The best cardio equipment for 2022

Cardio equipment is, and always has been, some of the most widely used machines in the industry. Some staples of cardio such as treadmills and rowing machines have stood the test of time and are still used today as some of the most popular machines, but with progressions in the industry, come innovations in what kind of equipment we are using in the gym and at home.

In this article, we'll dive into some of the more traditional pieces of cardio equipment, some of the lesser used machines, and the benefits that they have.

Cross Trainers

Cross trainers are great if you’re new to the gym. The right technique to use for the cross trainer can be learned in a matter of minutes, minimising the chance of you getting hurt whilst training. Because you are the driving force behind the cross trainer’s movements, it means that if you want to slow down, you can; unlike with machines like treadmills that you have to manually change the speed of the machine.

If you’re looking for the perfect cross trainer for your home or commercial gym, you should head on over to the range available at UK Gym Equipment and find yourself a great deal.

Treadmills

Treadmills are one of the most widely used machines in gyms due to their ease of use. Treadmills are a great alternative to running outdoors on roads and pavements due to the lack of impact on your knees, hips, and ankles which is ideal for a long-lasting and sustainable fitness plan.

Also, treadmills are great at leaving you in control of your cardio workout. There are plenty of settings on modern treadmills that allow you to adjust things like speed and incline which can make for easier or harder workouts, depending on your goals. The heart health benefits of treadmills are obvious, remaining consistent with your treadmill training will help with the circulation of blood around your body and how well your heart is actually able to pump that blood.

There are plenty of treadmills on the market to choose from, so finding the right one for you can be difficult. We recommend investing in one that has fully adjustable controls and a large screen that can be easily seen during your workout such as the Xterra Fitness TRX3500 Folding Treadmill that is perfect for home use as it’s foldable; allowing you to save some space.

Exercise Bikes

The main benefit of an exercise bike is the incredibly low impact it has on your joints. Treadmills provide less of an impact than running on roads or pavements, but treadmills go one step further. As your feet never leave the pedals, there is no impact on your ankles, knees, and hips which is great for elderly people or other people that might suffer from joint pain.

Apart from the obvious cardiovascular benefits of using an exercise bike, there are also many strength benefits. Static exercise bikes provide a great lower body strength workout, especially if you increase the resistance; you'll see your calves, hamstrings, quads, and glutes growing in no time.

When it comes to choosing the right exercise bike, comfortability as well as being able to challenge yourself in your training is paramount, which is why machines like the Sole Fitness B94 Upright Bike are so popular due to their adjustable seats and challenging built-in programs.

Ski Trainer

An often overlooked piece of cardio equipment is the ski machine. Ski machines are quite unconventional, and can take some time to get used to - but they're worth it. If you're pressed for time, ski machines are perfect as they'll work both your upper and lower body which can increase caloric expenditure due to it being a whole-body movement. The full-body workout benefits are also hugely transferrable over to everyday life or even other elements of your training program; for instance, if you are into CrossFit.

Durability is essential in a ski trainer, so machines like the Attack Fitness Hiit Ski Trainer are ideal due to their build quality.

Steppers

Another lesser-used piece of cardio equipment is the stepper. Steppers offer health benefits that are not usually provided by other cardio machines such as improvements in stability and balance due to the movement that is required to operate the machine. Also, steppers are, much like exercise bikes, excellent in toning your lower body and giving you stronger glutes, hamstrings, calves, and quads. The stepper machine is perfect for home use as it doesn't take up a lot of space, which is great if you're trying to make a space-saving home gym.

The Sole Fitness SC200 Stepper's compact size and bright backlit LCD console make it a perfect addition to any commercial or home gym.

These are just four of the great pieces of cardio equipment that are available in 2022, but there are many other great options. An effective cardio training plan will make use of these pieces of equipment, and others, for well-rounded and comprehensive results.