A new model, the excellent York Active 120, is replacing the York Aspire, as it is no longer available.
Click Here to see our York Active 120 Review.
York’s Aspire Cross Trainer is the non-intimidating workout machine. You don’t need to leave the comfort of your home, and you have every possibility to gain strength, lose weight and build stamina.
Magnetic resistance and a built-in hand pulse make this a great choice for home users that want to have a gym-quality workout in the comfort of their own home.
Features/ Specification
- Built-in hand pulse sensors
- 6kg flywheel
- Magnetic resistance
- Stabilisers from uneven surfaces
- Transportation wheels
- Mains powered
- Dimensions – 155cm (H) x 64cm (W) x 125cm (D)
- Product weight: 39kg
York Aspire Cross Trainer Review
Assembly
You’ll need to assemble your cross trainer before you can begin using it. York has included all tools required for the assembly process. All you need to do is remove the unit from the box and start assembling.
You’re able to fully assemble this unite within an hour, or less, using the provided instructions. It is clear and has easy-to-follow diagrams.
Assemble your York Aspire with out of the box instructions:
- Install the front stabiliser with the transport wheels facing down
- Attach the upper part of the unit
- Screw-in the pedals
- Attach the handles
- Attach the computer display
You’ll need to follow the instructions precisely to ensure that you’ve properly assembled your unit. The good news is that the diagrams are rather clear and precise, so you’ll be able to easily assemble your cross trainer and begin using it.
Keep in mind that the instructions will tell you when you need to tighten two Allen keys at one time.
Build Quality
Stylish and sturdy is what I find the most impressive about the York Aspire. This model is designed for the home user, and a key feature that goes overlooked is the stabilisation. What this does is allows your cross trainer to remain stable even on uneven floors.
This eliminates the wobble that some owners experience with home cross trainers.
Stylish, this model also includes high-end features that allow you to quickly and easily get a workout. The heart rate monitor is one such feature and is included on the grips. You can gran the grips and use the display to monitor your heart rate.
This is a great feature, but it is also a little inaccurate.
Handlebar sensors, from my experience, are never as accurate as a heart rate strap. You’ll have a roundabout guess of what your heart rate is at when you’re working out, but you won’t know with 100% certainty because it is a little off.
Again, it’s not a big deal, but it’s something worth mentioning.
I did want to mention that there are transport wheels that make moving this cross trainer from one room to the next easy. This is great if you want to pull out your cross trainer to get in a workout and put it back in the corner to save space when you’re done.
Note: This model is mains powered. You’ll need to place the unit near a main when in use.
Resistance
The 6kg flywheel keeps noise production to a minimum on the Aspire, allowing you to train without waking up the entire home. Resistance is also just a click of a button away and can be controlled right on the display.
From first-time users to advanced user, the resistance will provide a rigorous workout that allows you to burn calories and build muscle.
Display Features
- Time
- Distance
- RPM
- Speed
- Pulse
- Calories
- Temperature
The Aspire also has a target pulse, which is what you should maintain when working out. Additional functions also include pulse recovery. This unique feature will help you determine when your pulse has settled down following a workout.
It’s a great option for all users because it also provides several grades so that you can see how fast you’ve progressed when cross training.
You’ll also be able to key in your specific measurements to ensure that the caloric counter is accurate. This means you’ll be able to plug in your:
- Age
- Height
- Weight
- Gender
- Body fat
Once you do all of this, you’ll come across several different programs and presets to follow. I will provide a basic outline of the options below:
- Manual
- Fat burn
- Steps
- Hill
- Rolling
- Valley
- Ramp
- Mountain
- Intervals
- Random
- Plateau
- Fartlek
- Precipice program
And if this wasn’t enough, you also have Program 14 – 17, which are user-created programmes. You can set your own program up and save it into the machine’s memory so that you can always go back to the program in the future.
This is a truly customers program.
But there’s also more.
Program 18 – 22 are all heart rate controlled. These programmes work on percentages and will be 100% controlled by your heart rate. This means if you’re going through a rigorous workout session, you’ll be monitoring your heart rate the entire time, and the program will adjust based on your heart rate.
A final program is available and is based on the user’s body fat.
Price
Unfortunately, the York Aspire Cross Trainer is no longer available. York has since updated their cross trainer lineup and has replaced the Aspire with the more advanced: York Active 120.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Offers 23 different preset workouts
- Tension levels are easy to control
- Transport wheels are included
Cons
- Pulse sensor isn’t 100% accurate
- Presets can become confusing due to the high number available
Conclusion
York Aspire is one of the best cross trainers that was on the market. While this model did leave some to be desired with their built-in pulse sensors, the company provided a robust display that comes with 23 preset workouts.
These workouts will guide new and experienced users from flab to fit.
You also have the option of making your own customer presets, which is a nice addition to any cross trainer.
Overall, the Aspire provides a durable build, stylish look, easy transport option and also a display that can compete with models twice the price of the Aspire.
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