Elliptical Cross Trainer vs Exercise Bike: Which is the Best Choice?

Last updated on September 6th, 2021

The elliptical and stationary bike are both viable choices, be it for your use at the gym or to add to your home workout set-up. However, elliptical trainers and stationary bikes don’t provide the same fitness advantages. Your choices should depend upon your objectives and requirements. With this in mind, I am comparing: Cross Trainer vs Exercise Bike.

I’ll guide you through the details of elliptical trainers and stationary exercise bikes and their differences. We’ll also see which one serves what purpose and which one will suit you the best for your requirements.

So, scroll on!

Similarities: Elliptical Cross Trainer vs Exercise Bike

1. Cardio devices like stationary exercise bikes and elliptical training machines are both highly effective (Resource).
2. Stationary exercise bikes and ellipticals both train your lower body and your cardio.
3. Both of these increase your heart rate, make you sweat, and help you burn calories.
4. Exercise bikes and elliptical trainers have a common benefit – they work on your cardio and provide overall fitness training.
5. They both avoid the repetitive stress that other types of exercise, such as jogging, cause.

But that’s where the similarities between these two devices end.

Differences: Elliptical Cross Trainer vs Exercise Bike

They somewhat appear to be quite similar at first look. But they have significant distinctions.

Elliptical Cross Trainers

The elliptical trainer can be a full-body exercise if you hang on to the moving grips and pump your arms and engage your core while you slide your feet. The glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, triceps, and deltoids are the muscles that feel the most burn.

1. The elliptical cross trainers do not have seats.
2. They tone your back and abs, which keep your posture in check.
3. This fitness equipment comes with two moveable grips that are mechanically attached to the pedals.
4. They train your arms and shoulders, as well as your lower body with these handles.
5. The elliptical trainers are one of the most challenging pieces of training equipment, as they help to work on virtually all of your muscle groups at once.
6. Your muscles get a natural, balanced workout on the elliptical trainers as the action is similar to walking or jogging.
7. This helps you tone up while also providing you with everyday advantages.
8. They also help you to maintain your back straight for a more active posture by training your stomach.

Stationary Exercise Bikes

Even if the elliptical trainer appears to be the ideal equipment, the exercise bike should not be overlooked.

1. Unlike the elliptical trainers, the stationary exercise bikes minimize pressure fluctuations on the joints entirely because of their seats.
2. They help maintain your body weight and posture during exercising.
3. When using an elliptical machine, your legs are responsible for cushioning the stress on your joints.
4. One of the mildest gadgets for joints is the exercise bike. That’s why physical therapists like it as a lower-body rehab equipment.
5. In some ways, the fact that stationary exercise bikes employ fewer muscles might be seen as a benefit.
6. Therefore, it can provide a more targeted workout, targeting your back and stomach while leaving out your arm muscles.
7. As a result, you should combine your bike workout with something that works your upper body.

Cross Trainer vs Exercise Bike For Weight Loss?

If you want to burn more calories and lose weight, the elliptical machine is the ideal choice for heavier people. It is since it involves more of your body, which burns fat naturally and efficiently.

However, before you go for it, you need to keep an essential facto in your mind. For weight reduction to be effective, it’s not about which machine uses more of your body, but rather how adaptable your exercises are.

To lose weight, you’ll need to spend a lot of time on whatever machine you go with. As a result, if you can’t mix up your routine, you’ll get bored sooner or later.

An elliptical machine may be too simplistic in terms of variety based on these characteristics. Yes, you can increase and play with the resistance, but other than that, it’s quite simple.

On the other hand, a stationary exercise bike workout allows you to push yourself a little more, such as by standing, removing the seat, or pedalling ‘uphill’.

To put it another way, it gives you more room to be creative, which might help you burn more calories on a stationary bike.

Which Is the One to Maintain Fitness?

You can’t go wrong with either machine if you want to get in shape, enhance your stamina, and work on your cardiovascular system.

They will both give a complete aerobic exercise while being somewhat low impact.

An elliptical machine will be more taxing, but that will be mostly determined by your efforts.

These two machines, unlike a treadmill, are incredibly gentle on the joints and knees, allowing you to go much further and continue for a longer period.

Cardio workouts improve your endurance and cardiovascular system. So, investing in low-impact cardio equipment is a no-brainer.

Diabetes and high blood pressure risk will be reduced as a result.

Also read:

• Treadmill vs Cycle: Which is Better to Reduce Belly Fat?
• [Infographic] Treadmill vs Road Running; Which One You Should Go For

Which Is the One to Tone Your Muscles?

Many of us exercise to define and tone our muscles. An exercise cycle and an elliptical trainer won’t help you build muscle mass. They can, however, enhance muscular tone.

The elliptical machine, for example, works up to 80% of the muscles in your body, including your biceps, core, and chest. By resting your arms or cycling backwards, you can also target certain muscle areas.

However, don’t dismiss the exercise bike just yet. You can train your core and arm muscles by making a few modifications, which may just help you get that desired toned physique.

Bottom Line: Cross Trainer vs Exercise Bike

As you can see, the elliptical trainer and the exercise bike have a lot in common. They both enable you to do cardio exercises, keep your shape and develop your endurance, burn calories and lose weight, and build your muscles without harming your joints.

However, there are two more variables to consider:

• Where the stationary bike comes out on top and they are size and cost.
• An exercise bike does take up less room than an elliptical trainer.

Now, all of it is up to you!

Just go with the one which suits your preferences and needs!

If you’re looking for weight loss, go with the elliptical trainer.

But if toning your muscles is what you want, then a stationary bike might be a better option, with some modifications.

Suggested reads:

• Best Elliptical Cross Trainer in India (+Fitness Cross Trainer Buying Guide)
• 3 Elliptical Workouts for Beginners to Burn Calories
• Welcare Elliptical Cross Trainer WC6044 Review India
• Cockatoo CE03Advance Smart Series Elliptical Cross Trainer Review
• Comparing Xterra Fs Steel 4.0e Elliptical in India
• Afton FX-100 Elliptical Trainer Review India
• Compare Sole SE95E Elliptical Cross Trainer with Best Heavy-Duty Ellipticals 
• Aerofit Elliptical Cross Trainer Reviews, Price List & Comparison
• Best Exercise Cycle in India for Weight Loss

Planning to set up your home gym in India? Read these helpful articles:

• How to Buy Home Gym Equipment for Home
• Best Multi Gym in India (Multi Gym Machine for Home)