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Sportstech CX2 Review: A Heavy-Flywheel Cross Trainer for Home
By Paul Kendrick, Cardio & Endurance Editor · Updated 5 July 2026
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The Sportstech CX2 is a mid-priced home cross trainer from the German brand Sportstech, and it has quietly become one of the best-selling ellipticals on Amazon UK. Its pitch is simple: give home buyers a heavy flywheel and quiet magnetic resistance, the kind of feel usually reserved for pricier machines, at a price that undercuts the gym-brand rivals. For anyone who wants low-impact cardio at home without the joint pounding of a treadmill, it is an easy machine to recommend, with a few caveats worth knowing before you commit.
How we review
This review is based on extensive research of verified owner reviews, expert round-ups and Sportstech's published specifications. We have not run our own months-long endurance test of this exact unit, so we report only consistent, repeated findings, both the praise and the complaints, rather than one-off opinions. Prices and specifications can change, so check the current listing before buying.
Who it is for
The CX2 suits people who want steady, low-impact cardio at home: anyone protecting their knees, hips or back, returning to exercise, or simply after a machine they can use year-round whatever the weather. Low-impact aerobic work like this is exactly the kind of activity the NHS recommends building towards, at at least 150 minutes a week, and the World Health Organization echoes that target. If you want hill sprints, sharp interval spikes or a machine for a 6ft 5in household, the CX2's fixed stride and resistance ceiling may feel limiting, and you should look further up the range.
Pros
- Heavy 27kg flywheel gives a smooth, natural stride uncommon at this price
- Quiet magnetic resistance, fine to use near a TV
- 24 resistance levels and 12 programs cover most training
- Self-powered generator, so no mains socket needed
- Bluetooth app support (Kinomap and iConsole) for guided rides
- Sturdy and stable once assembled, with transport wheels to move it
Cons
- Assembly is heavy, fiddly and poorly documented
- Stride length suits average heights better than very tall users
- Self-powered console only works while you are pedalling
- Heart-rate chest strap is not included
- Built-in console is basic, the app does the heavy lifting
- No powered incline
Build and feel
The CX2 is where the extra money over a budget elliptical shows. At the heart of it is a 27kg inertia mass, which is genuinely heavy for a home cross trainer, and you feel the difference immediately: the stride is smooth and continuous rather than the light, slightly jerky feel of cheaper machines with a small flywheel. The frame is solid once built, and it stays planted during a hard session rather than rocking on the spot.
The trade-off arrives on day one. Assembly is regularly the biggest gripe from owners, thanks to a heavy box, chunky parts and sparse instructions, so set aside a good hour and, ideally, a helper. The stride length is sensible for average heights but is not the longest, so taller users should check the dimensions carefully, because a cramped stride quickly gets uncomfortable on longer sessions.
| Resistance type | Magnetic, 24 levels |
|---|---|
| Flywheel (inertia) mass | 27 kg |
| Training programs | 12 |
| Console | LCD with tablet holder |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Kinomap and iConsole app compatible |
| Power | Self-powered generator (no mains needed) |
| Heart rate | Chest-strap compatible (strap not included) |
| Drive | Rear-drive elliptical |
| Transport | Front wheels for moving it |
Performance and resistance
In use, the CX2 delivers where it counts. The magnetic brake is quiet and smooth, with 24 resistance levels giving a wide spread from an easy warm-up glide to a leg-burning grind. Because the flywheel is so heavy, even the higher levels feel controlled rather than notchy, and the pedalling motion stays fluid. For steady-state cardio, fat-burning sessions and gentle intervals, it has more than enough range for the vast majority of home users.
The honest ceiling is that this is a home machine, not a commercial one. There is no powered incline to change the muscle emphasis, and very fit users chasing brutal sprint intervals will eventually top out the resistance. Rowing fans weighing up their options may also want to read our rowing machine versus cross trainer comparison, since the two suit slightly different goals.
Console, app and value
The CX2 is self-powered, which is a genuine convenience: no trailing mains cable, place it wherever you like. The flip side is that the console only comes alive once you start pedalling, so there is no standby display. The built-in LCD is basic and does the job of showing time, distance, speed and an estimated heart rate, but the real experience comes from the Bluetooth app support. Pair it with Kinomap or a similar app on the tablet holder and you get guided rides, virtual routes and multiplayer sessions that make the time pass far quicker than watching numbers tick over.
On value, the CX2 is one of the stronger picks in its bracket, which is why it sits near the top of the Amazon UK cross trainer charts with a 4.3 out of 5 average. You are getting a heavy flywheel and quiet, app-connected magnetic resistance for less than the gym brands charge for similar. It is not flawless, the assembly and stride are the recurring bugbears, but as a well-built, low-impact home cardio machine it is hard to fault for the money. For alternatives across budgets, see our best cross trainer guide and the wider cross trainers section.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Sportstech CX2 a good cross trainer?
Yes, for a home cross trainer at its price it is a strong option. The heavy 27kg flywheel gives a smoother, more natural stride than most budget ellipticals, the magnetic resistance is quiet, and 24 resistance levels plus app support cover most training. It is well liked on Amazon UK with a 4.3 out of 5 average. The main compromises are a fiddly assembly and a stride better suited to average heights than very tall users.
How heavy is the Sportstech CX2 flywheel?
The CX2 has a 27kg inertia mass (flywheel weight). That is heavy for a home cross trainer and is the machine's biggest selling point, because a heavier flywheel carries more momentum and delivers a smoother, less jerky pedalling feel, especially at higher resistance levels.
Is the Sportstech CX2 quiet?
Yes. It uses magnetic resistance rather than friction pads, so there is no rubbing or grinding, just a low hum from the belt and flywheel. Most owners are comfortable using it near a television or in a flat without disturbing others, though the pedals and joints can develop the occasional creak over time if not kept tight.
Does the Sportstech CX2 need to be plugged in?
No. The CX2 has a self-powered generator, so it produces its own power as you pedal and does not need a mains socket. That makes placement flexible, but it also means the console only wakes up once you start moving, and you cannot use the display without pedalling.
What is the maximum user weight of the Sportstech CX2?
Sportstech lists the CX2 as a home-use machine, and this class of cross trainer typically supports users up to around 110kg. If you are near or above that, check the exact current maximum user weight on the listing before buying, as specifications can change between production runs.
Is the Sportstech CX2 hard to assemble?
It is one of the more common complaints. The box is heavy, the parts are substantial, and the instructions are basic, so budget an hour or more and ideally a second pair of hands. Once built it is sturdy, but the initial setup is the least enjoyable part of owning one.
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