Exercise bike vs cross trainer

Sitting versus standing

On an exercise bike you sit on a saddle and pedal in a circle. Upright bikes put you in a relaxed town bike position, spin bikes lean you forward like a road cyclist, and recumbents recline you in a seat with a backrest. Only the legs drive the pedals, unless the bike has moving arms. Our guide to types of exercise bike explains each style.

On a cross trainer you stand on pedals that move in an oval, and push and pull two handles at the same time. Your weight shifts from foot to foot as you would when walking, and the arms and legs move together. Many cross trainers let you pedal backwards, and some let you change the stride path.

If you like to read, watch something or follow an app while you train, a bike is easier because your upper body is still. If you prefer to be on your feet, a cross trainer will feel more natural.

Footprint and headroom

Exercise bikes are compact. An upright bike typically takes about a metre of floor length and around half a metre of width; spin bikes are a little longer and recumbents longer again. See exercise bike dimensions for typical sizes.

Cross trainers are longer than most uprights and need space for the moving handles. They also raise you up, as the pedals sit above the floor and rise further during the stride. In a room with a low ceiling, a tall user can get close to the ceiling. Check the maximum step height in the maker's specification, add your height and leave some space above your head.

Noise, floors and flats

Most modern bikes and cross trainers use magnetic resistance, which is close to silent. On a bike, the main sound is the belt and the pedals. On a cross trainer, the moving joints can squeak over time, and the weight shifting from foot to foot can send some vibration into a wooden floor.

A firm mat helps with both, protecting the floor and reducing the rumble heard downstairs. Our guide to mats under rowing machines and bikes covers sizes and thicknesses.

Storage and set-up

Bikes are easier to fit in. Folding X-bikes fold in half and roll away, and standard uprights and spin bikes have front wheels so you can tip them and move them to a corner. Read are folding exercise bikes any good if storage is your main concern.

Cross trainers are heavier and bulkier, and most stay where you assemble them. Assembly usually takes longer too, because of the arm and pedal linkages. Plan where it will live before you order, and check that it will fit through doors and up stairs in its box.

See our best exercise bikes →

Upkeep

An exercise bike needs little care: wipe it down after use, check the pedals and seat clamp, and keep an ear out for knocks or clicks. Our guide to exercise bike knocking noises covers the usual causes.

A cross trainer has more moving joints, so expect to tighten bolts and lubricate pivots as the manual describes. Squeaks are common after a few months of use and are usually fixed by tightening or greasing the right joint.

Which should you choose?

Choose an exercise bike if space is tight, the ceiling is low, you want to train while watching or reading, or you want app classes. Uprights suit steady seated riding, spin bikes suit class-style riding, and recumbents suit anyone who wants a backrest and easy access. Compare models in our best exercise bikes, best spin bikes and best recumbent exercise bikes guides.

Choose a cross trainer if you want to stand, have a permanent spot with enough headroom and like moving your arms and legs together. If arms and legs together appeal but you would rather sit, look at a rower or a bike with moving arms; see exercise bikes with moving arms.

Frequently asked questions

Which takes up less room? An upright exercise bike or a folding X-bike takes less floor than a typical cross trainer, and needs no extra headroom.

Which is quieter? Both are quiet with magnetic resistance. Cross trainers have more joints that can start to squeak over time.

Can I watch TV on a cross trainer? You can, but your head moves more than on a bike. Reading or using a tablet is easier on an exercise bike.

Do cross trainers need a plug socket? Many do, especially models with powered resistance and programmes. Many exercise bikes run on batteries or power themselves; check the listing.