Many of us can always go to the gym to stay in shape. Cardio machines for the home can help you lose weight, tighten your body and even improve your immune system and health. Cardio exercise is right for your health and the best way to lose weight and keep it in check.

Cardio equipment for the home

Although cardio or aerobic exercise can be obtained by simply walking or running, specialised cardio machines are top-rated. Each gym has an equipped aerobic exercise area with treadmills, elliptical trainers and exercise bicycles. Most fitness equipment manufacturers produce similar models for the home, on which you can exercise to sharpen your figure and lose weight.

You can work out on a home cardio machine whenever you want, whereas going to the gym requires time, and outdoor exercise is subject to the vagaries of the weather.

Specialised cardio machines are designed for aerobic exercise that positively affects heart health and the nervous system, helps burn fat, oxygenates the body and speeds up metabolism. Each is based on the reproduction of natural human movement. Popular slimming machines at home vary in design, determining the type and degree of exertion on different muscle groups.

What are the benefits of cardio exercise?

  • Fast calorie burning and metabolic acceleration
  • Strengthening the cardiovascular system and preventing heart disease
  • Muscle tone and improved body quality
  • Developing endurance and functional capacity
  • Strengthening vascular walls and reducing cholesterol levels
  • Activation of blood circulation and normalisation of blood pressure
  • Improving bone health and bone density
  • Improving the immune system and general health of the body
  • Improved mood and more energy

There are several types of cardio machines for the home, which differ in their effects on the body and their functionality. Some cardio machines are even suitable for those who can’t go running for health reasons, such as people with joint or cardiovascular problems.

Types of cardio machines

Cardio machines provide aerobic exercise. Each cardio machine has its own pros and cons, differs in design and therefore in cost.

Best cardio machines in 2021

  1. Treadmills. Large fitness equipment for a complete running and walking workout is suitable for people of all ages. They can support a large user’s body weight but are uncomfortable to place because of their size and weight. There are many positive qualities: use regardless of fitness level, the simulation of natural running, the ability to change speed and angle (in some models), and full-body work. The downsides are high cost, slightly noisy operation, size.
  2. Elliptical trainers. Otherwise, they are called ellipticals. These simulate walking on skis or climbing stairs. In this case, the muscles of the lower and upper body are exercised. The advantages of ellipticals are their favourable price, minimal joint strain, minimum noise, and excellent leg and glute training. The only disadvantages are that the amplitude of the movements differs from actual walking or running.
  3. Exercise bikes. Riding simulators take up less space than the previous two varieties. They involve exercising in a seated position. There is no stress on the joints, easy operation, a choice of load difficulty, and minimal noise on the plus side. The disadvantages are that you only work your lower body and that your muscles adapt quickly to the monotonous workload.
  4. Steppers and ellipticals. Functional and compact machines are ideal for working out your calves and thighs. They additionally engage the rest of the leg muscles. Steppers are good with no contraindications, lightweight, minimal size, ability to fight cellulite, adjustable resistance level and great value for money. The adverse side effects are that obese people (over 100 kg) are undesirable, and there is a risk of injury if the movements are performed incorrectly and in a hurry.
  5. Rowing machines. Medium-sized simulators simulate the movements of a rower. All the muscles in the bodywork, but most of the emphasis is on the legs. The advantages are: useful for the upper body, easy on the ligaments and joints, improved posture, almost no risk of injury, approved for people with bad knees and children. The disadvantages are the high cost and undesirability of exercise for people with spinal problems.

Exercise Bikes

The exercise bike is a type of cardio equipment for the home that simulates cycling. The compact design makes it suitable for home use. The primary stress of exercise is on the lower body: legs, thighs and buttocks. The upper body is used only minimally, so a stationary bike is no substitute for a full workout at the gym.

When exercising on the exercise bike, the body is in a sitting position, which minimises the load on the knees and makes it a suitable option for older and overweight people. There are horizontal and vertical versions of the design, which differ in size and the degree of strain on the target muscles. Horizontal ones are recommended as rehabilitation therapy because they reduce stress on the spine. In contrast, vertical ones are great machines for losing weight at home and keeping your body in shape.

Pros:

* compact design

* ease of use

* the ability to adjust the difficulty of the workout

* very affordable price

* Suitable for overweight people (up to 150 kg)

* does not strain the joints

* suitable for rehabilitation therapy

* works silently

Minuses:

* the upper body is not engaged

* No substitute for a full cycling workout

* The body adapts quickly to the monotonous activity

Which muscles work the most: glutes, biceps and quads, calves, abs, back muscles.

Efficiency for weight loss: up to 500 kcal can be burned in an hour of exercise on a stationary bike if you work out fast or in an advanced mode. Regular training on a cardio machine at home can help you lose weight, sharpen your figure and pump up your legs.

Who to buy: overweight people, the elderly, people who are losing weight, people recovering from illness, and anyone who cannot go to the gym, but wants to keep their figure in shape.

Unique feature: This is the best cardio machine to focus on the lower body, as it gives you a good workout for your legs and glutes.

1. DFC vertical exercise bike B3.2

2. DFC B5030 Mars horizontal stationary bike

3. Body Sculpture BC-1720G upright exercise bike

4. Evo Fitness Spirit upright exercise bike

5. Carbon Fitness U304 upright exercise bike

6. Hasttings DBU40 ergometer

Elliptical trainer

An elliptical or ellipsoid simulates climbing stairs or walking on skis. The ellipsoid movement mechanism has given its name to a popular cardio machine for the home or gym. The elliptical is more extensive than an exercise bike, but many fitness equipment manufacturers produce compact ellipticals for home use. 

The elliptical works not only the lower-body muscles and the arms, shoulders, and back, making the ellipsoid a more versatile workout option than the exercise bike. The elliptical trainer puts minimal strain on the knee joints, making it the perfect choice for overweight people.

Interval training on a weight-loss machine at home is an excellent option for serious exercise at home. On the easiest elliptical, you can choose the difficulty level that allows you to increase the load to avoid muscle-fatigue. 

The elliptical is said to be a cardio machine that works the gluteal muscles, challenging to work in isolation without the thigh and leg muscles’ involvement. The elliptical trainer gives you a good workout of the gluteal muscles, which helps you fight cellulite and tone your body. The ellipsoid also enables you to work the thighs and calf muscles, giving your legs a nice shine.

Pros:

* easy to learn

* setting the level of difficulty

* reasonable price

* puts minimal strain on the joints

* works the glutes and legs well

* quietly works.

Minuses:

* Amplitude of movement differs from natural running or walking

* There is minimal use of the upper body.

Which muscles work the most: gluteal muscles, biceps and quadriceps of the thighs, calves, abs, cortex muscles, back muscles, shoulder girdle muscles and arm muscles.

Efficiency for weight loss: Up to 600 kcal can be burned per hour on the elliptical if you work out at an increased difficulty or interval training format. Regular exercise on the elliptical can help you lose weight as quickly as possible, provided you periodically improve your workload and stick to your diet.

Who to buy: People who are overweight (up to 160 kg) want to get in shape, work out the gluteal muscles and refine their legs. The elliptical is universally suitable for both men and women, and even children can work out on it, as it is as safe as possible and has almost no contraindications.

Unique feature: it’s the best cardio equipment for the whole family, as it can even be used by children as long as they observe safety precautions.

1 Body Sculpture elliptical trainer BE-5920HX

2. Sport Elite SE-304 elliptical trainer

3. Carbon Fitness E200 elliptical trainer

4 UnixFit SL-350 elliptical trainer

5 UnixFit MV 420 elliptical trainer

6. Sport Elite SE-E954D elliptical trainer

Treadmill

The trainer is designed for a complete running or walking workout to lose weight or keep your body in shape. The treadmill is considered the most effective option for weight loss than other types of home cardio machines, as it burns the most calories during a workout.

The treadmill works the entire body, making it a versatile cardio workout option for keeping fit. The treadmill movements are not restricted by design, unlike on a stationary bike or elliptical, doing exercise at home just as effective as a full-on outdoor jogging session.

By varying the resistance level, the treadmill is suitable for most people, regardless of age or weight. The elderly, people with a lot of weight or patients in rehabilitation therapy can choose a walking regime to increase the exertion as they get used to it or use the exerciser to maintain heart health and normalise blood pressure. Experienced athletes can run at high speeds to keep their bodies fit or prepare for running competitions.

Pros:

* the best gym equipment for losing weight at home

* setting speed selection and training mode

* A complete substitute for running training during the colder months of the year

* The workout involves the whole body

* Suitable for beginners and experienced athletes

Minuses:

* large dimensions (but now models are available with a folding design)

* high price

* noise during operation

* has contraindications for people with heart conditions

* Stresses the joints

Which muscles work the most: the biceps and quadriceps of the thighs, gluteal muscles, lower leg muscles, calf muscles, foot muscles, rectus abdominis, intercostal muscles, iliopsoas, biceps and triceps of the arms.

Efficiency for weight loss: You can burn more than 600 kcal per hour on a treadmill if you work out at an interval or fast pace. You can get rid of 300 kk per hour in walking mode. Regular exercise on a cardio machine helps you lose weight quickly, especially if you combine it with dieting. The treadmill enables you to improve your figure, achieve relief and sharpen your glutes and legs.

Who to buy: active slimmers, runners to prepare for races, athletes to keep fit at home.

Feature: It’s the best cardio equipment for weight loss, as it’s comparable to a real running workout.

1. Mechanical treadmill BRADEX SF 0058

2. Body Sculpture BT-2740 Magnetic Treadmill

3. Xiaomi WalkingPad electric treadmill

4. electric treadmill FAMILY TM 300M

5 UnixFit ST-600X electric treadmill

6. electric treadmill LAUFSTEIN Corsa

Stepper

Stepper is a compact and functional cardio machine for home use that has almost no contraindications. The stair stepper simulates walking or running up and downstairs and is therefore great for losing weight and keeping fit if you don’t have time to go to the gym. The slimming machine’s key feature at home is its compact size, which means you can exercise anywhere at any time. Because it’s so small, the stepper is also priced better than larger, more complex machines.

Some steppers can be used for back and abdominal exercises. These models are considered versatile for weight loss and body shaping and keeping in shape when you can’t do full-body exercise. The stepper can be easily adjusted to suit your fitness and weight needs, allowing you to train more effectively.

There are variations of these cardio machines for the home with handrails, handles or expanders for more excellent stability and increased resistance on different muscle groups. For beginners, we recommend choosing models with handles that minimise the risk of injury. You should choose models with expansion joints for advanced users to give your arms and back an extra workout.

Pros:

* compact dimensions

* low price

* has no contraindications

* effective for weight loss

* helps fight cellulite

* The load level can be adjusted.

Minuses:

* should not be used by people who are overweight (more than 100 kg)

* Stresses the joints

* most models do not pump the upper body

* If the exercise technique is not correct, you can be injured.

Which muscles work the most: the gluteal muscles, the biceps and quadriceps of the thighs, the calf muscles and the shin muscles.

Efficiency for weight loss: You can burn up to 350 kc per hour on the stepper if you work out at a moderate pace. Regular stepper training can help you lift your legs, sharpen your glutes and make your calves more sculpted. It is advisable to combine cardio exercises with home fitness classes to ensure you’re losing enough weight and building muscles.

Who to buy: All women who want to keep their figure in shape at home and dream of shoring up their glutes and legs.

Unique feature: it’s the best cardio machine on a small budget and if you don’t have a lot of space at home.

1. Sport Elite GB-5106 Stepper

2. DFC SC-S038B Stepper

3. Body Sculpture Stepper BS-1122HA-B

4. BRADEX Cardio Twister SF 0033

5. Torneo Twister S-211 Stairmaster

6. DFC Stepper SC-S085E

Rowing trainer

A rowing machine replicates a rower’s movements, designed for aerobic training at home and in the gym. The activity on the trainer engages the muscles of your whole body. Unlike the treadmill or elliptical, which primarily work the legs, the rowing machine works the upper body, giving you a good workout for your back, chest, arms and shoulder girdle.

The rowing machine is considered one of the safest types of exercise equipment for the home. It has no contraindications and is excellent for people of all ages, weights and physical abilities. At high exertion levels, the rowing machine can be used for real strength training, but the machine’s primary function is cardio training for health and strengthening purposes.

Pros:

* useful load for the upper body

* minimal risk of injury

* gentle stress on joints and ligaments

* suitable for people with problematic knees

* Improves posture and relieves back pain.

Minuses:

* large dimensions

* high price

* Not suitable for people with spinal conditions.

Which muscles work the most: back and chest muscles, deltoids, trapezius, biceps and triceps of the arms, forearm muscles, rectus abdominis, legs, glutes.

Effective for weight loss: up to 600 kcal can be burned in an hour on a rowing machine, with minimal strain on your joints and ligaments. Regular training will help you lose weight quickly and achieve beautiful upper body definition, as well as strengthening your leg and buttock muscles.

Who to buy: for men looking to lose weight and keep fit without the need for a gym, and for anyone looking for an all-round cardio machine for all muscle groups at home.

Feature: The ultimate cardio machine emphasises the upper body, ideal for men looking for a trim and sporty look.

1. DFC R403B rowing machine

2. Body Sculpture BR-2200H rowing machine

3. DFC R71061 rowing machine

4. ProForm R600 rowing machine

5. AppleGate R10 M rowing machine

6. NordicTrack RX800 rowing machine