The 3 Most Popular Cardio Machines

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Fitness Market, not written by Venus Trapped in Mars 

The 3 Most Popular Cardio Machines

Running outdoors: it’s every person’s idea of heaven. Who doesn’t love dodging cars, tripping on gutters, dealing with extreme weather and having random people honk their horns as the drive past? Oh right – most people.

If you’re part of the large group of humans who don’t love getting their fix of cardio with the whole world watching, you are probably interested in cardio machines. But what makes a good machine? And how do you choose the right one for you? Don’t work yourself into a sweat over it: here is a breakdown of three popular cardio machines, why they are great and what they can add to your fitness regime.

Cross Trainer
A cross trainer, or elliptical trainer, is a machine that requires a pedaling motion from the legs while encouraging a push-pull of the arms at the same time. It ends up looking a little awkward, like you’re running on skis, but the benefits you can get from this machine make the confused skier look worth it. Other cardio machines can be jarring for the user, or may focus on certain muscle groups to the exclusion of others. Not the cross trainer; this sweet sweat machine is low impact and works everything including your arms, legs and core. As with anything, quality is key – make sure you purchase your elliptical trainer from a specialist sports equipment retailer like Fitness Market. That way you have the guarantee of recognise brands in the industry alongside advice from experts.

Treadmill
Let’s be honest here. A treadmill was the first thing that came to mind as far as cardio machines go. That’s because it’s kind of like the classic cardio set-up; old faithful, if you will. Humans were designed to walk and run, so exercising in that fashion is great. Just be careful – jogging and running are higher impact than some other cardio options, meaning your joints are more at risk of injury. Make sure you ease your way into any exercise program, and be conscious of what elements like inclines and shoes do to your running stride.

Stationary Bike
Cycling is a great option for anyone with existing joint or muscle injuries. As a super low impact machine that allows you to set the resistance to be as little or as much as you like, you can cater to all sorts of fitness levels. It is also an activity that caters to multi-tasking – studying, reading or phone calls are all relatively easy to do while you’re pedalling away. Of course, you could do all these while on a treadmill, but there’s much more potential for injury there. So if you’re looking for a cardio machine that caters to a busy lifestyle, this may be the one for you.

At the end of the day, as long as you’re moving, you’re on the right track. Building your cardiovascular fitness has so many benefits, including increased heart health, boosting your metabolism and improving your hormonal profile. So adding a bit of cardio into your routine might be the key to hitting some of those goals.

What’s your favourite cardio machine? What do you love about it? Share your thoughts in the comments!