Sometimes, life just gets too busy to go to the gym. Your excuses build up as you go farther and farther away from your fitness goals. The gym is too far away, you say.
I know how much of a hassle it is to commute from work to your gym when all you want to do is plop down on your couch and watch TV. Of course, this is the easy way out, and you’re starting to realize that maybe it’s time to start getting serious about wanting to lose weight.
What better way to have zero excuses than to bring the gym to your own home?
If you’ve decided that you really prefer indoor running, cycling, or whatever exercise you prefer, then for you, I have a list of some of the best exercise machines for weight loss. These are generally cardio machines and consist of examples such as; rowing machines which offer a great cardio workout amongst other equipment for weight loss.
Best Exercise Machines For Weight Loss Compared and Reviewed
| Image | Name | Brand | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top | Horizon Fitness T101 Advanced Treadmill | Horizon Fitness | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine | Sunny Health & Fitness | Check Price on Amazon |
 | NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle | NordicTrack | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine Rower w/ LCD Monitor | Sunny Health & Fitness | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Bowflex Home Gym | Bowflex | Check Price on Amazon |
#1 - Horizon Fitness T101 Advanced Treadmill
Its speed range, or the speed at which you can walk or run on this treadmill, is from 0.5 to 10 mph. This is most probably enough for home workouts!
You can incline this treadmill up to 10 percent. It also includes a Bluetooth option that connects your phone or any device to their built-in speakers. Pretty cool!
It also features a fan, a tablet rack for when you want to watch your favorite series while walking or running, and a water bottle holder. It basically has all the things you need in a treadmill to help you burn calories.
Users especially love how quiet this machine runs, which is quite rare for a treadmill in this moderate price range. You can also easily fold the treadmill to save yourself some space.
You know the treadmill is for you if you like walking and feeling a bit freer than, say, lifting weights. Walking or running is also great cardio, which will help you increase your cardiovascular fitness and eventually lose weight!
PROS
- Bluetooth option to connect a device with built-in speakers
- Good for those who love running or walking
- Foldable for saving space
CONS
- Takes quite a bit of space unfolded
#2 - Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine
Sunny Health & Fitness has always provided low-priced exercise machines that might be great for someone only beginning to build their home gym and is unsure if they will be able to commit in the first place.
Their SF-E905 gives you all the basics of an elliptical machine at a relatively lower price. It features a digital monitor that displays your time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse.
I love when machines have time or distance displays because they can be very helpful in measuring your progress. You can increase your time or distance every week whilst using this machine whilst burning fat across your entire body.
If you’re going for heart rate training, their handlebars also have pulse sensors! Don’t worry about going too intense; the handlebars and footpads have increased safety with their anti-slip features.
If it’s too easy for you, you can easily adjust the resistance by 8 levels and get that intensity you want. Overall, it’s a neat compact little machine that will get you moving at the safety of your own home.
PROS
- Elliptical works your upper and lower body
- Great machine for beginners
- Relatively lower price
- Digital monitor displays your time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse
CONS
- Not too challenging for those with higher fitness levels
- This particular elliptical might not be great for taller users
#3 - NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle
If you’re down to sweat and sweat a lot, cycling is a great option for you. The NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle is a great exercise bike for those willing to shell out a little bit more money.
Purchasing this machine automatically gives you a 1-year iFit membership, which consists of cycling workouts where trainers digitally adjust your incline and speed. They sometimes do it to imitate real-life terrain.
This membership also includes workouts off the bike, which is great! You actually get an Android tablet with this exercise bike, making it quite a luxurious machine.
With the display, you’ll also be able to see clear stats — heart rate, elevation, and intensity — on a graph. With its -10 to 20 percent incline, you can increase your intensity by a lot. It also has a weight capacity of 350 pounds. You’ll get a 10-year warranty, too.
If you’re serious about building that home gym, this machine might just be perfect for you. You’ll get perks from both the bike and the workouts from the iFit membership.
PROS
- Cycling is great for weight loss
- Displays clear stats
- 1-year iFit membership includes workouts both on and off the bike
CONS
- Pricey
#4 - Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine Rower w/ LCD Monitor
I especially think that the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine is a great deal for its price and its function. If you’re looking for a rowing machine with a lower price, this one might be great for you.
There are 8 levels of resistance for this rowing machine, so if you want an extra challenge, you can crank it up a notch. It can also slide you up to 48 inches, accommodating almost anyone of any size.
It’s easy to move around too. It has transportation wheels which is especially important if you have to store this away or move to and from your exercise space.
Once you’re settled, though, it is solid. It has non-slip foot pedals so you can go all out safely. It also has an LCD monitor that shows strokes, time, and calories. No distance, though.
The only problem with this is how often I hear from users that their rowing machine broke down after only a few months. Although calling up the company will most probably get you a replacement, it’s still a hassle.
PROS
- Rowing machine is great for a whole body exercise
- 8 levels of resistance for an extra challenge
- LCD monitor
CONS
- Users have reported their machines breaking down
#5 - Bowflex Home Gym
Most home gyms have weights and equipment for resistance training, like the Bowflex Home Gym.
What I really like about this particular machine is that it has weights or resistance that can accommodate almost all levels of fitness, ranging from 5 pounds to 210 pounds. If that’s not enough for you, you can upgrade to 310 pounds.
This machine can really give you the full experience, from its roller cushions for your leg extensions to your resistance bands for your upper body. All these provide you with over 50 exercises to experiment with.
You can also see the durability of this machine from the steel frame alone. It really is an investment, and it’s something you’ll need to research more about for this high price. Overall, it’s worth the money if it means getting you more fit.
PROS
- Durable
- Can accommodate almost all levels of fitness
- Multi-gym or home gyms can give you a full-body workout and multiple options for exercises
CONS
- Pricey
My Number One Pick
- 3-Zone variable response cushioning
- Feather light folding
- Bluetooth enabled.Deck Thickness:0.7 inch
- Built-in speakers, energy saver mode, fan, tablet rack, water bottle holder
- 10 speed keys & 10 incline keys, quick program keys, Durable, 2.5 CHP motor runs at lower RPMs to minimize noise and increase efficiency
What To Look Out For When Buying Exercise Machines For Weight Loss
When buying any kind of gym equipment or cardio machines, you have to keep in mind what exactly is your purpose, and what are your preferences.
Do you like running? Are you into home workouts? Are you searching for a new exercise regime? All of these will come into play when buying exercise or cardio machines for weight loss.
Type of Exercise
The first thing I think you should consider is the type of exercise you actually like. I, for one, love running, so a treadmill is definitely a great choice cardio machine for me. It can save me so much time and can protect me during bad weather.
In order to know what type of exercise you actually like, you might want to start at the very basics first without any expensive gym equipment or cardio machines.
For example, if you’re eyeing a home gym for its resistance workouts, maybe try buying a resistance band first and doing bodyweight exercises with it.
If you’re eyeing a cycling machine, maybe try biking outside first and see how you like it. The NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle can wait, but it’s a great choice if you eventually decide to get a cycling machine. (It’s quite expensive, though.)
The bottom line is that you want to experience the basics of certain exercises first before deciding which cardio machines would be best suited for you.
Fitness Level
Another thing you want to think about is your fitness level. Some machines are built more for beginner to intermediate levels, while some are more advanced.
Although the machines I have picked here can accommodate almost all fitness levels, you still have to consider your fitness level when choosing the variation of each machine. Most of the time, brands will have more advanced machines at higher price points.
There will most likely be ways to make these machines more challenging for you, though. Certain machines will have “levels” to it, such as the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine which has 8 levels of resistance.
Either way, if you’re a beginner, I would highly recommend trying out home exercises first before venturing into the expensive world of gym machines. If you’re willing to spend that money, however, go for it!
Storage
Storage is actually quite an important thing to consider for people who live in smaller apartments. You want to have a machine that will easily fold up or at least something that is easy to move around.
Treadmills will usually have the folding treadmill option, such as the Horizon Fitness T101 Advanced Treadmill. This is a really great option if you need to store your machine away quickly.
Price
Exercise machines can be really pricey. Certain brands like Sunny Health & Fitness can give you machines at lower price points, but reviews showing durability issues can get you second-guessing.
Higher price points might provide you with better materials and more options in your workouts. However, if you just want a machine that gets the job done without the fancy extra apps or memberships, lower prices might be best for you.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 is a great exercise machine at a lower price point. It gives you a full-body workout with great features for beginners to intermediate.
Versatility
To me, versatile machines will give you the best bang for the buck. Being able to do tons of exercises in just one machine is rare.
Multi-gym machines are mostly what offers several different exercises, giving you a full-body workout. The Bowflex Home Gym does this well, with over 50 exercises that you can do with it.
You want versatility because you want a machine that won’t bore you. You want something that will constantly challenge you and your fitness level!
Frequently Asked Questions On Exercise Machines For Weight Loss
Q: Is there one best machine specifically for weight loss?
A: I don’t believe so! Just like for any kind of exercise with or without machines, weight loss is a side effect of your fitness journey and cannot be targeted specifically by any machine. You might even find machines that require the least amount of effort from you, claiming that it is effective for weight loss. You’re smarter than that, though! Don’t fall into those claims.
Q: Is an exercise machine better than going to the gym?
A: It’s all up to preference. I personally like going to the gym because of the multitude of options it has for me. All the machines are there! However, I also sometimes hate the hassle of going to the gym and would just love to do home workouts. If you’re like this, exercise machines would be a great investment.
Q: What fitness level is great for exercise machines?
A: Any fitness level is appropriate for exercise machines, but I would recommend exploring the world of fitness before deciding on spending your money on these. Try to get a feel of your preferences without any fancy equipment (or, at least, go try the equipment at the gym). Remember that these are cardio machines that rely on your cardiovascular endurance and fitness, so the more you increase that, the better and further you will go on these pieces of equipment.
Conclusion
Exercise machines are great for weight loss and for improving your fitness levels. There are some machines that are better than others, though, especially for your personal preferences. Try exploring some of them by going to your local gym.
Building your own home gym is an investment that really will pay itself off if you have the discipline.
You’ll definitely be shelling out some money, but if that’s the price to pay for the convenience of a gym at your own home and a healthier lifestyle, then maybe it’s worth it! Exercise machines are not for everyone, though. If you’re only beginning to work out, maybe try doing bodyweight exercises first which require little equipment. Maybe try running outside first.
The idea is to understand what kind of exercises you enjoy. You might not even need exercise machines to lose weight in the first place! Remember that gym and fitness experience is always going to be your friend when it comes to gym equipment. Know what you’re going to expect and read the reviews before deciding on your purchase!
If you want to avoid big purchases, check out our post on the intense sweat exercises to do to lose weight at home.
Check out these home gym essentials and home gym equipment if you’re looking to further build your home gym. If you’re more of a walker, these treadmills for walking are a great option as well. And we’ve done another four more reviews on elliptical machines here if you like those. Check these workout machines that are focused on both weight loss and strength, if that’s your goal.
Make sure you set your home gym up with some foam mats as well if you’re putting this in your actual house/apartment to prevent any scratching and tearing. And most importantly, remember to have fun and enjoy it. That’s how you form discipline to keep going!
Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.
