The best value cross trainer in NZ is the PROTRAIN Elliptical Trainer with Dumbbells, a 5-in-1 unit that works as an elliptical, exercise bike, resistance trainer and dumbbell rack, with forward and reverse pedalling and an LCD monitor for time, speed, distance, calories and pulse. Floor space is the usual limit on a Kiwi home gym, where the machine often has to share a garage with the car, so a unit that replaces four pieces of kit earns its keep faster than a marginally smoother stride.
A cross trainer (elliptical) gives you a low-impact, full-body cardio workout that’s gentler on your joints than running, making it a popular home gym choice for people of all fitness levels.
This list covers 6 cross trainers available in New Zealand, including under-desk, budget full-size, mid-premium and folding options, each with independently verified review data.
Cross Trainer Comparison Table
| Cross Trainer | Best For | Type | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROTRAIN Elliptical + Dumbbells (TSB) | Best 5-in-1 Value | Full-size, manual | 5.0★ (12) |
| Mini Electronic Stepper (TSB) | Best Compact / Under-Desk | Mini, motorised | 5.0★ (5) |
| Cubii JR2 | Best Under-Desk / WFH | Under-desk | 4.3★ (424) |
| Everfit 4-in-1 | Best Budget Full-Size | Full-size, manual | 3.7★ (28) |
| MERACH Elliptical Machine | Best Mid-Premium / Quiet | Full-size, magnetic | 4.5★ (93) |
| Lifespan Fitness XT-39 | Best Premium / Folding | Full-size, folding | 5.0★ (2) |
The Best Cross Trainers in NZ
1. PROTRAIN Elliptical Trainer With Dumbbells — Best 5-in-1 Value (TSB)
TSB Living’s PROTRAIN combines an elliptical trainer, exercise bike, resistance trainer and dumbbell rack in one unit, giving genuine workout variety without needing multiple pieces of equipment.
You can exercise sitting or standing and switch between forward and reverse pedalling to target different muscles, with adjustable seat height and resistance levels plus an LCD monitor tracking time, speed, distance, calories and pulse.
It’s genuinely well-reviewed: 5.0 stars from 12 verified TSB buyers.
Pros
- 5-in-1 functionality: elliptical, bike, resistance trainer and dumbbells
- Genuinely well-reviewed: 5.0★ from 12 verified buyers
- Forward/reverse motion and adjustable resistance
Cons
- 100kg max user weight, lower than some dedicated full-size cross trainers
- Assembly required
Key specs: 100kg max user weight | LCD monitor | Adjustable seat + resistance | Includes 2lb + 3lb dumbbells
2. Mini Electronic Elliptical Stepper Trainer — Best Compact / Under-Desk (TSB)
This compact motorised stepper works as a stepper, exercise bike and elliptical trainer, small enough to use sitting in your favourite chair or under a desk while working.
It runs automatically via remote control, with preset exercise functions and adjustable speed, so you can get a low-impact lower body workout without setting time aside for a dedicated gym session.
It’s genuinely well-reviewed: 5.0 stars from 5 verified TSB buyers.
Pros
- Compact enough for under a desk or in front of the TV
- Motorised with remote control – no manual effort needed to start
- Genuinely well-reviewed: 5.0★ from 5 verified buyers
Cons
- Much lower intensity workout than a full-size cross trainer
- Small review sample so far
Key specs: 50W motor | Remote control | 8kg | No assembly required
3. Cubii JR2 Under Desk Elliptical — Best Under-Desk / Work-from-Home
Cubii is a genuinely established name in under-desk exercise equipment, and the JR2 is built specifically to slide under a desk so you can pedal while you work rather than needing a separate workout session.
It includes an LCD fitness tracker screen and adjustable resistance levels, letting you dial the intensity up or down depending on how much you want to notice it while working.
It’s extremely well-reviewed: 4.3 stars from 424 verified Amazon ratings.
Pros
- Purpose-built for pedalling while you work at a desk
- Extremely well-reviewed: 4.3★ from 424 ratings
- Adjustable resistance and LCD fitness tracker
Cons
- Lower-body only, no arm movement like a full cross trainer
Key specs: Under-desk design | Adjustable resistance | LCD fitness tracker
4. Everfit 4-in-1 Elliptical Cross Trainer — Best Budget Full-Size
Everfit’s 4-in-1 combines a full-size elliptical cross trainer with included resistance bands and dumbbells, giving a more complete home workout setup at a genuinely accessible price.
It’s a stationary cardio trainer designed for indoor cycling-style workouts, aimed at buyers wanting a bigger, more substantial machine than the compact TSB or Cubii picks above.
Reviews are mixed: 3.7 stars from 28 verified Amazon ratings.
Pros
- Includes resistance bands and dumbbells for a fuller workout
- Full-size cross trainer at a budget-friendly price
- Genuine 4-in-1 functionality
Cons
- Lower average rating (3.7★) than the other picks on this list
Key specs: 4-in-1 | Includes resistance bands + dumbbells | Full-size stationary trainer
5. MERACH Elliptical Machine — Best Mid-Premium / Quiet
MERACH’s elliptical steps up to a genuinely quiet hyper-quiet magnetic drive system, with 16 levels of resistance adjustment and a 390mm stride length suited to taller users.
It’s rated to a substantial 159kg loading capacity – well above the TSB and budget picks on this list – making it a solid choice for larger households or multiple users of different sizes.
It’s well-reviewed: 4.5 stars from 93 verified Amazon ratings.
Pros
- Hyper-quiet magnetic drive system
- High 159kg loading capacity
- Well-reviewed: 4.5★ from 93 ratings
Cons
- Pricier than the budget full-size options on this list
Key specs: 16-level magnetic resistance | 390mm stride | 159kg loading capacity
6. Lifespan Fitness XT-39 Folding Cross Trainer — Best Premium / Folding
Lifespan Fitness is a genuine, established Australian gym-equipment brand, and the XT-39 is a full-size folding cross trainer designed to fold up for storage when not in use – useful if you don’t have a dedicated home gym space.
It’s built for a more serious, sustained cardio workout than the compact under-desk options on this list, aimed at buyers wanting genuine gym-quality equipment at home.
Reviews are positive so far but the sample is very small – 5.0 stars from just 2 ratings – and stock was down to 1 unit at time of writing, so treat that rating as an early signal rather than a large-scale track record.
Pros
- Established Australian fitness equipment brand
- Folds up for storage when not in use
- Built for a serious, sustained cardio workout
Cons
- Very small review sample so far (2 ratings) and stock was very limited at time of writing
- Priciest option on this list
Key specs: Folding design | Full-size gym-quality build
How to Choose the Best Cross Trainer for You
Full-size or compact/under-desk?
A full-size cross trainer gives you a genuine standing, full-body workout with arm movement as well as legs, but takes up dedicated floor space. A compact or under-desk model like the Cubii or TSB’s mini stepper lets you exercise while working or watching TV, at the cost of a lower-intensity workout.
What resistance and weight capacity do I need?
Check the maximum user weight against your own, with some margin, especially for compact models which often have lower limits than full-size machines. More resistance levels give finer control over workout intensity as your fitness improves.
Manual or motorised?
Most full-size cross trainers are manually powered by your own pedalling. Motorised mini steppers (like TSB’s compact pick) can move automatically, which is useful for passive exercise but gives a much gentler workout than pedalling yourself.
Read more: Best Exercise Bikes in NZ
If you are training across different sessions, the guide to adjustable weight benches covers the rest of the setup.
Verdict
For most NZ households, TSB’s PROTRAIN Elliptical with Dumbbells is the strongest all-rounder – genuinely well-reviewed (5.0★ from 12 buyers), with 5-in-1 functionality at an accessible price. If you want to exercise while working, the Cubii JR2 is the most heavily reviewed pick on this entire list (4.3★ from 424 ratings).
For a quieter, higher-capacity full-size machine, the MERACH Elliptical stands out, and if you want genuine gym-quality equipment that folds away, the Lifespan Fitness XT-39 is the premium choice here, though its review history is still thin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cross trainer better than a treadmill?
Cross trainers are generally gentler on your joints since your feet stay in contact with the pedals throughout the motion, while treadmills more closely mimic running. Both are effective cardio options – the best choice depends on your joint health and personal preference.
How long should I use a cross trainer for?
20-30 minutes at a moderate intensity is a common starting point for cardio fitness, building up duration or resistance as your fitness improves. Always listen to your body and build up gradually if you’re new to the equipment.
Can I use an under-desk elliptical while working?
Yes – that’s exactly what compact under-desk models like the Cubii JR2 or TSB’s mini stepper are designed for. They give a lower-intensity workout than a full-size machine, but let you stay active during a desk-based workday.
How much space does a cross trainer need?
Full-size cross trainers typically need a dedicated floor space of around 1.5-2 square metres. Folding models like the Lifespan Fitness XT-39 or compact under-desk units are better suited to smaller homes or apartments.
What’s the difference between elliptical resistance levels?
Higher resistance levels make the pedalling motion harder to push, increasing workout intensity and calorie burn. Starting on a lower level and increasing gradually helps build fitness without overexerting yourself early on.
Do cross trainers help with weight loss?
Used consistently as part of a broader healthy diet and exercise routine, cross trainers can be an effective cardio tool for weight loss, burning calories while being gentle on your joints compared with higher-impact cardio options.
