Choosing a cardio machine for your workouts

When it comes to cardio workouts, there are several machines available at the gym. Each machine is designed to burn calories, work a different set of muscles, and improve your overall fitness. But trying to figure out which machine is best can be difficult even for the most experienced fitness enthusiast, since there’s no one machine that works best for everyone in every situation.

It always helps to do a bit of research about each cardio machine, so you can come up with a workout plan that works best for your body. Here’s an overview of the most popular cardio machines:

Treadmill

You’ll find that almost every gym has treadmills, as they’re the standard gym machine for cardio exercises. For many people, treadmills are a good choice to begin a new exercise routine, because anyone at any fitness level can use them to walk, jog, or run at their own pace. Treadmills allow you to burn as much as 600-1,200 calories per hour. You can set the treadmill at the jogging pace that suits you best. Some treadmills have an incline that you can adjust to make things more challenging, and burn more calories in the process.

Elliptical machine

An elliptical machine can be a good alternative to the treadmill. It helps increase your aerobic capacity by increasing your heart rate and encouraging you to break a sweat. Elliptical machines pack a little less punch on the joints, meaning that people who suffer from bone and joint ailments, such as osteoporosis and arthritis, can safely use these machines. What’s more, when you use the elliptical, you can exercise both the upper and lower body at the same time by using your legs, chest, shoulders, back, and arms.

Stationary bike

Stationary bikes are a great choice for people with joint problems, since they provide a low-impact aerobic workout that focuses on strengthening the quadricep muscles in the legs. There are two types of stationary bikes:

  • Upright - these look like regular road bikes, but allow you to engage your body in various positions so that more muscle groups can be exercised.
  • Recumbent - on a recumbent bike, the rider is seated against a backrest with the legs out in front; this provides additional balance and comfort.

Rowing machine

Rowing is one of the best exercises you can do for cardio, since it allows you to work out your whole body - upper, lower, and core - simultaneously, delivering an intense full-body cardio experience. The use of rowing machines won’t put as much stress on your knees and joints as running does, meaning that this type of exercise is suitable for people of all fitness levels.

These four cardio machines are designed to elevate your heart rate so you burn more fat during your workout sessions. Want to learn more about cardio training? Get in touch with our fitness experts today and we’ll help create an exercise program that delivers results for you.

Published with permission from FitnessAdvisory. Source.


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