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Walk into any modern gym, and you’ll be faced with uniform rows of treadmills, rowing machines and cross trainers. It wasn’t always like that, though. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that a US-based exercise equipment company – Precor – invented a machine that could combine the low-impact, joint-friendly benefits of static exercise bikes with the running motion of a conventional treadmill. The cross trainer was born.
Step onto a cross trainer – or elliptical trainer as they’re sometimes known – and your feet are positioned on two large platforms, your hands reaching forward to grip two handles. This is the arrangement that a cross trainer uses to simulate a walking, running or stair-climbing movement, allowing your feet to roll from heel to toe just as if you were on a treadmill or jogging around your local park. The big difference? As your feet never leave the pedals, your knees, joints and tendons don’t take a pounding – for those of us who struggle with running, or are recovering from injury, a cross trainer is a godsend.
That’s not the only benefit, however. As you also have to push the two handles during the movement, a cross trainer provides a full-body cardio workout – if you’re looking for just one do-it-all exercise machine for the home, an elliptical will cover all the bases.
In this guide you’ll find cross-trainers to suit every budget, from basic machines that cost under £200 to commercial standard units that look like spaceships, and, well, cost a lot more than £200.
How to buy the right cross trainer for you
What kind of cross trainer do I want?
Cross trainers tend to come in two styles: rear drive or front drive, which refers to where the flywheel is placed on the machine. Rear drive can make for a more stable machine and allows for a longer stride length that feels more like running. By comparison, front drive machines can feel more like a stair climbing machine as users lean forward.
One key benefit is that front drive machines can be more compact. This makes them attractive if you have a small home, although bear in mind that there are folding rear drive machines on the market which can be stowed away after use.
Regardless of whether you go for a rear or front drive model, the essential ingredients for any cross trainer are that it is stable and comfortable to use – we mention it a few times in this article, but if you're tall, then don't be tempted to go for a machine with a short stride length. You'll regret it.
What features should I look out for?
The weight of the flywheel can be a good way to judge its overall quality – heavier flywheels should provide a smoother, more consistent resistance level. Look for over 5kg as a bare minimum, but for a mid-range machine and beyond you’ll definitely want it to be heavier. Also look out for how many levels of resistance are available on the machine, if it has the ability to change the incline, and if there are any preset workouts, all of which will help ensure it can keep providing a testing workout as you get fitter.
Other important features to look out for relate to it’s size and stride length. If you are tall you’ll need a longer stride length and longer handles to be comfortable when using the cross trainer. Heavier users should also keep an eye out for the max user weight of a machine, especially if opting for a cheaper cross trainer, which are often less stable.
How much do I need to spend?
If you're working on a tight budget there are decent cross trainers available for under £200, but you will certainly sacrifice some stability and features at that price. There are some excellent home cross trainers available between £500 and £1,000, but if you are chasing a gym-standard experience then it’s time to break out that credit card – you’ll need to spend well over £1,000.
The best cross trainers to buy
1. XS Sports Pro 2-in1 Elliptical Cross Trainer: The best cross trainer under £100
Price when reviewed:£90
Cross trainers under the £100 mark often double up as exercise bikes, but while this sounds like you’re getting two for the price of one, that’s not quite the case – this dual-purpose design generally means that they have a very short stride length, so they’re not the most comfortable to use as an elliptical.
That said, this 2-in-1 machine from XS Sports is just about sturdy enough for cross trainer workouts, with a total weight of 28kg, and has heart-rate sensors built into the handles to give your pulse mid-workout. It also has adjustable resistance levels and you can cycle the pedals forward or backwards to target different leg muscles.
If you’re on a shoestring budget but still want to kickstart a new fitness regime, this is a worthy place to start.
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XS Sports Pro 2-in1 Elliptical Cross Trainer Exercise Bike-Fitness Cardio Weightloss Workout Machine-With Seat + Pulse Heart Rate Sensors
Key specs - Size (LWH): 122 x 60 x 154cm; Flywheel: Front drive (weight not given); Stride length: Not given; Max user weight: 110kg
2. JLL CT300 Elliptical Cross Trainer: The best cross trainer under £200
Price when reviewed:£156
The limitations of sub-£100 machines mean that around £150 is the sweet spot for bargain-priced cross trainers. For just over £150, this machine from JLL has an impressive set of features. The 5.5kg flywheel is heavy enough for a smooth workout, and there are 8 resistance settings to pick between. There’s also a tablet holder on the display if you’d prefer watching Netflix to staring at your calorie count during workouts.
While the short stride length means that people over 6ft might struggle to use the CT300 comfortably for longer periods, the features and build quality of the machine makes it a great pick for everyone else.
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JLL® CT300 Home Luxury Elliptical Cross Trainer, 2017 New Magnetic resistance elliptical fitness Cardio workout with 8-level magnetic adjustable resistance, 5.5KG two ways Flywheel, console display with heart rate sensor and tablet holder. Silver colour
Key specs - Size (LWH): 120 x 61 x 167cm; Flywheel: Rear drive 5.5kg; Stride length: 32cm; Max user weight: 100kg
3. JTX Strider-X7 Magnetic Cross Trainer: The best cross trainer under £500
Price when reviewed:£475
The Stride-X7 has a monstrously weighty 12.5kg flywheel that ensures a super smooth ride. There are 16 levels of resistance, and 21 different workout programmes to follow, including hill training for the masochists amongst you. All of the features you’d want on a home machine are present and correct, though the 40cm stride length is still a tad short for taller users.
JTX sweeten the deal on this machine by throwing in a free Polar heart-rate chest strap for extra accuracy if you are doing training based on your pulse, and the Strider-X7 also comes with a two-year in-home repair warranty, with a generous five years of warranty for the frame.
Key specs - Size (LWH): 130 x 70 x 170cm; Flywheel: Rear drive 12.5kg; Stride length: 40cm; Max user weight: 110kg
4. NordicTrack E10.0 Folding Elliptical Cross Trainer: The best folding cross trainer
Price when reviewed:£799
Up your budget a little closer to the £1,000 mark, and you start to get some pretty serious cross trainers to choose from. The E10.0 is one of the best at the price, and boasts a great range of features including 0-20” incline range and 24 preset workouts. There are 22 levels of magnetic resistance, and the 46cm stride length and long handles mean that taller users are well-catered for.
All those features mean you'll be given every opportunity to work up a sweat while using the E10.0, so the AutoBreeze workout fan located in the console, which adjusts its speed in line with your workout intensity, will be much appreciated.
Those living in smaller flats will also be pleased to find that it’s collapsible: the E10.0 folds up to a relatively compact 77 x 81 x 199cm (LWH) which means it can be stored away after use.
Buy the Nordic Track E10.0 from John Lewis
Key specs - Size (LWH): 203 x 81 x 169cm; Flywheel: Rear drive 10kg; Stride length: 46cm; Max user weight: 125kg
5. Proform 7.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer: The best cross trainer under £1000
Price when reviewed:£949
The Proform 7.0 doesn’t add a whole lot of new features compared to cross trainers that cost nearer £500 than £1000, instead it justifies its price by add a huge amount of options and customisability, and a design that wouldn’t look out of place in a gym.
This sturdy, quiet machine provides 22 levels of magnetic resistance and an incline range of 0-20”, both of which come into play for the excellent 29 preset workout programmes. The clear LCD display includes all the usual stats like speed, time, distance and calories, and also shows more in-depth info like your tempo and peak effort zones during workouts. The presence of dedicated work and recovery buttons for interval training are a nice touch, too.
Key specs - Size (LWH): 202 x 64 x 165cm; Flywheel: Front drive 11kg; Stride length: 53cm adjustable; Max user weight: 130kg
6. Life Fitness E1 Elliptical Cross Trainer (Track Console): The best cross-trainer under £2,000
Price when reviewed:£1,695
At this level, you’re now well into the territory of commercial standard cross trainers – Life Fitness actually makes many of the cardio machines you find in gyms. The E1 is their entry-level home elliptical, but still has a robust design that should see it last you a lifetime of workouts, and there is no shortage of interactive features to ensure those workouts don't get boring.
There are 20 levels of resistance, which can be easily adjusted from buttons on the handles, 12 preset workouts and two that can be customised by the user. The Track Console on the E1 is £100 more expensive than the Go Console version of the cross-trainer, but it’s well worth the extra outlay: it allows you to connect the elliptical to smartphones and fitness trackers, and tackle more interactive workouts.
Buy the LifeFitness E1 Elliptical Cross Trainer from John Lewis
Key specs - Size (LWH): 209 x 77 x 150cm; Flywheel: Rear drive (weight not given); Stride length: 51cm; Max user weight: 182kg
7. Technogym Synchro Forma Cross Trainer With Training Link: The best gym-standard cross trainer
Price when reviewed:£3,141
If you are willing to spend over £3,000 on a cross-trainer you can have your pick of an array of incredible machines. The Technogym Synchro Forma is one of the best, however, and has an ace up its sleeve: its integrated MyTrainer programme creates a personalised training plan based on your fitness and goals which syncs automatically and can be followed both online and on your smartphone.
Buying the Synchro Forma along with the Training Link also allows you to connect the machine to a tablet, which can be clipped on the console and used as the screen to display all your workout details. This also provides more engaging preset workout routines via an companion app, and you can also watch videos and listen to music on the tablet.
The actual key specs on the Syncho Forma might seem surprisingly modest given the high price – there are only 12 levels of resistance and a 7kg flywheel – but the smooth, well-balanced motion of its pedals and handles provides a serious challenge in the higher resistance settings.
Buy the Technogym Synchro Forma from John Lewis
Key specs - Size (LWH): 204 x 75 x 160cm; Flywheel: Rear drive 7kg; Stride length: 50cm; Max user weight: 160kg