Cross Trainer Buyers Guide
What's the budget?
Quality elliptical crosstrainers start in price from around £250 for a model such as the Reebok 3 series cross trainer, to over £3,000 for high end machines such as the Life Fitness X9i cross trainer. Therefore you need to assess what features you require and compare prices on the models available within your budget.
What space is available?
Make sure that you have enough space to house the elliptical trainer that you choose by taking the dimensions given by manufacturers or suppliers. The footprint (floor area) covered by different cross trainers varies and if you are short on space you may wish to look at folding cross trainers which can be stored away when not in use.
Which features are you wanting?
Resistance is electromagnetic in most cross trainers but may be manual in some of the cheaper models; electromagnetic offers smoother operation. Programs allow for a variety of workouts and can help with motivation; ensure that you are looking at machines with a level of programs that you feel comfortable with. Some, more expensive models such as the Vision R2650hrt recumbent, feature heart rate controlled programs allowing you to maintain a pre-set heart rate during exercise.
There is also a range in the amount of information that is displayed by different cross trainers eg speed, distance, workout time, resistance, calories burned, incline and heart rate so choose one which provides the details that you require. A good all round high end cross trainer is the Life Fitness X3 Advanced.