How to Buy Cardio Equipment

Great For: Training and helping with weight loss

Treadmills are a gym staple. Featuring a moving platform with a conveyor belt, treadmills allow users to run or walk in place. Treadmills are easy to use and allow you to work out at different inclines or speeds. The ability to set a speed helps to keep your heart rate consistent throughout your workout. 

Treadmills are popular for a reason. They can be a great training aid for road races and their versatility allows for a variety of workouts to keep things fresh.

Walking pads are gaining popularity, thanks to their compact design and versatility. You can walk while you work or read, making exercise more easily accessible, all year long. Most walking pads you can fold away and store in a closet or under a bed. This is a great choice for smaller spaces that may not accommodate a full treadmill. 

Treadmills and walking pad treadmills aren't just a top choice for fitness buffs, either. Considered the best cardio machine to burn calories, they’re also a favorite of those hoping to lose weight.

Is this the right equipment for you? Check out our guide on choosing the right treadmill.

These treadmills and walking pads are all great options to consider adding to your home gym.

Great For: Full-body and low-impact workouts

The movement of elliptical machines is somewhere between the circular motion of a bike and the flat motion of a treadmill. They can help you simulate stair climbing, walking and running. Like treadmills, you can customize ellipticals to change speed, resistance and general intensity.

Unlike a treadmill, most ellipticals have an upper-body component. This makes ellipticals suitable for those who would prefer more of a full-body workout.

Ellipticals may not provide as an intense of a workout as some of their cardio counterparts. However, they are a low-impact cardio machine that places less stress on the knees and joints.

Looking to buy an elliptical? Read about the five factors that impact the price of an elliptical.

And, check out a few great options available at DICK’S.

Great For: Helping to build endurance, low-body workouts and low-impact workouts

Exercise bikes encompass a wide variety of options: upright, recumbent and indoor cycling. As the name suggests, they mimic outdoor biking with pedals and seats. This Pro Tips guide on choosing the right exercise bike can help you understand the differences of each.

Exercise bikes help you work on your endurance and strengthen your lower body. Those who want a low-impact workout will benefit most from an exercise bike. Unlike with other cardio machines, the impact of body weight is not a concern. This makes exercise bikes a good choice for those with joint issues. In particular, recumbent bikes are ideal for back problems or pre-existing injuries.

Sound like the right option for you? Here are a few models we recommend:

Great For: Full-body workouts, helping to tone your back and arms and engage core muscles

Indoor rowers simulate watercraft rowing. The rowing motion uses your entire body, making it a full-body workout machine and one of the most effective cardio options.

Rowing machines use your back and arms more than other types of cardio equipment. They also help with coordination and engage core muscles.

Overall, these machines are a good choice for those who want to build both upper- and lower-body strength.

Take a closer look at this great at-home rower.

Great For: Helping to stabilize your core and for lower-body workouts

Stair climbers and steppers are a favorite of those who love a good leg workout. Not only do they let you get in your cardio, stair steppers can help you strengthen and tone your lower body. The upright position of these machines also helps you work on stabilizing your core.

Ready to start climbing at home? Take a closer look at this equipment.