I see and hear so many people asking what the best cardio machines for weight loss are. People spend hours arguing about it in the fitness subreddit. Unfortunately there is no one simple answer to this, it entirely depends on many factors that are specific to each person’s individual circumstances. Most machines are suitable for most people if they are used correctly however different people will have more success with different machines than others will. So what is the best at home exercise equipment for weight loss, for you? This depends on many things which we will explore in this post. How much weight do you want to lose? How much time can you commit to using the machine? How much space do you have? What is your budget? Do you have any injuries or other physical limitations that affect your physical motion? The answers to these questions and more will determine what the best cardio machines for weight loss are for your particular circumstances. I will give you my opinion below but ultimately it is up to you. The 4 most commonly used and most effective cardio machines for weight loss are:

• Exercise bike
• Treadmill
• Elliptical machine
• Rowing machine

The great thing about all of these machines is that with advances in engineering and manufacturing; high quality machines that were once only available at a commercial gym are now affordable enough for many people to have in their homes. Some people have a whole home gym with weights and several machines but most people just have one machine at home to supplement their workout regime. So which one is best to have at home if you can only have one? In addition to the questions above, this mainly depends on your personal preference. If you are not faced with any particular constraints then the best cardio machine for you to lose weight is the machine that you will spend the most time on. If you can’t stand the treadmill but are happy to sit on a bike, then the exercise bike is for you. If you enjoy the elliptical, then you know what to do.

In fact, if you enjoy using any of these machines you’ve already won half the battle! The motivation to use the machine is the thing that most people lack, and by making your workout as pleasant as possible you have the greatest likelihood of sticking to it and losing weight. So it follows that if you are the average person looking to lose weight the best cardio machine for home is the one that you are most comfortable with. If you have any constraints then you should refer to the table below. I just picked the most common scenarios so please comment with any of your own requirements and I will add them to the table.

	Best	Better	Worse	Worst
Short on time	Rowing Machine	Treadmill	Exercise Bike	Elliptical Machine
Limited space	Treadmill – Folding	Exercise Bike – Upright	Rowing Machine	Elliptical Machine
Joint issues	Elliptical Machine	Exercise Bike	Rowing Machine	Treadmill
Poor mobility	Exercise Bike	Treadmill	Elliptical Machine	Rowing Machine

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Exercise Bikes

Exercise bikes are great low impact cardio machines that enable you to burn a lot of calories while taking it easy on joints and bones. For beginners, those with lower body joint problems and those with back problems a stationary bike is the best low impact cardio machine to use – it’s a great way to exercise while preserving your body. If you have the space it’s a good idea to put an exercise bike in front of a TV and tune in to your favorite show while you tone up. For those with a lot of weight to lose an exercise bike is a good way to start as it is gentler on your body and safer than an elliptical or treadmill and it is easier to stop if you get tired – you don’t have to worry about trying to keep up with it. All stationary bikes have a variable resistance brake which means that as you get fitter you can increase the resistance thus burning more calories in the same amount of time! This also comes in handy if you need to stop suddenly – simply tighten the brake.

The majority of exercise bikes you’ll find on the market are either recumbent or upright. Upright bikes are ok if you have limited space as they take up less room but in almost every other way recumbent bikes are better. Recumbent bikes are more comfortable and for people with back problems they are a must. As seen in the picture to the right, recumbent bikes are much more supportive. Upright bikes put more load on your back and behind, and it is advisable to choose a recumbent bike if you plan to use it for any significant amount of time, especially if you are a male! The best exercise bike to buy depends on your personal situation and budget. Once you know your budget, buy the best exercise bike you can afford. If the bike is wobbly and uncomfortable you are much less likely to continue using it!

My Best Rated Exercise Bike for Weight Loss

Diamondback Fitness 910SR Seat Recumbent Review

If weight loss is the primary reason for purchasing an exercise bike then you want to get a sturdy bike with heart rate monitor, a good brake and detailed display so you can monitor your metrics. If you’re serious about weight loss then you will probably spend a fair bit of time on it so comfort is very important too! Considering these factors, I think the best exercise bike for weight loss is the Diamondback Fitness 910SR Seat Recumbent bike. It is sturdy, comfortable, feature packed and the fan actually does keep you cool while you shed those pounds!

The main features of this bad boy are:

• Ergonomic design and fully adjustable seat, seat back, console and handlebars
• Intuitive user interface
• Easy step through entry
• Heart rate monitoring via built in handlebar grip and compatible with most chest straps
• Quiet mechanism and brake
• USB interface
• Above average speaker system
• Best fan ever
• Relatively simple assembly

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Treadmills

Treadmills are one of the most popular exercise machines people buy for doing cardio and keeping in shape, and for good reason. They allow the convenience of going for a walk or a run without needing to leave the comfort of your home. Many people prefer to get outside but in the case of snow, rain and extreme cold/heat this is not an option. Personal safety can also be a factor, for example if you like to walk/run at night. Maybe you have a child at home that you can’t leave alone. Whatever the reason, a treadmill enables you to get the benefits of walking/running within the constraints life may impose on you. Unfortunately, many people buy treadmills that end up collecting dust under the house or in a spare room somewhere. Many a new years resolution has inspired the purchase of a treadmill that is used a few times and then neglected. When choosing a treadmill, you need to make sure to buy the machine that is most suited to your requirements. More information on treadmills, particularly regarding the best treadmills for home use (walking/running), knee problems, seniors and more can be seen here: The Best Treadmills for Home Use

Most importantly, buy the best treadmill you can afford to maximize the benefit you can get from it. You want a high quality treadmill with nice features so you look forward to using it. A poor quality treadmill will lead to a bad experience which will lead to it becoming a dust collector. You don’t need to spend a fortune but you’ll need to spend at least $1000 to make it worthwhile.

My Best Rated Treadmill for Weight Loss

Sole Fitness S77 Non-Folding Treadmill Review

When it comes to losing weight a treadmill can be a very useful ally. By setting a goal such as 30 minutes a day and keeping their diet in check countless people have watched the weight fall off them. A good treadmill for the purpose of weight loss is sturdy, has a powerful motor, good belt, intuitive and easy to read display with different programs so that you can easily vary the speed, incline and duration of your workout. The SOLE S77 treadmill ticks all of these boxes and more. The standout features are:

• ‘Cushion Flex Whisper Deck’ technology provides a comfortable, quiet workout while reducing impact by up to 40%.
• Extra wide 22” belt
• Wireless chest strap heart rate monitor
• Heart rate running programs where the treadmill automatically adjusts the incline to keep you in your target heart rate zone
• 30 year warranty, and lifetime on deck and frame
• Built in speakers
• Built in fans
• Noted for having the largest motor in a treadmill under $2,000 by Treadmill Doctor
• 400 lb weight capacity

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Elliptical Machines

Elliptical machines are another great option for working out and losing weight at home. These machines are extremely popular for several reasons. Many people with moderate fitness levels like them because they also work your upper body, which treadmills and exercise bikes do not. As well as this, the low impact nature of them and the way your body is positioned puts less stress on your joints than other equipment such as exercise bikes and rowing machines. The upright versions are good for strengthening core muscles but it is very important to maintain good posture otherwise they will do more harm than good. The recumbent versions are more supportive of the lower back and are better for people with low to moderate fitness levels. Elliptical machines are a great choice for doing cardio workouts in the comfort of your own home and many people have lost a lot of weight by using them.

My Best Rated Elliptical Machine for Weight Loss

Inspire Cardio Strider 2 (Cs2) Review

In my opinion the best elliptical machine for weight loss is a high quality recumbent machine such as the Inspire Cardio Strider 2. In order to lose weight you will need to spend at least 30 minutes on your elliptical per session. If you are a bit out of shape it is very likely that your core muscles will not be able to support this on a standing elliptical machine and in order to prevent injury you will need to use a recumbent trainer. Do not be fooled into thinking that because you are seated your workout is going to be any easier! In fact the opposite is true – because of the postural support a recumbent trainer provides you are free to focus on working out at a higher intensity, for longer periods. The Cardio Strider 2 is a professional quality machine that would be right at home in a physiotherapy studio, and with the long list of features it provides I think it’s certainly the top performer in its price range. The most noteworthy features are:

• Helpful low step through seat design
• Huge, easy to read high resolution display
• Super comfortable seat and handles
• Heart rate sensors on handles work really well
• Compatible with wireless chest strap heart rate monitors

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Rowing Machines

Another one of the best cardio machines for weight loss is the rowing machine. Rowing machines are a great way to burn a lot of calories however they are not suitable for everyone. Correct use of a rowing machine can potentially burn a high number of calories and work many muscles simultaneously but if you have any issues with your joints, mobility, knees, lower back or have a less than moderate fitness level to start with they are not a good option. Due to the position the rowing machine puts your body in the joints in your knees, hips and ankles all experience significant flexion during the stroke and any issues with any of these joints will be exacerbated by using a rowing machine. In a similar fashion, the acute angle between your torso and thighs that is created during the stroke puts a lot of stress on the lower back. If you do not have a strong core then you should be wary of spending much time on the rowing machine because as your core fatigues your it will be very easy to strain the important muscles in your lower back. For those with moderate fitness levels though, a rowing machine will provide a fantastic full body workout and leave you dripping sweat all over, so make sure you put it on a mat!

If you want a cardio machine for high intensity interval training then a rowing machine is suitable for you. By varying the resistance you can burn a large amount of calories in a short amount of time. Another great thing about rowing machines is that they are usually easy to fold up and store out of the way so they are less intrusive to a room than treadmills, exercise bikes or elliptical trainers are.

My Best Rated Rowing Machine for Weight Loss

Concept2 Model E Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5 Review

When it comes to rowing machines, I don’t think they get much better than the Concept2 Model E. This is a commercial quality rowing machine. There is very minimal assembly required and it is quick and easy. About 8 screws to connect the 2 legs and monitor arm and you’re done. Some people say to get the D model rather than the E model (the E model is elevated so it sits a bit higher making it easier to get on and off). The two models are functionally the same apart from the height and the D model is slightly cheaper. The price difference is negligible compared to the purchase price and the higher seat makes for a much better experience so I would recommend the E model.

The inbuilt fan is good and the instructions say no mat is required but I strongly advise putting it on a mat as you will definitely work up a sweat! The seat glides back and forth silently and the flywheel is high quality. It is quite a large unit but it is very easy to split it in 2 when you’re done and store it away. The main features are:

• Higher frame
• Intuitive, backlit and well presented display
• Compatible with heart rate monitors
• USB, ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity

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The best workouts for women

Machines not your thing? Check out these other good workouts for women to lose weight

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Funny cardio – dancing on the treadmill

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Best Pre Workout Supplements for Cardio

The easiest and most effective way to boost the effectiveness of your cardio session is with a pre workout supplement. To find out more visit the best pre workout supplements for cardio 

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photo credit: dog on treadmill,  March 11, 2013 at 07:47PM

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