If you're looking to purchase a cross trainer to improve your cardiovascular fitness, burn some calories, and tone those muscles, then you have come to the right place.
We will break down the different features of a cross trainer that you should consider when trying to find the best cross trainer for your home gym.
Let's get to it and help you choose the best cross trainer that your money can buy.
What’s a Cross Trainer?
For those who don't know, a cross trainer is a special type of cardio machine that has a running-like motion but also uses your arms. It works both your upper and lower body simultaneously.
The Benefits of Cross Trainers
Before you start thinking about buying a cross trainer, you need to evaluate whether or not its benefits are right for you, so let's take a quick look at what benefits cross trainers bring to the table.
Firstly, they provide an excellent cardiovascular workout which will help with cardiovascular fitness helping improve heart and lung strength and more.
By providing you with a solid cardiovascular workout, you also burn calories, and that means shedding pounds. It's all about boosting that metabolism.
One of the most beneficial aspects of a cross trainer is the fact that it is a form of low-impact exercise that does not negatively impact your knees or hips due to impacts, such as running which can cause injury over time.
Another benefit of using a cross trainer is that it's ideal for people who don't have great balance because your feet never actually leave the pedals.
If you want to take a deeper look at the benefits, see our post on cross trainer benefits.
Types of Cross Trainers to Consider
Before we get to the actual buying guide, you need to know that there are several different types of cross trainers, each one with specific features and benefits.
Manual or Magnetic Resistance
First and foremost, you can choose between manual and electric cross trainers. A manual cross trainer is powered by nothing else but your movement, so there aren't any buttons. There is however a manual resistance dial.
Magnetic cross trainers on the other hand have displays that allow you to use buttons to change the resistance levels and are typically very quiet when buying used and require less maintenance of the cross trainer.
Front vs Rear Drive
What you also need to consider is the difference between a front-drive and a rear drive cross trainer which refers to where they flywheel is mounted on the machine.
A cross trainer that features a front-drive setup has the flywheel positioned at the front of the machine in front of the pedals. This helps to keep their footprint to a minimum which is great if you are short on space.
On the other hand, we have rear drive cross trainers, which feature the flywheel position behind the pedals. They are typically bulkier and pricier than front drive cross trainers. But they generally allow you to adjust the stride length which could be a better choice if you are quite tall.
Two-in-One Cross Trainer and Exercise Bikes
If you're looking to get the most out of your money, then you can always go for a two-in-one cross trainer that combines both a cross trainer and an exercise bike. However, these models tend to be low quality and the cycling experience isn't quite as enjoyable as the pedals are the wrong shape.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Cross Trainer
When choosing a cross trainer, there are many different factors that you need to consider, and right now, we want to cover all of them, starting with what your overall purpose is.
Your Needs and Purpose
First and foremost, when you are choosing a cross trainer, you need to decide what goals you have.
For instance, if you're looking to improve your cardiovascular fitness or lose weight, then you should choose a cross trainer that has many different features that relate to cardiovascular health, such as preset cardio programs and advanced calorie tracking capabilities.
However, if what you're looking for more than anything is to build strength and tone your muscles, then incline capabilities and a heavier flywheel to provide more resistance are features worth looking for.
For instance, if you have high resistance settings, you can easily mimic uphill jogging or walking, therefore toning your muscles.
Whatever the case may be, cross trainers are excellent choices for those who have joint concerns and for those recovering from an injury, as this is a low impact form of exercise.
Spatial Requirements
The next thing that you need to consider when choosing a cross trainer is how much space you have to spare.
For instance, most cross trainers are generally anywhere from 1.2 to 2.5 meters in length, but that's not the only thing you need to consider.
Consider that to use the machine safely, you'll also need additional space on either side of the machine, as well as behind it.
Moreover, make sure that the unit in question is not so tall that you need to worry about overhead clearance because if you have low ceilings, this can be a problem. This tends to be more of an issue in the UK as we generally have lower ceilings than the US.
If you have a small space, consider getting a cross trainer with a foldable design or a compact frame, so you don't take up too much space.
On that note, you'll also want to take into account the weight of the machine, as the heavier the machine is, the more stable it will be.
Stride Length
If you are tall or short, the stride length is also worth checking as this directly affects how comfortable and natural the motion feels while working out.
For those who don't know, your stride length is the maximum distance between the front foot and back foot when you are pedalling.
There are those machines with a shorter stride length, up to around 16 inches, which are suitable for those with shorter legs and for regular walking.
However, if you're taller or just want to go faster, then you want to look for a cross trainer that has a stride length of up to 22 inches. This will allow for a more natural and fluid range of motion, especially if you want to engage in a high-intensity workout.
Resistance
Resistance is always one of the most important factors when choosing a cross trainer. Generally speaking, whether you have a manual or magnetic resistance cross trainer, the heavier the flywheel the more resistance it can produce.
You also want to check the levels of resistance the cross trainer in question has as this will make it possible to progress over time and find the right level for you.
Incline
Incline is another option that some of the higher end models have available.
If you're going for muscle strength and toning, then a higher end model that features incline settings is certainly worth it.
By adjusting the incline, you can simulate uphill movements, therefore increasing engagement of your core, hamstring, calves and glute muscles.
The Flywheel
Another important factor you need to consider when choosing a cross trainer best for you is the flywheel. The flywheel determines how smooth and consistent the pedaling motion is.
As we saw with the resistance, heavier flywheel will create a more smooth experience, because the added weight of the flywheel generates a lot more momentum.
For most people, a flywheel weight of between 15 lbs and 20 lbs should be enough for a smooth workout.
However, more advanced higher end models may feature flywheels with weights exceeding 25 lbs, allowing for an even more stable experience, which is essential for long duration or high intensity exercise sessions.
The Console and Connectivity
The console or display on the cross trainer in question is also very important to consider. It can have a significant impact on your overall workout experience.
At the very least, you should have a basic console that is able to display metrics such as calories burned, heart rate, distance, time, and speed so you can track your progress.
However, if you're going for something higher end, you'll get touch screen displays that feature built-in workout programs, and often even interactive training sessions.
There are also many cross trainers which feature displays that are compatible with various fitness apps, allowing you to synchronize your workout data and get access to virtual training sessions.
These virtual workouts can help make your workouts more challenging and enjoyable, which in turn could help you stay consistent.
There are also plenty of consoles that are both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, providing you with even more benefits. You may also want to pay attention to cross trainers that are compatible with wearable fitness devices.
Materials, Build Quality, and Stability
Perhaps one of the most important considerations to keep in mind when choosing a cross trainer is what it is built out of.
Generally speaking, you want a model that is built out of a high-quality material such as steel, or at the very least, high-quality aluminum.
The bottom line here is that metal is always best, and the less plastic there is on a cross trainer, the better. On that note, you do want a cross trainer that has a high maximum weight capacity, as this indicates a high-quality build.
Not only does it indicate a high-quality build, but you also need to pay attention to the weight capacity in relation to your own weight.
You generally want to look for a cross trainer that has a weight capacity of at least 130 kilograms or around 290 lbs, as this will allow for greater stability.
Related Post: Cross Trainer Vs Treadmill: Which is Better?
Noise Level
Something else that you want to consider when choosing a cross trainer is how loud it is. Manual cross trainers can be a little noisie although magnetic cross trainers tend to be almost silent.
Price, Value, and Warranty
Finally, you then want to consider the price of the unit in question. After all, you're probably working on a budget, but you do need to keep in mind that the overall value of the cross trainer will be relative to its price.
You may be tempted to go for the very cheapest model, but remember that durability and quality generally come with a higher price tag.
You always want to look at user reviews, build quality, and the cross trainers features to determine if it is a good value for the price it costs.
On that note, you also want to look for a model that comes complete with a good warranty with a trusted brand for added peace of mind. Always look for warranties that cover home repairs, labour, and parts, for at least one year, preferably two.
Rounding Up
At the end of the day, as long as you keep all of these essential factors in mind, you should have no problems choosing a cross trainer that is best for your needs.
Keep in mind the build quality, stability, the console, connectivity, and overall comfort levels, and you'll be able to find a cross trainer that lets you burn calories, shed pounds, and build some muscle all at the same time.
Lastly, for extra variety, see our cross trainer workouts which help keep you motivated.
