<p>Marathon sessions aren’t required to enjoy those perks, either. You should try to aim to do three to four cardio workouts a week, each time for 30 minutes to an hour, says Kanski. “Our bodies are extremely adaptive and can lose progress very quickly, so it’s important to stay consistent. The more consistent we are over time, the better the results and improved endurance.” And, <a href=”https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a28641741/cardio-before-after-weights/” target=”_blank”>whether it’s better to do cardio before or after weight training</a> depends on your goals, according to trainers. </p><p>Cardio does not have to be boring or monotonous, and these cardio machines will prove it. Here are 15 of the best cardio machines, according to certified trainers.<br></p>” />
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1
Best Overall Rower
NordicTrack RW700 Smart Rower
1
Best Overall Rower
NordicTrack RW700 Smart Rower
Now 62% Off
Pros
- Burns lots of calories
- Works your full body
Cons
- Might not be good for teaching form
Why trainers love it: You don’t have to be an Olympian to row your way to winning shape—something that’s nearly guaranteed if you keep up with indoor rowing. That’s because it’s a true total-body workout that, in Kanski’s words, “torches cals.”
“When done right, you are working everything from head to toe, with an emphasis on your back side,” says Renee Peel, NSCA-certified personal trainer based in New York City. “Essentially, it is the deadlift of cardio machines, because you drive off your legs, support with your core and grip and pull.”
Where to start: Form is especially essential when it comes to using the indoor rower, so head to YouTube to watch some tutorials. Then, Kanski recommends starting with 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off; or a slow 1,000 to 2,000-meter row.
Level up: Go for 10 sets of 500-meter rows with a one-minute rest interval between each, per Kanski who’s “sending prayers now!”
Length | 82 inches |
---|---|
Width | 22 inches |
Height | 49 inches |
Weight | 146 lbs in box |
Subscription | not required to use machine, start at $180/year |
Storage | Stored upright |
2
Best SkiErg Overall
Concept 2 SkiErg
2
Best SkiErg Overall
Concept 2 SkiErg
Pros
- Light on your joints
- Great for HIIT and cardio workouts
Cons
- Not great for isolated body workouts
Why trainers love it: “Like the rower, you can’t cheat,” Kanski says. “On ellipticals, arc trainers, spin bikes, etc., you can let go of the handles and the machine will still go with your legs. That’s not the case here.”
What is the case? A heart-pounding workout that not only calls upon your legs but also the upper body and core, both of which really feel the burn with this machine. And unlike your tried-and-true treadmill (read: running), this cardio machine is light on your joints.
Where to start: For newbies (*raises hand*), begin by learning form, so you can use the correct breathing techniques to keep up with with the movement mechanics of each rep, Kanski says. Then go for 20 to 30 minutes of 250 to 500-meter at light intensity with two- to three-minute rest intervals.
Level up: For a total of 20 to 30 minutes, alternate between three minutes all out, one minute off. “Time yourself and try to beat the distance covered in three minutes every time,” Kanski recommends.
Length | 52 inches |
---|---|
Width | 24 inches |
Height | 85 inches |
Weight | 46 lbs |
Subscription | N/A |
Storage | Rollable and can be stored upright |
3
Best AirBike Overall
Assault Fitness AirBike
3
Best AirBike Overall
Assault Fitness AirBike
Now 25% Off
Pros
- Low-impact
- Good value
Cons
- Not ideal for beginners
Why trainers love it: Because it’s challenging AF—so much so that Kanski calls it the “Devil’s bike.” Like other bikes, it’s low-impact on the joints but this one goes even further by keeping the core engaged and entire body connected as a unit. It also helps with posture as it calls upon the upper- and middle-back muscles, per Kanski.
Easy to use and very accessible, consider this bike your “go-to when you are looking to get a solid calorie burn and test your heart capacity and mental fortitude!” Peel says.
Where to start: Keep it simple. Bike for about 20 minutes at a moderate intensity.
Level up: Both Peel and Kanski recommend going for 30s: bouncing between 30 seconds going all out and 30 seconds to recover for anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes.
Length | 59.95 inches |
---|---|
Width | 23.34 inches |
Height | 50 inches |
Weight | 110 lbs |
Subscription | N/A |
Storage | Rollable |
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4
Best Stair Climber Overall
Rogue Fitness Jacobs Ladder – The Stairway GTL
4
Best Stair Climber Overall
Rogue Fitness Jacobs Ladder – The Stairway GTL
Pros
- Great for all levels
- Works lower body hard
Cons
- Pricey
Why trainers love it: “It’s so functional! It can be made more challenging but also works for beginners as well with little skill required,” Peel says. That being said, it’ll still totally gets your heart pumping as it works your quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves, and core. “It directly targets the concentric part of our walking/running gait and immediately spikes heart rate,” Kanski says.
Where to start: When just beginning, stick to tangible goals such as aiming to climb 50 floors, Peel suggests.
Level up: Then with every workout session that follows, add 20 floors until you hit 110 floors, per Peel. “Make note of the time it takes you to complete each (50, 70, 90, and 110 floors), then repeat this the following week from 50 floors with the goal of beating each time from the previous week.”
Length | 54 inches |
---|---|
Width | 30.5 inches |
Height | 75.5 inches |
Weight | 300 lbs |
Subscription | N/A |
Storage | No |
5
Best Overall Treadmill
Commercial Series Treadmill 2450 Model
5
Best Overall Treadmill
Commercial Series Treadmill 2450 Model
Pros
- Versatile
- Works the whole body
Cons
- High impact
Why trainers love it: When it comes to versatility, no other machine holds a candle to the treadmill—you can walk, jog, sprint, and even raise the incline to be “hilly,” making it a super effective and efficient machine for all types of cardio conditioning, Kanski says.
“I personally like it because 90 percent of the population sits at a desk all day, so it gets people on their feet and the whole body contributes to the movement.”
Where to start: Thirty minutes of walking or jogging at a two percent incline—or at the very least a one percent incline, which, mimics the “walking gradient outside,” Kanski explains.
Level up: Play around with the incline and speed. To make the time go by faster, change something every minute for 30 to 45 minutes. For Kanski, this sometimes means alternating between one minute of sprinting and one minute of walking, both at a two percent incline. Other times, she’ll put the treadmill up to 10 percent incline and alternate between jogging and walking every minute.
Length | 81.2 inches |
---|---|
Width | 39.2 inches |
Height | 69.9 inches |
Weight | 339.51 lbs |
Subscription | not required to use machine, start at $180/year |
Storage | Foldable for vertical storage |
6
Best Indoor Bike For Cyclists
Schwinn Indoor Cycling Bike
6
Best Indoor Bike For Cyclists
Schwinn Indoor Cycling Bike
Now 13% Off
Pros
- Works well for long duration endurance training
- Effective resistance
Cons
- No screen or classes
Why trainers love it: Legs. For. Days. “Due to its low joint impact, spinning can be used for extremely long duration endurance training,” Kanski says. “This can help build up stamina for events such as triathlons, marathons, etc.”
Where to start: For a lower intensity, starter-level sweat sesh, Kanski suggests trying to keep the same pace for 30 minutes or 10 miles, pedaling faster if your resistance is low and slower if your resistance is higher. The goal is to be steady and consistent.
Level up: Head for the hill…climbs. (Eh? eh?) For 40 to 50 minutes, do five sets of eight-minute climbs with a two-minute rest interval. Just be sure to watch the wattage on the bike and try to stay above 180 to 200+ watts during your climb.
Watts are a measure of power output. Monitoring your watts on a ride is a great way to get faster and measure progress—180 to 200 is a higher standard range but it can totally vary. You can try for a higher average watt over time, or you can do intervals at different watts if you aren’t on a steady climb.
Length | 45 inches |
---|---|
Width | 23 inches |
Height | 49 inches |
Weight | 100 lbs |
Subscription | N/A |
Storage | No |
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7
Best Vertical Climber
VersaClimber LX
7
Best Vertical Climber
VersaClimber LX
Pros
- Focuses on working the legs and core
- Easy to increase resistance
Cons
- High intensity
Why trainers love it: Because you can’t cheat—once you strap your feet in and hold the handles, you have to get to work, Peel says. While this cardio machine might look a bit Machiavellian, it’s actually totally trusted by trainers and celebs alike. I don’t want to drop names but…word on the street is Jennifer Aniston is quite the pro VersaClimber fan herself. It makes sense given the machine works your whole body with a especially strong focus on legs and core.
Where to start: Peel suggests 10 short power intervals at 20 seconds each with a 20- to 30-second rest in between. Then, after a quick two to three minute rest, jump back in for another eight to 10 intervals.
Level up: The easiest way to amp up the difficulty, per Peel, is simply increase the resistance.
Length | 48 inches |
---|---|
Width | 48 inches |
Height | 84 inches |
Weight | 150 lbs |
Subscription | N/A |
Storage | No |
8
Best Non-Motorized Treadmill
TrueForm Trainer
8
Best Non-Motorized Treadmill
TrueForm Trainer
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Trains coordination
- Works glutes, hamstrings, and core
Cons
- More difficult than a traditional treadmill
Why trainers love it: Because it’s a treadmill without (I repeat: without) a motor, so you do all of the work. “It challenges not only your cardiovascular ability but your muscular coordination with power, agility, speed, and stamina,” Kanski explains. It also targets your glutes and hamstrings more than a regular treadmill while still giving your core a workout of its own.
Another difference from the plain ole treadmill? A non-motorized one is sans-screen, meaning you set the intensity without knowing any numbers like speed, incline, etc.
Where to start: Since this cardio machine’s a little different than your usual cardio equipment, Kanski recommends starting off slowly. Walk, jog, or run for 20 to 30 minutes to get familiar with it.
Level up: Sprints, sprints, sprints! For a total of 15 to 30 minutes, you want to do 15 seconds on (sprinting), 30 to 45 seconds off.
Length | 64 inches |
---|---|
Width | 31 inches |
Height | 63 inches |
Weight | 280 lbs |
Subscription | N/A |
Storage | No |
9
Best Arc Trainer
Life Fitness Total Body Arc Trainer
9
Best Arc Trainer
Life Fitness Total Body Arc Trainer
Pros
- Great for interval training
- Works upper and lower body
Cons
- High Price
Why trainers love it: If you sit all day (and, tbh, who doesn’t?), this easy-to-use machine will get you upright and off your butt—key elements of a good cardio sesh. Similar to a few other machines like the StairMill, the ArcTrainer mimics hiking and targets the lower body (think: glutes, quads). But, wait, that’s not all! This machine also blasts the upper body as much as the lower, thereby burning more cals and keeping more muscles engaged.
Where to start: Turn the resistance up to 25 to 30, the incline to 15 percent, and maintain a steady pace for 20 to 30 minutes. Feel like focusing more on the upper body? Stop moving your legs and just use your arms, Kanski says. And the opposite is true if you want your bottom to have more of the burn.
Level up: Bring on the intervals! Kanski suggests amping up the incline to 20 percent and then alternating between one minute at a resistance of 30 and one minute at 80, for a total of 20 to 30 minutes.
Length | 76.5 inches |
---|---|
Width | 36.25 inches |
Height | 62.5 inches |
Weight | 412 lbs |
Subscription | N/A |
Storage | No |
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10
Best Bike For Classes
Peloton Cycling Bike
10
Best Bike For Classes
Peloton Cycling Bike
Pros
- Tons of class options
- Motivating instructors
Cons
- Subscription required
Why trainers love it: Not only will this bike get your heart pumping—especially with all those energizing classes!—but it will also give your quads, glutes, calves, and hamstrings a winning workout. “Spinning is light on the joints which helps with recovery but one of the best ways to condition,” Kanski says.
Where to start: Try a few beginner’s workouts and slowly build from there. Kanski and Peels both recommend aiming for 30-minute options at least. “Peloton classes are great for people who love the liveliness and extra push of group fitness classes but don’t want to leave their own home,” adds Kanski. “The teachers are all highly certified and well-known, which allows a virtual community to develop. It becomes another social platform to help hold you accountable towards your goals.“
Level up: Start taking intermediate or advanced classes that are longer and more intense. Pro tip: “You can also pause rides and make your metrics disappear, if you want to ride at your own pace on your time, which is great option for when you’re getting used to the flow of a new class,” Kanski says.
Length | 59 inches |
---|---|
Width | 53 inches |
Height | 23 inches |
Weight | 135 lbs |
Subscription | $44/month |
Storage | No |
11
Best Elliptical Cardio Machine
NordicTrack FS14i
11
Best Elliptical Cardio Machine
NordicTrack FS14i
Pros
- Can improve joint and cardiovascular health
- Great for recovering from an injury
Cons
- Small screen
Why trainers love it: The elliptical, like the treadmill, can improve endurance, burn calories, and improve joint and cardiovascular health, Yu says. If you’re recovering from an injury or you’re just beginning your cardio training, an elliptical is a great place to start, as it “offers a full-body workout while placing less stress to the joints as compared to a treadmill,” she explains.
Where to start: Start with a lower resistance level and shorter duration, like 15 to 20 minutes, she says. After, increase the resistance by one or two levels and continue for 15 to 20 minutes.
Level up: Continue to increase the duration and resistance.
Length | 58.5 inches |
---|---|
Width | 29.5 inches |
Height | 74 inches |
Weight | 287 lbs in box |
Subscription | not required to use machine, from $180/year |
Storage | Includes wheels |
12
Best Self-Powered Total Body Machine
Rogue Fitness Jacobs Ladder
12
Best Self-Powered Total Body Machine
Rogue Fitness Jacobs Ladder
Pros
- Upper and lower body workout
- Non motorized
Cons
- High price
Why trainers love it: There is no cheating this cardio machine. It’s the “climbing version of the Trueform Trainer treadmill,” Dr. Yu says. “Because this is self-powered, what you give is what you get. The faster or harder you climb, the greater the pace and intensity.” The workout is low-impact and it works the quads, glutes, calves, core, arms, shoulders, back and cardiovascular system, she adds. Plus, it can improve your coordination.
Where to start: Perform for one to two minutes, then recover for one to two minutes, and repeat as long as you can. You can also try a continuous slow pace for 15 to 20 minutes at a lower pace and intensity.
Level up: Make it a circuit-style workout to increase your heart rate, Yu recommends. Rotate work on the ladder with two bodyweight exercises—one for the upper body and one for the lower body, and do 60-second intervals of each. “Push harder and faster during the Jacob’s Ladder portion of the circuit to really get your arms and legs on fire,” she says. Then, recover after one circuit set and repeat as much as your body can tolerate.
Length | 76 inches |
---|---|
Width | 31.25 inches |
Height | 65.5 inches |
Weight | 325 lbs |
Subscription | N/A |
Storage | No |
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13
Best Wall-Mounted Cardio Machine
Tonal
13
Best Wall-Mounted Cardio Machine
Tonal
Pros
- Resistance training and cardio combined
- Multiple levels of classes
Cons
- Expensive subscription
Why trainers love it: It’s not just for resistance training—there are great cardio, upper-body, lower-body, and full-body focused workouts, too! “The Tonal gives the feel of being in a 1:1 workout class and integrates a combination of bodyweight and resistance training moves to get your heart pumping and muscles working,” Dr. Yu adds.
Where to start: Start with a shorter beginner cardio class to practice your exercise techniques, she says, recommending classes that focus on one body area first. “Feel successful there before choosing the full-body workouts that become more challenging to navigate compound movements,” she adds.
Level up: When the shorter duration, lower-intensity classes feel manageable, opt for a longer intermediate- or advanced-level class, she says.
Length | 50.9 inches |
---|---|
Width | 21.5 inches |
Height | 5.25 inches |
Weight | 150 lbs |
Subscription | $59.95/month |
Storage | Wall mounted |
14
Best Indoor Bike Experience
SoulCycle At-Home Bike
14
Best Indoor Bike Experience
SoulCycle At-Home Bike
Now 40% Off
Pros
- Keeps workouts fun
- Streaming services linking
Cons
- Limited warranty
Why trainers love it: This bike is fantastic because it has a variety of classes, such as endurance-based rides and higher-intensity cardio workouts, says Dr. Yu. “If cardio is a difficult area of movement for you, this bike helps by keeping the workout fun and challenging,” she says.
Where to start: Go for the easier or shorter rides first, which are easy to spot, since the classes are categorized by level, she says.
Level up: After you’re used to the class structure, try a harder or longer class. “To progress with these workouts, I would recommend first increasing the duration of the class choices, then the intensity (level),” she says. “As with anything in training, progressive overload is key!”
Length | 62.2 inches |
---|---|
Width | 22.2 inches |
Height | 53.5 inches |
Weight | 142 lbs |
Subscription | $40/month |
Storage | No |
15
Most Innovative Rower
Hydrow Wave Rower
15
Most Innovative Rower
Hydrow Wave Rower
Pros
- Meditation rows are available
- Easy to store
Cons
- No custom workouts
Why trainers love it: There are 3,000+ guided workouts on this baby, like HIIT-style cardio intervals and Drive classes, which are endurance rows, says Amanda Lucci, CPT, WH Deputy Editor, Content Strategy. “Hydrow also offers warmups, cooldowns, form drills, and even meditation rows, which might be my favorite type of class they offer,” she wrote in her review of the product.
Where to start: Begin with some intro classes that will help you master your form.
Level up: When you think you’ve got the hang of it, opt for harder drills and workouts.
Length | 80 inches |
---|---|
Width | 19 inches |
Height | 43 inches |
Weight | 102 lbs |
Subscription | $44/month |
Storage | Wall mount for vertical storage |
Elizabeth Bacharach is the Assistant Editor at Women’s Health where she writes and edits content about mental and physical health, food and nutrition, sexual health, and lifestyle trends across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, lives in New York City, and dreams of becoming best friends with Ina Garten, who is, undeniably, an absolute queen.
Emily Shiffer is a former digital web producer for Men’s Health and Prevention, and is currently a freelancer writer specializing in health, weight loss, and fitness. She is currently based in Pennsylvania and loves all things antiques, cilantro, and American history.
Addison Aloian (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health. When she’s not writing about all things pop culture, health, beauty, and fashion, she loves hitting leg day at the gym, shopping at Trader Joe’s, and watching whichever hockey game is on TV. Her work has also appeared in Allure, StyleCaster, L’Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media.
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