Buying a Rear or Front Wheel Drive Cross Trainer
The quality and build of both styles of the cross trainer will determine how well they perform and how comfortable they are to use. It is best to invest in a robust, high-quality model for frequent use, especially if you want a heavy-duty exercise machine that will last for many years. For light use, there are cheap cross trainers available for beginners that will give a low impact exercise and will tone your upper and lower body.
Rear Drive Elliptical Cross Trainers
Marcy Onyx C80 Magnetic Cross Trainer with Genuine Elliptical Motion
Amazon.co.uk
£299.00
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Luna Pro 2-in1 Elliptical Cross Trainer Exercise Bike-Fitness Cardio Weightloss Workout Machine-With Seat + Pulse Heart Rate Sensors
Amazon.co.uk
£158.99
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JLL CT200 Home Elliptical Cross Trainer, 2024 Model, 8 Level Magnetic Resistance, Cardio Workout, Advanced Momentum Mechanism to resemble 10kg, Console Display with Heart Rate Sensor Black & Red
Amazon.co.uk
£229.99
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Bluefin Fitness CURV 3.0 Elliptical Cross Trainer | Home Gym | Exercise Step Machine | Air Walker | Long-Stride | LCD Digital Fitness Console | Bluetooth | Smartphone App | Black & Grey Silver
Amazon.co.uk
£849.00
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Sunny Health and Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer Machine w/Device Holder, Programmable Monitor Heart Rate Monitoring, 330 LB Max Weight - SF-E3912
Amazon.co.uk
£326.81
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Tunturi Cardio Fit C30 Cross trainer / Elliptical cross trainer - with tablet holder
Amazon.co.uk
£533.99
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Orbitrek X17 Cross Trainer Machine - Fitness & Workout Home Gym Equipment - Elliptical, Spin Bike & Exercise Bike for Home Multi Gym (Deluxe)
Amazon.co.uk
£275.00
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JTX Tri-Fit Elliptical Cross Trainer, Bluetooth, Adjustable Incline, 16-20” Adjustable Stride Length, 8.5 Kg Inertia Enhanced Flywheel, Kinomap, 2 Year Home Warranty
Amazon.co.uk
£799.00
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V-Fit MCCT-2 Magnetic 2-in-1 Combination Cycle-Elliptical Trainer, grey/black, 113 x 63 x 157 cm (LxWxH), CY065
Amazon.co.uk
£241.99
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V-Fit AL-16/1CE Combination 2-in-1 Magnetic Cycle-Elliptical Trainer CY022
Amazon.co.uk
£169.99
View DetailsFront Drive Elliptical Cross Trainers
JLL CT600 PRO Elliptical Cross Trainer, 2024 Electronic Magnetic Resistance, Domestic Use, Elliptical Machine, One Way Flywheel, Console Display with Heart Rate Sensor, Tablet and bottle holder
Amazon.co.uk
£889.99
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Rear Wheel Cross Trainers
On a rear-drive cross trainer, your body is positioned towards the centre of the machine whereas on a front-drive model you tend to lean forward. Trainers compare this action as resembling an uphill hike with legs tending to move in a steeper like fashion. The difference in style does not mean it will affect your workout in any way as both types of cross trainer provide an excellent way of keeping fit and burning calories.
Elliptical trainers continue to grow in popularity and there are many to choose from on the market. Low price rear-drive models from popular makes such as Body Sculpture, Beny Sports V-Fit, Marcy, York and Reebok start from just over £100. Higher end models from leading fitness brands such as Life Fitness and Precor offer award-winning home versions of popular health club ellipticals. Something like the Life Fitness CSX Club series (X9i) is just over £3000.
Front Wheel Cross Trainers
Front-drive cross-trainers were introduced more recently and due to the location and mechanics of the parts can work out more expensive. Just like the rear-drive cross trainers they exercise muscle groups simultaneously. This provides an intense workout in less time for faster results. Their dual lever action is designed to provide a cardiovascular workout with minimal impact on the joints rather than build muscles.
Brands such as Horizon Fitness, Nordic Track, Fuel Fitness, Bremshey, Vision Fitness and Tunturi produce high-quality cross trainers starting from around £400 going up t0 £3000 depending on what features are available. In the end whichever cross-trainer you go for will be down to your personal preference, fitness requirements and of course budget.
Fortunately, many stockists make it easy to shop by price, brand, best selling and most popular. John Lewis & Partners stock a good range of front and rear drive cross-trainers with a full description and specification for each model. Gym World also stocks a range of high-end commercial cross trainers with installation options available. In addition, they have a good range of combat sports accessories such as boxing gloves, punchbags and martial arts equipment.