Pity the gym-goer of the early 1990s, for their cardio workout options were limited to the treadmill, exercise bike and rowing machine. That’s because it wasn’t until 1995 that US company Precor introduced the cross-trainer to the world, sparking a new era in low-impact exercise.
The cross-trainer, or elliptical, has two large platforms you stand on that allow your feet to roll from heel to toe just as when walking or running, but because your feet never leave those platforms, your joints and muscles don’t experience the same impact. And unlike the treadmill or exercise bike, the cross-trainer also works your upper body via two handles you push and pull while using it.
While we haven’t been able to fully test any individual cross-trainers, below you’ll find our top picks from a range of brands we know make excellent cardio machines, having tested their treadmills and exercise bikes. There are options to suit a range of preferences and budgets, along with a buyer’s guide to help narrow down your choice.
If you do take the plunge, make the most of your purchase by following our beginner cross-trainer workout plan. Or if you’re still not sure if the elliptical is right for you, take a look at the best treadmills and best exercise bikes to see if those machines suit you better.
The Best Cross-Trainers
The Peloton of cross-trainers doesn’t really exist yet, but many NordicTrack machines work with the iFit app to supply guided workouts on a built-in screen. It’s like Peloton, just without the cult-y cachet.
There are plenty of NordicTrack machines that connect with iFit, but the Commercial 14.9 is our top pick because of the 14in (35.5cm) screen, which gives a clear view of the instructors. The machine’s resistance and incline settings can also be controlled by the iFit app in line with the instructor’s commands, meaning you can just focus on your workout.
The beefy 15kg flywheel on the machine makes for a smooth ride no matter how hard you’re pushing and the incline range extends up to 20%, while there are 26 levels of resistance. You get a 30-day trial of iFit’s family membership when you buy the Commercial 14.9. That membership costs $39/£34 a month thereafter, or you can buy one year of individual membership for $180/£104.
With a lightweight 5kg flywheel and just eight levels of magnetic resistance, this is not a machine for an experienced gym-goer hoping to thrash out punishing workouts at home. However, it will certainly do the job for people just starting a health kick or looking to maintain their fitness with a few short workouts a week. One thing to note is that the 30cm stride length will probably be a little cramped if you’re over 6ft (1.83m) tall.
This is an excellent mid-range cross-trainer offering a similar set of features as the £779 JTX Tri-Fit, but it has a smaller stride length making it ideally suited to people under 5ft 9in (1.75m) – consider it karma for all those times a giant has obscured your view at a concert. The 12.5kg flywheel provides a smooth motion even if you are working at the top end of the 16 levels resistance available and there are 21 preset workouts to try, plus four that you can configure yourself.
The C7.5 Elliptical nails all the essential elements of a great cross-trainer, with a 9kg flywheel, 22 levels of resistance, an incline range that goes up to 20% and a stride length that automatically adjusts to your movements. The machine also has 26 preset workouts to try, but if you’re looking for guided sessions then it’s the C7.5’s ability to link up with the iFit app that will really excite you.
Included with the machine is a free 30-day subscription iFit, which contains a vast library of on-demand workouts where the resistance and incline is automatically adjusted in line with the trainer’s instructions. There’s no screen on the C7.5, however – just an integrated tablet holder – so you have to supply your own device to take advantage of the connected app.
There’s something we find curiously unsettling about upright cross-trainers, especially when they promise to combine the “movement of climbing stairs with the intensity of boxing”, as this one does. We’re going to say that throwing punches while pounding up the stairs is about as hard a combination as we can imagine for your fitness sessions, so you can be sure this machine will whip you into shape in no time.
The HIIT L6 has a 14kg flywheel and 22 levels of magnetic resistance. It can also link to the iFit app via Bluetooth where you’ll find an array of guided workouts to follow (iFit membership is required – a 30-day subscription is included with the cross-trainer)). If you’re looking for a machine that can challenge people of any fitness level and don’t have the floor space for a standard elliptical, this is a great option.
The JTX Zenith offers good value to all users because it’s a commercial-standard machine that you can pick up for £899, but it’s taller people in particular who will benefit from using it since it has a 21in (53cm) stride length. That’s longer than the 20in (51cm) stride length of the ProForm Endurance 720 E Elliptical Cross-Trainer, and every inch counts when it comes to comfort for those over 6ft (1.83m) tall. The Zenith has a 17kg flywheel and offers 16 levels of electro-magnetic resistance. There are 18 preset workout programmes to try, plus one that you can configure yourself, and the machine can link via Bluetooth to apps like Kinomap for more workout inspiration.
If you’re hoping to fit a cross-trainer into a small space there are things to consider. These include the machine's dimensions, folding capability, and the overall design of the unit.
The SpaceSaver SE9i does what its name promises, with a handy space-saving design. The unit has an AutoBreeze workout fan to keep you cool when exercising, a 14in touchscreen with controls also on the unit and Google Maps tech that allows you to create a route to “run anywhere”.
The SE9i comes with 24 resistance levels, which can be adjusted with its one-touch controls. It has automatic trainer control, a function that enhances your access to a variety of workouts led by professional trainers. The trainers guide you through exercise programs and adjust the resistance and incline levels of your elliptical automatically. The resistance and incline adjustments are synchronized with the workout video or the program you are following.
What users say: The SpaceSaver SE9i has 4.8/5 star reviews on Nordictrack and 5 stars on John Lewis. Reviewers enjoy the iFit membership (30-day trial included) as well as the easy assembly of the unit.
There are four machines in Bowflex’s Max Trainer range. The main differences between them come down to whether they have a built-in screen or not, and the size of that screen. The M9 has a 10in touchscreen display, an upgrade on the small LCD screens on the M8 and M6 models though not as large as the Max Total 40’s 16in screen.
It’s worth having a screen because the Max Trainer links up with the JRNY app (one-year membership included, then $19.99/£17.49 per month or $149/£134.99 per year), which contains a range of guided workouts plus other entertainment options like scenic routes and the ability to show Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Hulu on the screen during workouts. We’ve tested the JRNY app with Bowflex treadmills and it contains enough interesting options to make your training more engaging, whether you’re in the mood for a tough session or a relaxed workout while watching a TV show.
The E1 is Life Fitness’s entry-level cross-trainer, but it’s still a commercial-standard machine that will easily withstand everything you could throw at it during a lifetime of use. The E1 comes with 20 levels of resistance, 12 preset workouts and two user-customisable workouts. If you opt for the more expensive Track+ console (as opposed to the Go console), the E1 also links with smartphones to track your workouts and create more personalised training options.
The Technogym Elliptical delivers a commercial standard experience in a compact machine that not only has a smaller footprint than most ellipticals of its class but also folds up to save even more space when not in use. The machine has 21 levels of resistance, and while you are paying a huge price here, if you have the cash to splash it’s an outstanding option for home training.
Although it doesn't have a built-in screen, you can mount a tablet on the console and link the machine to the Technogym app, which contains guided workouts for the elliptical and other types of exercise (one month trial included, monthly fee afterwards). The app also has scenic routes and basic workouts that you get for free, with one clever option being to set the heart rate you want to hit and let the machine adjust the resistance to ensure you stay at that target rate.
