Which cardio machine?

sarahlouise7

Hi, Just wondering which is best for weight loss ... Cross trainer, treadmill (walking only) or rowing machine? I can't do anything that's to much impact on my joints but looking to buy a new machine.... What do you all think is best? Thanks x

livingleanlivingclean

Calorie deficit is best for weight loss.

As for exercise, do the one you enjoy the most, that puts the least pressure on your joints.

sarahlouise7

I currently follow Weight Watchers so want to add a little exercise to help. Thank you

Emily3907

I am going to say a rower. I would LOVE to have a rower, just don't have the space. The benefit of a rower over the others is you get the cardio aspect, but also you burn calories much faster, you use your whole body and you get some muscle toning benefits as well.

LKArgh

Whatever you like and will use the most. Or just go for a walk around the neighbourhood.

sarahlouise7

Thanks everyone.... Walking round neighbour hood is not an option due to disability.... I'll get so far then not have strength to get home so it has to be a stationary machine for home use. I have treadmill that I used to use for running before I got ill but haven't used it for months so guess I'll rule that out.... I'm swinging to a rower but wouldn't rule out cross trainer..... In time I'll invest in both but was just curious what you all thought would be best one to get

Rdsgoal16

I got a stationary recumbent bike, I used to be a runner (want to be one again) with my weight my back was hurting when I would walk, after 25 pounds the back in well "back" in shape and I am walking, it was a great tool for me I put it in place of a recliner in front of the TV.

kshama2001

Emily3907 wrote: »

I am going to say a rower. I would LOVE to have a rower, just don't have the space. The benefit of a rower over the others is you get the cardio aspect, but also you burn calories much faster, you use your whole body and you get some muscle toning benefits as well.

I love to row but since I developed knee issues in 2009, it hasn't loved me. The OP mentioned joint issues.

kshama2001

sarahlouise7 wrote: »

Thanks everyone.... Walking round neighbour hood is not an option due to disability.... I'll get so far then not have strength to get home so it has to be a stationary machine for home use. I have treadmill that I used to use for running before I got ill but haven't used it for months so guess I'll rule that out.... I'm swinging to a rower but wouldn't rule out cross trainer..... In time I'll invest in both but was just curious what you all thought would be best one to get

Why not just walk on the treadmill rather than running?

sarahlouise7

Thanks guys.... Hmmm yes I do have a knee injury too but rowing has never hurt it before so should be ok.

I did state above in OP that treadmill can now only be used for walking. The reason I ruled it out is that it's been sat there all this time and ive not used it so prob isn't my number 1 choice . Thanks everyone

LKArgh

sarahlouise7 wrote: »

Thanks guys.... Hmmm yes I do have a knee injury too but rowing has never hurt it before so should be ok.

I did state above in OP that treadmill can now only be used for walking. The reason I ruled it out is that it's been sat there all this time and ive not used it so prob isn't my number 1 choice . Thanks everyone

What makes you think you would use any other machine? Honest question, not everyone likes machines.

RowingBill

I bought a rower end of November thinking it would be easy on the joints esp the knees. Although the knee joint repeatedly moves while rowing it is easier on the joint than jogging/running. I can't say I really like the machine but I know it is giving me a good cardio workout. I use it daily and would recommend it to anyone who want's to avoid the pounding on knees. Best of luck to you.

MissTattoo

I wouldn't say there is a best machine. A calorie burn is a calorie burn. You can burn 500 calories on the Elliptical and 500 calories on a stationary bike. It just depends on what you like to do. ^_^

ew_david

aggelikik wrote: »

sarahlouise7 wrote: »

Thanks guys.... Hmmm yes I do have a knee injury too but rowing has never hurt it before so should be ok.

I did state above in OP that treadmill can now only be used for walking. The reason I ruled it out is that it's been sat there all this time and ive not used it so prob isn't my number 1 choice . Thanks everyone

What makes you think you would use any other machine? Honest question, not everyone likes machines.

Truth. There isn't any cardio machine I like enough to recommend, but I don't like cardio in general so...

However, since everyone has different likes and dislikes, I'll say the stationary bike, since I rode it last night and it didn't make me want to kill myself.

Will210

Step Mill - it's the ultimate for cardio machines. It looks like a mini escalator. The cool thing is you don't have to go at a fast rate to be covered in sweat after 30 minutes. I don't consider it high impact on knees unless you have issues with stairs.

kshama2001

Will210 wrote: »

Step Mill - it's the ultimate for cardio machines. It looks like a mini escalator. The cool thing is you don't have to go at a fast rate to be covered in sweat after 30 minutes. I don't consider it high impact on knees unless you have issues with stairs.

By the nature of climbing, stairs are hard on knees.

http://livehealthy.chron.com/stair-climbers-good-knees-3347.html

Stair climbers provide you with a cardiovascular workout that helps to strengthen the muscles of your legs that surround your knee joints. The workout these machines provide, however, isn't for people who are just beginning an exercise regimen, according to the American Council on Exercise. For the untrained knees, starting off with a stair climber can cause pain and injury. This is because stair climbers place stress on the joints of both knees, despite the relative low-impact nature of stair climbing. Using a stair climber can be especially damaging if you have a preexisting knee condition such as arthritis or degenerative joint problems.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/362729-weight-on-knees-during-stair-climbing/

You put as much as three to eight times your total body weight in pressure on your knees when going up stairs. The bulk of the pressure is placed on the plateau on which the knee rests. Because of the angle at which you move your knees to ascend a set of stairs, the friction places more weight on the knees at more varying angles than most high intensity sports, according to the Queens University.

cwolfman13

Do whatever you enjoy. your calorie burn is not a derivative of what machine you are using but rather the effort you're putting into the work combined with duration.

That said, keep in mind that your consumption is going to have a far greater impact on weight loss than what exercise you're doing. Regular exercise has the added benefit of making weight management in general easier because you can consume more than a sedentary individual and accomplish the same goals...but exercise doesn't inherently default to losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. You can do all of the exercise in the world, but if your consumption meets or exceeds your expenditure, you're not going to lose weight.

OyGeeBiv

sarahlouise7 wrote: »

Thanks everyone.... Walking round neighbour hood is not an option due to disability.... I'll get so far then not have strength to get home

If you can walk (for instance) a mile but not more, walk half a mile, then head toward home. Or walk up and down your driveway, or pace in front of your house.

Slowly build up your stamina, if possible.

Islandgirl52

Rowing machine- I found is the best - and low impact....

sarahlouise7

[="aggelikik;35029960"]

sarahlouise7 wrote: »

Thanks guys.... Hmmm yes I do have a knee injury too but rowing has never hurt it before so should be ok.

I did state above in OP that treadmill can now only be used for walking. The reason I ruled it out is that it's been sat there all this time and ive not used it so prob isn't my number 1 choice . Thanks everyone

What makes you think you would use any other machine? Honest question, not everyone likes machines.[/quote]

Before I became ill I used to love the gym and worked out daily .... But I can't remember which machine gave best burn so thought I'd ask if anyone recommended a particular machine. A treadmill don't do it for me as I loved to run not walk and to be honest Id rather a machine that did upper and lower. Thanks for your input.

sarahlouise7

Thank you everyone for your replies and input.... I will take on board all your comments. Thanks again

Will210

kshama2001 wrote: »

Will210 wrote: »

Step Mill - it's the ultimate for cardio machines. It looks like a mini escalator. The cool thing is you don't have to go at a fast rate to be covered in sweat after 30 minutes. I don't consider it high impact on knees unless you have issues with stairs.

By the nature of climbing, stairs are hard on knees.

http://livehealthy.chron.com/stair-climbers-good-knees-3347.html

Stair climbers provide you with a cardiovascular workout that helps to strengthen the muscles of your legs that surround your knee joints. The workout these machines provide, however, isn't for people who are just beginning an exercise regimen, according to the American Council on Exercise. For the untrained knees, starting off with a stair climber can cause pain and injury. This is because stair climbers place stress on the joints of both knees, despite the relative low-impact nature of stair climbing. Using a stair climber can be especially damaging if you have a preexisting knee condition such as arthritis or degenerative joint problems.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/362729-weight-on-knees-during-stair-climbing/

You put as much as three to eight times your total body weight in pressure on your knees when going up stairs. The bulk of the pressure is placed on the plateau on which the knee rests. Because of the angle at which you move your knees to ascend a set of stairs, the friction places more weight on the knees at more varying angles than most high intensity sports, according to the Queens University.

Both articles are not related to the step mill. The first article is based on the old stair master which leaves the user in a stationary position. The 2nd is based on using normal stairs which are fixed. You don't leave the same footprint on a step mill as you would a fixed stair.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/140194-the-benefits-stairmaster-stepmill/

Physiologic Benefits

The Stepmill makes the user work hard without being hard on the user. The stepping motion incurs less impact than a treadmill, but with higher cardiovascular results. The thoughtfully designed handrails provide a safe grip should a misstep occur, but don't allow you to cheat by leaning on them. The actual stepping motion forces the foot to remain mostly flat while climbing, versus the pedal format, which does not require the foot to leave the pedal. The stepping motion uses nearly every leg muscle.

holothuroidea

The one you like the best and do the most consistently will be best for you.

I like the bike. I'm a tortoise and I like my cardio to be long and leisurely. If you'd rather power through it, the rower might be your thing. Try them all out and see what you like.

I don't know what's going on with ellipticals, though, their purpose mystifies me.

BrianSharpe

If i was going to buy just one machine it would be a rower (I use mine 3 or 4 times weekly as x-training) . if you do get a rower consider a Concept2. They're a little pricier but they're the gold standard, there's a reason that rowing clubs, universities etc etc etc use them (and they're not made in China.....)