Rowing machines<\/a> are the normally the cheapest (or most cost-effective) option because they are relatively simple and straightforward machines; without a lot of moving\/mechanical parts.<\/p>\n![\"rowing-machines\"](\"https:\/\/www.lisajohnsonfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/rowing-machines-e1553651839160.jpg\")
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Of course, you can still find some very expensive rowing machines out there – including the retro, wooden machines featured on House of Cards, or the high-tech versions used by professional athletes.<\/p>\n
But for the most part, rowing machines tend to start at around $130, while mid- to high-end machines will cost you far more (depending on the model and brand you opt for).<\/p>\n
This is on a par with stationary bikes, which tend to start at around $150. That said, advanced stationary bikes – including the models with pulse monitors built into the handlebars and special brackets for your smartphone – can cost up to $500.<\/p>\n
So if you\u2019re looking for a machine that\u2019ll let you really push the envelope (and you\u2019ve got the money to spend) stationary bikes are definitely a viable option.<\/strong><\/p>\nNext comes ellipticals, which start at $200 and top out at around $600 for the high-end machines, with digital pulse monitors, calorie tracking technology and other, equally advanced special features.<\/p>\n
And then there\u2019s the treadmills, which generally cost between $250 – $600. Depending on the feature set, the brand and the complexity of their on-board software.<\/p>\n
As you can see, there\u2019s a huge difference between the cost of a top-end elliptical and a mid-level rowing machine, but it\u2019s important to remember that you can buy any type of entry level machine for around $150 – $200 on today\u2019s market<\/strong>, which should be within budget for most households.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s also important to remember that price isn\u2019t necessarily correlated with exercise quality or ease-of-use. As we\u2019ll see below, there are many, many factors that differentiate each of the 4 types of machine, and price is only really useful as a measure of a machines complexity.<\/p>\n
Footprint<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n| Treadmill<\/td>\n | \u00a0\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Ellipticals<\/td>\n | \u00a0\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Stationary bikes<\/td>\n | \u00a0\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Rowing machines<\/td>\n | \u00a0\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Footprint is another – fairly minor – consideration that you\u2019ll need to think about in the early stages of your decision making process.<\/p>\n All exercise machines are fairly large (and take up quite a lot of space) but there is still a significant difference between a hulking great treadmill; an elliptical and a (relatively-narrow( stationary bike.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re trying to squeeze your machine into a home office, a garage or your front room, these slight variations in size can have a huge impact on your final decision, which is why we\u2019d always recommend that you start the buying process before:<\/p>\n \n \n \n- <\/i> Deciding where your new machine is going to live<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Measuring the space accurately, so you know how much space you have to fill<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Keeping these measurements on-hand while your browsing for machines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
That way, you know you won\u2019t accidentally buy a machine that\u2019s too big for your home. Or spend too much time looking at a type of machine that simply won\u2019t work in your space\u2026<\/p>\n In terms of overall footprint, treadmills are definitely the largest machines<\/strong>. The average dimensions of a treadmill are (approx) 60x 45 x 26 inches, which makes them the widest type of machine, and one of the longest.<\/p>\nYou\u2019ll need lots of space to accomodate a treadmill and it\u2019s also important to consider how you\u2019ll get it in and out of your home, particularly if there are a lot of tight corners or narrow corridors.<\/p>\n Treadmills are quite low though, so if you\u2019re looking for a machine that\u2019d be at home in a garage or low-ceilinged room with plenty of floor space, they might be your best bet.<\/p>\n Next up – surprisingly enough – is the rowing machine. Despite their incredibly low height (and narrow width) most rowing machines are quite long, with the average dimensions looking something like 75 x 20 x 31 inches.<\/p>\n This means that it can be a struggle to fit rowing machines in small spaces, and you might find that you need a lot more space than you\u2019d originally anticipated. Particularly if you need to be able to walk round your machine…<\/p>\n ![\"ellipticals\"](\"https:\/\/www.lisajohnsonfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Healthy-Life-Fitness-Stair-Climber-e1553652954301.jpg\") Ellipticals are much smaller; measuring in at approximately 48 x 28 x 60 inches, but they do still need quite a lot of free space, and it\u2019s important to remember that the arms have to be able to swing freely, which means you\u2019ll need an uncluttered room to use them properly.<\/p>\n
And then there\u2019s the stationary bike; measuring a diminutive 43 x 19 x 43 inches. If you\u2019re short on space, stationary bikes are definitely your best option because they take up barely any room, they\u2019re light and they have a narrow profile which means you can squeeze them into relatively tight spaces.<\/p>\n That said, you can get folding treadmills and rowing machines<\/strong>, so if you have your heart set on a particular type of machine, try to shop around for different models before refocusing your efforts on something less desirable.<\/p>\nCalorie (or fat) burning potential<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n| Treadmill<\/td>\n | \u00a0\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Ellipticals<\/td>\n | \u00a0\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Stationary bikes<\/td>\n | \u00a0\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Rowing machines<\/td>\n | \u00a0\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Now we\u2019re getting to the\u00a0 nitty gritty of the thing: Which of the four different types of exercise machine which actually help you burn the most calories?<\/p>\n Assuming your buying an exercise machine to get fit or lose weight, this is probably one of your primary considerations, and it\u2019s quite likely to be the deciding factor in which machine you buy. That said, it\u2019s important to remember that calorie-burning potential is a relatively abstract measure of a machines capabilities.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to understand that calorie-burning potential is directly correlated to the type of exercise that each machine provides.<\/strong><\/p>\nSomething like a rowing machine – which is designed for both aerobic and anaerobic exercise –\u00a0 will be much more efficient than, say, a stationary bike, which supports your weight while your working out, and focuses on cardiovascular exercise<\/p>\n But (and this is a big but) you\u2019ll probably be able to work out for longer on a stationary bike, and rowing machines can be very difficult to master, particularly when you\u2019re just starting out and you haven’t got the proper technique down properly.<\/p>\n That said, we can still give a general estimation of the calorie-burning potential that\u2019s associated with each type of machine, and after some fairly intensive research, it does look like rowing machines come out on top; allowing you to brun between 600 – 900 calories per hour.<\/p>\n Next up is the elliptical, which – by forcing you to support your own weight as you work out – manages to let you burn approx 650 calories per hour (assuming a steady and consistent pace throughout)<\/p>\n And then there\u2019s the stationary bike, which allows you to burn between 400 and 600 calories per hour, depending on resistance, the vigour with which you pedal and your stance.<\/p>\n | |