The best cross trainers for an indoor cardio hit at home
The best cross trainers provide a low-impact means for varying your workouts – shop GQ's pick of the top models below
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Have a think about the best cross trainer you ever used. Chances are it was a smooth ride with oodles of entertainment flourishes available on an HD screen, right? Ah, boys and their toys. Such machines, while dreamy to use, are likely ones you will only encounter in five star hotel gyms or swanky commercial American spaces. But that doesn't mean the market for at-home cross trainers isn't teeming with options that are almost as good.
Like the treadmill, the cross trainer (or elliptical) is a large and important part of any gym. Even the smallest of home or hotel fitness rooms will likely boast one or both of these cardio meat and potatoes. Why? Because they're both machines you head for when the time for strength training is over and the necessity of cardio begins. We all know that we shouldn't skip leg day, but raising your heart rate is just as important as making sure you're aesthetically balanced, and cross trainers are an ideal piece of equipment to get you doing just that.
Similar to rowing machines and exercise bikes, the cross trainer presents the perfect opportunity to stay fit at home without risking your knees and ankles by overusing the treadmill. Even if the rest of your cardio minutes are spent pounding pavements in your favourite running trainers, then, the cross trainer is still a good idea: it's always advisable to vary your routines. Plus, it's the best piece of gym equipment for simultaneously binging new episodes of The Traitors while you work out.
To help you figure out which cross trainer is right for you, we've compiled some tips on what to look out for, including expert input from Jack Claxton, Personal Trainer at David Lloyd Clubs.
What’s the best cross trainer?
Your favourite high-end London gym probably loves Technogym, and there's a reason for that: the price tag mirrors what you get here, which includes a suite of workouts and a premium design in a package that folds for space-saving capabilities.
If you're working on a relative budget, JLL has some wonderful options in all of its categories, and its CT500 cross trainer is no different. A hardy option thanks to its solid steel composition, there are twelve resistance levels to choose from so even beginners can get involved, and there are tablet-holding capabilities to help you get through the burn, too.
An elliptical with all the bells and whistles but less of the square mileage, NordicTrack's SE7i may be a beast of a thing complete with screen and in-built classes, but it folds up neatly to save you the clutter too.
- Best premium cross trainer: TechnoGym Elliptical, £3,450 at technogym.com
- Best heavy-duty cross trainer: Life Fitness E1, £2,345 at bestgymequipment.co.uk
- Best self-powered cross trainer: Domyos SpaceSaver, £399.99 at decathlon.co.uk
- Best bang-for-buck cross trainer: Opti, £199 at argos.co.uk
SKIP TO: What's the difference between an elliptical and a cross trainer? | What type of cross trainer resistance should you choose? | Is a cross trainer as good as walking? | How much time should I spend on a cross trainer? | Do you need a cross trainer with a heart rate monitor? | What kind of cross training programmes can you use? | Is a cross trainer better than a treadmill?
What's the difference between an elliptical and a cross trainer?
“The biggest difference between the two is the movement,” says Claxton. "The movement of a cross trainer includes working your arms in a pull and push motion as the handles move and resistance can be added or reduced. An elliptical machine will have static handles and only allow the legs to move but the range of movement is different. This might be particularly good for someone with an upper-body injury. Since cross trainers have improved, they now provide a static handle which is more central, so overall a cross trainer would be my preferred kit as a trainer.”
What type of cross trainer resistance should you choose?
Many cross trainers are hard to differentiate by eye alone, but not all use the same resistance type. The two kinds to spot are belt and (more commonly) magnetic. While the latter tend to make for quieter, smoother flywheels, they're also often more expensive than their belt equivalents.
Some of the most high-end options incorporate digital resistance, too, meaning that you can further alter resistance through a series of button presses. Premium brands such as TechnoGym love this addition since it allows trainers leading virtual training classes to increase and decrease your resistance for you. Not interested in whether yours is magnetic or belt operated? Definitely take resistance levels into consideration nonetheless: more challenging workouts will require levels that meet and exceed 20.
Is a cross trainer as good as walking?
According to Claxton, “A cross trainer could arguably be better than walking as you can target more muscle groups whilst training. However, walking outside can have many mental health benefits as well as physical.” In other words, mixing things up is, as usual, your best bet. A blend of cross trainer sessions and some more relaxed fresh air walking seems a safe bet for mind and body.
How much time should I spend on a cross trainer?
“Time would always depend on your goal," says Claxton. "Personally, I’d keep it to around 10-15 minutes so you stay engaged with the exercise you’re doing and it’s an amount of time where you can really put some effort in.” High-intensity exercise for lower amounts of time like Claxton is suggesting can really help pump your heart rate up while preventing you from getting bored in the process. As usual, though, you're more than welcome to mix things up and see what works best for you.
Do you need a cross trainer with a heart-rate monitor?
A heart-rate monitor is frequently found on electrical gym equipment because being more intimately acquainted with your own body is always sensible. Not only will a heart-rate monitor clue you into how you're responding to increasingly intense routines, it can also be used for optimising your workouts. An increasing number of trainers are advocating for heart rate adjusted routines, which use “zones” — categorised from sustainable to intensive — to plan out a session. Already have access to chest straps and/or a sports watch? You might not need to add heart-rate monitor to your new cross trainer's must-have list.
What kind of cross training programmes can you use?
You should find an LED screen on even the most wallet-friendly of ellipticals: these are where you'll find a suite of pre-installed programmes to follow, which usually imitate climbs, trainer-led classes or HIIT sessions. Increase your budget, though, and you're looking at a world of choice that can even include virtual, trainer-lead classes and dedicated apps. For the easily distracted, we also recommend Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi optimisation so you can use other training apps and platforms.
Is a cross trainer better than a treadmill?
No matter how forensic nutritional information becomes and complex gyms can look, one thing remains true: any kind of cardiovascular workout is better than none. While that certainly means that a daily walk will work wonders, those wanting to blitz more calories will undoubtedly prefer something more substantial. That's usually when electrical equipment comes into play, and for many, the treadmill is not the fix-all.
The main difference between the treadmill and the cross trainer is a matter of impact: the latter, like rowing machines and exercise bikes, put less pressure on your joints, making them preferable for those with injuries. Having said that, the best between the two is always going to be the one that you enjoy (or just tolerate) the most. For many, that's rowing, trail running, or even stand-up paddleboarding. If it's cross training for you, then that's the bests a treadmill every time.
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Shop GQ's edit of the best cross trainers…
NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i
1/10NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i
Pros: Folding | Adjustable incline with 24 different workouts
Cons: Premium price tag- Max user weight: 135kg
- Tablet holder: Yes
- Foldable: Yes
- Dimensions: 81 x 180 x 203 cm
It might be more expensive than your average cross trainer, but NordicTrack's reputation delivers once again. The aptly-named SpaceSaver can fold up to a more compact footprint, which is particularly handy given its larger size when unfolded. Not only does this save a tonne of floor space when not in use, but it also means you can more easily move it around if required. Foldability aside, it's packed with great features too, including the ability to adjust the incline for a more intense workout that more specifically targets key areas like the glutes.
Domyos EL540
2/10Domyos
EL540 Elliptical
Pros: Self-powered for freedom of placement | App connectivity
Cons: It would have been nice to have foldable features given its focus on hassle-free placement- Max user weight: 130kg
- Tablet holder: Yes
- Foldable: No
- Dimensions: 63 x 146 x 159 cm
Domyos' cross trainer stands out from most thanks to its ability to power itself… or, more technically, its ability to turn your movements into power. Either way, you can kiss pesky cables goodbye, and you'll never have to worry about hunting down an empty socket again if you opt for this machine. It would have been nice if it folded, given its focus on convenience, but if you're not moving it far between uses, its built-in wheels should be more than adequate. With a reasonably hefty flywheel, generous stride length, and support for interactive apps like Kinomap, it's an attractive choice for those looking for no-nonsense convenience.
Technogym Elliptical
3/10Technogym Elliptical
Pros: Innovative folding design | App provides personalised training
Cons: Expensive- Max user weight: 130kg
- Tablet holder: Yes
- Foldable: Yes
- Dimensions: 162 x 65 x 160 cm (unfolded), 75 x 65 x 160 cm (folded)
The Technogym Elliptical stands out from the exercise machine crowd by offering one of the most compact cross trainers we've ever seen, thanks to its clever design that lets you fold it away when not in use. Combined with an Android tablet or iPad, you can follow along with Technogym workouts, and use the heart-rate monitor to keep tabs on your progress. A top pick for home gyms where space is at a premium.
JTX Tri-Fit
4/10JTX Tri-Fit
Pros: Robust build | Adjustable incline
Cons: Pricier than some rivals- Max user weight: 150kg
- Tablet holder: Yes
- Foldable: No
- Dimensions: 75 x 153 x 173 cm
Designed for quiet, smooth, full-body workouts, JTX Fitness' cross trainer has another trick up its sleeve that differentiates it from many rivals — namely, the ability to adjust its incline. This means that you can adjust the intensity of your workout at the press of a button, while more effectively targeting specific areas like your thighs, core, calves, glutes, and more. This handy feature makes it a versatile bit of kit, and a great addition to your home gym — particularly if you're after a workout that can combine cardio simultaneously with endurance in certain areas.
Opti 2-in-1
5/10Opti 2-in-1
Pros: 2-in-1 functionality | Relatively affordable
Cons: Likely to be less sturdy than more expensive rivals- Max user weight: 100kg
- Tablet holder: No
- Foldable: No
- Dimensions: 56 x 158 x 103 cm
If you'd like a cross trainer and exercise bike but don't have the room, this compact offering from Opti could be your answer. A two-in-one exercise bike/cross trainer, it'll let you mix and match your cardio sessions as you see fit. Given its dual functionality and relatively affordable price, it's far from the sturdiest option on our list, which is reflected in its max user weight of 100kg. If it fits your niche nicely though, then there's no reason not to welcome it into your home.
Life Fitness E1
6/10Life Fitness E1
Pros: Built like a tank | Plenty of presets and user profiles
Cons: No tablet holder | Very expensive- Max user weight: 181kg
- Tablet holder: No
- Foldable: No
- Dimensions: 77 x 150 x 209 cm
This Offering from Life Fitness has a wallet-busting price tag, but you're getting a borderline commercial-grade cross trainer for those hard earned bucks, as you're likely to find many of the company's machines in your local gym. Your cash nabs you a machine that's built like a tank for years of faithful service, with 20 levels of resistance, 12 preset workouts, and a Track Console rammed with features which include the ability to connect to smartphones and fitness trackers.
JLL CT300
7/10JLL CT300
Pros: Relatively affordable | Tablet holder
Cons: Max user weight may be too low for larger users- Max user weight: 100kg
- Tablet holder: Yes
- Foldable: No
- Dimensions: 61 x 120 x 167 cm
At less than £400 this is one of the more affordable cross trainers you're likely to come across, but that doesn't mean it's a toy. A 5.5kg flywheel, display, eight levels of magnetic resistance and a heart rate sensor make this a bona fide machine to help you burn through those calories in no time. If you're the type of person that gets bored easily while earning your cardio stripes (as most of us are), then a built-in tablet holder makes for an easy way to take your mind of the repetitiveness.
ProForm HIIT L6
8/10ProForm HIIT L6
Pros: Extremely robust | 14in touchscreen
Cons: Very expensive- Max user weight: 147kg
- Tablet holder: No
- Foldable: No
- Dimensions: 75 x 170 x 162 cm
ProForm’s cross trainer's real selling point is that it doesn’t take up too much floor space like other trainers and uses silent magnetic resistance technology for a quieter workout. There’s wide pedals to make it more accommodating, with 24 levels of resistance, a host of onboard workout programmes and the ability to tap into the iFit app to take a virtual training session instead.
Reebok Z-Power
9/10Reebok Z-Power
Pros: Slender design compared to some rivals | Supports heavier user weights, considering its price
Cons: No device holder for tablets or smartphones- Max user weight: 120kg
- Tablet holder: Yes
- Foldable: No
- Dimensions: 72 x 135 x 169 cm
The Reebok GX40s has a 9kg flywheel for smoother motion, along with 12 pre-set challenges with various targets and settings to help put you through your paces. It might lack the fancy touchscreen offered by more expensive premium models, but it still has a built-in LCD display which shows you everything you need to crack on with your workout.
JLL CT500
10/10JLL CT500
Pros: Tablet holder | 12 levels of resistance
Cons: Not suitable for particularly heavy users- Max user weight: 110kg
- Tablet holder: Yes
- Foldable: No
- Dimensions: 57.8 x 152.4 x 169 cm
This cross trainer is built from a tough steel frame and has almost everything you'll need at a more affordable price than most. There’s a maximum of 12 magnetic resistance levels, which should be enough for most people, and heart-rate sensors built into the handles to give you an extra hit of workout data too. You’ve also got wheels below to make it easier to move it around (should you need to).
