What the last few months has taught many of us is the best way to combat a serious illness is to be in good health. There's no need to go out and start training for a full marathon, but just to take more exercise and be less of a "couch potato" is all that needs to be done.
If the gym, with those beautiful shiny people all in the "right gear" is intimidating, then the best thing is to start a body workout at home. There'll be a lot of advice to buy a treadmill, and cross trainers with names like "jll ct300", "jtx tri-fit" and the "jtx strider-x7, magnetic cross" each coming with bells, lights and whistles and of course, a huge price tag!
However the same results can be had with a good budget cross trainer machine, a sensible workout regime and a little bit of commitment. This review will be testing and assessing the 5 top budget cross trainers for under £500 recommended in other reviews, to find the best choice based on value for money and build quality
Described as an endurance trainer, the SF E3804 is an elliptical cross trainer that offers intensive low impact whole body workout programmes.
With a set of front casters, this machine can be wheeled out used and put back very easily. With workout stabilizers the SF E3804 ensures machine stability and balance throughout the training session.
The SF E3804 has 8 levels of magnetic resistance allowing even the unfittest among us to start at the basic workout level and increase our fitness by just altering the resistance.
Equipped with a set of front handle bars this machine allows not only conditioning of the upper body but the opportunity to develop gluteals, quadraceps, knees and hips. The handle bars are also where the "power meter" is situated. With its easy to read lcd display, this trainer monitors pulse, distance covered, speed, time taken and how many calories burnt. The monitor is large enough to place a device such as a tablet or cellphone for in workout entertainment.
The SF E3804 has a stride of length of 33cms, which in most cases would be adequate,and a maximum user weight of 130kg.
Like all modern exercise equipment the SF E3804 needs to be assembled before use. While being relatively easy to put together, some new owners found the instructions to be confusing.
While there is the ability to have a complete workout, there were a couple of disappointments with the SF E3840's inability to reverse pedal, so that other areas could be toned, and the lack of adjustable stride, so that taller users could comfotably use this elliptical trainer.
The weight of this machine is a staggering 39.93kg, making moving the SF E3840 a complete workout for the upper body before starting!
■ 8 levels of resistance. Greater fitness levels achieveable.
■ Stabilizers for user balance through out the workout.
■ Upper body toning, as well as lower body development.
■ Easy to read lcd monitor, tracking vital stats as well as performance.
■ Assembly instructions can be confusing.
■ Its weight of 39.93kg. This cross trainer is extraordinarily heavy.
■ max user weight stated as 130kg. There are good grounds to believe this to be overstated.
■ Lack of adjustable stride. One setting of 33cms.
■ No reverse pedalling features.
■No mass of the flywheel indicated.
Supposedly a hybrid, this elliptical trainer comes with a fully adjustable saddle suited for both men and women. So if boredom sets in during the workout, this cross trainer can become an exercise bike instead.
The 2-in-1 has casters allowing it to be pulled out of storage for use. So can be used in a small area.
Equipped with a 4 function display, monitoring speed, distance, time and calories burnt, the 2-in-1 elliptical cross trainer keeps track of performance during a workout session, even allowing a time out or break.
With its 8 step adjustable resistance settings this cross trainer can help improve general fitness over time, coupled with its back pedal feature allowing more workout programmes to be included so that different muscle groups can be concentrated on.
The 2-in-1 elliptical cross trainer has a very comfortable adjustable saddle, which at first glance, may be one of the best features of this hybid cross trainer, cannot be fully taken advantage of because of the complete lack of handle bars. Without the handlebars the exercise bike part of this machine is quite difficult to use.
Designed to be used by men and women, the 2-in-1 elliptical cross trainer /exercise bike has a sturdy frame and boasts a maximum user weight of 115kg.
The 4 function display monitor, because of the lack of handlebars is placed right near the base of this cross trainer, which with its rather small display screen and small size, makes it very hard to read.
Again, with all elliptical trainers in this review, assembly is a prerequisite, and should be fairly straight forward. However the instructions are at best, confusing.
One puzzling addition to this cross trainer is a fan, mounted between the upright handles. Apparently it's to provide a gentle breeze while working out. The fan doesn't actually contribute to the workout, and can only be thought of as gimmick.
This sturdy looking machine comes with a pretty sturdy price tag, and is the most expensive cross trainer on test.
On the whole though the 2-in1 cross trainer offers an adequate workout.
■ Supplied with a fully adjustable saddle. Suitable for both men and women.
■ 8 levels of resistance. Fitness can be improved by varying resistance levels over time.
■ Back peddling feature. Allows more diverse workout programmes to be used to develop different muscle groups.
■ Can double as a rudimentary exercise bike.
■ Lack of handlebars makes this cross trainer less of a 2-in-1 and more of rather poor hybrid trainer.
■ Positioning and size of the monitor display. As there are no handlebars, the position of the monitor display is very close to the elliptical trainers base, coupled with the screen's very small size, makes reading the monitor quite hard to do.
■ The instruction book was at best, misleading and very hard to understand in parts.
■ The 2-in-1 is the only machine unable to monitor the users pulse during a workout.
■ The price. The 2-in-1 cross trainer was the most expensive of all the cross trainers in this review.
■ Inclusion of a fan to provide the feel of a gentle breeze. This is purely a gimmick and serves no real purpose.
Probably the best looking of all the cross trainers under review, the clean lines and white finish of the CT2 make it the most striking machine.
Christopeit Sport have made a comparatively light weight cross trainer, which can be wheeled out and used with very little effort, or left in the corner of a room after a workout if need be.
While the CT2 has stabilizers to keep its balance when in use, its best feature must be the small adjusters to keep it steady on an uneven floor.
With the standard 8 levels of resistance , its reverse pedalling feature, a variety of workout programmes can be used to develop all over muscle tone as well as improve fitness.
Upper body work outs are very possible as well as development of legs, gluteals and knees with the CT2's reverse pedalling ability. While it does have horizontal handlebars, it lacks a saddle so cardio vascular exercise is somewhat limited.
The monitor display is situated on the handlebars and monitors, speed, distance, time taken and pulse. The monitor itself is simpley designed and is possibley the easiest to use out of the 5 elliptical trainers in this review.
The manufacturers have incorporated a 7.5kg flywheel, which when used the 8 resistance levels will ensure a smooth exercise session. The total weight of the CT2 machine is 27.5kg.
Being the best looking of the elliptical cross trainers does come at a little bit of a cost. The maximum user weight is 100kg, and the pedalling movement is prone to suddenly stopping when the pedals are at the horizontal.
This particular cross trainer was quite fiddley and time consuming to assemble prior to use.
The CT2 is certainly the most pleasing machine to look at, but its user weight limit and its propensity to suddenly stop are real limitations.
■ 8 stage resistance and 7.5kg flywheel. Allows fitness to improve incrementally over time.
■ Weighing in at 27.5kg the CT2 is a comparayively light cross trainer.
■ The clean and simple design of the multi display monitor, along with its positioning on the CT2 cross trainer makes it very easy to see and use.
■ The multi display monitor has 5 functions: speed, time, distance, calories burnt and pulse.
■Reverse pedalling option, allowing more varied workouts.
■ Uneven floor levelers, adding extra stability during workouts. Although minor, this is probably one of the best features of all of the elliptical trainers on test
■ Max user weight of 100kg. Limits who can use the machine
■ Assembly of the CT2 was, to put it politely, at best fiddley and time consuming.
■ This elliptical cross trainer has the habit of suddenly stopping when the foot pedals are at the horizontal, which is a cause for serious concern.
Founded 98 years ago in 1922, Tunturi, along with its rival Nordictrack, are household names in Scandinavia when it comes to elliptical, cross trainers and exercise equipment in general. From "pro" models that compete with the likes of the jll ct300 right down to the humble argos cross trainer, Tunturi produce a wide range of fitness products. This review deals with just one: The Cardio Fit C 30, which is part of their budget range.
The first noticeable thing about the Cardio Fit C30 is its weight. At 34kg this a heavy machine, thanks to its huge 18kg flywheel. According to Tunturi, to ensure smooth elliptical rotation, it was neccessary to have such a large flywheel.
As with every cross trainer on test the C30 needs to be assembled. Not only was it a pleasant surprise to find the instructions were easy to understand, but a relief that the C30 was straightforward to put together!
The C30 cross trainer has a large, easy to read liquid crystal display monitor fitted conveniently on the inner upright handles. Being able to monitor speed, time taken, distance, calories burnt and heart rate, it's easy to track performance. Should the workout become boring the monitor has a ledge so a tablet can be used for entertainment.
The 8 stage near silent magnetic resistance settings make for an extremely quiet exercise session, while increasing fitness levels through resistance exercise.
The maximum user weight for the C30 is set at 111kg which can be seen as a limitation.
The C30 is somewhat limited in that it has no reverse pedalling facility and a shallow elliptical rotation of just 30cms, leaving it with only one work out program.
A real cause of concern was the C30 has the tendency to abruptly stop, usually when the pedals are on the horizontal, regardless of the resistance setting. While it would be acceptable if it was a "one-off" occurance, a fair number of owners have had the same problem. This is a real disappointment, especially from a manufacturer with such a pedigree.
■ 8 stage resistance settings. Ability to increase fitness on an incremental scale.
■ Large, easy to see 5 function monitor and display screen which measures speed, distance, time taken, calories burnt and heart rate.
■ Easy to assemble, with good clear instructions.
■ Incredibly quiet operation.
■ The monitor display has a ledge designed to use as a tablet or phone holder. This may be the C30's best feature!
■ Its weight. Coming in at 34kg the C30 is a heavy machine, due in part to its huge 18kg flywheel.
■ Max user weight of 111kg. Limits who can use this cross trainer.
■ No reverse pedalling feature, effectively limiting the C30 to just one exercise programme.
■ Shallow elliptical rotation of pedals
■ Common tendency to suddenly stop when the pedals are at the horizontal regardless of level of resistance setting.
The L.HPT is a truly light weight machine, and as a result, it's highly portable. Making it easy to store away.
Equipped with a fully adjustable saddle, this cross trainer also doubles as an exercise bike. When combined with its reverse pedalling facility and cross trainer function there are a number of workout programmes that can performed.
The L.HPT like the Tunturi Cardio fit C30, is extemely quiet, almost silent in fact, making it ideal for exercising in front of the TV without disturbing anyone.
As seems to be the norm with this product, the L.HPT has 8 resistance levels which helps to increase fitness performance incrementally over time.
Possibly the best feature that this home resistance trainer has, is its multi function monitor and display screen. While it monitors and displays , speed, time, distance, calories burnt and heart rate, it's adjustable. So whether sitting on the saddle cycling along those imaginary country lanes in summer, or stepping towards cross trainer glory, the monitor can always be adjusted to line of sight.
The assembly of the L.HPT is not as easy as it should have been, with poorly translated instructions being the culprit, it turned out to be both fiddley and utterly confusing.
Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, the maximum weight capacity of the L.HPT is just 100kg, which limits who can use this machine.
■ Extremely light weight. Easily portable and simple to store.
■ 8 variable resistance settings, making it easy to improve overall fitness.
■ Fully adjustable saddle. The L.HPT can double up as an exercise bike, making workouts not quite so monotonous.
■ A fully adjustable 5 function monitor and display. Making it easy to view personal performance whether in cycling or cross trainer mode. Possibly the best feature.
■ The L.HPT is very light weight, possibly too light weight for what its supposed be.
■ Max user weight is just 100kg, limiting who can use it.
■ Assembly of the L.HPT is both fiddley and frustrating due mostly in part by very poorly translated instructions.
While many fitness fanatics would argue that the best and only way to get in shape is to purchase a "jtx strider-x7 magnetic cross trainer" or "jtx tri-fit", each with 16 levels of whatever, all of which would probably run to many hundreds of pounds. Many of us probably would be either unwilling or unable to pay such prices, and would rather go for the next best thing:
A budget range product that is low impact and easy to use at home. Cross trainers are probably the best solution, many models of cross trainer can be found on most retail websites such as Amazon.
This review has taken the top 5 recommended cross trainers and put them through their paces, vigoursly assessing each one on their value for money, quality of build and how easy each one would be to use in the home. Each cross trainer under test is a high quality product in its own right. The purpose of this review was simply to find the best of the best.
Our choice for the best budget cross trainer is The Sunny Health and Fitness Cross Trainer Adult SF E3804.
Moreover, you should also read our previous article about the best cross trainer under £200.
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