Best Exercise Equipment for Weight Loss – 16 Machines To Burn Fat Efficiently

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall health and wellbeing. The easiest way is to get a gym membership or invest in home gym equipment.

As we age, we start to lose lean body mass and muscles, building up more fat deposits making our BMI increase. Our metabolism slows down, and it takes more effort than usual to reduce our fat to muscle ratio.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the best exercise equipment for weight loss and general health. We’ll discuss how different pieces of equipment can be used, and how effective each workout is. The key is finding exercises you enjoy so that you don’t get discouraged and give up.

So without further ado let’s jump into looking at a few great options for the best workout equipment for weight loss!

Which are the best machines & equipment for weight loss and fat burn?

The best exercise equipment for weight loss isn’t simply one machine, there’s a variety of equipment that helps with weight loss and provides other benefits too.

1. Rowing machine

The rowing machine is one of the best options to shed fat on your weight loss journey. Rowers give you a full-body workout. When

you use a rowing machine, you pull a cable attached to a resistance wheel. If you’re looking to work your quads, lats, glutes, forearms, and triceps, then you should do a regular workout on a rowing machine.

• Level of activity: Medium
• Calories burned per hour: As per Harvard Health, moderate-intensity sessions on rowing machines can burn 200-311 in 30 minutes for people weighing 125-185lbs. Rowing more intensely can burn 255-377. Rowing is good for burning fat and cardiovascular health. The rowing movement is also quite natural for most people, so it can be easy for beginners. Most gyms have at least one rowing machine if not multiple rowers. Rowing is a great warmup or starter exercise to get your heart rate up and blood circulating before moving on to other exercises.
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: Yes
• Suitable for ladies: Yes, it can help ladies more due to the focus on building muscle groups making their legs, arm, and core look lean.
• Dangerous for: Anyone with a back or knee issue should avoid using rowing machines.
• Usage tips: When using the rowing machine, you must have the right form to burn calories effectively. Make sure you keep your back straight and never arch it when using, as you could injure your back.

Pros:

• Burns fat quickly
• Tones whole body
• Helps build better posture
• Low impact – low stress

Cons:

• A good rowing machine is expensive
• Risk of back injury if not used correctly

2. Assault Bike

One of the best machines to help burn calories and tone large muscle groups like legs is the assault or air bike. It’s like a basic exercise bike for cycling but with movable handles. An assault bike is among the best gym equipment found in most gyms as it’s very effective for training.

These indoor bikes are slightly different from basic stationary bikes as they have long movable handles, allowing a high-intensity workout targeting your upper and lower body. The bike also has a built-in fan for resistance which helps you stay cool when doing weight-loss workouts.

• Level of activity: High
• Calories burned per hour: On average, you can burn 20-30 calories per minute using these exercise bikes.
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: No
• Suitable for ladies: While the assault bike can be beneficial for both genders, it really works out the glutes. So ladies who wish to achieve more defined glutes should use it.
• Dangerous for: Anyone with low aerobic capacity or suffering from conditions like COPD or asthma should be careful using this machine.
• Usage tips: Take time to find the ideal riding position before you launch into your workout.

Pros:

• Low impact
• Variable speed
• Burns calories quickly
• Good for the entire body
• Boosts your aerobic capacity

Cons:

• Non-adjustable handles
• Noisy to use
• More maintenance than a stationary bike because of the chain drive

3. Lateral trainer

A lateral trainer is an exercise machine that works your core, inner and outer thighs, and glutes. It’s a quick way to burn fat while toning muscles and is sometimes referred to as a cross-trainer. It helps you get the most from every workout.

• Level of activity: Low-medium
• Calories burned per hour: 325-830, based on resistance settings and body weight.
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: Yes
• Suitable for ladies: Yes
• Dangerous for: Anyone suffering from knee pain/injury or has undergone knee replacement surgery should not use it.
• Usage tips: Don’t arch your back when using the machine, stand upright and avoid leaning on the handles when using it.

Pros:

• Builds endurance
• Good for lower-body muscles
• Burns fat

Cons:

• Only good for fat loss and not building muscle
• Can be boring

4. Treadmill

The treadmills are great all-rounder exercise machines to shed fat from all areas of your body. Plus, treadmills are popular choices for home gym equipment and commercial gyms.

You can walk or run on treadmills at different speeds and inclines using various programs. The primary muscle groups targeted by workouts on treadmills are the lower-body muscles. Using a treadmill also increases cardiovascular endurance. A treadmill is a good choice for a home gym if you have the space.

• Level of activity: Medium-high
• Calories burned per hour: 700-1000
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: No
• Suitable for ladies: Yes
• Dangerous for: A treadmill is not good for anyone with a breathing-related condition, such as asthma.
• Usage tips: Don’t use a treadmill on consecutive days as it can strain your legs. Try to maintain an upright posture with your shoulders back while on the treadmill. Start slow and gradually build up your stamina. Be careful about your foot placement on the belt to avoid ankle strains. Only attempt running when you feel comfortable and confident on the treadmill.

Pros:

• Various treadmill programs prevent boredom
• A versatile piece of energy-burning equipment
• Full control over your workout
• Burn calories fast

Cons:

• A treadmill does not truly represent running across real-life terrain
• Overuse can cause shin splints
• High impact exercise can cause knee problems

5. Stepmill

The stepmill or stair climber is a fantastic machine that is great for simulating climbing stairs. If you’re familiar with climbing stairs, then you will know just how effective is for burning fat. A stair climber or stair stepper provides an effective lower-body workout because they have a variety of intensities, intervals, and inclines. using a stair stepper can help tone and build muscle in your hamstrings, calves, glutes, and core.

• Level of activity: High
• Calories burned per hour: 130-266 in 30 minutes.
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: No
• Suitable for ladies: Yes, it targets areas of the body where women are most likely to get body fat.
• Dangerous for: Anyone with leg or joint problems.
• Usage tips: Stair steppers provide an intense energy-burning cardio workout, so always monitor your heart rate when using one. Remember to rest after every interval, so you don’t exhaust yourself.

Pros:

• Targets your main muscle groups for fat loss
• Increases your cardiovascular endurance
• Adds versatility to workouts

Cons:

• Only focuses on your lower body, not your upper body
• High risk of back issues if not used correctly
• Only good for climbing – does not allow running
• Needs a lot of space, not suitable for most home gyms

6. Elliptical

You can use an elliptical machine to climb stairs, walk, run, and more. It is a low-impact alternative to many other exercise options. It avoids outdoor running in bad climates. The ellipticals are also known as a cross-trainer, and it’s a fantastic full-body workout, burning calories quickly. An elliptical machine is one of the best low-impact cardio machines available.

• Level of activity: Low
• Calories burned per hour: 340-450 at moderate intensity
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: Yes
• Suitable for ladies: Yes
• Dangerous for: Anyone suffering from knee problems should not do a cardio workout using an elliptical machine.
• Usage tips: Always stand upright and don’t arch your back when using elliptical machines.

Pros:

• Full-body workouts
• Burns body fat
• Improves balance
• Builds stamina

Cons:

• Unnatural movement
• Expensive for home exercise equipment
• Needs a lot of space
• Workouts can become boring

7. Incline Trainer

An inclined trainer is like a treadmill, but it’s raised at an incline. While most treadmills can provide an incline of 15%, an incline trainer goes all the way up to a steep incline of 40%.

This fitness equipment tends to focus on your glutes and hamstrings. It’s very effective exercise equipment for weight loss through fat blasting workouts!

• Level of activity: Medium
• Calories burned per hour: Up to 265
• Beginner-friendly: No
• Suitable for elders: No
• Suitable for ladies: Yes
• Dangerous for: Anyone with lower back pain should avoid this machine, as walking at an incline can worsen the condition.
• Usage tips: If you’re new to using it, you might want to monitor your heart rate to know if it’s effective. Plus, always remember to stay on the belt when walking or running.

Pros:

• Helps with fast recovery
• Burns more calories
• Great cardio workout
• Reduces the load on joints
• Improves lung function
• Good home exercise equipment or gym equipment

Cons:

• It’s an intense workout
• You have to push hard to use it
• Needs a lot of space

8. Functional trainer

Functional trainers are great pieces of strength equipment that help you lose weight and gain lean muscle mass at the same time. The best thing about functional trainer is that it targets a wide variety of muscle groups, and you can do many different actions with them.

• Level of activity: Medium
• Calories burned per hour: Varies based on the exercise
• Beginner-friendly: No
• Suitable for elders: No
• Suitable for ladies: Yes
• Dangerous for: Anyone without prior fitness knowledge should consult a personal trainer first.
• Usage tips: Start with light weights and then gradually increase.

Pros:

• Allows various exercises
• Benefits from a wide range of motion
• Works muscles in different areas

Cons:

• The average person needs a good baseline of knowledge and fitness level to use the equipment
• Needs a lot of space

9. Cross trainers (Arc trainers)

This is one of the best cardio machines to get a full-body workout for losing weight, as it involves using your legs and arms in a circular motion. Arc trainers simulate the movements involved in running, walking, and stair climbing.

• Level of activity: Low
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: Yes
• Suitable for ladies: Yes
• Dangerous for: Anyone with bad back or knee problems should not use it.
• Usage tips: Keep your feet flat and don’t lean on the handles when using this machine.

Pros:

• Burn a lot of calories
• Low impact
• Work lower and upper body

Cons:

• Difficult to gain muscle strength
• Exercise can be monotonous
• Needs a lot of space

10. Air Bike (Fan Bike)

These exercise bikes are stationary, with a built-in fan, and equipped with moveable handles that can mimic cycling. Even though it’s great for losing weight, this is a heavy and costly piece of fitness equipment to own.

Arguably it’s better than a stationary bike as the build-in fan cools you down when working out. You can focus on both your lower and upper body using this exercise bike.

• Level of activity: High
• Calories burned per hour: Around 20-30 per minute
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: No
• Suitable for ladies: Yes, it has a strong focus on the lower body allowing women to grow better glutes.
• Dangerous for: Anyone with weak lungs or conditions like asthma should consult a doctor before using exercise bikes.

Pros:

• Burns calories quickly due to the wind resistance
• Improves cardiovascular endurance
• Quick exercise for losing weight
• Varied exercises possible

Cons:

• Noisy to use
• High maintenance
• Expensive as home exercise equipment

11. Jumping Rope

This is a manual piece of gym equipment that you use to swing and jump over. With jump ropes, you perform a range of different jumping styles and get a good cardiovascular workout. You work your abdominals, forearms, deltoids, gastrocnemius, quads, hamstrings, and more when using a jump rope.

It’s a fantastic calorie burn to include in your fitness journey. The best home exercise equipment you can buy in terms of value for money and getting an effective workout!

• Level of activity: Any, you decide your intensity
• Calories burned per hour: 744-888 calories based on the speed of your workouts.
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: No
• Suitable for ladies: Yes, it can help a women’s abs tone up easily.
• Dangerous for: Anyone with weak knees, ankles, or an injury should not jump rope.
• Usage tips: Always land softly to reduce the risk of injury. When jumping, keep your knees bent and always keep your spine neutral.

Pros:

• It burns more calories than many other exercises
• Improves hand, foot, and eye coordination
• Improves cardio levels
• Strengthens bone density
• Minimal space needed, so use anywhere, in your home gym or a commercial gym

Cons:

• High impact
• Can stress ankle and knee joints

12. Stationary Bicycle

A stationary bicycle is an exercise bike that allows you to cycle while sitting still. Everything apart from the pedals is stationary. Stationary exercise bikes are versatile equipment you can use in a commercial gym and your home gym.

You can even work out while watching TV!

Stationary bicycles help tone your lower leg muscles and speed up your metabolic rate at the same time. Great for losing weight!

• Level of activity: Low
• Calories burned per hour: 500-800 calories
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: Yes
• Suitable for ladies: Yes
• Dangerous for: Anyone suffering from back or neck problems.
• Usage tips: Take your time to position the seat and slowly increase the resistance while riding.

Pros:

• You control the resistance and pace
• Increases metabolism and lowers blood pressure
• Increases your cardio fitness

Cons:

• Mainly works the lower body
• Can become boring
• Overuse can lead to neck ache

13. Kettlebells

Kettlebells are iron weights that have a body and handle. Like other free weights, they come as light weights and heavy weights. The range of different sizes makes them great for losing weight.

In addition to weight loss, they help improve your balance, strength, coordination, power, and more. Kettlebells can pretty much work all major muscle groups. Most importantly, they help burn calories even while you’re resting. Inexpensive, so ideal for home gyms.

• Level of activity: Medium-high
• Calories burned per hour: 500-800 calories
• Beginner-friendly: No
• Suitable for elders: Yes
• Suitable for ladies: It allows women to lose fat and build muscle at the same time.
• Dangerous for: Anyone with muscle strains, rotator cuff tears, or joint issues should avoid using them.
• Usage tips: Always stick to the correct form and seek help from an expert if you’re new to using them. Remember to keep your feet wide and maintain a neutral spine.

Pros:

• Allow a variety of exercises (squats, press, pull, etc.)
• Improves coordination, stability, and balance
• Burn calories long after training has finished
• Heavier weight builds muscles faster

Cons:

• Stressful on the joints
• Requires knowledge to use

14. Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are portable elastic bands that are used for strength training and resistance training. They’re fantastic for weight loss as you can take them anywhere, as they require little room.

Resistance bands speed up the weight loss process as they add tension allowing you to work your whole body. They’re one of the best home exercise equipment options that exist today! You can do push-ups, yoga, walking, squats, and more with them. And they’re inexpensive, so great for home gyms!

• Level of activity: Low
• Calories burned per hour: 250, but it varies based on the intensity of resistance training.
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: Yes
• Suitable for ladies: They help target and grow your glutes as well as activate your hip abductors.
• Dangerous for: Anyone with muscle strains should not use them.
• Usage tips: Don’t release a band when under tension while training.

Pros:

• Good for a range of different exercises
• Portable training equipment
• Help stabilize muscles
• Improve control and balance

Cons:

• Some bands can break easily
• Hard to measure gains with them
• Difficult to build lots of muscle mass

15. Punching bag

This is a stuffed or inflated bag that you can hang in your home or gym. These bags typically have a cylindrical or pear shape allowing you to practice your hitting skills. A punching bag is effective for weight loss as it targets your shoulders, core, chest, back, and arms.

• Level of activity: High
• Calories burned per hour: 525-742
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: Yes
• Suitable for ladies: Yes
• Dangerous for: Anyone using the incorrect form when punching could easily injure their hand.
• Usage tips: Keep your hand tight with no air gaps and always hit the punching bag with the knuckles of your index and middle fingers.

Pros:

• Use for a range of different exercises
• Improves power and strength
• Great cardio workout
• Inexpensive and not bulky
• Great for a home gym in the garage or spare room

Cons:

• Risk of a wrist injury

16. Step platform

This is a stationary bench which you use to step onto aerobically. It’s versatile and can be used anywhere. This exercise equipment can work your upper leg muscles and calves and give you a good core workout. Ideal for a home gym.

• Level of activity: High
• Calories burned per hour: 420-600
• Beginner-friendly: Yes
• Suitable for elders: Yes
• Suitable for ladies: Yes
• Dangerous for: Anyone with a bad back.
• Usage tips: When stepping, maintain a neutral spine and step lightly.

Pros:

• Helps build strength
• Increases cardio endurance
• Great bodyweight aerobic workout

Cons:

• Additional tension on back and hips

How to choose the right weight loss machine for you?

While a range of machines can help you with weight loss, you must take your time to see which ones offer the best benefits for you. Ideally, you will want to add machines that incorporate cardiovascular fitness and resistance to make your workout more exciting. Before you use any machine, though, you should consider the following:

1. Target – Before you use any machine, you must carefully think about what weight loss goals you wish to achieve. For example, where do you want to lose weight and the time frame you want to lose the weight in. If you don’t want to lose weight but just control it – that’s a different goal. Your ideal weight, how many calories you want to burn, and other health goals will influence the machine you use.
2. Level of knowledge – There is a range of equipment out there to help you lose weight, but not all of it is beginner-friendly, like kettlebells, for example. Ideally, you will want to pick machines and equipment that align with your skillset.
3. Calorie burn – Different machines and equipment have various intensities. The amount of time you have to work out will help dictate what machine you want to use. For instance, jumping rope burns up to 888 calories per hour, whereas resistance bands burn 250 in the same amount of time. The different types of workouts, whether resistance, cardio, strength-based, or free weights, can determine how many calories you burn.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve established that there’s a variety of best exercise equipment for weight loss you can use in a gym or at home to help achieve your fitness goals.

Take your time to think about the areas of your body you want to target, the time you have to dedicate to your workouts, and the machines mentioned above.

You might also wish to look at reviews of certain machines and take advice from a personal trainer. Remember though; exercise is not enough to help you lose weight, you will need a good diet also.

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