Q: I’ve heard cardio workouts are the best for losing weight and and the best for your heart and lungs. I’m not interested in lifting, but I’d love to drop some pounds. Can you briefly lay out the differences between the different types of cardio I can use in my home gym? All I want to do is lose weight, but I can’t decide which piece to purchase. All these different types of cardio equipment make purchasing the right piece too confusing!

A: I understand your frustration. There certainly are many different cardio pieces to choose between all of which will help you attain your goal of losing some (or a lot) of weight. Let’s briefly review each piece.

Treadmill 

This is the most basic piece of cardio and the most popular. Use it to run, jog, or walk – all activities that will burn some major calories.

Pros: easy to use, various exercises possible.

Cons: takes up more space than other options, can be hard on knees of older people.

Average Price for a Residential Unit: $1,400.00 to $2,300.00

Elliptical Crosstrainer 

If you like the idea of a treadmill, but want less stress on your joints, the elliptical is the perfect piece for you.

Pros: full body workout, easy on joints

Cons: takes up a lot of space

Average Price for a Residential Unit: $700.00 – $2,500.00

Stationary (Upright) Bike 

Love biking? You’ll love the stationary bike!

Pros: less hard on the joints than the treadmill, more affordable than the elliptical or treadmill

Cons: the same as traditional biking. If you hate to ride a bike, you’ll want to stear clear of the stationary bike.

Average Price for a Residential Unit: $500.00 to $1,300.00

Recumbent Bike 

Basically the stationary bike but you recline while working out, more expensive than upright versions of the stationary bike.

Pros: even less stress on the knees

Cons: not as good of a workout as some other options.

Average Price for a Residential Unit: $1,200.00 to $1,800.00

Step Mill 

You’ve heard the advice to take the stairs instead of the elevator or esclator any chance you get. This machine takes that sound advice to the next level!

Pros: simulates a “non-exercise” activity for a great workout, great lower body workout

Cons: it’s walking up an endless flight of stairs, if you hate taking the steps, this isn’t the machine for you, the most expensive option on this list.

Average Price for a Residential Unit: $2,500.00 – $3,000.00

Rower

This machine simulates the action of rowing a boat across a lake or down a stream.

Pros: get the rowing experience without having to drive to the lake and without having to get wet. Great full body exercise.

Cons: can be tiring on the arms to the point where the exercise ends not when you are too tired but when your arm strength is depleted.

Average Price for a Residential Unit: $500.00 to $1,000.00

There are, of course, other cardio machines but these are the primary ones you’ll be deciding between. All these machines provide a great cardiovascular workout. In the final analysis, your decision ought to be made on personal preference and budget.

Now get out there, get active, and get thin!

Cardiovascular health is an integral part of any well rounded fitness program.  Because of this, there are many types of machines on the market today that specialize in cardiovascular conditioning.  Ellipticals, Upright Bikes, Recumbent Bikes, Steppers and Stair Mills, Spin Bikes, Rowers and other machines all offer ways to enhance your cardiovascular health.  With all of the options on the market today, the #1 Choice remains the Treadmill.

This is because they are the simplest and most user friendly of all cardio machines.  There are no special techniques required to use one – no moving arms to synchronize with foot pedals, no micro adjustments to get in the exact position…etc.  You simply walk or run at your own pace at a speed that you determine by the simple push of a button or turn of a dial.  Even in full scale gyms, they are the #1 used piece of cardio equipment.

Source: Fix.com Blog

But what kind of treadmill should YOU get?

 Although the basic function is always the same, there are several manufacturers today and many different styles designed to suit different people’s needs.  Answering the questions on this checklist will help you to determine the best one for your home gym –

• What is the general purpose why I am using it?
• How often do I intend to use it?
• Will there be others using my it?
• Do I need medical handrails or other special features for additional stability and safety?
• When I use it, do I want to listen to my iPad, MP3 Player or other device?
• When I use it, do I want to watch TV?
• How much am I expecting to pay for my it?
• What programs / features are important to me?

 

Let’s go through these questions one by one and see what kind of treadmill for home is best for you.

 

1. What is the general purpose why I am using it?

People have different fitness goals and different reasons for using their cardio fitness equipment.  Knowing the general purpose as to why you are going to use it, will help you start to hone in on the right one for you while eliminating the ones that are not.

Why do you want one?  Are you considering one for the cardio section of your home gym set up?  Do you want a it for general fitness, to train for a specific sport, for weight loss, to rehabilitate an injury or for some other reason?

 

2. How often do I intend to use it?

How many days per week do you plan on using your it?  How long will each session last?  Keep in mind that you may change your training routines over time and allow for one that will let you do more than your original purpose.  For example, you may originally be looking to lose weight.  Then, after this is accomplished, you may want to adjust your training for toning, longer periods of running or for another purpose.  Make sure that your choice has the capabilities that you may need for the long haul.

 

3. Will there be others using my equipment?

If your equipment is going to be used by other family members or friends, how much more use will it get on a regular basis?  A general idea of the overall use is important because it will let you know what quality you will need.

 

4. Do I need medical handrails or other special features for additional stability and safety?

If you have special circumstances that require certain features, you will need to assess this prior to purchasing.  With so many on the market, spending some time researching them with special attention to your specific set of circumstances will get you to the right one for you.

 

5. When I use it, do I want to listen to my iPad, MP3 Player or other device?

If you like working out to music and want to hear your favorite play list, you may opt for one that has iPad or other MP3 Player connectivity built in so that you can plug in and play while you run.  Since these cost more than those without MP3 Player connectivity, you’ll want to weigh any additional cost against the benefits of the integral MP3 Player connectivity.

 

6. When I use it, do I want to watch TV? 

Just like ones with MP3 Player connectivity, you can get one with a TV screen.  Treadmills with TV screens come in two forms – attached or integrated.  One with an attached TV screen is less expensive than one that has the screen integrated, but both are considerably more expensive than one without a TV screen.  Look at the difference in cost between upgrading to one with a TV screen and getting one without a TV screen versus purchasing a separate TV for your room.

 

7. How much am I expecting to pay for it? 

Set a realistic budget before you start shopping.  Your budget should be what you can comfortably afford to spend.

 

8. What programs / features are important to me?

Most will have basic readout features such as distance travelled, time elapsed and calories burned.  Others will have additional readout features like predefined running programs, heart rate monitoring and more.  In your research, check the product specifications thoroughly to see what that particular piece of equipment does and does not do.

REMEMBER:  The best treadmill is the one that is best suited for your particular needs.  By knowing the answers to the above Checklist, you will be able to then research various manufacturers and find the one that is the best one for you at the best price.