Today, we will be highlighting the best cross trainer machines for beginners & experienced users who are building their Home Gym.
A cross trainer is one of the best pieces of equipment because it allows you to get a full-body workout without putting pressure on the joints, making it a great buy for just about everyone. However, not all cross trainers are equal, some are clearly better in many respects than others.
Having a top-rated cross trainer sitting in your home allows you to target all major muscle groups, i.e., arms, legs, and core. Referred to also as elliptical trainers, these low-impact, full-body workout machines aren’t meant to be a one size fits all solution that’s why it is so important to know what you are looking for when buying one.
We have worked hard with this post to provide Cross Trainers for Various Budget levels. These have been separated & reviewed individually for your ease & the end result is one of the most comprehensive cross trainer reviews online.
As experts, who spend a lot of time reviewing cross trainers, we’re more than familiar with products by some of the leading brands in the UK and a few relatively unknown ones. However, the extensive list of various types of cross trainers is enough to confuse even the most seasoned gym rat. That’s why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you by categorizing the best type of cross trainer for a certain type of buyer.
Whether you are on a budget or a high roller that demands the very best in their home gym, we have just the lineup that you can’t go wrong with!
JLL CT300
Cross Trainer Specification
• 5.5KG FLYWHEEL
• DUAL ACTION HANDLEBARS + SENSORS
• 6 FUNCTION MONITOR
• NON – SLIP FOOT PLATES
• MAX WEIGHT: 100KG
JLL CT300 Review
The JLL CT300 cross trainer is available in grey and silver colour measuring 120cm x 61cm x 167cm, with a standard height across all models. In terms of size, we’d say that it is ideally suited for medium-sized people; unlike cross trainers you’d find in gyms that measure over 175cm or 2 meters, this budget model is comparatively tiny.
In all fairness, budget model cross trainers, at least the ones we’ve reviewed and tested, are around the 1-meter long range. The good news is that the CT300 is slightly bigger than the average size budget model, but it isn’t huge. However, it does come with a set of wheels to move it around.
Weighing just under 36 kgs, it is more solidly built than rivals and can accommodate up to a 100kgs person.
When you order the JLL CT300, it comes in a box with pieces that need to be assembled. The good news is that the instructions are clear, and most novices should be able to assemble it within an hour.
Technical Specs
Let’s start with where these bikes are built. They’re actually made local to me, in Birmingham & I’m quite excited at the opportunity to get down there and try out their latest equipment.
The CT300 cross trainer comes with a built-in 5.5kg flywheel, which is combined with a belt and magnetic resistance. In our experience, this combination on a budget cross trainer is rare but ensures its smooth and quiet operation. However, resistance will need to be changed manually, which is done by twisting a dial on the machine, typical with most budget-friendly elliptical trainers.
The machine allows you to peddle in both directions, and you also have the choice of using the moving poles or holding on to the stationary bars if you only want to work the legs.
The Electronic Console
The electronic console on the CT300 cross trainer is basic. Still, it offers clear, large numbers and all the basic information you’d need like revolutions per minute, time, distance, speed, temperature, calories, body fat, etc.
The downside is that there are no pre-set programs like with some higher-end models. However, the control is simple and can be navigated via the buttons underneath the console.
We like the fact that this cross trainer comes with a tablet holder, which makes passing time when getting a workout easier. You can watch TV or listen to music while exercising.
Who is the JLL CT300 for?
The JLL CT300 cross trainer offers the best features in this price range while being solidly built. The brand itself has an excellent reputation here in the UK for making smooth, quiet, and durable fitness equipment. While this cross trainer does not compare to ones you’ll normally find in a gym, those also cost 5x the price of the JLL CT300 cross trainer.
The JLL CT300 is for those who are looking for a reliable way to workout without breaking the bank. However, it isn’t for someone heavier than 100kgs or taller than 6ft, in our opinion.
SportsTech CX608
Cross Trainer Specification
• Fitness app (Kinomap, FitnessData) for training progress and training results (tablet/smartphone, which is required for app use is not included)
• Whisper-quiet drive system with magnetic brake system
• Large non-slip pedals.
• 8 manually adjustable resistance levels
• Chest strap compatible for heart rate based training.
• Water bottle holder
• Transport wheels for fast moving
• Max. User weight up to 120 kg.
• Dimensions (L x W x H): -1210 x 550 x 1600 mm
SportsTech CX608 Review
When it comes to compact design without compromising important features, we think that the SportsTech Cx608 is the best home cross trainer in the UK. It boasts lots of features both inside and outside, which should help many users meet their fitness goals.
A significant part of the SportsTech Cx608 is its impressive software and a myriad of apps that make working out a lot simpler and more scientific. While compromises have been made to assure a compact design, many buyers would gladly overlook those compromises or limitations, in our opinion, for the additional benefits that the Cx608 has to offer.
The system is Kinomap app-enabled, which means that you can get live coaching, play multiplayer games, videos, and stream to your smart TV. We admit that remote coaching might not be for everyone, but it does help push people further, especially those who lack motivation when working out from home. That said, if you don’t need the extra motivation, the multiplayer games enable you to compete and make working out more fun.
The Cross Trainer’s smart console shows important stats like calories burned, distance covered, speed, and your present pulse rate, which requires that you strap on the accompanying belt. In our experience, a lot of the data is accurate except for the number of calories burned, but to be fair, this data is hardly accurate on even high-end commercial machines.
Technical Specs
The moving mechanics of the SportsTech Cx608 is a little stripped back compared to cross trainers that aren’t designed to be compact. There is a 12kg flywheel for starters, which offers smooth and continuous motion in our experience. However, there will be the occasional discrepancy in stress, which is more apparent at higher intensity settings. The stride length is surprisingly good for the size.
The star of the show is the 3 piece crank system coupled with the “whisper quiet” belt, which means that you can easily place the SportsTech Cx608 in your bedroom without worrying about waking up the baby. However, there are a few issues with the occasional noise, like creaking and low-pitched whining, but it often goes away after using the cross trainer for a while.
Additional features of the SportsTech Cx608 include mobility wheels that allow you to easily move the cross trainer around and a small little holder for a water bottle.
Regardless of what you might think about the mechanics of the SportsTech Cx608, it still offers a solid workout experience. It is possible to get a true full-body workout session thanks to the long-stride length and the oversized footplates which should accommodate most people. Speaking of footplates, they tend to grip your foot, which means it can also be used barefoot though we wouldn’t recommend it.
The SportsTech Cx608 cross trainer offers a pretty decent arm workout via the handlebars, but it isn’t a replacement for good old bicep curls. The 8 levels of manual resistance help to add intensity to your workout, but it might not be as challenging for someone who worked out on a cross-trainer at a gym for years.
Who is the SportsTech Cx608 for?
The SportsTech Cx608 is best suited for someone who is looking for a compact cross trainer that does not break the bank. However, there are a few issues with durability and build quality, which causes those occasional squeaks and wobbles.
The SportsTech Cx608 is probably best for someone who is looking for a cross-trainer that gets them off the ground. It will fit the bill for most beginners since it helps get them started without the machine being too overwhelming to use. The fact that you can get a pretty decent full-body workout on the SportsTech Cx608 with this type of compact design does not make it hard for us to recommend so as long as you set realistic expectations.
BH Fitness I.EASY
BH Fitness I.Easy Step Folding Elliptical Cross Trainer
Cross Trainer Specification
- Length 144cm
- Width 63cm
- Height 153cm
- Weight 47kg
- Distance between pedals 18cm
- Blue Backlit LCD Display
- Inertial System 14kg
- Magnetic Resistance
- Contact Pulse Measurement
- Foldable
BH Fitness I.EASY Review
Now, if you are looking for the best cross trainer in terms of price, features, build quality, and workout pleasure, we’d have to give the I.EASY by BH Fitness our vote of confidence. While it is no match for higher-end, more expensive cross trainers, you’ll find it in swanky English gyms; it still offers a pleasurable, full-body workout we’re pretty sure will torch most of your body fat.
The I.EASY by BH Fitness comes with a pretty hefty set of features, which we’ll get into in the next section, but its 12 well structured preset programs coupled with 24 levels of intensity will put most people through their paces. The cross trainer has been specifically designed for home use, which means you can put up to 7 hours a week into it and fold it up when not used. It also boasts of a long stride length and a max user weight of around 100 kgs.
Our personal favourite is the personalized and highly motivational training, coupled with easy access to a boatload of training apps. You can run many of the apps from FitConsole, Tread Monitor, BH by Kinomap, and Run on Earth. Most of all, the console allows you to even surf the net and watch YouTube videos while burning calories.
The foldable design of this cross trainer means that now that tiny apartment is no excuse for not working out. The accompanying wheels make moving it around your apartment easy, along with the Dual Kit BE. Plug the Dual Kit BE into the I.EASY’s monitor to take advantage of what we consider is a universe full of apps.
Technical Specs
The I.EASY features a 15″ stride length that uses a 14 kg inertial system along with a magnetic brake system that assures smooth and quiet peddling. The pedals are also spaced at a comfortable 7″ apart.
The electronic monitor includes 4 Heart Rate Control Programs, which work to calculate and target your cardiovascular zones during a workout. It also helps to control the intensity of the program or workout based on the chosen pulse limits, essentially allowing users to design a customized program. However, the cross-trainer does come with 5 Custom Courses and one that shows a Random Program on the screen.
We personally like the fitness test, which helps to measure your current fitness level based on controlled recovery. Advanced gym rats will find that the contact pulse measurement system gives them harder targets, with the additional challenge often being something that’s attainable with a few weeks’ working out daily.
Who is the I.EASY for?
The I.EASY cross trainer isn’t perfect. There are occasional creak and whines. We did feel that some areas on the cross trainer felt cheap, but it’s still way better than competing cross trainers in this price range. As for who it is for, well, just about anyone who wants to train at home without making significant compromises that’s why we think it is the best home cross trainer all overall.
BlueFin Fitness CURV 3.0
Cross Trainer Specification
- Kinomap Mobile/Tablet App with in-built Programs, Social Media Compatible
- Backlit LCD Digital Fitness Console
- Commercial grade
- Innovative design 162cm x 169cm x 65cm
- Built-in wheels for easy transportation
- Silent drive system
- Magnetic braking
- Dual ergonomic grip handlebars
- Anti-slip secure foot pedals
- Heavy duty 14kg flywheel mass
Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 Review
The Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 is one of the best looking cross trainers in our lineup, with a sleek, low profile look that should fit right in with any type or size home. Most of all we think it will look great in a small space instead of sticking out like a sore thumb like some other machines.
Looks alone isn’t the only reason to consider the Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0, it is also an excellent option for tech enthusiast who wants a machine that offers more than just a few basic programs. The 3.0 is better than the previous 2.0, with lots of more programs, pre set workout programmes, quiet performance and a smooth experience for the most part which is why it is the best cross trainer for a mid-range buyer.
Technical Specs
One of the features that the manufacturer (Bluefin Fitness) is very keen to highlight is the smooth motion that you can expect from the system. The 14kg flywheel happens to be the standard in this class, but the Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 is an update to the previous 2.0 model, promising smoother peddle movement on what are oversized footplates.
The speed can be easily increased without worrying about the unit stalling or making additional noise. That’s one thing we like most about the Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0, is the fact that it is so quiet that even at higher intensity levels you’re not going to wake up the baby. The quiet operation also makes it great for working out in a small apartment. The long stride length means that it should give your legs a good workout, but so as long as you’re under 6.2 feet tall.
The other major selling point is the integrated Kinomap app, which allows you to create new workout programs. You are given access to new routes and even connections to other people who are using the program. Users can also join online classes and have some sense of accountability in their regime by mainly connecting with other people who too are on the same level. It is a feature we’ve not seen in any other home cross trainer in this price bracket.
The map onboard the Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 streams directly to your mobile device which can be placed on the shelf located on top of the monitor. Furthermore, users can choose from 12 automatic programs built into the machine, which to us most people will start with and then move from there.
The 16 levels of resistance mean that it can take you from beginner to intermediate. However, if you’ve been using a cross-trainer for many years, then the Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 may not offer much of a challenge, and so you might want to upgrade to a cross trainer that offers higher resistance levels.
Who is the Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 for?
Despite the concerns about cost and how much of an upgrade it is over the previous model, we think the Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 offers excellent value. However, if you have the previous model, there isn’t much need to upgrade.
The smooth, quiet operation of the machine coupled with the clever use of technology makes the Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 worth recommending to people who want to lose weight from the comfort of their home. The apps alone make this a cross-trainer worth getting in our experience.
NordicTrack C7.5
NordicTrack C7.5 Review
The NordicTrack C 7.5 cross trainer is rated as the best expensive cross trainer you can buy. However, it certainly isn’t the most expensive one around but it also serves as an excellent entry level cross trainer.
Many other competing cross-trainers featuring far less than what the NordicTrack C 7.5 cost around the same. We consider the NordicTrack C 7.5 to be more of a midrange cross-trainer that consistently punches above its weight in terms of build quality and features.
The NordicTrack C 7.5 features a heavy 20lb flywheel that offers consistent and smooth motion. The 20″ stride length will accommodate most users, coupled with incline and resistance levels that will challenge even the most seasoned gym-goers at home.
So, if you are one of those people for whom the best budget cross trainer listed above just does not cut it, we are pretty sure that the NordicTrack C 7.5 will more than fit the bill.
Technical Specs
It is not hard to tell that the NordicTrack C 7.5 is one solidly built machine with a 20lb flywheel. However, the flywheel is just one of the many components that work in tandem to offer a smooth and exceedingly challenging workout. The 22 levels of resistance (magnetic resistance) coupled with a 20-degree incline, can be easily manually adjusted, or it can be set to adjust with just pressing a button on the LCD display. The ability to quickly switch up or down the intensity without having to stop and interrupting the workout is invaluable at least for us.
The NordicTrack C 7.5 also comes equipped with large, oversized pedals that are layered with some type of rubbery soft-touch grippy material which adds to the comfort of using the machine. A couple of other features worth mentioning is an automatically adjusting fan, a sound system built into it, a table shelf, transport wheels, heart rate sensors and a water bottle holder.
Users also get to choose from a couple of built-in programs and preset workouts that can easily be downloaded using an iFit membership. However, you are in no way forced to download anything, as you can use the 26 workout programmes that come preloaded with the C 7.6. All programs are designed by certified personal trainers whom we assume work for the company. Each program tends to control the resistance and incline of the cross-trainer. While they can draw from an impressive 22 resistance levels and 20 degrees of incline, it mainly depends on the pre set programmes you choose, which is shown on the 5″ inch display.
Not many cross trainers in the UK at this price range come with iFit enabled in our experience. However, with iFit, you have unlimited workout variety. Using iFit, you can cover the built-in 5″ inch backlit screen with your own tablet to watch high definition workouts, use the interactive Google Maps feature for your workouts or download professional programs.
You can also use advanced stats tracking. However, you’ll need to subscribe to iFit, with each user getting up to 4 profiles. The subscription is worth it in our personal experience, especially if you want to continue challenging yourself.
Who is the NordicTrack C7.5 for?
The NordicTrack C7.5 ticks all if not most of the boxes that people may require to retain a high level of fitness from home. Sure, it does not feature a flashy high-tech console like some other competing brands, but what it lacks in glamour it makes up for in features, durability and professionally designed pre set programmes.
The C7.5 is comfortable and can accommodate most people who are even slightly above average height and weight. It is one of the best cross trainers for beginners and advanced users alike. It is a machine that almost anyone can enjoy and continue to challenge themselves. Furthermore, this machine is built to last with no creaking or any odd noises. However, if you are looking for dozens of bells and whistles that most people may not use then, this may not be the best choice but bear in mind that those cross-trainers may cost 2x more than the C7.5.
XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in1
XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in1 Review
Many beginners want a cross-trainer that they can buy for a reasonable amount of money and start using right away. The Sports Luna Pro 2-in 1 is one of the best entry level cross trainers for any beginner who wants to start working out at home. It has an excellent star rating on Amazon, with many people praising its variable adjustable resistance levels, and the reverse or backward peddling feature.
Our first impressions of the machine are that it looks modern, sleek and something you’d want to feature in a YouTube video perhaps. However, looks aren’t everything, and the XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in 1 tends to offer users more than just a beautiful face. Working out on it is a smooth and overall positive experience. That said you can’t expect the Sports Luna Pro 2-in 1 to perform on par with commercial cross trainers in most gyms across the UK. That said it does punch above its weight class in many respects.
Most of all, it does not cost a lot making it the perfect entry level choice for someone who wants to lose weight but without spending much. The cross trainer is currently available at a highly marked down price, making it worth checking out for both budget buyers and beginners alike.
Technical Specs
Now the XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in 1 is an excellent buy but at this price bracket offering excellent value for money. In our experience its nearly impossible to find a cross-trainer that’s so well built, with the features that it boasts of in this price bracket. However, moving past pricing this is a robust machine that will give your upper body the workout it needs without neglecting the legs and abs.
The combination of an elliptical trainer and an exercise bike offers users the best of both worlds. Both aspects of the machine use the same flywheel mechanism, which happens to be mounted on the front as opposed to traditionally below the seat. However, during our testing, we found that for a machine that weighs under 30kgs, having the flywheel on the front or front drive as its called, gives it extra stability.
The XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in 1 is available in both black and silver colour. The built-in LED screen provides a bit of information like pulse, scan mode, speed, distance, time and calories burnt. In our experience, the ‘calories’ information isn’t accurate, but the speed and distance information is fairly accurate. Also, the screen isn’t as bright as it could have been, which could make using it in a brightly lit room a little challenging.
The pulse sensor only works if you grab on to the handlebars. So, even if a user is working out their legs, they would need to grab on to the handlebars for a few seconds to read their current pulse rate. However, this type of pulse sensor tends to be pretty standard on cross trainers in this price range. The XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in 1 devoid of fancy features like speakers or a stand for your phone, but in all fairness, other cross-trainers don’t have those features either.
The XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in 1 is fairly durable with its all-steel frame, extra-wide pedals, and a large comfortable seat. Overall the cross trainer is easy to move around and with a maximum user weight of 110kg, and foot size of up to 12 it can be used by most people. However, some parts of the cross trainer feel cheap, but that’s to be expected. The good news is that assembling it is easy and shouldn’t take most people more than 30 minutes.
Who is the XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in-1 for?
As mentioned earlier, the XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in 1 is best suited to beginners and those who are looking for a budget cross-trainer. It offers all the essentials but without compromising build quality and aesthetics. The machine is easy to move around and should complement the look and feel of most small rooms or flats.
We’d highly recommend the XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in 1 to anyone who’s searching for a cross-trainer that does not cost them a lot but has all the essentials in a relatively durable, compact form factor.
Conclusion
Buying a cross trainer can be an excellent way to get in shape and also lose a few kilos without having to leave home. The low impact activity is easy on the joints and is perfect for people who have a history of joint issues, or for whom running and jogging aren’t biomechanically possible yet.
However, a large number of models available can make it challenging to choose a cross trainer for many people since everyone is different. Some people may want to go all out and buy the best; others may be looking for a budget machine. That’s why we’ve categorized each type of cross trainer, that’s best in its particular category. We don’t discriminate for budgets, as the HGR home gym only consists of low to mid range equipment, too.
If you are searching for hands down the very best cross trainer, we think that the NordicTrack C7.5 is perfect. It’s well built, sturdy, with lots of features coupled with a pretty heavy flywheel. However, its price may turn some people away, but then again, it’s built to last ensuring that you get the most out of your purchase for years to come. That said there are others you can choose from that we’ve tested and openly vouch for regardless of what you are looking for in a cross-trainer.
Comparing the Best Cross Trainers
| Cross Trainer: | Cost | Flywheel Weight | Pre-set Programs? | Max User Weight (KG) | Assembly | Display? | Adjustable Resistance? | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JLL CT300 | £289.00 | 5.5kg | Yes | 100kg | Self-Assembly Required | Backlit Display | No | 12 Months |
| SportsTech CX608 | £329.00 | 12kg | Via Apps | 120kg | Self-Assembly Required | Backlit Display | 8 Levels | 12 months |
| BH Fitness I.EASY | £699.99 | 14kg | Yes | 120kg | Self-Assembly Required | Backlit LCD Display | 24 Levels | 24 Months Parts & Labour |
| Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 | £749.99 | 14kg | Yes | 120kg | Self-Assembly Required | LED Display | 16 Levels | 24 Months |
| NordicTrack C7.5 | £749.99 | 9kg | Yes | 125kg | Self-Assembly Required | 5″ Backlit | 22 Levels | 60 Months Frame & 24 Months Parts & Labour |
| XS Sports Luna Pro 2-in1 | £249.99 | 5.5kg | None | 110kg | Self-Assembly Required | LED Display | Yes | 12 months |
