Elliptical crosstrainers were first developed as a gentler, low-impact alternative to the pounding nature of treadmill running. By delivering outstanding aerobic conditioning through a smooth, natural-feeling motion, ellipticals have risen to become one of the most sought-after pieces of home fitness equipment available today.
A quality crosstrainer works the majority of your body's muscle groups while raising your heart rate through biomechanically correct motion. You can ramp up calorie burn with resistance controls and introduce workout variety through incline adjustments — all without the joint stress associated with running.
The right elliptical will feel smooth and invigorating, engaging your entire body while keeping stress off your knees, hips, and ankles. The wrong one will feel awkward and clunky — and you'll quickly lose motivation to use it. That's exactly why this Buyer's Guide exists: to walk you through the process of choosing the crosstrainer that's genuinely right for you.
At Backyard Provider, we take pride in offering a carefully selected range of elliptical crosstrainers — from compact rear-drive models suited to tight spaces, to full-sized front-drive machines built for serious training — all designed to match various budgets and room dimensions.
One factor that's often overlooked when purchasing an elliptical is after-sales support. Before committing, make sure you can confidently answer these questions about your retailer:
If your retailer can't give you clear, confident answers to those questions — walk away. A warranty document alone isn't enough; the company selling you the machine needs to actually stand behind it for the entire coverage period. You wouldn't purchase a vehicle from a dealer with no service department — so why accept anything less with a crosstrainer?
Biomechanical Feel
No two crosstrainers feel exactly alike. Even machines that appear virtually identical can deliver a very different stride experience because they come from different manufacturers using different engineering approaches. The smartest starting point when selecting an elliptical is to actually test one out — because if the movement doesn't feel right to you, you won't enjoy using it at home.
There are several distinct movement categories to be aware of when evaluating crosstrainers. Below, we break down the key variations so you know exactly what to look for.
Rear-Drive Compact Models
Rear-drive compact ellipticals feature a wider foot pedal spacing and produce a more vertical, stepper-like motion combined with a shorter horizontal stride — typically between 14 and 16 inches. These machines are an excellent match for tighter workout spaces and generally suit users between approximately 5'4" and 5'0" in height.
Rear-Drive Large Models
Larger rear-drive crosstrainers provide natural foot spacing, a generous horizontal stride of up to 20 inches, and a smoother vertical action. With ramp adjustment capabilities that introduce vertical movement variety, these machines accommodate users of virtually all heights.
Front-Drive Basic Models
Front-drive ellipticals produce a flatter, more horizontal stride path (up to 20 inches) with a closer pedal spacing that creates a more natural walking feel. These machines tend to feel more intuitive for first-time users and offer a comfortable, balanced motion right from the start.
Front-Drive Premium Models
Premium front-drive crosstrainers feature exceptionally robust frames and deliver a silky-smooth, biomechanically optimized stride — up to 20 inches long — paired with automatic ramp adjustment that lets you seamlessly shift between multiple motion variations during a single workout session.
Elevated Elliptical Movement
This hybrid design blends a stepping motion with an elliptical path to engage your glutes and posterior leg muscles far more intensely than a traditional crosstrainer. The result? A significantly higher calorie burn that makes these machines a favorite for anyone focused on maximum efficiency.
Adjustable Stride — Centre-Drive Models
Centre-drive crosstrainers offer an adjustable stride length of 18 to 22 inches, making them universally suitable for users of all heights. The personalized heel-to-toe adjustment enables a long, space-efficient stride — ideal for shared households where multiple people use the same machine.
Seated Elliptical Crosstrainers
If standing isn't comfortable or practical for you, a seated elliptical activates the same major muscle groups as a standing model — all from a seated position. This makes them perfect for individuals with lower-back concerns, lower-limb conditions, or anyone who simply prefers the comfort of sitting during their workout.
Hybrid Ellipticals
Variety keeps workouts fresh. Hybrid ellipticals let you switch between a seated recumbent cycle and a standing elliptical on the very same machine — making them an outstanding choice for home users who crave training diversity without buying two separate pieces of equipment.
Arm Action
The arm movement on a crosstrainer can be tremendously beneficial to the overall quality of your workout — when it's engineered correctly. Its primary advantage is boosting total-body involvement, which pushes your cardiovascular system harder than a legs-only session. A well-designed crosstrainer keeps your hands positioned above heart level, further increasing aerobic demand. That said, it's worth being honest: the upper-body conditioning you'll achieve on an elliptical alone is modest.
On many machines, the arm motion feels like an afterthought — a superficial add-on tacked onto the lower-body stride. Cheaply designed crosstrainers often have arm movements that are short, restricted, and feel unnatural. Top-tier brands like NordicTrack and ProForm integrate genuine, full-range arm motion that works in harmony with the leg stride to replicate your body's natural walking and running biomechanics as faithfully as possible.
Key Pointers When Choosing a Crosstrainer
Foot Spacing Matters
Getting the right pedal spacing is critical to finding a comfortable crosstrainer. If the foot platforms sit too far apart, it can lead to hip displacement and general lower-body misalignment — creating discomfort and potentially worsening existing joint issues. Overly wide spacing is most commonly found on smaller, budget-oriented machines with generic designs.
Stride Depth & User Height
If you're shorter and your crosstrainer is compact, the stride motion can become overly deep — producing a steep, stepper-like rotation that feels unstable. Conversely, if you're too tall for the machine, the stunted short-range motion can stress your knees at the forward rotation point, potentially leading to joint weakness over time. Always match your height to the machine's stride length.
Weight Capacity Isn't Everything
A high maximum weight rating doesn't automatically mean superior build quality. The steel frame itself may be solid, but the real weak points are the connection joints that bear lateral and horizontal stress during use. Always test the machine at your actual workout intensity to confirm it feels sturdy and stable under real conditions.
Flywheel Size Is Overrated
Flywheel size is often used as a marketing gimmick. In reality, a heavy flywheel paired with a poor magnetic resistance system can actually deliver a worse experience than a smaller flywheel paired with a high-quality magnetic brake. Smooth, consistent resistance is what matters — not raw flywheel weight.
Given the enormous range of movement types available across today's elliptical market, the most important thing you can do is feel the machine's stride for yourself. This is especially true if multiple members of your household will be using it — different body types may prefer slightly different stride characteristics. Trust your body's feedback above all else.
Our Top Pick
NordicTrack AirGlide 7i Elliptical
Smooth, whisper-quiet stride with automatic incline adjustment and full iFIT integration — built for home users who refuse to compromise.