Meet Your Dream Machine

There are plenty of equipment options on the cardio floor, and knowing what each one does best will give you a better idea of where you should spend your time.

First up, you should consider your level of fitness, your goals and your preferences. You want a machine that is compatible with any needs you may have, such as low impact on your joints, but you also want to use a machine that offers an activity that you enjoy. If you’re not a running fan, chances are you’ll have a hard time sticking to a treadmill regimen. Likewise, if you’re looking for high intensity, a recumbent bike routine may leave you feeling underwhelmed.

Also it’s important to know what you should and shouldn’t do — so if you have concerns, you can talk to a personal trainer before you start a new workout routine.

Once you’re ready to go, you have plenty of options on the cardio floor …

Treadmill

A true fitness staple, the treadmill has earned its long-standing reputation as an excellent piece of equipment for cardio conditioning.

What makes the treadmill stand out:

Drawbacks:

Do some social and fitness multitasking by substituting your next coffee date with a cardio power hour. Having a friend on the treadmill next to you can be totally motivating, plus running will leave you feeling way better than a mocha sprinkle latte.

Elliptical

The elliptical is not only an effective, low-impact piece of equipment, but it’s also a blast to use.

What makes the elliptical stand out:

Drawbacks:

The elliptical has a magic-like ability to feel less exhausting than running, yet it burns nearly as many calories as a treadmill. What’s not to love about that?

Stationary Bike

Indoor cycling perfectly pairs a fierce cardio workout with a fun group environment.

What makes the stationary bike stand out:

Drawbacks:

If you’re a people person who loves a good beat, there’s a bike in cycling class with your name on it. Hop in the saddle and get riding!

Stair Climber

The stair climber provides an excellent functional fitness workout that will get your heart pumping and strengthen your legs.

What makes the stair climber stand out:

Drawbacks:

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The next time you use a stair climber, picture yourself ascending Mount Everest to power you through your workout. By the end, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.
Author

So which piece of equipment is perfect for you? We came up with a little cheat sheet to help you decide. Keep in mind, you don’t have to choose just one!

Cardio cheat sheet

Here’s the equipment rundown based on what you’re aiming to achieve:

If you want …

To improve running speed and endurance
Treadmill

Improve general endurance with minimal stress on your joints
Elliptical

Constant high-intensity exercise
Treadmill or bike

To train for a hiking trip
Stair climber

To improve your overall health
Try a circuit that incorporates five minutes per equipment type

Guided interval training
Elliptical using pre-programmed workouts

Rehabilitation
Elliptical or recumbent bike

Strengthen your core and improve cardio conditioning
Cycling

The treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike and stair climber will all give you a solid cardio workout, so try each of them to find out which is your dream machine. (And if you need extra guidance, talk to a trainer about developing a personalized workout plan to help you reach your goals.)