The Best Cardio Machine For You

It's winter time in Michigan.  Swimming, bicycling, hiking, and running are no longer possible.  Now is the time to make a new playlist on the iPhone and exercise indoors on a cardiovascular machine.

Working out on a cardio machine is a good way to maintain fitness and stay energized throughout the winter.


Cardio machines are designed to get your heart rate up.  They also strengthen lungs, assist with weight loss, and improve energy and sleep.  ABT

Exercising on a cardio machine will warm your entire body.  You can shed your layers of clothes and move freely on a machine without worrying about slipping on ice.  Stiff muscles will loosen up and sweating will make you forget how cold it is outside.  

Popular cardio machines include the treadmill, elliptical, stair climber, rowing machine and stationary bike.  But which one do you choose?  What is best for you?

Of course the real answer is to pick the machine that you like the best.  It might take a few tries to find an indoor workout you love, but don't give up:  you might just find your new favorite activity.    

The amount of calories you burn during exercise depends on how hard you work, how efficient you are at the exercise, and how much you weigh.  Beginners will burn more calories than someone who has trained her muscles.  The heavier you are, the more weight you'll burn.  The intensity of your workout also impacts the amount of calories you burn.  NBC News


Cardio Machine Summary

Treadmill

• Burns the most calories - A 150-lb person running at 10 minutes per mile for 30 minutes will burn about 300 calories  LiveStrong

• Walking and running are weight-bearing exercises that burn more calories than non-weight bearing exercises such as the stationary bike NBC News

• Involves all the major muscles of the body 

• Strengthens legs and glutes  Healthy Living

• Most versatile (run/walk, incline, speed)

• Need ability to maintain balance 

Elliptical

• Burns a lot of calories - A 150-lb woman working at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes will burn between 250 and 300 calories  LiveStrong

• Low impact on joints because feet stay still on the gliding platforms 

• Strengthens legs, chest, shoulders, back and arms (if moving handles are used)  LiveStrong

Stair Climber

• Burns a lot of calories - A 150-lb person working at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes will burn about 240 calories on the StairMaster

• Climbing stairs puts all of your body weight on a single leg at a time in a lunge pattern

• Strengthens lower body including quads, glutes, calves and hamstrings

• Low impact on joints LiveStrong

• Leaning on the handrails while you step will make your workouts easier but reduce the number of calories burned  LiveStrong

Rowing Machine

• Burns a lot of calories - A 155-lb person working at moderate intensity for 30 minutes will burn about 288 calories  Rowing Machine King

• Provides a full workout for your upper and lower body Self

• Low impact on joints NBC News

• Strengthens legs, hips, upper back, and arm muscles LiveStrong

• Engages core abdominal muscles to support and protect your back  WebMD

• Requires coordination to push with legs while pulling with arms

• Don't use if you have back issues WebMD

Stationary Bike

• Burns a lot of calories - A 155-lb person pedaling at moderate intensity for 30 minutes will burn about 260 calories  Bike Indoor

• Strengthens legs, glutes, core and hip muscles  LiveStrong

• Low impact on joints

• Good choice if you have back, hip or knee pain, or lower-body injuries WebMD