Best Cardio Machines Reviewed For The Cardio Obsessed
There are many benefits of using cardio machines, however, people tend to only focus on the weight loss factor. It is true that this is one of the bigger benefits because it is something that is noticeable to the naked eye. For people that have not exercised in a prolonged period of time, water builds up inside. This is simply because our diets are now very high in salt, which will retain a lot of water. Using cardio equipment will allow you to sweat out all the water, which translates instantly to noticeable slimming. The water is gone does not mean that you do not continue to lose weight. Your fat storages slowly get converted into muscle which will reduce the overall about of fat in your body. Your muscles need food to keep them energized and going, this is done by breaking down the stored fats in your body. The cells are converted into reusable energy, which can allow you to exercise longer and stronger.
Featured Products
- Exerpeutic Magnetic Bike
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Our rating - Comfortable
- Noise Control
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- Stamina In-Motion Elliptical
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Our rating - Portable
- Versatile
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- Mini Stepper Resistance Bands
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Our rating - Durable
- Display
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Using a cardio machine can also work to strengthen your body overall. The constant huffing and puffing will work to increase your lung capacity. Being able to hold more oxygen in your lungs will allow a reduction in how quickly you feel tired. Having more oxygen in your body when you exercise allows for the processes within your body to function at top speed. Red blood cells are the carriers of nutrients and oxygen, both are essential to your muscles and proper functioning of the body.
The oxygen sent to your brain will also produce something known as endorphins. These are your body’s natural happy drug which can work greatly in your favor. The endorphins can work to give you an overall sense of well being. It also helps to reduce some of the stresses and pent-up frustration that may have built over the week. Between the endorphins and the physical moving, it will tire you out and leave you in a relaxed state afterward. Studies have shown that cardio exercise can also help reduce the symptoms of depression and reduce the amount of anxiety. When your brain is idle, there are many thoughts that can enter. By exercising, it forces you to focus on your breathing and the repetitions that you are doing. This can naturally calm the brain down and take you away from all the extra thoughts.
10 Best Cardio Machines
1. Exerpeutic Magnetic Bike
One of the most important things for a person when exercising is a comfort. Being sweaty, tired, and pushed to your limit is uncomfortable enough. At least the machines there to help you should be a little more comfortable. This product comes with a large seat cushion and is specifically designed to hold up to three hundred pounds.
Noise Control
Despite fitness centers seeming to be quiet, there is actually a really loud hum. This is from all the machines moving and working together. Having an item like this one at home can make the noise really obvious. To reduce the amount of noise, this product has screws and bolts that allow you to close the space between the bike and the floor. This will greatly decrease vibrations and noise coming from the product.
Cost and Value
This product is reasonably priced and affordable. Having this product at home will allow you to save money by not having to purchase a gym membership. This item is great for cardio and can get your heart rate going really quick. It even comes with a monitor for your hand to keep track of your heart rate.
Convenient
Noise reduction
Easy to set up
Heart rate monitor
Affordable
Plastic pedals
2. Stamina In-Motion Elliptical
This trainer is significantly smaller than a full sized elliptical. This makes it easy to keep at any home regardless of size. It is low to the floor and can be moved around easily. Because there are less parts and metal associated with it, the product is also much lighter. It is only twenty four pounds, making it easy for you to move it from room to room.
Versatile
One of the most important things in an exercise machine is for them to work in multiple ways. Because they can get costly, it’s important for the item to be versatile and do multiple things. This particular product is able to be used sitting down or standing up. Depending on how you choose to use it, the trainer can work out different muscles in your body.
Cost and Value
This is a great little product that won’t break the bank. It does not cost much but can make a huge difference in your overall health. It is small enough to be tucked away in the shoe closet when you’re done. To ensure that the product suits your home decor, it comes in three different colors. This will allow you to match it perfectly with all your furniture at home.
Small
Multiple ways of use
Affordable
Lightweight
Three different colors
Does not work out your arms
3. Mini Stepper Resistance Bands
It is important for fitness products to be durable as they can be quite costly to replace. This product in particular is made from high quality metals that can take a beating. Compared to the traditional cable and pulley system, this stepper uses hydraulics. This is beneficial as it makes each step you take much smoother and less hard on your knees. With proper maintenance and care, this product can last decades.
Display
Despite this product being small, it comes with a large LED display. This display can help you stay motivated by showing you the distance you’ve gone and the calories you have burned. The product can also tell you how much time has elapsed and what your heart rate is at. It will also allow you to keep accurate tracking of your workout and make the necessary adjustments to meet your fitness goals.
Cost and Value
This is a product that comes with a great price tag. It is definitely worth the investment as it allows you the convenience of workout at home. It allows you to save money and not have to purchase a fitness center membership. Despite the size, the product comes with resistance bands that can give you a complete body workout.
Resistance bands
Secure foot holds
Large LED display
Affordable
Compact
Manufacturer defects
4. Marcy ME-709
Resistance training is important for anyone who wants to be healthier and more fit. Resistance is what makes it incredibly difficult to walk through water. However, it is this feeling of being pushed and held back that makes your muscles stronger. They are required to put more effort and strength behind every step. This particular product has up to eight resistance levels, preventing the product from becoming too easy for you.
Durable
Because a lot of money is spent on these machines, it is important for them to be durable. You do not want to be spending a large amount every few years for a new product. This product is made with heavy duty steel tubing which will be very difficult to break. If there is a little bit of regular maintenance done to the product, this bike can last an incredibly long time.
Cost and Value
This product is great value for all the things it can do for you. The bike can help you build muscle and reduce the amount of fat stored in your body. It features an easy step on and off design, allowing you to safely mount the bike in an efficient manner. The foot pedals have been designed to allow you complete control while keeping your foot secure in the foothold. With the proper treatment, this product can last a lifetime.
Affordable
Safe
High quality material
Ergonomic
Secure foothold
Not compact
5. CF Vibration Platform
This is a great product people that are looking to build or improve their muscle tone. The vibrating platform requires your body to subconsciously adapt and try to stay balanced while on it. To stay balanced, your muscles have to move with the ebb and flow of the vibrations. This will lead to your muscles naturally working harder to keep you upright.
Circulation
The vibrating motion is a great way to improve your circulation. The motion moves stagnant blood cells from your extremities back to your heart. Once the cells are reoxygenated, it can travel through your body and provide your organs with much-needed nutrients. Extra oxygen in your muscles will directly translate to a longer workout and increased endurance.
Cost and Value
This is a product that is on the expensive side but is worth the amount you invest. It can work to greatly improve multiple areas, bone health, heart health, and muscle density. For a more increased workout, people opt to do weight-bearing exercise while on the machine. It can allow you to build muscle at an extremely high rate.
Leans muscle
Improves balance
Heart health
Bone health
Easy to use
Expensive
6. Sunny H&F NO. 045
Steppers are a great way to work on your lower body. The more steps you do within a minute, the greater the cardio workout. However, most steppers do not come with an ability to work out your top half of the body. To enhance this particular product, it comes with resistance bands that are long enough for you to pull while stepping. This can allow you to work on your biceps and back muscles while stepping.
Traction
The main feature of a stepping machine are the footholds. If they are uncomfortable, it can make or break the machine. This particular product boasts a patented design that enhances a users experience greatly. There is a slight lip on the foot pad to keep your foot inside the hold and prevent you from slipping off. The bottom is also layered with textured rubber allowing your shoes to have better grip.
Cost and Value
This is a product that is very inexpensive and should be in every household. It is a great addition to any at home gym as it is very small in size and compact. It can be easily stored away after use and can also be moved from room to room. With the addition of the resistance bands, it gives the product the ability to become a machine that provides a full body workout.
Full body workout
Secure foot holds
Increased traction
Protective
Affordable
Needs oiling
7. Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050
Many people do not like going to the gym because they find it boring to move on the same spot. This product comes with a large display that can keep you motivated. It shows how far you have rowed, how long you have rowed, and how many calories burned. It also provides you will different challenges and goals, making it easier for you to find the determination to keep going.
Grip and Traction
Because rowing is a full body workout, it is important to be able to be secured onto the machine. Since your entire body is moving, it becomes very easy for you to become unbalanced. To prevent you from slipping or sliding off, this product comes with rubber foot holds. They are also manufactured with lines and ridges, allowing your shoes to grip the pedal properly.
Cost and Value
This is a product that is worth the money you invest. The rowing machine can get your heart rate up really quickly and start burning your calories. A product like this works out all your large muscle groups in your body simultaneously, allowing you to have an effective workout in a much shorter amount of time. This allows you to have extra time to focus on things that really matter in your life.
Cardio for entire body
Reduced time in the gym
Affordable
Keeps you motivated
Protective
Large
8. Sunny H&F SF-RW5515
It is extremely important for machines to be comfortable for the user. No one will use a machine that causes discomfort. This particular product has a cushioned seat which is also designed to follow the natural dips and curves of your buttocks. The handle for the rower is also wrapped with a soft type of rubber that decreases the amount of chafing on your hands. This will lead to fewer blisters being created.
Boost Metabolism
This product can work to speed up your metabolism greatly. When your metabolism starts to work, it breaks down protein at a much quicker rate, preventing it from turning into stored fats. When the proteins run out, your metabolism will turn to your fat deposits and turn them into usable fuel. This will lead to fat loss and stronger muscles.
Cost and Value
This is a product that is more costly but is worth every dollar that is invested. This product will not only give your body a complete workout, it will also fire up your digestive system. Once your digestive system gets going, it can work to break down unwanted fat particles. The extra fuel for your body can be translated into a longer workout without feeling fatigued.
Durable
Good workout
Improves stamina
Boost metabolism
Fat burner
Expensive
9. Conquer Vertical Climber 3.0
When a machine is more comfortable, it makes people more inclined to use it. This climbing machine is designed so that the steps are smooth and comfortable. This decreases the impact on your knees and reduce your discomfort after your workout. The design makes the platforms move silently along the metal bars.
Fat Burner
People often go hiking because it is great cardio exercise. It gets your heart rate up and the physical climbing works to tone your legs and glute muscles. This product is designed to burn up calories quickly. This is done naturally within your body. Once you start to move, your muscles need additional fuel. The stored fats in your body will be broken down to provide the extra source of energy.
Cost and Value
This is a great product that is quite affordable. It is more suitable to be placed inside a house with an at home gym rather than an apartment because it is quite tall. However, there are so many benefits to this machine that it would be a shame not to own one. It can greatly improve your figure as it will help you slim down and lower your overall body fat amount.
Mood enhancer
Improved blood flow
Fat burner
Ergonomic
Affordable
Tall
10. Vertical Climber
Most people lose attention and focus when the exercise becomes too mundane. This can happen especially when you are using machines at a gym. This particular product has a display that can keep track of your progress. It will show you how long you’ve been at your exercise and how far you’ve gone. A big motivator is to see how many calories you have burned.
Improves Balance
People are most balanced when they stand with both feet firmly planted on the ground and in a low stance. This machine will work to help you improve your balance by climbing. The leg raising requires you to be able to stand on one leg. To prevent your falling, your body will naturally make the small adjustments to keep your center of gravity.
Cost and Value
This product is a great addition to any at home gym. It combines the benefits of cardiovascular exercise and stepping. This machine can quickly tone your legs and help you strengthen your pure muscles. It comes with an affordable price tag that is far less than what value this machine is worth.
Large display
Improves balance
Affordable
Easy to assemble
Little maintenance
Large and bulky
While there are many benefits to using cardio machines, there can also be some frustrations as well. The most obvious being the size. Many of these machines are very big, it can become quite a concern if you live in an apartment. The larger machines can be bulky and take up a lot of space. This also does not include some of the sounds that these machines generate. For people that live in structures that house multiple families, you may become a nuisance to your neighbors. Money can also be a concern as some of these machines can come with a hefty price tag. The key is to try to look for something that is within your price range while being small enough to fit in your home comfortably.
Criteria For Evaluating
The Best Cardio Machines
Treadmills
Treadmills are a great way to get your cardio exercise in. They are designed so that you can walk, jog, or run inside. This allows you to stay out of the weather and be warm while exercising during the winter months. Treadmills are a great way to burn calories as they are one of the machines that can be more effective. Studies have shown they are able to burn more calories per minute than many of the other machines.
A treadmill is great because it allows you to customize your workout. The machine allows you to pick exactly how fast you want to go and whether you want to train on an incline or decline. Depending on what you want, you can have a low impact workout or an intense training session. Most treadmills also come with pre-programmed workouts that are designed for specific things, such as endurance building, weight loss, or speed. They are a great way for you to train for sporting events, or even just to get your body moving on a bad weather day. In particular, treadmills will improve your endurance and stamina greatly.
The downfall of treadmills is that they take up a lot of space in your home. Many people that purchase one usually dedicate a fair portion of their home to gym equipment. These machines can also run up to two thousand dollars apiece, depending on what model and specifications you are looking for.
Stair Climbers
Stair climber machines are effective in giving your heart rate a boost. These machines are designed to work out the muscles that you use when you go up and down stairs. This is important, especially for your lower body workout. Most people do not realize how unfit they are until they start climbing stairs in their home or at a store. Stairs are elevation gained in a short period of time. This leads to an increased heart rate because your body has to exert more energy and power to make it up the elevation.
This is a product many people have a love-hate relationship with. It is loved because of how effective a cardio machine it is, but it is also hated for how much discomfort it can cause. These particular products are more challenging than treadmills and are one of the cardio machines that most people cannot last very long on. They are a direct translation of how physically fit you are. If able to master, these are great machines to use to improve your fitness levels.
The downfall to stair climbers is that they are hard on the knees. Based on the constant climbing, it can wear out your joint. However, they are small enough that they can be moved around in each room. This allows for even the smallest of homes to purchase one. They are also significantly less price and are light enough to carry.
Rowing Machines
Rowing machines are great for cardio workouts because it hits all major muscle groups in your body. By exercising all of them at the same time it can greatly reduce the amount of time you spend in the fitness center. Ensure you have the proper form when using the machine, otherwise, you may miss certain muscles in the process. Depending on how much time you spend on this machine, it can burn up to eight hundred fifty calories per hour. It’s a great machine that utilizes all parts of your body, with extra focus on the lower body.
Many people want to use rowing machines but are often intimidated by the contraption. There are also many stories about how difficult a rowing machine is. However, the level of difficulty is really up to you. There are lighter resistance levels on some machines that allow you to have a low impact workout. If you are looking for something more, simply bring the resistance up. Because of how versatile these machines are, they can be used for some intense training or even just rehabilitation to certain muscles.
The downfall of these machines is they are incredibly large and bulky. They can also get very expensive depending on the model and technology you choose. One of the major complaints users have is the noise it generates, but the newer models have been designed so they are almost silent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I purchase a cardio machine?
A: More and more people have turned to online retailers to purchase their cardio machine. There are not many physical stores that have models for you to try out. People used to order them from catalogs, however, they do not have as complete of a list of machines as online stores such as Amazon and eBay do.
Q: Can my child use a cardio machine?
A: It is recommended that they do not use it without parental supervision. Some machines can get really fast really quickly and kids can really hurt themselves when they slip or trip. Another danger is getting their hands and feet caught in part of the machine. While there is no age restriction, it is best to supervise your child when they are using it.
Q: Are they easy to assemble?
A: The older models tend to come with a lot of assemblies required. The newer models are usually much easier to assemble and can require as little as putting in eight screws yourself.
Q: How do you maintain a cardio machine?
A: One of the things most machines manuals advise that you keep specific parts of the machine well oiled. Apart from that, it is important to make sure you are wiping down your machine every time. The salt in our sweat can greatly break down the fabrics and materials of the machinery.
