How to Decide Which Cardio Equipment to Buy
So you’ve decided to get a dedicated cardiovascular machine for your home gym. Congratulations! But should it be a treadmill, elliptical trainer, bicycle, or rower? Each has its own pros and cons.
Treadmill
Cost: Around $ 1,500 for many popular models. There are budget models under $ 1,000 and trendy ones over $ 2,000.
Size: According to Consumer Reports, typical footprint is 35 “x 77 “ . You will also need two to three feet of space on the sides and front, as well as considerable space in the waistband in case you trip and fall. (You want the movement of the treadmill to knock you to the floor, rather than push you against a wall unable to stand.) If you are just walking, you can get away with a slightly smaller treadmill than if you were running. Tall people who run fast will appreciate the large, long straps.
How versatile is it? This is a pony with one trick: you can run or walk, and that’s it. Most of the models are tilt-adjustable, and all of them are speed-adjustable.
Who is it for? If you love to run or walk but can’t always do it outdoors, a treadmill is the way to go. (Yes, a treadmill is just as good for a workout as outdoor jogging.)
However, if you can walk or run outdoors, the treadmill will not give you another type of workout. Some runners may prefer a different machine, such as a bicycle, for less shock workouts and to run outdoors.
Elliptical
Cost: Same as treadmill.
Size: Same area as treadmill but taller machine. If you have low ceilings, pay attention to the pedal height so you don’t bump your head with every step.
How versatile is it? The movement of an elliptical trainer is the same no matter how you use it, but you can change many factors: to start, resistance, incline, and the speed at which you decide to move your legs. Most elliptical machines can be pedaled forward or backward for a slightly different muscle focus, and there is usually a set of handlebars so you can get your upper body in motion as well.
Who is it for? People who want to run without hard knocks. Elliptical machines tend to burn those same calories more easily than other cardio machines ( not that you should pay too much attention to numbers ), so if you just want something for cardio but don’t really care what you are doing an elliptical trainer is a good option.
Indoor bike
Cost: Around $ 100 for a stand that can hold a regular bike , $ 600 for a simple spin bike, and $ 2,000 or more for a typical Peloton kit.
Size: According to IndoorsFitness , most bikes will fit in a 26 “ x 48 “ track, but this varies by model. If you are using the bike for independent work, you can stand the bike upright when not in use, or disconnect it from the bike. Again, you will need about two feet of space around the bike to use it comfortably.
How versatile is it? Spin bikes allow you to quickly adjust your speed so you can run or recover. More traditional exercise bikes are often a little slower to tune, so consider if you plan on doing lots of intervals or prefer sustained cardio.
Who is it for? Cycling is another light-duty exercise and the level of intensity is up to you. It’s great for intervals, and there is now a whole market for cycling led by Peloton instructors and his many imitators, including Apple Fitness + .
Rower
Cost: $ 900 for the Concept II you’ve seen in millions of gyms. Budget rowers are available for a lower price, while luxury models with screens can start at around $ 2,000.
Size: 3’x8 ‘is a typical footprint and some machines can be knocked over and leaned against the wall when not in use.
How versatile is it? Rowing is great for full-body exercises as the movement involves the legs, back and arms. The machines are also good for tricky sprint efforts, so overall you get a great workout. The same upsides are also downsides: if your arms or back hurt, you can’t row without straining those parts of your body.
Who is it for? Rowers are popular with people who enjoy having their cardio done in tough intervals. You can row at a slow pace, but it’s hard, mindless cardio, like on an elliptical trainer.