase price or replacement of the defective parts.
What you should pay attention to when comparing tests:
No junk tested
The fact that no cross trainer was rated better than “Sufficient (4.0)” is nothing less than a smack for the manufacturers. In particular, the poor grades in the areas of pollutants and safety should give food for thought – especially since the Stiftung Warentest says so too did not test cheap devices, but exercise bikes of the highest accuracy class HA. The test headline “A lot of money for many defects” fits like a glove.