Being busy on the football field shouldn’t be used as an excuse for not working out at home. However, for most of us, balancing between family, friends, work, and training can be a mission impossible. After all, the day has only 24 hours, which often feels like not long enough. And so, the only way to fit in working out in an extremely busy routine is to have a place where you can exercise at all times – for most of us, that’s at home.
With that said traditional exercises you can do at home with only a few dumbbells or your bodyweight may not be interesting or challenging enough for you. And that’s where at-home cardio machines come around to save the day. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most popular and best workout machines on the market so that you can make a smart choice when it comes to buying one.
5 Best At-Home Cardio Machines
When it comes to a workout machine for at home, you want something that will be durable, lightweight, not take up too much space, and cheaper compared to what you can find at a commercial gym.
Treadmill
Running is one of the best forms of exercise – it can not only help you lose weight, but it also makes your cardiovascular system stronger and your overall endurance improved. Even though many people love running outside, if you have a tight schedule or you live in a particular climate (one where it’s too hot or too cold), you may prefer running on the treadmill. As it stands, there are many treadmill options on the market – some of which are designed specifically for home gyms, so you can easily find a good deal.
Spinning Bike
Riding a bike is another terrific form of exercise – it works your cardiovascular system as well as your legs, and it can be a lot of fun, especially if you make your rides feel like a SoulCycle class. Some of the newer bike models, such as the Peleton, also allow you to choose from a variety of workouts, and they create an immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re riding with others and competing.
Assault Bike
If you really want to get sweaty and tired, there’s no better workout than 30 minutes on the assault bike. This cardio machine not only makes your heart beat fast but also works out the muscles in your upper and lower body, making any workout exhausting. It’s a great option for those of you that are into CrossFit or for seasoned athletes who really want to feel like each training session is pushing them to the limit.
Rower
Most cardio machines tend to utilize only or mainly the muscle in your lower body (running, cycling), but if you’re someone that wants to train their upper body muscles more, then that may not be the biggest benefit. That’s where the rower comes in – it’s a cardio machine that not only gets your heart rate up but also works the muscles in your arms, back, and shoulders. It’s the best machine for those of you that want to get stronger in the upper body while also losing fat and improving your endurance.
Elliptical
Finally, the elliptical is one of the most used and loved cardio machines. It’s the only one that’s low impact, meaning that it doesn’t put that much pressure on your joints and muscles while still helping you get your sweat on. The only downside of this machine is that it takes up a lot of space and it’s quite heavy – so you can never easily move it from one room to the other.
Alternative At-Home Cardio
If you don’t have the money to buy a cardio machine or you’re simply not convinced you will use it in the long run, there are alternative cardio-style training sessions that you can easily do at home. One of them is jumping rope – the equipment is cheap, can easily be transported to any place, and is extremely effective when it comes to getting your heart racing and your sweat on. Another alternative is a HIIT workout. To do it, you can choose 5 or more bodyweight exercises and do them in intervals that go 30 seconds on/30 seconds off for 20 to 30 minutes. That kind of training does require you to already be in pretty decent shape, though, so be careful if you’re a beginner.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of cardio-like training sessions that you can do at home. And what kind of equipment you choose depends entirely on your personal preferences and your budget. When it comes to recommendations, we can safely say that the spinning bike is a solid choice, as it offers the most entertaining and immersive experience, which will likely get you more excited to work out often.
