Home » Fitness » Fitness Equipment » The Best Cross Trainer 2020 Roundup And User Guide
Fitness can be fun. A cross trainer can target many muscles, but which is the best cross trainer out there?
We find out.
Some are way better than others, and some are simply over priced.
Our cross trainer reviews are based on research, REAL WORLD testing and a thorough writeup by our team of hard working writers.
Want to get a good all round level of fitness with improved health, muscle tone and skin? A cross body trainer helps you achieve all of this.
Instead of paying out for a contracted gym equipment membership you could choose instead a “cross trainer” machine for your house and get the same benefits. Plus you’ll actually have something at the end of it. Let us do the hard work and discover the best home cross trainer with you.
Our OVERALL favourite to come out of our testing in the list is the JTX Strider X7 Magnetic Cross Trainer – An epic performer with fantastic credentials.
This wonderful machine gives your body a full workout and is ideal for raising your fitness levels, losing weight and feeling better about yourself – all from the comfort of your own home.
A cross body trainer will get you much fitter and slimmer without the hard hitting wear and tear that you can sustain on your knee joints from running (the impact can be as much as 2 to 3 x your body weight if you are overweight (see here for facts (opens in a new window)).
After all our “exhaustive” jogging pants wearing testing, our conclusion is that the JTX Strider X7 Magnetic Cross Trainer is our main favourite in terms of price and features.
All the others in this list are so close in terms of second place that it’s hard to choose between them.
A tough rugged machine
When you purchase one, it is highly advised to get a rubber mat.
Here is a nice cheap option at round £14 that interlocks.
This helps silence the noise plus also helps keep the floor protected.
The Fitnessform® P1100 Cross Trainer 2-in-1 Fitness Elliptical Exercise Bike (New Model)
This is so much BETTER than entry level, and really does offer superb pricing and performance. It’s the XS Sports Pro 2-in-1 cross trainer.
When looking for a suitable trainer, bear in mind the features you’d like and of course what sort of budget. It is possible to purchase a cross trainer for “well under” £100 and at the other end spend high 3 or 4 figures on one.
Let’s Jump In To The Best Cross Trainer Reviews
| Picture | Cross Trainer | Comments | Click To View Current Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: JLL CT100 2 IN 1 Cross Trainer Our rating:  |
| Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
| 2: JTX Strider X7 Magnetic Cross TrainerOur Overall favourite!Our rating: |
| Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
| 3: Fitnessform ZGT Z10 Cross TrainerOur rating: |
| Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
|
| 4: XS Sports Pro XS Cross TrainerOur Best Low Cost Choice!Our rating: |
| Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
| 5: Klarfit Ellifit FX 250 Elliptical Cross TrainerOur rating: |
| Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
| 6: Fitnessform P1100 Cross TrainerOur Best Mid Priced Choice!Our rating: |
| Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
| 7: Bodymax E60 Cross TrainerOur rating: | A design and build masterpiece. | Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
| 8: JTX Tri-Fit: Extendable Long Stride and Incline Cross Trainer. FREE Polar Chest StrapOur rating: |
| Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
| 9: Viavito Setry Cross TrainerOur rating: | A superbly good looking cross trainer that also works well | Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
| 10: Ultrasport XT-Trainer 700M Cross TrainerOur rating: | A good quality cross trainer | Click here to find the latest price on Amazon |
Take a look at this 2 minute video that shows the basics of a nice cardiovascular health workout using a cross trainer:
(courtesy of JTX Fitness)
Did You Know?
Using a cross trainer or any form of exercise equipment can be REALLY good for osteoarthritis. Stop those painful flare ups. Here’s an article in the Daily Express about it.
So what is a cross trainer?
In essence it is a piece of low impact fitness equipment that aims to work the majority of the muscles on your body, so that your whole body gets a workout.
(A cross trainer and exercise go hand in hand.. perfectly..)
In fitness terms, this is a great bit of kit as targeting multiple muscle groups helps strengthen your whole body and as a result suffer from fewer injuries, and enjoy faster recovery times.
What sort of room do they take up and would you get along with it?
Well, let’s say this.
- This isn’t a piece of kit you can can use sat down in front of Coronation Street or Men & Motors channel.
- You stand up or sit on the machine and you legs will be moving while your arms also move.
The ones with seats attached are called “2 in 1” machines. Some will let you remove the seat for stand up cross training, however true cross training enthusiasts will claim that it has to be “no seat whatsoever”.
Professional and also lower priced fit trainer machines.
You could happily opt for some of the best cross trainers around such as this life fitness X1 cross trainer (pure gym quality brilliance, as is the proform endurance cross trainer range at half the price of life fitness machines), or choose modellike the York cross trainers that score very well (adequate for most people) like the York fitness active 120 cross trainer at low to mid 3 figure price bands or even down to very low figures (York cross trainers do come fairly well recommended although they don’t always score quite so highly as others). Whatever your needs, weve picked out the “best”.
Some cross trainers let you pedal backward as well as forward so that you can target both the front thigh muscles and the rear thigh muscles. We think this is a “must have” feature to maintain good all round strength.
In The News:
Ever imagine gardening would be as good as using a cross trainer? Read how one person came to this realization while doing some work in their garden recently.
So let’s take a closer deeper look at each of our “best 10”. Remember these have already been weeded out from the rest of the ones for sale due to their strong features, price points and build quality.
1: JLL 2-in-1 Elliptical Cross Trainer Exercise Bike CT100, Fitness Cardio Workout Machine-With Seat + Pulse Heart Rate Sensors, Console Display, 5-level seat adjust and 4-level handlebar adjust. Black colour review
Is this the best elliptical trainer uk wide? Quite possibly, certainly ranked very highly as a favourite!
We like the JLL brand. Affordable and yet highly adjustable. A company who know their target audience and create the right cross trainer machines for them.
This model, the CT100 has the seat meaning you can also use it like riding a bike. Perfect for those who need a low impact bike and cross trainer.
Here are the CT100 features:
- This is the JLL Fitness 2-in-1 Elliptical Cross Trainer & Exercise Bike.
- Dual purpose doubles up as an exercise bike and Cross trainer for maximum workout potential.
- Max user weight: 110kg (17.3 stones in weight) although as it is robust we feel you could get away with more.
- Fully adjustable multi level resistance to increase work out intensity – simply turn the resistance knob located on the frame down between your legs when stood on it.
- Multi Function LCD Display: Pulse, Time, Speed, Distance and Calories burned.
- Front Mounted Flywheel for extra stability. Dual Action Handlebars and Fixed Bars with Pulse Sensors to Monitor Heart Rate During Workout.
- Extra Wide Pedals. Adjustable Seat Height. Light Weight, Durable Steel Frame. Front Wheels for easy transportation
- Could this be the best home cross trainer ?
User manual can be found here.
JLL Ct100 Assembly instructions:
Take a closer look at the JLL CT100 trainer:
Can it be used by short and tall people?
Yes absolutely. People much like myself who are on the shorter side (around 5 foot 3) reach with ease. Even our children reach it just fine. A friend of ours who is 6 foot 6 came for a look (well, a sneaky go on it) and it suited him just fine
Does the seat get in the way when youre using it?
Not at all. When stood up, the seat can be lowered and is kind of set back. Never had an issue with the seat being in the way
Does it come already built up?
Nope sorry. You have to do a little bit of assembly which is pretty straightforward. You’ll need to fit the pedals, seat, handlebars and display on. All tools needed to put it together come with it when you order.
Pro’s and Con’s of the JLL CT100:
Pros
Cons
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
2: JTX Strider-X7: Magnetic Cross Trainer review
If you are aiming for a cross trainer that is much like a gym machine but without spending 4 figures then the JTX Strider X7 may just be the perfect solution.
We have tested this (well one of us was lucky enough to have done) and the overwhelming verdict is that it is a brilliant cross body trainer (if aching the next day is anything to go by).
During normal use (2 to 4 times per week) the Strider X7 is very quiet and smooth running, with very little vibration and feels very sturdy.
It is a premium cross trainer in terms of price and features but you get what you pay for.
A fabulous well packed machine with many high gym features
We liked this machine as it’s obviously very high quality and customer service is exceptionally good.
Features:
- Large full colour touchscreen monitor
- 16 inch stride length
- 21 in built programs to go through (heart rate, hills, intervals etc.)
- 16 levels of magnetic resistance to push your body to the next level
- 4 self programmable levels too – that’s a great feature for dedicated fitness enthusiasts
- Adjustable floor pads ensure uneven surfaces don’t cause any issues
- 28 day money back guarantee. 5 Year frame warranty and 2 Year in-home repair warranty including all parts and labour.
- Compact but robust design with a maximum user weight of 110kg (17St 4lbs).
- Cross trainer weight: 54kg.
- Cross trainer dimensions: 170cm(h) x 70cm(w) 130cm (l)
- Maximum length in use 146cm
- Fantastic customer rating on this machine!
Take a closer look at the JTX Strider X7
Will this machine indent the carpets in my home?
It is a fairly heavy machine, however as these are sold mainly into peoples’ own homes, you can always order some inexpensive rubber matting for under £20
Pro’s and Con’s of the JTX Strider X7
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
3: Fitnessform® ZGT® Z10 Cross Trainer 2-in-1 Fitness Elliptical Exercise Bike (New Model)
We were overall fairly impressed with this trainer. Not too expensive to buy and the build quality is good. You can pedal forwards or backwards to suit your exercise regime and target both front and rear muscle groups in your legs.
The Fitnessform ZGT Z10 main features:
- Resistance adjustable via knob you turn
- Pedal forwards or backwards to target different muscle groups
- Comes with a large LCD display that shows you time, speed, distance, calories, pulse & odometer.
- The height of the seat can be adjusted, as can the position relative to the handles (can be moved closer or further away)
- Very well made cross trainer
- Takes only a few minutes to dismantle
Take a closer look at the Z10 in pictures:
At 5 foot tall can I use the bicycle part easily?
Not ideally to be honest. There is upward adjustment for taller people but down to 5 foot makes it a little harder to use.
Pro’s and Con’s of the Z10:
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
4: Pro XS Sports 2-in1 Elliptical Cross Trainer Exercise Bike-Fitness Cardio Weightloss Workout Machine-With Seat + Pulse Heart Rate Sensors review
Could this REALLY be the best cross trainer for the money?
Enjoy full body workouts with the Xs Sports Pro XS cross trainer thanks to it’s full range of motion and 2 way crank allowing for both forward and backward pedalling (to target hamstrings at the back as well as the front of the legs).
Fully adjustable seat handles and feet to ensure suitability for most people (maximum weight is just over 17 and a half stones / 110kg / 250 pounds).
Take a closer look at the Pro XS Sports Cross Trainer:
What’s the stride length like on this?
It’s more like riding a bike with moving handles in essence so not a massive stride length but definitely a good workout.
What’s it like for long term use?
Perfectly fine. Several real customers have reported the same great use from their machines at the 6 months and upward time frames.
Does the computer display have a back light?
Nope, sorry.
Can tall and small people use it ok?
Yep, it works really well for people of most sizes even at very tall well over 6 foot.
Pro’s and Con’s of the Pro XS Sports Cross Trainer:
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
5: Klarfit Ellifit FX 250 Elliptical Cross Trainer
What’s not to love about the Klarfit?
It’s a really handsome machine – and it comes in a good choice of colours – Black & Orange, Green & Black, Silver & White, Blue & White or Straight Silver
Being able to handle up to 15.7 stones in weight (100kg), this home cross body trainer impressed us right from the start.
Why wouldn’t it?
A list of impressive features that make fitness so much more appealing – (even on your “can’t be bothered” days!)
It also has a super small footprint size so won’t take up all your floor space (only 39.4″ x 24″)
I’m a big person, will I fit on it?
The Klarfit cross trainer is suitable for all heights – small and tall people alike can use it with ease so go ahead and order with ease.
Is it a noisy cross trainer?
No it’s a fairly quiet machine during use (although we can’t guarantee it won’t beg you to use it if you ignore it for a few days 🙂 ). We do advise buying some lubricant at yout earliest convenience to liberally apply to each of the six bolts that hold the peddles and levers. The machine can squeak after a few weeks, so unscrew the 6 bolts, pop in grease and tighten them all back up.
What do others think about it?
You can make up your own mind and read some genuine purchaser reviews about it over on Amazon. All very positive about this.
Klarfit Ellifit Features (taken from Amazon):
- Athletic cross trainer with computer training for the organisation and monitoring of the training session | Heart rate monitor for precise power control on the training computer | 8-level adjustable resistance
- Quick installation with detailed, illustrated assembly instructions | Bottom rollers for easy positioning in the room | Load capacity: max. 110kg
- Training computer functions: time, distance, speed, calories burned, pulse, scan (alternating display) | Materials: metal, plastic | Non-slip treads | Sturdy frame
- Robust construction with sure grip guide / handrails | Padded handles made of PU foam | Rubber feet for stability
- Training computer with easy to read LCD display and large buttons | Power training computer: 2 x AA battery (included)
Dimensions:
• Footprint: 39.4 x 24 inches (W x D) (100 x 61cm)
• Height to the handlebars: 57.1 inches (145cm)
• Tread: 13 x 4.5 inches (33 x 11.5cm)
• Weight: approx. 55 pounds (25kg)
Take a closer look at the Klarfit Ellifit Crosstrainer:
Pro’s and Con’s of the Klarfit Ellifit FX 250 Crosstrainer:
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
6: Fitnessform® P1100 Cross Trainer 2-in-1 Fitness Elliptical Exercise Bike (New Model) review
The Fitnessform P1100 X10 cross trainer is both a cross trainer and exercise bike so you can vary up your workout routine whenever you wish.
The price point is nicely nestled in – not too expensive and not overly cheap either.
When testing we lost 9 pounds in weight over the course of 4 weeks with a fairly healthy diet (basically cutting out the rubbish junk food!)
Features of the Fitnessform P1100
- We found that the unit was very compact compared to others.
- Low impact machine that makes life easier on your joints
- Nice and easy to move around (not too heavy)
- 2 year warranty on parts and the frame
- A great low impact cardio machine that doesn’t impact on your joints
Take a closer look at the Fitnessform P1100 2 in 1 cross trainer:
Can this be folded up when not in use?
Nope. Sorry. The amount of floor space needed is 257.8cm x 154.9cm x 383.5 cm
Can small and tall people use it just fine?
Yes even children can use the machine
Pro’s and Con’s of the Fitnessform P100 2 in 1 cross trainer:
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
7: Bodymax E60 Elliptical Home Exercise Cross Trainer review
If you need “brilliant” then we feel this matches expectations. The bodymax e60 elliptical cross trainer is a firm winner.
It’s a solid fitness machine you can use to make big changes in yourself.
Size wise this machine measures 5 foot 6 inches tall (to top of handles), 4 foot 8 inches in length and 1 foot 11 inches wide.
Everything you need during use can be accessed via the monitor, except for your water bottle that is (a water bottle holder would be handy on the machine but there are other options such as a belt to hold your bottle).
Pedal forwards or backwards on your Bodymax E60 via the circular motion and target most of your core muscle groups.
Take a closer look at the Bodymax E60 Elliptical Cross Trainer:
How noisy is this cross trainer? I want to use it in a flat upstairs
It’s surprisingy quiet and perfect for an upstairs room.
Pro’s and Con’s of the Bodymax E60 Elliptical Cross Trainer:
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
8: JTX Tri-Fit: Extendable Long Stride and Incline Cross Trainer. FREE Polar Chest Strap
It isn’t cheap at close to £700 but boy is it a REALLY nice machine. See what others think about it on Amazon here.
Enjoy extendable long strides (not normally seen on many cross trainers) to really work out hard.
Increase the incline to target muscles like never before
Powerful, JAM PACKED with features and fantastic quality
Connect it via Bluetooth to a FREE app on your tablet or phone and create training routes around the world (seeing the scenery as you work out!). With this free app your Tri-Fit will adjust the resistance as you travel through different sceneries. Almost like being there in person.
The Tri-Fit features at a glance (taken from Amazon):
- Robust cross trainer with variable stride length system (16- 20″), great for multiple users. Powerful electro-magnetic resistance & incline control. By training on an incline you will engage your core and glutes giving you a more complete full body workout. Combining the incline, resistance and long stride length makes this the ideal cross trainer for weight loss and improving fitness.
- Increase the incline to focus the workout on your stomach and glutes area. Reduce the incline to focus the workout on you legs and increase cardio fitness.
- Advanced computer connects via Bluetooth to a free iConsole app on your phone or tablet to create motivating visual training tools. Compatible with Apple and Android phones and tablets.
- Patented space saving design, 153(l) x 75(w) x 173(h)cm. Bio-mechanic multi-grip handlebars and screen tilt. 19 workout programs & custom program feature. Heart rate programs adjust resistance for a more efficient workout (heart rate strap included). 16 levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR). Flywheel 17kg. Max user weight: 135kg. Matte black finish.
- Lifetime frame warranty, 2 year home repair warranty, includes all parts and engineer call outs to your home.
I’m 6 foot 5 – will this be ok for me for the stride length?
Yes. This machine is as good as gymnasium cross trainers, and offers a 20 inch stride length that is found in most gym cross trainers. With it being a home use machine, it’s been carefully designed to be about 30% shorter in length – perfect for a home environment!
Pro’s and Con’s of the JTX Tri-Fit Trainer:
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
9: Viavito Setry 2-in-1 Elliptical Trainer and Exercise Bike review – Black/Red
Viavito combines style with fitness and this is the result with this stunningly good looking low impact bike and cross trainer machine. The Setry is very appealing.
User comfort is a positive here. The oversized feet plates make it easy to get the right position to suit you.
Take a closer look at the Viavito Setry Cross Trainer:
Features of the Setry cross trainer
- A fair weighted flywheel at 5kg (11lbs) (however other machines can be as high as 18kg in this list)
- Stride length: 31.2cm (12.3″)
- 20 challenging programmes (4 are customisable)
- 32 levels of computer controlled magnetic resistance
- Easy to read backlit LCD display
- Oversized footplate
- Horizontally and vertically adjustable seat for user comfort
- Heart rate measurement via hand pulse sensors + wireless receiver (an optional chest strap can be purchased)
- Maximum user weight is 18.5 stones approximately
- Warranty: 2 years (you must register within 28 days to get 2nd year)
How high are the pedals in their highest position as I weant to check headroom
They are 45cm at their highest point.
Pro’s and Con’s of the Viavito Setry Cross Trainer:
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
10: Ultrasport XT-Trainer 700M Cross Trainer/Elliptical Trainer with Hand Pulse Sensors, incl. Drinking Bottle review
The floorspace needed for this machine is 104 cm in length x 49 cm wide x 133 cm high.
We loved the fact that this machine looks very stylish AND is well built.
We also like the water bottle holder and the free water bottle (although when really full it fell out a few times so best not to overfill this).
Take a look at the pictures and see how nice it looks.
Features of the Ultrasport XT-Trainer 700M
- Makes a complete body workout with cardiovascular improvement easily possible, max. user weight: 264 lbs (120 kg)
- 2-way principle for training of leg, hip, butt, arm and shoulder muscles
- Training computer with different modes: time, distance, scan, calories, speed
- 8 different resistance levels, magnetic braking system with 11 lbs (5 kg) flywheel
- Assembled dimensions: approx. 41 x 19 x 52 in (104 x 49 x 133 cm)
Take a closer look at the Ultrasport XT Trainer 700M Cross Trainer:
Pro’s and Con’s of the Ultrasport XT Trainer 700M Cross Trainer:
Want to find out more? Click here to view it over on Amazon.
A few common questions we regularly receive:
Can you lose weight with a cross trainer?
Yes absolutely. An machine that forces you to “break a sweat” will get your heart pumping more and help you to lose weight. There are of course a million other things to factor in. Yoou will want to make sure you are cutting out the “bad foods” (takeaways, junk food and alcohol) and replace meals with healthier variants.
You will also want to make sure you extercise regularly. I recommend at least 4 times per week.
Not only that but if you incorporate “interval training” into your routine (sometimes called HIIT) it helps turbo boost weight loss as your body is burning calories hours afetr your’ve finished your workout.
Interval training means you can get a VERY GOOD workout in just 20 to 30 minutes a day.
It goes something like this:
- Warm up
- Exercise at about 70% effort for say 2 minutes
- Then for 30 seconds increase the effort to about 85% and increase the intensity or incline or resistance.
- Then drop back to 2 minutes at 70% effort
- Then repeat until you’ve had enough.
Can you lose belly fat with a cross trainer?
Yes you can. You will lose fat across all areas of your body when using a cross trainer. In fact any cardio equipment can help you lose belly fet and get a toned tummy.
As long as you consume fewer calories than you eat you will ultimately create a calorie deficit in what you eat and this leads to overall weight loss, including your belly.
Here’s how to create a calorie deficit:
- Every day for a week or two, make a note of everything you eat and drink and note how many calories you have eaten each day.
- Ask yourself: Was this level of eating maintaining my weight or putting weight on?
- If it was maintaining your weight then you need to change a few of the foods or drinks for lower calorie options.
- An average pound of fat equals about 3500 calories, so to lose 1 pound a week you should aim to reduce your calorie intake by about 500 calories a day.
- You can also BURN off 500 calories a day through exercise to get the same result.
- If you want to lose a steady 2 pounds a week then you could burn off 1000 calories a day through exercise, or consume 1000 calories less per day, or combine both methods by burning 500 calories a day and eating 500 calories less a day.
Do you have to spend a lot of money on a cross trainer?
No, not at all. Some of the best cross trainers around are inexpensive. They serve a function but generally come without fancy bells and whistles that you would find on higher priced models. Which cross trainer fulfills this? Well, other than every single trainer on this writeup being superb, the best value cross trainer is the XS Sports Pro 2-in-1 cross trainer.
Can a cross trainer give you a bad back?
In general the answer is no. The upper torso (chest, belly, shoulders etc.) are all fairly in a straight line unlike many other forms of exercise.
A cross trainer is considered a low impact cardio machine, which is good for your core fitness and weight loss.
As with ANY exercise machine it is important that you warm up for 5 minutes by starting off slowly, and gently easing yourself into stronger movements.
In addition, your stomach plays a MAJOR ROLE in the support of your back, so you do need to work on some stomach tightening muscles to help reduce the number of any back related injuries.
Remember the back is a very intricate fragile part of your body, so take things slowly. Get your stomach muscles strong with regular stomach exercises
Cross trainer or a treadmill – which is best?
To work out which is better we needed to do a wee bit of research. This particular study favoured cross trainers but from my own personal point of view, it’s good to have a variety in life. There are definitely pro’s and con’s to both.
While treadmill running is my own personal favourite (having run a number of half marathons), it can impact on knee joints further down in life if you have any gait related issues (flat foot etc.), although I’ve never had any such issues. The good part of treadmill running is it is a natural flow for the body. It’s what we do.
A cross trainer is not a natural movement. Your feet are planted still in one place, however the workout feels very refined and smooth and you get just as good a workout as a treadmill but the effort needed doesn’t feel anywhere near as much.
Cross Body Trainer Machine Resources / Links
Places we used to help produce this review
JTX Fitness – for the Strider X7
JLL Fitness – for their CT100 and CT300
Amazon – for product knowledge
Suffering with knee pains or fallen arches? Our guide to overpronation will help