Best Cross Trainers Under £500
The best budget cross trainers and ellipticals under £500 for UK homes: stride length, flywheel, weight limits and who each one suits.
Under £500 you can get a decent cross trainer for home, but there are compromises. The biggest one is stride length: cheaper machines have shorter strides, which can feel cramped if you’re tall. Here’s what’s worth buying.
Quick picks
| Pick | Stride | Max user | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProForm Sport Elliptical | 41 cm | 113 kg | Quiet, feature-packed all-rounder |
| JTX Strider X8 | 41 cm | 120 kg | Smooth rear-drive feel |
| JLL CT200 | 30 cm | 100 kg | Tight budgets and shorter users |
The best cross trainers under £500
ProForm Sport Elliptical
Price: Prices vary: £499 at Fitshop and £699 at Sweatband when we checked. Shop around.
- Stride41 cm
- Flywheel7 kg effective
- ResistanceSilent magnetic, 20 levels
- Max user113 kg
- Footprint150 x 65 cm
- Warranty2 years if registered
Quiet magnetic resistance, Bluetooth speakers, a tablet holder and a USB-C port make this the most feature-rich machine at this price, when you can find it discounted.
Pros
- Quiet magnetic resistance
- Tablet holder and USB-C charging
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- 41 cm stride may feel short for tall users
- Manual mode only, with no built-in programmes
JTX Strider X8
Price: Reviewed at £449 by Expert Reviews. Check current price.
- Stride41 cm
- Flywheel7 kg, rear drive
- Max user120 kg
- ExtrasPreset programmes, Bluetooth
Rear-drive machines usually feel smoother and more natural than front-drive ones. The Strider X8 brings that to a budget price, with quiet operation and Bluetooth for apps.
Pros
- Smooth, quiet rear-drive motion
- 120 kg weight limit
- Preset workouts and app support
Cons
- Can feel cramped if you’re over about 5’9″
- Footplates don’t adjust
JLL CT200
Price: Reviewed at £230 by Expert Reviews. Check current price.
- Stride30 cm
- Flywheel5 to 5.5 kg
- Resistance8 levels
- Max user100 kg
A low-cost starter machine with a tablet holder. The short stride makes it best for shorter users and lighter, occasional workouts.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Tablet holder
- Good features for the price
Cons
- Short 30 cm stride, uncomfortable for tall users
- 100 kg weight limit
What you get (and give up) under £500
- Shorter strides: 30 to 41 cm is typical. Above about 5’10”, try to find 45 cm or more, which usually means spending more.
- Lighter flywheels: 5 to 7 kg is normal. That’s fine for most users, but heavier flywheels feel smoother.
- Lower weight limits: often 100 to 120 kg.
- Simpler consoles: basic LCDs, with apps over Bluetooth on better models.
Check your ceiling height
Your head rises by the height of the pedals as you stride. Add the pedal height to your own height and leave some clearance, especially in lofts and low-ceilinged rooms.
See our full cross trainer buying guide for drive types, stride lengths and budgets.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cheap cross trainer worth it?
Yes, if the stride suits your height and the weight limit is comfortably above your own. Very cheap 2-in-1 bike and elliptical combos are usually a compromise at both.
What stride length do I need?
Shorter users can manage 35 to 40 cm, but most adults are more comfortable at 45 cm or more, and taller users at 50 cm or more.