cross-trainer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal/Neutral
Quick answer
What does “cross-trainer” mean?
A piece of gym equipment designed to simulate a combination of movements like stair climbing, skiing, and running, providing a low-impact cardiovascular workout.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of gym equipment designed to simulate a combination of movements like stair climbing, skiing, and running, providing a low-impact cardiovascular workout.
A person who engages in cross-training, which involves training in multiple different sports or exercises to improve overall performance and reduce the risk of injury.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally common in both varieties for the equipment. The hyphen is sometimes omitted ('crosstrainer'), slightly more so in AmE. The compound 'elliptical trainer' is a common synonym in AmE.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In BrE, it is the standard term for the machine. In AmE, 'elliptical' or 'elliptical machine' is often used interchangeably.
Frequency
High frequency in gym/fitness contexts in both varieties. 'Elliptical' is significantly more frequent in AmE casual speech.
Grammar
How to Use “cross-trainer” in a Sentence
VERB + cross-trainer (use, buy, get on)cross-trainer + VERB (has, features, simulates)ADJ + cross-trainer (commercial, magnetic, new)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cross-trainer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She plans to cross-train by combining swimming with gym sessions.
- Athletes often cross-train to prevent overuse injuries.
American English
- I'm going to cross-train by using the elliptical and the bike.
- He cross-trains with yoga and weightlifting.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form. Use 'as part of cross-training']
American English
- [No standard adverbial form. Use 'as part of cross-training']
adjective
British English
- She bought some new cross-trainer shoes for the gym.
- His cross-trainer regimen includes cycling and rowing.
American English
- These are my cross-training sneakers.
- She follows a cross-training program.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the fitness equipment retail and manufacturing sector.
Academic
Rare; might appear in sports science or physiology papers on training methods.
Everyday
Common in conversations about gym routines, home exercise, and fitness goals.
Technical
Used by fitness trainers and in equipment manuals to specify machine type and function.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cross-trainer”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cross-trainer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cross-trainer”
- Using 'cross-trainer' to mean a training shoe (those are 'cross-training shoes').
- Spelling as one word 'crosstrainer' in formal writing.
- Confusing it with a 'multi-gym' (which is for strength training).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. 'Elliptical trainer' or just 'elliptical' (common in American English) refers to the same type of cardio machine. 'Cross-trainer' is the more common term in British English.
Yes, but it's less common. It refers to an athlete who trains in multiple sports. More frequently, you would say 'someone who cross-trains' or use the verb form.
Cross-trainer shoes (or cross-training shoes) are versatile footwear designed for a variety of gym activities. The cross-trainer machine is the specific piece of cardio equipment. The context usually makes the meaning clear.
Cross-training is generally recommended as it improves overall fitness, works different muscle groups, reduces boredom, and lowers the risk of overuse injuries compared to specializing in a single activity.
A piece of gym equipment designed to simulate a combination of movements like stair climbing, skiing, and running, providing a low-impact cardiovascular workout.
Cross-trainer is usually informal/neutral in register.
Cross-trainer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɒs ˈtreɪnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɔːs ˈtreɪnər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms. The word itself is a compound noun.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CROSS (moving across different motions) + TRAINER (a machine that trains you). It's the machine that trains you across various exercise styles.
Conceptual Metaphor
MACHINE AS A TRAINER (The equipment is personified as a coach guiding your workout).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key advantage of using a cross-trainer?