7 popular cardio machines for weight loss, ranked for success
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Losing weight can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but the right cardio machine can turn that climb into a fun and rewarding sport. Whether you’re a gym rat or a home gym enthusiast, finding the perfect equipment can make a huge difference in your fitness journey. From the classic treadmill to the powerful Assault Bike, Cardio machines offer a variety of ways to burn calories and boost your metabolism.
Cardio machines are a staple of weight loss goals, complementing resistance training well to help you lose weight and tone muscles. They provide a stable, controlled environment that makes it easy to monitor your progress and modify your workouts. Plus, they offer a less invasive option for those days when your joints need a break from intense exercise.
Let’s review the most popular cardio machines, ranked by their effectiveness for weight loss. We’ll review the unique benefits and types of exercises they support and recommend a specific machine if you’re ready to up your home gym game. Let’s get started and find out which cardio machine rules for weight loss!
Ski Erg
Finally, the Ski Erg simulates the fun experience of cross-country skiing, providing a great full-body workout. A vigorous session on the Ski Erg can burn between 500 and 900 calories per hour, working the upper body and back while providing solid cardiovascular benefits. Try interval training, such as one minute of hard skating followed by one minute of easy skating, repeated for 20-30 minutes.
For a top choice, the Concept2 SkiErg with PM5 Monitor is known for its ease of use and durability.
Stairmaster
The Stairmaster is great for building lower body strength and endurance. Stair climbing is very effective for burning calories and strengthening your legs and stairs, with the Stairmaster session burning between 500-800 calories per hour. Include periods of high intensity pedaling and slow recovery periods. A popular exercise is split climbing: 1 minute of brisk walking followed by 2 minutes of moderate walking, repeated for 20-30 minutes.
If you’re looking for a versatile model, the Signature Fitness Continuous Climber is a commercial-grade stair climber that’s ready to use right out of the crate!
Elliptical machine
The elliptical machine is perfect for a low-impact, cardio workout. It mimics the motion of running without stressing the joints, making it suitable for all levels of exercise. An elliptical trainer can burn between 500 and 1000 calories per hour, depending on the intensity. Perfect for endurance training and interval training. Try varying the resistance and incline to challenge different muscle groups, alternating between high resistance for 2 minutes and low resistance for 1 minute, repeating for 30 minutes.
The Schwinn 470 Elliptical Machine offers a variety of resistance levels and workout programs, making it convenient and easy to use.
RELATED: The Best Elliptical Workout for Weight Loss
Rowing Machine
Rowing machines provide a great full-body workout, engaging the legs, back and arms at the same time. They have less impact, which makes them a good choice for those with joint problems. A vigorous session on the rowing machine can burn between 600-1000 calories per hour and is particularly effective for toning and strengthening muscles while providing excellent cardiovascular benefits. Mix up your routine with distance rowing, HIIT, or strength ropes. A popular HIIT workout involves rowing hard for 500 meters, resting for 1-2 minutes, and repeating for 20-30 minutes.
The Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine is a favorite among rowers and fitness enthusiasts for its sleek and durable option.
Treadmill
It is no surprise that the treadmill, which is the center of any exercise, is on our list. Its versatility and ease of use make it available for all fitness levels. Running on a treadmill can burn 600-1200 calories per hour, depending on the speed and incline, and is very useful for sustained and intermittent cardio training. The NordicTrack T Series Treadmill, a reliable model that is also relatively cheap, is known for its powerful features, including different settings and many exercise programs, which make it be suitable for home use.
Attack Runner
The Assault Runner is a self-powered treadmill designed to simulate outdoor running. Running on the Assault Runner can burn up to 30% more calories compared to a traditional treadmill, making it great for strength training and building overall cardiovascular fitness. Popular workouts include sprints, tempo runs, and steady cardio. For a reliable model, the Assault Fitness AirRunner is built for durability and provides a smooth, natural running experience.
Assault Bike
Finally, we have the #1 cardio machine for weight loss: the Assault Bike—the undisputed king of cardio machines for weight loss. This beast combines elements of cycling and upper body resistance, making it an unparalleled full body workout. The tighter you go, the more resistance you create, making each session as hard as you want it to be.
The Assault Bike is specially designed for high intensity interval training (HIIT), burning up to 80 calories per minute depending on the intensity. Popular workouts include a 20-second run followed by a 10-second rest, repeated eight times, or a :30/:30 interval, where you go all out for 30 seconds and rest for 30 minutes. 15 to 20.
If you’re looking for a reliable model, the Assault Fitness Assault AirBike Classic is durable and built to handle intense workouts, making it a favorite among fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes. It also happens to be the cheapest piece on this list!
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