There are many different exercise machines, and it can be hard to know which one to use for the best workout. When it comes to cardio training, there are several options, in particular, the exercise bike the rowing machine and the elliptical. While all of these machines can provide a great cardiovascular workout if you are short on time or are trying to pick one for your home gym, you need to consider which machine is best for you. So, let’s have a look at the distinctions between these machines and the benefits of each of them to help you make your decision!
Stationary Bikes
Stationary bikes are popular exercise machines and it is easy to see why. They mainly target the lower body, particularly your glutes, thighs, calves, and joints (such as the hips, knees, and ankles). The main benefit of stationary bikes is their ability to give you a non-weight-bearing cardiovascular workout, so allowing you to burn a lot of calories without putting too much weight or strain on your joints.
They are also a great option for home gyms particularly with brands like Peloton being so popular and offering a variety of workout programs on the bike. Bikes these days are also quite compact, saving you space while providing the potential for a full-body workout experience.
Lastly, stationary bikes are a great option for people looking to start a new workout routine as they are very easy to use. Also, as they are low impact, they are great for people who are recovering from injury, providing a way to rebuild and improve cardio endurance without risking further injury.
Rowing Machines
Rowing machines are also a staple at most gyms and provide a high-intensity cardio workout. Though you might think of the rowing machine for upper bodywork, they actually target your entire body from legs and glutes, to back, shoulders, and arms. This allows you to build overall muscle strength as well as getting a cardio workout.
You can easily adjust the machine to allow for more resistance and this allows you to change up the intensity of your workouts. Like the stationary bike, rowers also provide a non-weight-bearing exercise that will help you burn calories without placing stress or impact on your joints.
Ellipticals
Elliptical machines are a fantastic machine for cardio workouts and high-calorie burn. You can use them either as just a lower body workout, or you can use the handles to add in the upper body, thereby getting a full-body workout experience.
Unlike the Stationary Bike and Rowing Machines, the Elliptical is a weight-bearing machine as you are standing on your feet and carrying your body weight as you use it. While this does, therefore, not have the benefits of the others in terms of impact, but it does help you to build strength and flexibility in your joints. Ellipticals are also extremely good for calorie burning and the associated weight loss, which explains their current popularity in gyms.
So, Which One Is Best?
Choosing which machine is the best depends on your specific situation. All three of these machines offer a way to achieve a full-body, cardiovascular workout that will help to improve your heart health, reduce mood swings and stress, and increase your energy. They also provide efficient workouts, as using one of these machines is a quick way to get an intense workout in without moving to different machines or moving through different individual workouts.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to what you are looking for and what your fitness level is. For someone recovering from injury or just starting off on their fitness journey, the stationary bike is a great place to start. For those looking for an all-over, high-intensity experience, the rowing machine is the best option for you. And for those looking for high-fat burn and dynamic movement, the elliptical will provide that in one machine. Whatever your needs are one of these machines will work for you – but remember, they are all great options that will help you to improve your health and fitness goals.
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An integral part of a gym instructor’s job is to advice gym members about what type of cardiovascular machine would be good for them. Keen on learning more about becoming a gym instructor yourself? Read more here.
