Elliptical cross trainers help reduce weight and enhance cardiovascular health. Compared to a high-impact activity like running, striding on an elliptical machine is gentler on the joints, bones, and connective tissues. They are also ideal for folks of all ages and fitness levels.
In this roundup, we can make your search for the best fit easier. We researched and handpicked the best elliptical cross trainers in Australia across various budgets and use cases.
Our Top Picks
Here are the top three elliptical cross trainers available to Australians:
NordicTrack Commercial 9.9
Best overall elliptical cross trainer with a 159 kg weight capacity, 22 resistance levels, and a solid, high-quality steel build.
Lifespan Fitness X-41 Trainer
Best elliptical cross trainer with 150 kg weight capacity, app control, and 16 resistance levels for medium-high intensity workouts.
York Fitness Elliptical Trainer
Best cross trainer with a 100 kg weight capacity, integrated hand pulse sensors, LCD screen, and 8 resistance levels for beginners.
Top 6 Elliptical Cross Trainers for Australians
In case you're wondering how we came by these top six elliptical cross trainers for Australia, we researched the market. Then, we shortlisted our top picks based on each cross-trainer's performance, features, customer reviews, and overall suitability for the Australian fitness landscape.
1. NordicTrack Commercial 9.9
Best Overall Elliptical Cross Trainer
Product weight: 108 kg
Weight capacity: 159 kg
Resistance levels: 22
The NordicTrack 9.9 Elliptical Cross Trainer is a commercial-level machine with a solid, high-quality steel frame and supporting cross beams. Its features include powder-coated rails and a composite ramp.
These attributes make the NordicTrack capable of withstanding frequent and intense workouts. The machine also has 22 digital resistance levels to inspire you to pedal harder and give you an efficient workout session.
The elliptical's adaptability is its most impressive feature. Its stride length can be adjusted from 46 to 51 cm, allowing people with long or short gaits to exercise comfortably with the same cross-trainer. The cross-trainer also supports a maximum user weight of 159 kg, making it suitable for a wide range of users and perfect for sharing at the gym or home.
Pros
- Value for money
- Seamless auto incline and decline function
- Quiet and non-disruptive machine
- Easy-to-navigate NordicTrack Australia website
- Innovative workout app
Cons
- Requires ample ceiling height
- Display text may not be big enough for seniors
- Assembly can take time
2. Lifespan Fitness X-41 Cross Trainer
Best for Medium-High Intensity Workouts
Product weight: 58.5 kg
Weight capacity: 150 kg
Resistance levels: 16
If you're looking for a compact elliptical cross trainer with a longer stride length for medium-high intensity workouts at a reasonable price, the Lifespan Fitness X-41 cross trainer is your best option.
Its rear magnetic flywheel, weighing 8kg, keeps you grounded enough to try any of the 18 workout programs and 16 degrees of resistance. In addition, the oversized footplates and long stride length (46cm) with forward or reversible motion ensure a smooth workout.
This cross trainer is Fitlink compatible. Therefore, you can sync the display to the Fitlink app on your mobile device to control your workout from your smartphone. It also comes with touch controls and an LCD, making using or changing resistance levels simple and intuitive. Lifespan's good-quality cross trainer is reasonably priced. It has a maximum recommended height of 200 cm and a maximum user weight capacity of 150 kg.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Compact with a longer stride
- Fitlink helps control your workout from your phone
- 120 kg weight capacity
Cons
- Setup requires quite a bit of work
3. York Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer
Best Cross Trainer for Beginners
Product weight: 32 kg
Weight capacity: 100 kg
Resistance levels: 8
Choose the York Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer for a high-quality, beginner-friendly elliptical cross trainer. It's also ideal for beginners, as it includes only eight resistance levels to ease you in slowly. Beyond this, it boasts an integrated holder for your books or tablets. However, we do not recommend multitasking on your cross-trainer, especially as a beginner.
The design of the York Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer is compact and features a rear flywheel weighing 7 kg and a stride length of 30 cm. It has integrated hand pulse sensors and an LCD screen that displays metrics such as time, distance, calories, and pulse. The maximum weight limit for York Fitness is 100 kg. We only recommend the York Fitness model if you want a reliable cross-trainer for a beginner's workout at home.
Pros
- Affordable
- Integrated book/tablet holder
- Good quality
Cons
- 100 kg user weight limit
4. Lifespan Fitness X-22 Cross Trainer
Best Value Cross Trainer
Product weight: 50 kg
Weight capacity: 130 kg
Resistance levels: 16
The Lifespan Fitness X-22 model has a decent array of features. It's very compact compared to other rear-drive elliptical cross trainers. It has a 7 kg rear flywheel and a 36 cm stride length for medium-intensity workouts. You can also pick from 16 resistance levels, follow the automatic resistance setting, and choose from one of 24 pre-programmed workouts. The latter is ideal if you're a beginner or have limited knowledge of cross-trainers.
Lifespan's cross trainer also has an LCD with integrated pulse sensors that show your heart rate, calories, pulse, RPM, and other essential metrics to help you monitor your workout progress. The X-22 Cross Trainer has a maximum weight of 130 kg, with a recommended height between 150-200 cm. It is an excellent choice if you’re looking for the best elliptical cross-trainer for casual use and are not significantly overweight.
Pros
- Compact cross trainer
- Runs quietly
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Ctride length can be longer
5. Reebok AstroRide A4.0 Cross Trainer
Best Cross Trainer for Mobility
Product weight: 46 kg
Weight capacity: 120 kg
Resistance levels: 8
Like the York Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer, the Reebok Astroride is a compact, moderately priced elliptical cross trainer with an LCD. It features a rear 7 kg flywheel with eight different resistance levels, integrated hand pulse sensors, and a stride length of 38 cm.
The difference between the two is the user weight capacity and ease of use. The Reebok AstroRide can carry users who weigh up to 120 kg, 20 kg more than the York Fitness model. The former also offers the best mobility, as it has transport wheels.
The cross trainer is ideal for anyone looking for a compact setup that delivers beginner-level to medium-intensity workouts.
Pros
- Sleek and compact setup
- Transport wheels for easier transportation
- Large battery-operated LCD
Cons
- Time-consuming assembly
6. Proflex XTR4 II Elliptical Cross Trainer
Best Cheap Cross Trainer
Product weight: 25 kg
Weight capacity: 100 kg
Resistance levels: 8
The Proflex XTR4 elliptical cross trainer is an affordable elliptical trainer. It has all the essential tools you need to start working out at home, such as fitted pulse sensors, a rear magnetic flywheel, and big non-slip footrests. You choose from 8 resistance levels at the touch of the dial.
Proflex's cross trainer permits forward or backwards pedalling to work out different muscle groups. However, similar to the York Fitness cross trainer, the Proflex's maximum weight capacity is 100 kg. It's also the lightest cross trainer on our list, weighing only 25 kg, about one-fourth the weight of the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 cross trainer.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great value for money
- 12-month warranty
Cons
- 100 kg weight capacity
What is the Difference Between Cross Trainers and Ellipticals?
Usually, people use the terms elliptical and cross-trainer interchangeably. However, they are a bit different. A cross trainer is simply a type of elliptical machine. Elliptical machines are called that because when you're using them, your feet move in an elliptical motion while you stride.
Not all elliptical trainers are elliptical cross trainers. In place of moving arms, a few elliptical trainers have fixed arms. And unlike a cross trainer, you don’t pull and push with your arms as you move your legs. Elliptical trainers, which come with moving handles and moving footrests, are called elliptical cross trainers or cross trainers.
Which Muscles Do Cross Trainers Work Out?
Cross trainers work your lower and upper body simultaneously. The exertion from this kind of movement enables your heart to start pumping, providing an efficient cardio workout. This improves your lung capacity and boosts your heart health. With consistent use, your stamina and overall fitness levels will improve significantly.
Using a cross trainer for your workout activates many muscle groups, making it an efficient method of strengthening and toning. You automatically move and work out muscle groups in your legs along with your glutes, calves, quads, and hamstrings. Pulling and pushing with your arms works your core, back, triceps, biceps, and chest.
Working out on a cross trainer will help you burn calories. Along with a calorie-controlled diet, cross trainers help you make significant strides in your weight loss goals.
How to Workout on an Elliptical?
These tips will help you burn the maximum number of calories, prevent injuries, and maintain proper posture while using the cross-trainer.
- Stand up straight: Good posture helps reduce muscle strain and the tendency for injury while working out on the elliptical.
- Don't lean on the handles: After a while, due to tiredness, you may feel like leaning on the stationary handles to support your weight and give your legs a rest but resist the urge.
- Hold the handles: Instead of letting the handles move your arms, ensure you're using your strength to push and pull them with your pedalling movements.
- Avoid standing on your toes: If you put all your weight on your toes or the balls of your feet, you are setting yourself up for pain and injuries as it adds extra stress to your knees.
- Don't read or watch TV: Reading your book for the month or watching TV while you exercise might seem like an excellent way to multitask, but distractions usually hinder the effectiveness of your workout.
- Increase the resistance: Working against resistance helps you get a much better workout. It makes you stronger and aids in building muscle while increasing strength and improving endurance.
Cross Trainers vs Treadmills
Buyers are faced with various exercise equipment options to meet their fitness goals. For this reason, the following is an easy-to-use reference guide to help you decide what equipment best suits you.
Treadmills
- Maximum opportunity to improve cardiovascular, weight loss, and bone density
- Can burn more calories than an elliptical or even an exercise bike (if you can run fast on a high-quality machine).
- Builds maximum lower extremity bone density.
- Customize workout with Incline / Decline features.
- Minimal impact with SOFT deck technology.
Elliptical Trainers
- Provides the advantages of weight-bearing exercise without the impact.
- Low-impact workout, which is easy on your joints and body.
- Arm handles permit a full-body workout.
- Lower perceived rate of exertion (as the effort is spread across arms as well as legs).
- Burn fewer calories per hour than on a treadmill.
Mark Thompson
Cross Trainers vs Rowing Machines
If your pressing need is an effective way to burn fat and lose weight, cross trainers and rowing machines will get you to your goal. In addition to providing an efficient cardio workout, both machines offer adjustable resistance levels. This means that the number of calories you burn is based on how long and intense your workout sessions are, regardless of the fitness machine you use.
However, spending time on an elliptical is much easier than a rowing machine. With a rowing machine, you need to bend your knees significantly, contract your muscles more, and exert some effort to pull the oar. This can be exhausting. In contrast, a cross trainer lets you maintain a steady workout position without putting in as much effort. Likewise, elliptical machines are much easier than rowers if you're interested in low-intensity workouts.
Finally, elliptical cross trainers allow you to switch between extended cardio workouts and short, high-intensity interval training. This is a highly effective way to burn fat and calories and lose weight.
Cross Trainers vs. Exercise Bikes
A stationary exercise bike is an excellent option to lose weight. Doing high-intensity exercises on the bike can burn a little more calories as you can only go so fast on an elliptical machine before you slip. While, of course, you can increase the resistance, you will reach the limit of either your arm or leg muscles.
However, an elliptical cross trainer can be much better to help increase your upper and lower body strength.
If you can't choose between a stationary bike and an elliptical cross trainer, remember that you can use either machine for a superb cardio workout. Also, combining both, perhaps using the bike at the gym and the elliptical at home, is a great way to keep your workouts varied.
Laura Kemp
Summary
Whatever type of elliptical cross trainer you decide on, remember that they all have pros and cons. For some, the pros might be their price, while for others, the cons might be their lack of convenience.
The information above should be a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best cross-trainer. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us in the comment section below.
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