This is a tricky one! In general having a larger number of resistance levels on a machine is better than only a few. The higher number of resistance levels will give you a greater range of resistance — similar to having more gears on a bike.

So, in general, it is worth checking how many resistance levels a machine has, but we would not recommend using the number of resistance levels on a machine as an indicator of quality. Reviews are a great way to understand if a company is as good as they say they are.

We collate our reviews in association with TrustPilot, which means you can be absolutely sure they are independent, authentic reviews from genuine customers. Read JTX cross trainer reviews.

This budget will enable you to buy an entry level cross trainer for home use only. Many cross trainers at this price are the 2-in-1 style that incorporate a seat. Cross trainers at this budget are likely to have manual resistance. We would not recommend you choose this type of cross trainer if you are planning on regular or intense workouts.

Stride lengths are likely to be very short which will restrict you to a walking type movement. Warranties are often 1 year at the most and the build quality lower than you might expect.

You can expect to buy a good quality, low impact home cross trainer at this price range. Unlike entry level cross trainers, you would be able to enjoy regular workouts on a much more reliable machine. A compact and robust machine, it will help you manage your weight and meet general fitness goals. We recommend this price range if you are looking to invest in a high quality home cross trainer.

At this budget, there are so many to choose from and deciding on the best cross trainer for your needs can be tricky. There are a few key features that will make a big difference to your workout: we believe a long stride length, incline features and high build quality are worth paying a little extra for:. The longer the stride length, the smoother and more fluid the motion.

Through clever engineering they create a long stride length in a compact machine. This makes them popular for regular, high energy workouts at home. See the JTX Tri-Fit cross trainers for a great example of a compact cross trainer with a gym quality motion and long stride length. Incline : Investing in a cross trainers with an incline feature will enable you to better target your stomach and thighs. It will also allow you to add intensity to your workout. There are two different types of incline: Power Assisted or manual.

The power assisted incline is adjustable from the console during your workout. A manual incline achieves the same benefits but must be adjusted before you start to exercise. Most UK cross trainers with a variable stride length and an incline feature must reduce the stride length to increase the incline.

The design of the JTX Tri-Fit allows you to use the full range of incline without compromising the stride length. This means you can workout on the maximum incline and maximum stride length.

This is not always possible with electronic incline adjusters. Build quality : This is a difficult feature to identify but will make a big difference to the quality of your workout. The total weight of the machine is always a good indicator, the flywheel size and maximum user weight are also good stats to check.

The terms and conditions and warranty offered also tend to demonstrate confidence in a product. Because we manufacture and retail, cutting out the middle man we are able to offer the very highest quality of cross trainers in this very competitive price range.

Each of our machines feature great build quality and fantastic value for money. These cross trainers have been designed to withstand constant use. We are excited to offer the JTX Zenith cross trainer at such a competitive price. It has a smooth ride and stability to rival many of the high end, commercial specification cross trainers found at this price point.

This refers to the mechanism in a machine which effectively creates a long stride in a small machine. The heaviest part of a cross trainer. It is used to create a smooth and stable workout. The size of the flywheel is one way to identify a good quality cross trainer. We would recommend buying a cross trainer with a flywheel of 10kg or bigger. NB Try to take into consideration the total weight of the machine too. If you are comparing two cross trainers and one is much lighter than another but it seems to have a huge flywheel we suggest you think twice.

This is provided as a guide by manufacturers. You can expect machines with larger maximum user weights to be more robust. However this is also open to interpretation by retailers so use this alongside other specification details to identify a good quality cross trainer.

There are two types of heart rate monitor; hand sensor monitors and wearable monitors. Hand sensors come with most fitness machines and take your pulse through the hand grips, they are good as a guide but rarely very accurate. Wearable monitors such as chest straps and watches are generally much more accurate than hand sensors.

Target heart rate training can be used to assist goals ranging from fat burning and weight loss to maximum aerobic capacity development. A target heart rate zone is selected before working out based on the users individual goal. A strap or watch will then monitor your heart rate, giving you real time feedback so you can maintain the right level of effort to stay in your selected target zone. Many fitness machines link to chest straps or watches and auto adjust resistance levels to help keep you in your target zone so it is worth checking product detail pages if you are interested in this type of training.

Most cross trainers will provide a range of workouts. These are designed to help you stay motivated by varying your workouts. They typically include things such as hill climb simulations and heart rate training options. For more workout inspiration, see our cross trainer workouts.

Changing resistance effects how hard you work when moving the foot-plates and handles backwards and forwards. Increased resistance or tension will make it feel like you are moving up hill or against a strong force which increases how hard your muscles are working.

Increasing speed is the only other way to increase your effort on a cross trainer. If you have been toying with the idea of hiring a cross trainer instead of buying one, check out our Cross Trainer Hire vs Cross Trainer Finance page to find out why we think you should always buy. You can also add resistance to it to make it a source of muscle conditioning for the arms and legs. Diverse, easy to use, and low impact for those with troublesome joints, the elliptical is a great way to get a full body workout in.

Using the cross trainer takes a tiny bit of coordination at first, but once you get the hang of it is a straightforward machine to navigate. Step 1: Place a foot on each of the stands and take hold of the poles with each hand. Step 2: Drive your right foot forward. Then drive your left foot and left arm forward.

Keep stepping forward in this way. Make sure to engage your arms rather than just letting your legs do all the work. Step 3: Make a note of the level. Most machines will have a resistance level, which can be increased or decreased to make the action harder or easier.

Using the cross trainer, or elliptical trainer, is traditionally seen as a cardiovascular exercise and develops your aerobic fitness. When you turn to elliptical workouts for weight loss, it's important to remember that you have to burn more calories than you consume in a day in order to actually shed pounds. A lot of people fall into the trap of thinking,"I worked out today, so I earned that cupcake.

Be mindful of what you consume — that one decadent snack could negate all of your hard work. According to the U. Department of Agriculture , a healthy weight loss program consists of a realistic weight loss goal, a reduced-calorie, nutritionally balanced eating plan and regular physical activity — like working out on an elliptical.

It's important to remember that portions count and even a small amount of weight loss can lead to big health benefits. Before you start a weight loss plan, talk to your doctor about a method that's right for you. Calorie intake and nutritional choices vary for each individual, but committing to change — and sharing your goals with a medical professional — is a solid first step to weight loss.

Fitness Workouts Exercise Equipment. Lisa Maloney, CPT. Lisa holds a personal trainer certification through the University of Alaska Anchorage, with more than 4, hours of hands-on experience working with a variety of client needs, from sports teams to post-rehab populations and weight loss, in one-on-one, small group and large group settings.

Susanna Kalnes, Master Trainer. Susanna Kalnes Kirkpatrick is a freelancer writer, media consultant, fitness trainer, and health nut with a curious mind.