Elliptical trainers are a recent development in the fitness industry. Today they are as popular as treadmills or exercise bikes. Elliptical cross trainers offer something no other piece of aerobic exercise equipment can i.e. the elliptical trainer benefit is an impact free, total body workout. Early elliptical exercise machine had were unable to raise the heart rate without fatiguing the legs first. When upper body arms were added, the demand for elliptical cross trainers exploded. Now they provide an impact-free, weight bearing activity that raise the heart rate more efficiently than any other piece of equipment. However to the user, it feels like they are doing less.

Two main resistance systems are used on elliptical equipment, permanent magnet and electromagnetic. Electromagnetic elliptical cross trainers cost more but perform better and with more features. These are the best elliptical cross trainers. They are quiet in operation so disturbance is low. You could even watch TV whilst training on your elliptical cross trainer.