The Best Overall Cardio Machine

In this QUAH Sal, Adam, & Justin answer the question “I want to get a machine for cardio. Between the treadmill, elliptical, rower or bike. What machine would be the most beneficial for workouts, HIIT and overall health”
If you would like to get your own question answered, follow us on Instagram where we post QUAH requests weekly.
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Video - • #1269: Best Overall Ca...
“The Best Overall Cardio Machine”
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[@MrMaccntosh7up]

My 2 favorite after my spinal cord injury are the Rower & the Assault Bike. The low Impact full body cardio workout

[@roberthagler6260]

Stairclimber is the best for me. It gets the heart rate up and burns a good chunk of calories in a quick amount of time.

[@Sam-dc9bg]

It's funny because if most viewers picked any cardio machine and stuck with it they would be in much better shape.

[@karechim3620]

As a trainer my self who emphasize more on joint safety, I would go with elliptical and stationary bike.

[@HagakureJunkie]

I used to row for hours and hours a week in college. Rowers are great if you're already in decent shape. As a heavy man, stick to bikes. I can walk 8 miles a day...for three days. Then my feet are broken, callused and sore and affect my leg workouts and I need days off. Airbike (assault bike) is the best for cardio. It does not hurt your joints, it does not impact your body. You have to think about what it will be like to log 20 hours a month on this machine. Rower will hurt your back after a while, the tops of your feet will get chafed from the foot straps, your arms will get sore, your lower back will be in pain. If you want something you can do day in and day out and it won't hurt the rest of your life or make you weaker in the gym, get an airbike

[@TheTehrancarroll]

Rower hands down….to build and tone both upper and lower body. Assault bike gives you that full body too! All forms are great really but most are lower body centric. Rower’s bodies are very lean and muscular. The exact body type people who watch this channel want. The proof is in the pudding. There’s a reason why The CrossFit crowd covets the rowing machine.

[@oscarbear7498]

Running outside is still GOAT

[@0x9bh47]

Facts

[@twelvemonks]

not for my knees :(

[@blastofo]

Its good if you're young and don't get shin splints. You're also beholden to weather conditions. And if you don't have a trail and are running on sidewalks, you gotta stop at intersections and deal with drivers giving you the right hook.

[@oscarbear7498]

@@blastofo shin splits is from "scientifically proven & improved running shoes "... take a flat shoe, no heel, no arch to run. Train your tibialis muscles with a tib trainer. That's your solution to shin splints, your welcome

[@Eons000]

Yep. Hill Sprints are actually the top.

[@gabrielknight5726]

The thumbnail made me think Joe Gatto from impractical jokers was talking

[@Thomas5792]

I love the rower

[@alphabanks]

For me it's all about the best piece of gear that will fit in my garage. I would love a treadmill most likely I will end up with a spin or exercise bike due to space.

[@ChristIsL0rd]

Stairmaster is easily the best

[@Zach39107]

Oh definitely. It burns the most calories BY FAR

[@sean4hero340]

My feet too big for it unfortunately

[@EriveFilms]

@@Zach39107 Not really, go for a sprint on a treadmill

[@EriveFilms]

Or row. Rowing is very challenging when done properly

[@PvzLovesMinecraft]

@@EriveFilms incline

[@verbon47]

Rower is better but aight, running can literally be done outside for free

[@Matty-fl2tu]

Rower is the easy winner, activates the most muscle groups at once, probably burns a little less calories than running at the same required time, however Rowing will burn more calories over the longer period cause muscle burns fat and throughout the day rowing prolongs calorie burn more than running, rowing is 87% of all muscles combine with pushups then it's 100% 👌

[@dr.brianjudedelimaphd743]

Agreed and I think this was proven correct on several other videos on YT ...

[@w-james9277]

Iv been using the rower for two years and it's by far my favourite cardio machine. But they’re not for everyone so people need to choose the cardio they enjoy the most. As long as people do their cardio (whatever form it is) then that’s what’s important.

[@blastofo]

My gym doesn't have rowing machines unfortunately. Plus I don't have a butt and any sit down machines like stationary bike hurt my bottom. Not a problem riding a real bike when you're horizontal and have better weight distribution.

[@johnmaguire3608]

I broke my foot a long time ago and it didn't heal right. The elliptical is no impact and causes no pain.

[@anarchisttutor7423]

Treadmill + standing desk = most productive. When not working, you put some lightweight dumbells in your hands and you're working more muscles. You can put a band around your back and do "pushups" if wanted. I'm trying to find something quiet and that keeps my head relatively still so I can do Skype calls while exercising without the other person hearing anything.

[@austindukes1089]

Manual curved treadmill with resistance options cant beat it!! The burn is insane!

[@vaccinatedanti-vaxxer]

Stationary bike because u can watch tv or read or do pretty much the same leisure activity while burning fat. A long bike workout feels short, barely an inconvenience. Rower youre just counting down the seconds until youre done. Treadmill is great but expensive and need a lot of space plus i probably cant repair it and noisy, cant do much except listen to music. Stairmaster is exhausting but good for short exercise.

[@kevinsanmateo4781]

Stairmaster > treadmill ...more calories burnt and you don’t burn your thighs from like you would walking on the treadmill too long . Also less blisters on stairmaster ....

[@TimpBizkit]

I think for me it does something that I can't find easily out in the world - e.g. very long flights of stairs. I have miles and miles of roads I can run and cycle on but stair training you have to keep going back down again, though time trialing up 20 Fenchurch Street in London for Great Ormond Street Hospital was 7-8 straight minutes of full on huffing and puffing. Plus you get to look down on the streets and see everyone like ants.

[@HerbSterbermerbler]

Plus you can get your heart rate higher much more easily.

[@blove9415]

@@TimpBizkityou either don’t live in the city or you live in the city and choose to take elevators because in the city here there are stairs everywhere

[@michaelbuettner1487]

@@TimpBizkit How many minutes do you recommend?

[@dansutton1975]

The one guy says the bike is better if you have bad knees. I respectfully disagree, the bike would kill my knee, and the rower does not at all.

[@Sovnarkom]

bikes suck for me too but then I went to a gym where the trainer adjusted the bike to match my dimensions and my knee felt fine. Not all spin bikes are adjustable and the time it takes to adjust isn’t worth the effort in a gym setting. I still go with the row but I know that bikes can hypothetically be low impact:

[@rickyaarroyo]

Elliptical is the best

[@blastofo]

The low impact is great. But you start to consciously or subconsciously move slower as you get tired, unlike the treadmill or stairmaster where the pace is set and you have to keep up. Its harder to track your improvement without the consistent speed.

[@redfitclub2396]

I would suggest the Independent Stair Climbing Machine (StairMaster 4000 PT) because it is safe, it doesn't place less stress on the joints and it is both Aerobic and Anaerobic technology equipment !

[@jasonhicks3364]

In order of effectiveness 1.Rower 2.Rower 3.Rower 4.Rower

[@cliffcox7643]

Assault bike. And you can use assault bike for cardio and HIIT.

[@edgar3685]

I go for anything with low impact.

[@Himothy704]

Treadmill walk on 7% incline is the perfect low impact cardio.

[@joe1071]

Assault bike/airdyne, row ergometer, ski ergometer, stairmaster, treadmill. All great, all can be modified for intensity. Choose the one you like best, and that will be the best one for you since you will be more likely to do it. For example, I think the row ergometer probably the best overall, but I dread using it, so I do t very often, and it is therefore not the best one for me. For treadmill and stairmaster, consider incorporating upper body by adding light dumbbells. It’s an old school “heavy hands” technique a physician recommended back in the 70s or 80s? I prefer walking on treadmill, with an incline (mine maxes at 10% and that’s where I usually use it) and I can stay in zone 2 HR with lower impact than running. Add 3-5lb dumbbells or heavier depending on how long you’re going for, and you’ve got fully body cardio. And once per week you can crank up the speed and run 1 min, 2 min intervals or whatever higher intensity intervals you want. Pretty effective piece of equipment

[@ioanbalint4039]

the best overall in mai opinion when wee speak about cardio is Rogue echo bike... or air dine assault bike...sor skip rope also...

[@goddessvibes2345]

My instructor said that, in order to tone and lose weight, the best machines are the rowing machine because it works every muscle in the body and its high-intensity. And, also the cross trainer set on high intensity. He said the treadmill is ok but it's better to run or walk outside because the way the machine works requires you to do less intensity. Basically it's easier to run on a treadmill than it is running outside

[@BXBZ88]

Please don't take this as a dig but there is no push (Chest, front delt, triceps) on a rower. That's where it is lacking.

[@AlexM-oq5el]

​@BXBZ88 That's a great thing to consider, rowing machines are great but not perfect. Gotta fill in the gaps.

[@Magnulus76]

@@BXBZ88 Yes, and that's where the elliptical is slightly better. It seems to exercise everything. An elliptical cross trainer is capable of making me the most sore all over, of all the machines, if I crank up the intensity.

[@miguelmenendez2108]

Treadmill is probably most versatile for the average ppl, elliptical or assault bike are probably better for use of full body and muscle retention and low impact for the joints like he said. Just move and be safe

[@michaeloehler8298]

I have to say that Airdyne bike tabatas is the hardest HIIT I've found. But seriously, let me know if you have any other suggestions!!! I'm looking for serious cardio conditioning.

[@vgman94]

Have you tried Laddermills?

[@sean4hero340]

Does anyone else have a issue with feet to big for steps on stair master

[@TheTehrancarroll]

Yupppp, almost more comfortable to walk diagonally or sideways…with my size 14 flippers

[@machinayrequiem8596]

@@TheTehrancarroll I wear a size 9.5 and my feet are still too big.

[@TheTehrancarroll]

@@machinayrequiem8596 🤦🏽‍♂️….my only complaint with the Staitrmaster

[@cameronmcgill5693]

Assault bike, if done right, is the hardest workout

[@nk2012]

Imo the commercial Versaclimber

[@lpgoog]

Bow flex Max Trainer series. Low impact & fairly compact.

[@MidwestPyro55]

Vertical climber is the best cardio machine. Total body and burns the most calories

[@marzero116]

For low impact and max calories and simple is elliptical

[@MindPumpShow]

👍

[@anthonybutler2001]

Elliptical by far the best

[@EIonMusk1]

🤣

[@dannyklesh]

Rower activates the mowt muscles and is the least pressure on joints therefore its the best

[@limitisillusion7]

But your joints are designed to be used. We evolved for walking and running.

[@nasty5-oh893]

Stair master after being in my late 30s my bones are happy.

[@MarkSmithhhh]

Not even a question, stairmaster hands down...that thing will give you cardio, burn fat efficiently, and your ass/legs will be on fire when youre done....youll get a sold cardio/lower body workout in 20 mkn

[@thedscale]

Elliptical!

[@MindPumpShow]

👍

[@Magnulus76]

With the exception of battle ropes, none of those alternative cardio exercises are low impact. And that's why machines still have value: you can get a high intensity workout without high intensity joint stress.

[@ramd9532]

Treadmill is ok for some people. I'm a bit older so sometimes my joints and knees are sore.

[@vstags]

Versaclimber needs a mention here

[@TimpBizkit]

Arm and leg recumbent bike. Cranked it at 275 watts for an hour.

[@pookz3067]

High efficiency and intensity is usually not the goal if you can only buy one piece ofcardio equipment, it’s versatility in how hard you can target your cardio specifically is more important I think. If you only do cardio, you usually have a specific task you want to get better at, in which you practice that, or you just want cardio health, in which case the least taxing thing for a given heart rate (running for most I think) for steady state is the way to go, even if just for ease of motivation purposes. For most of us, we care about strength, muscular endurance, and cardio. In this case, it’s typically far more efficient to do specific exercises that target each. For example, if I focus on having a strength routine with some muscular endurance mixed in. I can then spend hours watching stuff, reading stuff on my erg bike while maintaining a good good steady state heart rate and still recover well many days of the week! This kind of thing is invaluable to consider when programming for cardio-reduction of intensity in the moment and allowing for better recover of muscles while still targeting cardio can lead to more overall gains from your other workouts. I like things like the rogue bike for gpp phases and testing gpp, which I also find more efficient personally to program into a separate phase

[@JasonBuckman]

What about the lateral trainer or something like Jacob's Ladder?

[@jonnyfish76]

Bowflex Max Trainer is a beast.

[@bmp713]

I agree but if you have foot problems preventing impact exercise its near impossible to do HIIT without a machine. Anyone have ideas for low impact exercises to reach max heart rate with no machines?

[@joeyarredondo984]

I love rowing

[@MindPumpShow]

👍

[@drago987]

Best budget/value/durable cardio machine for home gym…concept rower or assault bike

[@nukezat]

A a simple 10 dollar speed jump rope. Best burn rate, full body, portable and variable

[@adeelali8417]

Can't always train outside though especially in UK

[@adamj2683]

Lots of impact though. Many people would need to do a lot of stretching and gradual strengthening of various body parts to be able to jump rope safely and for longer periods.

[@nixnox4852]

I *hate* treadmills. I hate how they feel and sound (everything about them is too loud) to the point that I won't even touch them. Sensory issues are an important consideration for people like me. Ellipticals don't have the "feel/sound" problem, and are easy and noncommittal enough I can actually get on, put on some music, and go slow until I warm up enough to feel bored and capable of starting to push myself. Definitely a fan of "get the one you'll actually use". Rowers and stairclimbers are fun, but not something most will have in their home gym.

[@davedelaney511]

I have used all these cardio machines but the best cardio workout at low impact is the Bow Flex Max trainer by far !!

[@ferniemireles6612]

Good but pricy

[@smilebot484]

stair run. stairs are in every building, in parks.

[@JUntappp3d]

Jacob's ladder for sure

[@jasonvichinsky1458]

Versaclimber hands down

[@michaelciocca216]

Assault bike and rower

[@funwithdoka1394]

exercise bike is the best because you can increase your speed at whatever speed you want.

[@willberry6434]

Spin bike. 100%

[@cliffcox7643]

Stairmaster for cardio.. assault bike for HIIT

[@ih8mcfly]

Imo the shakeweight is the best

[@MindPumpShow]

That’s another level

[@oscarbear7498]

God level

[@user-hb4wm6lh9f]

Treadmill every time

[@tonybravado8231]

Stepmill.

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

Assault bike all the way. Treadmill is child's play.

[@connorkubilus8044]

The one you do.

[@a-terrible-fate532]

walking outside and using my bedroom treadmill are my go to forms of daily movement/ cardio, its the only thing I can maintain in the long run in regards to cardio. I have grown to really dislike hiit cardio and other workouts like that they burn me out mentally.

[@user-hb4wm6lh9f]

Treadmill

[@joshuagibson2541]

Versaclimber by far the best cardio machine..

[@drewfeld836]

Agreed and I would like to add most intense haha.

[@carlwendel]

Most gyms dont have this machine what would u say is the most similar to it

[@DaveNeve]

Assault bike of some sort wins it for me every time. it's the only one that not only gives you a leg workout, but can hit the lower lats to a large extent by pulling more, or the pecs by pushing more. And if you have an upper or lower body injury, you can also use it by either not using your legs or hands at all. Also, if working out is a slog for you and you want to watch a film or something, it's the easiest to use while it's pretty much impossible to watch a film on a rowing machine as you're moving backwards or forwards.

[@parsifal40]

Question: I love leg workouts especially thighs but i absolutely loathe the apperance of calves or just those defined calves that look pop out and look like a sharp implant make me wanna throw up, i love all sorts of cardio but i really don't want my calves to be in any way shape or form defined. Could this be an issue with the assault bike?

[@maccamack419]

Watt bike hands down

[@jacksparrowx1196]

Air bike best. Super versatile

[@Pil-Sung-Freestyle-Taekwondo]

What about versa climber

[@PSG81]

Burpees

[@Dream-yq2et]

Not a cardio machine bozo

[@martingimenez339]

I do elliptical for 50' at full charge and I burn like 900 cal on a good day.

[@TheInsaiyan]

It's much easier to pace urself and fine tune the intensity on the elliptical. I did 600cals in 50 mins and sweated hard, but i couldn't do that on the rowing machine bc I'm still need to cardio.

[@jeremiahmiller4640]

You must be a beast. Holy shit that’s crazy. I’d die and cry to mom

[@jeremiahmiller4640]

I warm up on the treadmill and aim for 200 calories

[@Loquacious_Jackson]

​@@jeremiahmiller4640I'm Chinese

[@bendodd2405]

By far the Rower is the best for overall fitness with the lowest impact on joints and best bang for your buck with fat loss The rower is a full body workout the others are isolated Apart from those for fat loss, cardio and full body work Jump rope has been proven to burn almost 4 x the calories per 15 minutes on the treadmill You can get your heart rate up very quickly and it's enforces good posture too

[@Gurjitsg]

What about the Peloton?

[@richtofenchareyre8425]

Basic answers that i could have answered myself. Nothing learnt from that video.

[@chasedoman8212]

Assault bike

[@doublecommenter5161]

Echo bike

[@MindPumpShow]

Sure

[@mohamedmahfouz1404]

I don't agree triad mail is the worst cardio machine

[@thestuff4321]

triad mail 🤣

[@PPCSI133]

Self powered treadmill by far ! Not even close Burn like 500 calories in 15 minutes.

[@masterkazadi5791]

What pace are you running?

[@lukeh2440]

How is no one saying spin bike

[@michaelross9444]

Treadmills vs Stairs...

[@ksr3869]

Sprint

[@kathya1956]

Skiier

[@SimulacronX]

That's a long-ass answer

[@Fearless-ex4iv]

😂😂😂

[@716ram]

My old gym had a versa climber. That was the most challenging cardio I've ever done.

[@dubenstein6347]

I bought a versa climber maybe 12 years ago. Brutal, but the Rogue Echo I bought in 2020 is another "gem" I dread getting on

[@philbertb]

skipping rope

[@Maximus5798]

Shake weight for me

[@jackjackson811]

JUMPROPE

[@SoftLivingCreative]

Stairmaster will get u trimmed in no time…

[@gangshit4326]

im always scared that i will get injured on the stairmaster

[@SoftLivingCreative]

@@gangshit4326 just start slow until u get comfortable to increase the level and the speed.

[@halfpint5224]

Lol just walk

[@gaiinz263]

Terrible advice lol. Elliptical is easily the best

[@firstlast_x]

Exactly, low impact on your joints and choose intensity that works both upper and lower body.

[@adeelali8417]

Yeah elliptical is definitely up there with the Assault Bike.

[@MrMaccntosh7up]

It wasn't necessarily advice, more so opinion/uses for each 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@anthonybutler2001]

Exactly, elliptical is by far the best!

[@mrketo7077]

Useless

[@gm08351]

greg doucette video is better

[@scott2193]

Bullshit it's the rower. It's only the most used because it's the easiest.