Best Cardio Equipment

NJSunshine13

I tried a new (to me) Precor 546 elliptical trainer today at the gym and it started me thinking ..... I know that's scary, but in your opinion, what is the best piece of cardio equipment to use at the gym. My gym has bicycles, steppers, ellipticals and treadmills. I know weights are important too, but I'm just wondering what gives you the most bang for your time in the cardio equipment.

tinad120

The elliptical and stairmaster have the biggest burns for me.

karensoxfan

I get the highest burn/minute on the rowing machine, but I haven't gone more than 10 min. or so on it.

Stairmaster is probably very high too, but I hate it, so I don't really know.

Elliptical gives me a slightly higher burn than the treadmill (walking). Jogging, they're about the same.

LorinaLynn

They one you like enough to stick with.

I don't care what kind of calorie burns I'd get from an elliptical... I hate it. I'd rather run an hour in the rain than spend three minutes on an elliptical. But I rather like running in the rain.

aaeros

It's all about the effort you put into it.

The elliptical was the best for me, but now that I'm doing C25K on the treadmill, I'm definitely getting more burn there.

IronSmasher

Weights, kettlebells or rowing machine.

MemphisKitten

Stairmaster, if you're talking about a single piece of equipment. But if you want better results, you should circuit train.

IronPlayground

The best one is going to be the one you like the most and will continue to use.

contingencyplan

A jump rope and a good pair of shoes do me better than any large chunk of machinery.

Marc713

Stairmaster, if you're talking about a single piece of equipment. But if you want better results, you should circuit train.

Jump rope is going to burn a ton of calories, but if you mean machines, the Seated Row machine actually burns more as it works way more muscle groups, but she is right about circuit training, it's going to give you better results than just being the scaredy cat that only comes to the gym and uses one piece of cardio equipment then leaves.

m_shuman

It all in what you enjoy doing. My favorite cardio machine is a spin bike. I am a little partial to this piece of equipment though, because I am a spin instructor.

Fitwam

I really mix it up!! What can I say? I like variety
Some days...I will do the elliptical...some days the bike....others stair master!

Nothing beats a run outdoors..but I can't do that anymore!

Main thing for me is to keep my body guessing. I like the comments about curcuit training too.

One time I made 4 little stations including weights, kettle bells, ball and jump rope. 30 sec per station, different body parts worked, 30 sec rest in between stations..for three times. It was a GREAT calorie burn!

have fun with it! :flowerforyou:

blakejohn

a good pair of running shoes

NJSunshine13

Stairmaster, if you're talking about a single piece of equipment. But if you want better results, you should circuit train.

Jump rope is going to burn a ton of calories, but if you mean machines, the Seated Row machine actually burns more as it works way more muscle groups, but she is right about circuit training, it's going to give you better results than just being the scaredy cat that only comes to the gym and uses one piece of cardio equipment then leaves.

Wow I guess you have seen me at the gym then ..... that's me. I slink in, use my one piece of equipment and slink out. Everything else is too intimidating to me. I see people doing all this fun stuff, but I don't want to look like a fool. I guess it's time I talk to one of the trainers there and get me set up with some program. Thanks for the kick in the *kitten* and eye opener. My next post would have been why am I not getting to my goal.

scorpio516

Rower, hands down.

olerolls

I see people doing all this fun stuff, but I don't want to look like a fool. I guess it's time I talk to one of the trainers there and get me set up with some program. Thanks for the kick in the *kitten* and eye opener. My next post would have been why am I not getting to my goal.

Good for you for deciding to have someone get you set up with a program and learn how to use more machines.

And quit it with that negative self-talk! For one, most people are not paying NEARLY as much attention to us as we like to think they are so the chance that anyone is going to think you look like a fool is minimal. Further, if you look at people doing other things and think it looks like they are having fun, why would you assume other people would look at you and think you look a fool instead of like you're having fun? You're being too hard on yourself! Everyone at that gym was a beginner at some point. I don't think most people are nearly as judgmental as we tell ourselves they are. For me, that was just one more excuse I was giving myself to avoid getting really serious about getting healthy. Once I committed and did it, I found that my fears were exactly that - MY fears, not reality.

Go for it!

BrianSharpe

They one you like enough to stick with.

I don't care what kind of calorie burns I'd get from an elliptical... I hate it. I'd rather run an hour in the rain than spend three minutes on an elliptical. But I rather like running in the rain.

^^^This & I love running in the rain (& snow)

Having said that if I had to pick one machine that gives the best all 'round results it would be a rower, great cardio and a full body workout. If you do decide to try out a rowing machine focus on developing good stroke mechanics and form as your first priority.

contingencyplan

A herding breed dog

wackyfunster

Running shoes.

meshashesha2012

my favorites are the versaclimber, the rowing machine, the stairmaster, treadmill and spin bike.. pretty much anything not the elliptical

bufger

if i go to the gym I do 15-30 mins of weights
20 mins speed walking on the treadmill
30 mins on the stationary bike
10 mins stationary rowing

If I have a training day at home i do a mix up of punchbag, jump rope and weights.