Treadmills and exercise bikes are the most effective cardio exercise machine for home workouts. Other popular options include rowing machines and elliptical cross trainers.

However, users must also know their fitness capacity and goals to make the most of these exercise machines. Let’s describe and analyse each to help you decide which suits you best.

Table of Contents

1. Treadmills: For High-Impact Workouts and Exercise Diversity

A treadmill is the best cardio home machine for indoor walking, jogging, or running. You can adjust its speed or incline settings. Some models have special features to make treadmill workouts fun. There are also desk treadmills you can use while working.

Treadmills can be bulky and expensive, though. Also, running is a high-impact activity. So, consider a well-cushioned treadmill to avoid straining the joints.

Treadmills are best for:

  • beginners to advanced users
  • those who enjoy steady-state cardio and HIIT
  • runners or marathoners who want to train any time
  • people who wish to build stamina, lose weight, or strengthen their legs

Treadmill workouts to try:

Exercise Bike and Treadmill

2. Exercise Bikes: For Low-Impact, Endurance-Building Workouts

Another good cardio exercise machine for home use is the stationary or exercise bike because of its compact design. Compared with treadmills or indoor rowers, exercise bikes are also lighter, making them easy to move or transport. Finding an affordable bike for your home gym won’t be difficult either.

However, exercise bikes focus more on lower-body fitness. Also, sitting on a stationary bike can be uncomfortable for some users. Getting a recumbent bike with good back support solves this problem.

Exercise bikes are best for:

  • people who prefer low-impact cardio sessions
  • runners who need a complementary exercise machine
  • cyclists who want to simulate outdoor biking indoors
  • those who like HIIT workouts for strength and stamina
  • rehab patients looking for a low-impact way to regain strength

Exercise bike workouts to try:

Recumbent Bike and Treadmill

3. Rowing Machines: For Full-Body Workouts and High-Calorie Burn

Indoor rowers are the best cardio home machine for full-body workouts. Aside from working your heart, each rowing stroke engages about 80% of your muscles. That means you improve your endurance and strength in one workout session.

However, rowing machines usually need a dedicated space in your home gym. They are bulky and heavy, and others may also be noisy while in use. Be sure to look for foldable rowers or those with silent resistance technology.

Rowing machines are best for:

  • people who want to improve their cardio fitness and muscular strength
  • those who prefer higher-intensity full-body workouts
  • weight watchers who need to burn calories in short sessions
  • seniors who need low-impact exercise for bone density and flexibility

Rowing machine workout to try:

Exercise Bike vs Rowing Machine Which is Better

4. Elliptical Trainers: For Joint-Friendly, Full-Body Workouts

An elliptical is the best cardio for home use as it combines three movements: running, stair climbing, and skiing. It features adjustable pedals and handlebars, allowing for a full-body workout while minimising joint strain. Elliptical cross-trainers also have adjustable resistance levels to make your workouts more challenging.

While an elliptical machine may not be ideal for intense workouts, it is still a good calorie burner, especially when increasing resistance, pedalling backward, or performing interval training.

Elliptical cross trainers are best for:

  • people of all ages and fitness levels
  • individuals with joint issues or musculoskeletal conditions
  • those who want to avoid the body strains from high-impact cardio
  • patients returning to fitness after an injury
  • people who want to strengthen their knees

Elliptical cross-trainer workout to try:

An elliptical cross trainer and an exercise bike in a room with mirrors

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cardio Machine for Home Use

Aside from machine type, consider factors like fitness goals, physical limitations, space, and budget when selecting a cardio machine for your home gym.

Fitness goals

  • Cardio health and endurance: Treadmills and exercise bikes are best.
  • Weight loss: Rowing machines and elliptical cross trainers are good calorie burners.
  • Low impact: Ellipticals and recumbent bikes are more joint-friendly.
  • Lower-body fitness: Upright bikes simulate outdoor riding and engage the core and lower body muscles.

Physical limitations

  • Joint pain: Go for low-impact cardio machines like recumbent bikes and ellipticals.
  • Back pain: Recumbent bikes provide a reclined cycling position, reducing strain on the lower back and joints. Choose a model with an adjustable seat and comfortable backrest.
  • Low vision: One study shows that rowing machines benefit visually impaired individuals.
  • Injury recovery: Ellipticals and rowing machines help reintroduce movement gradually to recovering patients.

Space

  • Size and weight: Check machine specs and measure your home gym space before buying. Exercise bikes are often lighter and more compact.
  • Folding options: Some treadmills and rowing machines can be folded in half or stored upright to save space.

Budget

  • Cost: Make a short list of different machine models, then compare their prices. Remove options with features you do not need or want.
  • Warranty: Check the product specs for warranty coverage, customer service, and replacement parts or repairs.

Also, research about the machine’s maintenance needs, ease of use, lifespan, and safety features. Reading customer reviews can also help narrow down your options.

A row of exercise equipment in the gym

Invest in a Quality Cardio Machine for Your Home Gym

A cardio exercise machine for home use is readily available, making an active lifestyle easy to add to your busy schedule.

Additionally, there is a machine for every training style, from an intense workout with a treadmill and rowing machine to a low-impact session with an exercise bike and elliptical.

Remember that any cardio machine needs space and money. So, its functions and features align with your fitness goals to maximise your investment.

Check out our cardio machine reviews to find out which is good for your heart!

1. What’s better for weight loss: an elliptical or treadmill?

The choice depends on your body, preference, and fitness goals. Choose an elliptical to lose weight through a full-body workout with low injury risk. Use a treadmill if you love running or need sport-specific training while burning calories. Our elliptical vs treadmill comparison article has more details.

2. Which is better for weight loss: exercise bikes or rowing machines?

Both offer potent calorie-burning potential, but it all depends on your individual goals and preferences. Rowing machines are slightly better calorie burners because of their full-body engagement and HIIT possibilities. Still, exercise bikes are ideal for burning calories by focusing on lower-body fitness. Check out our exercise bike vs rowing machine comparison to learn more.

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