What’s the best elliptical Cross Trainer?

How much do you have to spend to find a good cross trainer and what is the best elliptical cross trainer to buy, in each price range?

As usual, I have divided a selection of the best elliptical cross trainers into groups according to budget, which is where most of us start.

N.B. One point worth bearing in mind – the machines we’re looking at here are pure elliptical cross trainers only, but some of the more popular ones on the market are 2 in 1 cross trainers and exercise bikes, about which there is a separate article. Click here to read the article.

Best Budget Cross Trainers

Budget cross trainers are available again after a period during the Covid pandemic when they were unavailable.

The price range is very wide and, as always to some extent, you get what you pay for. The most popular models from Sunny Health & Fitness are because they are the cheapest and reviews would suggest they are ok for the price (though there are always some who complain).

So if you’re on a tight budget you can take a look below:

Sunny Health & Fitness Unisex’s Air Walk Trainer

Includes an adjustable abdominal pad

LCD monitor displays:

  • time
  • count
  • total distance
  • calories

Dimensions – in use

H: 145cm  |  L: 63.5cm  |  W: 48cm

H: 57in  |  L: 25  |  W: 19in

Folded Dimensions:

H: 61in  |  L: 15in  |  W: 19in

Max User weight:

100Kg  |  220lbs

Best Cross Trainers under £500

For elliptical trainers which are likely to be more solidly built and more reliable, here are three models from the highly respected JLL brand.

JLL CT200 Elliptical Cross Trainer

The CT 200 features 8 Magnetic Resistance Levels and a 5kg Flywheel. It can be pedalled forwards or backwards. Dual handbars with sensors for heart-rate display in the fixed ones.

It has 4 manual programs,

LCD monitor displays:

  • Time (mins:secs)
  • Speed (km/h)
  • Distance (km)
  • Pulse (ppm)
  • Calories
  • Odometer (km)

Dimensions

115.5 x 75 x 158 centimetres

The machine itself weighs 30.5Kg but has wheels at the front for moving it.

Max User weight:

100Kg  |  220lbs

JLL® CT300 Home Luxury Elliptical Cross Trainer

The CT300 also has 8 levels of magnetic resistance combined with belt driven technology provides quiet and smooth operation. The flywheel is slightly heavier at 5.5Kg and is also bi-directional.

Oddly though, the CT300 only has three manual programs to the CT200’s four.

LCD monitor has a couple of extra features:

  • Time (mins:secs)
  • Speed (km/h)
  • Distance (km)
  • Pulse (ppm)
  • Calories
  • Temperature (degrees)
  • Pulse Recovery
  • Body Fat (%)

Dimensions

120 x 61 x 167 centimetres

The machine itself weighs 39.8Kg and has wheels at the front for transport.

Max User weight:

100Kg  |  220lbs

JLL CT500 Elliptical Cross Trainer

The CT500 has 12 levels of magnetic resistance combined with belt driven technology provides quiet and smooth operation. The flywheel is slightly heavier again at 7Kg.

You can manually set targets for Time, Distance, Calories and Heart Rate.

LCD monitor has a couple of extra features:

  • Time (mins:secs)
  • Speed (km/h)
  • Distance (km)
  • Pulse (ppm)
  • Calories
  • Odometer
  • Stride Length – 40cm

Dimensions

‎152.4 x 57.8 x 169.4 cm;
62.5 Kilograms

 Max User weight:

110Kg  |  243lbs

Best Cross Trainers between £500 – £1000

Sportstech Cross Trainer CX625

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The Sportstech CX625 (which seems to have superseded the CX640 previously featured) works with video events & a multiplayer app so if you’re competitive, or just like training looking at something more involving than a wall, this might be for you.

  • Computer controlled magnetic brake system, 16 levels
  • Includes 22 training programs and 5 HRC programs
  • Displays
    • distance
    • speed
    • calories burned
    • time
    • heart rate
    • current program & level

Features KINOMAP and Sportstech train with video events, coaching and multi-player mode with app-compatible multimedia console (See video below)

Connect a smart device via Bluetooth and place it on the built-in tablet holder to keep an eye on all the information displayed.

  • Heavy 24 kg flywheel mass
  • integrated heart rate monitor on the handles and the compatibility with a heart rate belt
  • Includes a practical bottle holder
  • Transport wheels, bottle holder
  • Size (assembled): L: 141cm  |  W:65cm  | H: 165cm
  • Max. user weight: 110 kg.

Note: Delivery only to kerbside

Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer

No products found.

Bluefin Fitness is a popular brand of home gym equipment. Like the Sportstech above, the Bluefin is compatible with Kinomap via a smartphone/tablet app. featured 1000s of training videos etc.

The flywheel is 14Kg.

It comes part assembled. The base unit comes fitted with durable wheels to be transportable around the home when not in use.

Dimensions: 162cm x 169cm x 65cm

  • Heavy duty 14kg flywheel & silent drive system benefits from a safe magnetic braking facility
  • 12 x automatic programs + 16 x manual levels of resistance covering all levels from a  stroll to simulating cross-country running & sprinting.
  • Backlit LCD display measures:
    • time
    • distance
    • calories burned
    • pulse rate
  • Anti-slip pedals
  • Includes power adaptor