These Machines Are The Best Way To Get Your Zone 2 Cardio In At Home

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However you feel about cardio, having one or two cardio machines right in your home is #gymgoals. The convenience is unbeatable and might just help you get your daily movement knocked out with no commuting, scheduling hassles, or fighting for a treadmill spot involved.

Yes, you do still need a dose of cardio—especially some zone 2 sessions—amid your strength training and Pilates routines. The new at-home exercise machine options offer major health benefits in surprisingly small footprints. That’s why cardio machines are absolutely worth investing in, says Winnie Yu, DPT, CPT, personal trainer and sports and orthopedic physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments in New York City. “Having at-home workout equipment allows you to stay accountable and consistent with your movement routine on the days when time is simply limited or when the weather discourages you from making your way over to the gym,” she says.

Ready to add to cart? Here’s a sneak peek at the cardio machines trainers love:

Even if you’re a gym regular, she still advises clients to stock up on home workout equipment. That way, “you allow movement to be integrated into your day-to-day routine rather than formally having to carve out time throughout the week to visit the gym,” Yu says. (Waiting for your fav elliptical is toootally about to become a thing of the past.) Got 10 minutes to spare before a meeting? It’s sweat snack time thanks to your personal cardio equipment!

The health benefits of cardio machines (elliptical, treadmill, indoor bike, and more) are pretty impressive, too. “When people think of ‘cardio,’ they usually only think of the heart and the cardiovascular components of it,” says Lauren Kanski, CPT, creator of Body and Bell on Ladder and WH Advisory Board member. “However, it also strengthens the respiratory and muscular systems. So, we have to fit cardio into our fitness routines to connect the dots between all three systems to deliver oxygen and other critical nutrients efficiently throughout the body.” Plus, cardio excels at burning excess calories and, thus, fat. (Here are 20 cardio workouts that deliver major total-body results.)

Meet the experts:
Lauren Kanski, CPT, is the creator of Body and Bell on Ladder and WH Advisory Board member.
Renee Peel is a NSCA-certified personal trainer based in New York City.
Winnie Yu, DPT, CPT, is a personal trainer and sports and orthopedic physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments in New York City.

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, whether it’s better to do cardio before or after weight training depends on your goals, according to trainers.

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.

Walking Pad Treadmill for Home

Why trainers love it: “My walking pad has changed the game for me this winter. I’ve been able to log 10,000 steps nearly every day since getting it by hopping on in pockets during the day when I need a mental break—no more cold weather, dark-at-4-p.m. excuses. It’s compact enough to not take up too much apartment space and has a convenient iPad/iPhone stand so I can watch my bad reality TV while I move. Obsessed!”—Jacqueline Andriakos, CPT, WH Executive Health and Fitness Director

Where to start: Consider a cozy cardio routine of walking and watching your fave show, or walk along while you work and use the machine as an under-desk treadmill for multitasking miles.

Level up: Switch from walking to running mode to up the calorie burn and distance traveled. You can cruise along at speeds up to 7.5 mph and try a variety of treadmill workouts for added challenge.

Commercial Series Treadmill 2450 Model

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.

Wave Rower

Why trainers love it: There are 4,000+ 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 and build endurance.

Level up: When you think you’ve got the hang of it, opt for harder drills and higher intensity or longer duration workouts. Before you know it, you’ll knock out a 45-minute row soaking up the scenery of one of the stunning destinations with the motivating Hydrow coaches.

Concept 2 SkiErg

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.

TrueForm Trainer

Why trainers love it: Because it’s a treadmill without (I repeat: without) a motor, 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.

Indoor Cycling Bike

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.

AirBike

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.

RW600 Rower

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. Or, try one of these full rowing machine workouts.

LX

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.

Bike

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.

Max Trainer SE

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 get 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. You can dabble in the Terrain Control Technology, which offers the real-life sensation of climbing hills and valleys along JRNY Explore the World routes.

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.”

Step Machine

Why trainers love it: There is no cheating with this cardio machine. It’s the “climbing version of the Trueform Trainer treadmill,” 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. All benefits that make it well worth the investment and home gym real estate.

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.

FS14i

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, and try these elliptical workouts for added challenge and variety.

Tonal

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,” 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.

At-Home Bike

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 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!”

How Our Team Chose The Best Cardio Machines

For the past four years, Women’s Health editors, including our fitness editor Jennifer Nied and editors/writers Andi Breitowich, Elizabeth Bacharach, Emily J. Shiffer, and Addison Aloian reviewed and sweat-tested the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated cardio machines to update this list. Our team consulted certified personal trainers, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best equipment for a wide range of preferences, goals, and budgets. We also considered key features like storage/size, durability, and built-in and connected workouts.

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