When it comes to losing weight, cardio exercise plays a crucial role. In addition to burning calories, regular physical activity can help you build muscle, boost your metabolism, and improve your overall health and well-being.
It’s important to keep in mind that a weight loss journey involves a combination of factors, including diet and regular physical activity. To see results, try to focus on creating a calorie deficit by burning more calories through exercise and consuming fewer calories through your diet.
While there are many different types of exercise machines available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best exercise equipment for weight loss and how to use these home exercise machines effectively.
Table of Contents
What Are the Best Machines for Losing Weight?
There are many different types of exercise machines that can be effective for losing weight and burning fat. Some popular options include:
- Treadmill: A classic choice for a great cardio workout. Walking or running on a treadmill, especially on a steep incline, can increase your heart rate and metabolism, leading to increased calorie burn.
- Elliptical trainer: A low-impact option that simulates the motion of running or cycling. They’re easy on the joints compared to high-impact activities.
- Stationary exercise bike: Exercise bikes are the best exercise machines for a lower body workout. They offer a variety of resistance levels and pre-programmed workouts to challenge your muscles and increase your calorie burn.
- Rowing machine: This home exercise equipment provides a full-body workout that engages the arms, legs, and core, making them a great option for increasing calorie burn.
- Stair stepper: Stair steppers simulate the movement of climbing stairs. This movement increases calorie burn and strengthens the legs and buttocks.
Ultimately, the best exercise equipment for weight loss will depend on your personal preferences and fitness goals. It’s best to find an activity or machine that you enjoy and that you can consistently incorporate into your routine. Consistency is key.
Treadmills
Treadmills are great for weight loss and building lean muscle because they provide a high-intensity cardiovascular workout that can help you burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time.
To use a treadmill effectively for losing weight, start by setting the incline to a level that challenges you. A steep incline will increase the intensity of your workout and help increase your calories burned. Next, adjust the speed to match your fitness level and challenge your cardiovascular endurance.
Beginners may want to start with a slower pace and gradually increase the speed, while advanced exercisers may want to start at a faster pace and work up from there.
- NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill — Best Overall
Overview
The NordicTrack 1750 treadmill is a high-end home treadmill designed for runners and serious fitness enthusiasts. It features a powerful motor, a large running surface, and a variety of advanced features to help you achieve your active goals.
Top Benefits
- 3.75 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus motor: This powerful motor delivers smooth, consistent performance, suitable for users of all fitness levels.
- 60” x 22” running surface: The large, cushioned running surface provides plenty of space to move comfortably and provides a low-impact workout.
- Interactive training: The treadmill is equipped with a 10″ HD touchscreen display and a 1-year iFit® membership for interactive training with certified personal trainers and thousands of workouts.
- Incline and decline: The treadmill has a -3% to 15% incline/decline range, allowing you to vary your workouts and target different muscle groups.
- Built-in fans: Two built-in fans help you stay cool during your workouts.
- Heart rate monitoring: Keep track with a grip heart rate monitor compatible with chest strap heart rate monitors.
Pricing
$2,299 or use NordicTrack’s financing options.
Bottom Line
The NordicTrack 1750 treadmill is a top-of-the-line home treadmill that offers advanced features and a high-quality build. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to invest in a treadmill for their home gym.
- Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Treadmill — Best Compact
Overview
The Echelon Stride auto-fold connected treadmill is a high-tech home treadmill designed for convenience and connectivity. It features a compact design, a powerful motor, and advanced features to help you achieve your goals.
Top Benefits
- Auto-fold technology: A convenient auto-fold technology allows you to easily fold and store the treadmill when not in use.
- Connected fitness: Equipped with a 10″ HD touchscreen display and a 1-year Echelon United membership with access to live and on-demand fitness classes, personalized training plans, and more.
- 3.0 CHP motor: A powerful 3.0 CHP motor delivers smooth, consistent performance.
- Compact design: Its compact design can be easily stored when not in use.
- Incline and decline: The treadmill has a -3% to 12% incline/decline range.
- Heart rate monitoring: Equipped with a grip heart rate monitor and compatible with chest strap heart rate monitors.
Pricing
$1,039.99 or use Echelon’s financing option.
Bottom Line
The Echelon Stride offers a convenient and connected workout experience. Its compact design and advanced features make it a great choice for anyone looking for a home treadmill for small spaces in an apartment or spare room.
- Horizon T101 Treadmill — Best Mid-Range
Overview
The Horizon T101 treadmill is a mid-range home treadmill designed for casual runners and fitness enthusiasts. It features a powerful motor, a large running surface, and a variety of advanced features for all running and walking styles.
Top Benefits
- Advanced console: Its large LCD display shows your speed, distance, calories burned, and other important metrics. It also has built-in speakers and a built-in fan to help you stay cool during your workouts.
- 2.5 CHP motor: A 2.5 CHP motor delivers smooth, consistent performance.
- 55″ x 20″ running surface: A large, cushioned running surface provides plenty of space for runners to move comfortably and provides a low-impact workout.
- Incline and decline: A -3% to 10% incline/decline range allowing you to vary your workouts and target different muscle groups.
- Heart rate monitoring: Equipped with a grip heart rate monitor and compatible with chest strap heart rate monitors.
Pricing
$999 or use Horizon’s financing option.
Bottom Line
The Horizon T101 treadmill is a solid mid-range home treadmill. It’s a good choice for casual runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a reliable home treadmill.
Elliptical Machines
Elliptical trainers, also known as ellipticals, are another popular cardio machine, and the good news is that they’re often cheaper than other weight loss equipment, like treadmills.
They provide a low-impact workout that’s easy on the joints, making them a great option for people with injuries or mobility issues. An elliptical machine can help with weight loss because they provide a cardio workout that can help you burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time.
To use an elliptical to lose weight, start by adjusting the resistance to a level that challenges you. This will increase the intensity of your workout and help you burn calories. Next, adjust the stride length to match your natural gait. Shorter strides are generally better for beginners, while longer strides are better for advanced exercisers. Finally, be sure to engage your upper body by using the handles or the arm poles during your workout.
- Pro-Form Carbon HIIT H7 — Best High-End
Overview
The ProForm Carbon HIIT H7 elliptical is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) machine that is designed to provide a challenging and effective workout.
Top Features
- Resistance levels: Comes with adjustable resistance levels, allowing you to customize the intensity of your workouts.
- Heart rate monitor: The machine has a built-in heart rate monitor compatible with a chest strap heart rate monitor.
- Programs: A variety of programmed workouts, including HIIT workouts and other options, keep your workouts interesting and challenging.
- LCD display: An LCD display shows your workout data, time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate.
- Adjustable pedals: Adjustable pedals can be set to different inclines and declines, providing a more varied and challenging workout.
- Transport wheels make it easier to move around your home.
- Music: A built-in speaker system compatible with a smartphone allows you to listen to music or other audio during your workouts.
Pricing
$1,599 or use Pro-Form’s financing option.
Bottom Line
The Pro-Form elliptical trainer is an excellent high-quiality option for your fitness journey. Its user-friendly features and adjustments allow you to customize your cardio workouts easily.
- Ascend L-100 Compact Elliptical — Best Budget
Overview
The Ascend L-100 elliptical is a high-quality exercise machine designed to provide a low-impact workout for your whole body.
Top Benefits
- Adjustable resistance: An adjustable resistance system allows you to customize the intensity of your workout.
- LCD display: The L-100 elliptical has a large LCD display that shows you important workout data, such as time, distance, speed, calories burned, and heart rate.
- Heart rate monitor: A built-in heart rate monitor allows you to track your heart rate during your workouts.
- Comfortable pedals: The pedals on the L-100 elliptical are designed to be comfortable and stable, so you can maintain proper form during your workouts.
- Transport wheels make it easy to move the machine from one location to another.
- The L-100 elliptical has a built-in water bottle holder, so you can stay hydrated during your workouts.
Pricing
$399.00 or use Ascend’s financing option.
Bottom Line
The Ascend L-100 elliptical is a well-designed exercise machine suitable for people of all fitness levels. It’s a durable and reliable option for anyone looking to get a full-body workout at home.
Stationary Exercise Bikes
Next on our list of home gym equipment is the exercise bike. Stationary exercise bikes are great for weight loss because they provide a high-intensity cardiovascular workout that can help you burn calories in a short amount of time.
To use a stationary bike effectively for losing weight, adjust the resistance to a level that challenges you. This will increase the intensity of your workout and help you burn more calories. Next, vary your pace and resistance levels during your workout to challenge your muscles in different ways. Finally, be sure to engage your upper body by using the handlebars or the arm poles.
- Bowflex C6 Bike — Best Metrics
Overview
The Bowflex C6 stationary bike is a high-quality exercise bike that has a number of features designed to make your workouts more effective and enjoyable while you’re trying to lose weight.
Top Benefits
- Bluetooth connectivity: Equipped with Bluetooth technology, which allows you to connect your device to the bike and track your workouts using the Bowflex app.
- Adjustable resistance: Its resistance system can be adjusted to suit your fitness level and the intensity of your workout. You can choose from 100 levels of resistance to get the perfect level of challenge.
- Multi-position handlebars: The handlebars on the C6 stationary bike can be moved into multiple positions to help you find the most comfortable and ergonomic grip.
- Heart rate monitor: The C6 stationary bike has a built-in heart rate monitor that allows you to track your heart rate during your workouts.
- LCD display: A large LCD display shows you important workout data, such as time, distance, speed, calories burned, and heart rate.
- Comfortable seat: The seat on the C6 stationary bike is padded and adjustable, so you can find a comfortable position for your workouts.
- Transport wheels make it easy to move the bike from one location to another.
- A built-in water bottle holder helps you stay hydrated during your workouts.
Pricing
$1,399 or use Bowflex’s financing option.
Bottom Line
With excellent connectivity and high-quality features, this stationary bike is a worthy investment for home exercise equipment. Pedal your way to losing weight on this Bowflex beast.
- Schwinn Airdyne AD6 — Best for Upper Body
Overview
The Schwinn Airdyne AD6 is a high-quality stationary air bike that is designed to provide a challenging and effective full-body workout.
Top Benefits
- Dual-action arms allow you to work your upper body as well as your lower body while cycling.
- The AD6 has an adjustable resistance system that allows you to customize the intensity of your workout.
- The AD6 has a large LCD display that shows you important workout data, such as time, distance, speed, calories burned, and heart rate.
- A built-in heart rate monitor allows you to track your heart rate during your workouts.
- Comfortable seat: The seat on the AD6 is padded and adjustable, so you can find a comfortable position for your workouts.
- Transport wheels: The AD6 has transport wheels, which make it easy to move the bike from one location to another.
- Water bottle holder: The AD6 has a built-in water bottle holder, so you can stay hydrated during your workouts.
Pricing
$799 or use Schwinn’s financing option.
Bottom Line
The Schwinn Airdyne AD6 is a well-designed stationary bike that is suitable for people of all fitness levels. It is a durable and reliable option for anyone looking to lose weight and get a great cardiovascular workout at home.
Other Cardio Machines to Help You Lose Weight
Rowing Machine
Rowing machines, also known as ergometers or rowing ergometers, provide a high-intensity workout that targets multiple muscles, making them a great option for people looking to build strength and tone their bodies. Rowing machines are also great for weight loss because they provide a high-intensity cardiovascular workout that can help you burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time.
Stair Steppers
A stair stepper simulates the movement of climbing stairs. It’s a great option for burning calories and promoting weight loss.
Top Benefits
- High calorie burn: Stair stepping is a high-intensity cardiovascular exercise that can help increase your heart rate and metabolism, leading to increased fat burn potential.
- Entire body workout: Stair stepping engages muscles in the legs, glutes, and core, helping to tone and strengthen the body.
- Low-impact exercise: Stair stepping is a low-impact exercise, making it easier on the joints compared to high-impact activities like running.
- Convenient and portable: Stair steppers are compact and easy to store, making them convenient for home workouts.
- Variety of workouts: Stair steppers offer a variety of workouts, including different resistance levels and pre-programmed routines, allowing you to mix up your workouts and challenge your muscles.
Using a stair stepper can be an effective way to burn calories and promote weight loss as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
Jump Rope
Jumping rope is a great way to burn calories and promote weight loss. It’s a high-intensity cardiovascular exercise that can help to increase your heart rate and metabolism.
Top Benefits
- Target the whole body: Jump rope is a full-body workout that engages muscles in the arms, legs, and core, helping to tone and strengthen the body.
- Easy on the joints: It’s a low-impact exercise, making it easier on the joints compared to high-impact activities like running.
- Jump on the go: Jumping rope is convenient and portable, making it easy to incorporate into a busy schedule.
Jump rope is a highly effective exercise for burning calories and promoting weight loss. It’s portable, so you can pack your jump rope when you travel and keep your heart rate up wherever you go.
Punching Bag
Punching a heavy bag can be a great way to lose weight and improve your fitness.
Top Benefits
- High-intensity cardiovascular exercise: Punching a heavy bag can provide a high-intensity cardiovascular workout that can help you burn calories and lose weight.
- Entire body workout: Punching a heavy bag engages multiple muscles, including your arms, shoulders, back, core, and legs. This can help you build strength and tone your muscles while burning calories.
- Stress relief: Punching a heavy bag can also be a great way to relieve stress and improve your mental well-being. The physical exertion of hitting the bag can help you release tension and clear your mind.
- Fun and enjoyable: Punching a heavy bag can be a fun and enjoyable way to exercise, which can help you stick with your weight loss goals and make progress over time.
It’s important to note that using a punching bag for weight loss is most effective when combined with a healthy diet and regular cardiovascular exercise. As with any exercise program, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before starting.
Body Weight Exercises
Body weight exercises are exercises that use your own weight for resistance training, rather than external weights or fitness equipment. These exercises can be an effective workout for weight loss and fat loss because they are high-intensity and engage multiple muscle groups.
Incorporating body weight exercises into your workout routine can help to boost how many calories you burn, which can contribute to weight loss. These exercises are also convenient and portable, making them easy to do at home or on the go.
If you are new to calisthenic exercises or have any medical concerns, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a certified personal trainer before starting any new exercise program.
Burpees
Burpees are a high-intensity, full-body exercise that can be an effective tool for weight loss and fat loss. During a burpee, you push-up, jump, and then stand up again, making it a compound exercise that engages multiple muscle groups. This can help to increase your heart rate and metabolism, leading to increased calorie burn.
Incorporating burpees into your workout routine can help to boost how many calories you burn, which can aid in weight loss. However, it’s important to keep in mind that weight loss involves a combination of factors, including diet and regular physical activity. To see results, it’s important to focus on creating a calorie deficit by burning more calories through exercise and consuming fewer calories through your diet.
It’s also important to pay attention to your form while doing burpees to minimize the risk of injury.
Push-ups
Push-ups are a type of strength training exercise that can help to build muscle and increase overall strength. While this movement alone is not likely to lead to significant fat loss, they can be a valuable addition to a weight loss or fat loss program.
To lose fat, it’s important to create a calorie deficit by burning more calories through physical activity and consuming fewer calories through your diet. Incorporating push-ups and other strength training exercises into your workout routine can help to boost your metabolism, which can contribute to burning fat. Strength training exercises like push-ups can also help to increase muscle mass, which can increase your metabolism and make it easier to maintain weight loss over time.
Wrap Up
The exercise equipment to help you lose weight is the one that you enjoy using and that fits your needs and fitness goals. Popular options include treadmills, stationary exercise bikes, ellipticals, and rowing machines for cardio, as well as calisthenic exercises and resistance training. The key is to find an activity or equipment that you enjoy and that you can consistently incorporate into your routine.
Remember that weight loss and fat loss involve a combination of factors, and no single exercise will produce significant results on its own. It’s important to focus on creating a well-rounded fitness program that includes a variety of exercises and a healthy diet.
