Cross country ski machines are manufactured to simulate the motions and exercise of cross country skiing. They work by using either swiveling poles or a rope and pulley system to copy the movement of the ski poles. There are foot pads or long narrow boards that glide using rollers for the motion. The purpose of these machines is to provide a workout that has no impact or strain on your joints and that feels exactly like cross country skiing. The biggest difference is that by using the machines you do not have to bundle up for the cold, you can ski right in the comfort of your own home.

There are several reasons to use a cross country ski machine, and the workout it gives is one of the biggest. Cross country skiing is one of the best types of exercise that you can do, because it provides a total body workout without any heavy impact. This machine builds your upper body, lower body, back, and core muscles, all in one exercise. A quality ski machine will provide repetitive movement while offering minimal resistance.

Cross country ski machines offer two different types of leg motion, dependent or independent. All this means is whether or not the legs move together or not. With dependent leg motion the skis are linked, meaning one ski goes backward while the other ski goes forward. These machines are great for beginners as they keep your legs from going too far, but some of these models may seem stiff. Independent leg motion means that the skis are not linked, so they may be difficult for beginners. These machines provide a more intense workout that is more similar to actual skiing.

Most of these machines come with a control pad that has various functions. These functions may include the distance traveled, the resistance strength, time that has elapsed since you started, calories burned, and much more, depending on the machine. The cost of these machines may range from a couple hundred dollars to three or four thousand, depending on whether you want a home version or a full scale gym model.