Best Home Exercise Equipment and Machines for Weight Loss
There’s much about modern living that’s convenient, but along with the pleasures of life come a few downsides. We don’t get as much daily physical activity as we should, and high-calorie ultra-processed food has become readily available.
This lack of activity and unhealthy diet has led to problems with obesity. Did you know, for example, that in the US and many other countries, around one-third of adults are overweight and another third are obese?
These are frightening statistics and are causing many people to look for the best home exercise equipment for weight loss.
We all know that if you consume more calories than you burn, the end result is weight gain. So what can you do to be in a calorie deficit? You must use more energy than your body takes in daily. Then you’ll lose weight.
One option to try and lose weight is to hit the gym, but that can be a hassle. It can get very crowded, fitting in a visit to the gym for a full-body workout can be tricky, and a gym membership can be expensive.
You might be able to lose weight and body fat and reach your weight loss goals if you invest in the best home workout equipment for weight loss.
Which Equipment is Best for Burning Fat and Weight loss at Home?
There are many options if you want to set up a home gym to help you lose weight. However, knowing what is best for an intense workout, burning fat and weight loss can be challenging.
We’ve compiled a list of options to help you find the best home exercise equipment for weight loss and burning fat and start you on your weight loss journey. We’ll look at how many calories you can expect to burn, what to be wary of, the equipment’s main features, what each is best for and much more.
Treadmill
You can use a treadmill for running, jogging, and walking, activities that are ideal for getting fit and losing weight. These activities are also weight-bearing activities. What does this mean? They can also increase bone density and mass and strengthen hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps, abdominals, and calves.
Pros
- Most treadmills are fully adjustable for speed and incline
- Various types of treadmill workouts are available
- Virtual scenery could be an option
- You can enjoy a run without battling the elements
- Good cardio machines for a workout
Cons
- Puts a lot of pressure on your joints
- Your body will ache or be painful if you’re overweight
Suitable for elders: Yes or No
Calories burned per hour: Between 500 and 1100
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Suitable for seniors: Yes
Take Care
If you’re overweight, using a treadmill can overstress your body and result in pain, injuries, and aches.
Treadmill Tips
When you’re looking for a treadmill to purchase, pick one that’s got a flexible running deck. Treadmills with flexible decks absorb a lot of the shock and are less stressful for your joints.
Fast walking on a treadmill can be as effective for losing weight as running. Set the treadmill so you’re walking uphill and you’ll burn as many calories.
Stepmill (Stair climber machine)
Stepmills or stair steppers used to be very popular but in recent years have fallen out of favor. The rotating steps on a stair stepper mean your cardio workout is climbing a never-ending flight of stairs. It’ll get your lungs and heart pumping and your thighs and calves burning like you’ve scaled a steep incline. This type of cardio training targets your hamstrings, quads, and glutes.
Pros
- Great cardio workout
- Option to change the speed
- Variety of workout settings
- Great lower body workout
- Safer and easier than climbing stairs
- You can multitask while using it
Cons
- Can be quite expensive
- The focus is on building muscle in the lower body
Suitable for elders: Yes
Calories burned per hour: 800 to 1400
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Safety
Some stepmills include handles or handrails. Make sure you use them for balance but don’t lean all your body weight on them, as it’s bad for your posture.
Stepmill Tips
Take five or ten minutes to warm up before starting cardio workouts on a stepmill. You can warm up by adjusting the intensity levels so that it’s half or less of your usual level when working out. After your workout, do the same again and allow your body and muscles to cool down.
Elliptical Trainer
You work the following muscles when you use an elliptical machine: hamstrings, glutes, chest, quads, triceps, biceps, and core. An elliptical machine is cardio exercise equipment with two pedals, two long handles, and a flywheel. Most elliptical machines have an LCD display that provides various information and options to program the cardio machine.
Pros
- You’ll get a good upper body and lower body and cardiovascular endurance workout
- Great for easing back into a fitness routine after surgery or injury
- Low impact machines
- Good for working on your balance and coordination
- Use it for running with minimal impact
- Burns more calories than working out on treadmills
- Adjustable stride length
Cons
- Doesn’t work the upper body as much as some of the other best cardio machines
Suitable for elders: Yes
Calories burned per hour: Between 500 and 1000
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Safety
When you step on this cardio machine, use the side which has the lower pedal. Use the handles to help you get on and keep your balance during your workout.
Elliptical Tips
If you want to increase your calorie burn and fat burn, change the resistance levels, elevation, and length of stride. You must also keep your back straight, core engaged, and look forward.
Step Platform
A step platform is a stationary platform that works the upper muscles of your legs and calves and gives your core a good workout. It’s versatile as you can use it anywhere.
Pros
- Good for strength training
- Increases your cardio endurance
- Excellent aerobic exercise equipment
Cons
- Puts extra tension on your hips and back
Suitable for elders: Yes
Calories burned per hour: Between 400 and 600
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Safety
You shouldn’t use a step platform if you’ve got a bad back.
Step Platform Tips
When you use the platform, step lightly and keep a neutral spine.
Recumbent Bicycle
A recumbent bicycle is simply an exercise bike with a large seat, much like an office chair. It also has back support which makes it much safer. It offers excellent resistance training for legs and is popular among those who dislike upright exercise bikes.
Pros
- Very safe workout for seniors
- Minimal impact on your joints
- You can increase lower body strength without having to run or engage in high-impact exercise
- Improves metabolic rate and cardiovascular health
- Much more comfortable than a standard exercise bike
Cons
- Can be difficult to assemble
- An expensive item if you buy it new
Suitable for elders: Yes
Calories burned per hour: 400 to 450
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Safety
Recumbent bikes are safe to use. They have back support, a large seat, and a laid-back cycling position.
Recumbent Bicycle Tips
If you want to burn fat and more calories, turn up the resistance and get your heart pumping. The most common error when using this type of exercise bike is not adjusting the seat correctly. Your extended leg should have a slight bend when at the end of the pedaling action.
Stationary Bicycle
Indoor cycling is excellent cardio exercise and great for building your quads and glutes. However, stationary bikes do not provide a complete workout and focus mainly on your lower body.
Pros
- Great for toning your lower body
- Excellent for calorie-burning if you include high-intensity interval training as part of your workout
- Models can be reclined or upright
- Low-impact workout alternative to running
Cons
- It’s not a full-body workout
Suitable for elders: Yes
Calories burned per hour: 500 to 800
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Safety
You have to make sure you’ve got the right posture when using a stationary exercise bike, or you could find it hurts your back.
Stationary Bicycle Tips
The correct posture for cycling on a stationary bike is with your stomach pulled towards your lower back, your torso extended, and your chest lifted somewhat.
Assault Bike
Use an assault bike for exercising, and you’ll be strengthening your glutes, core, back, hamstring, calves, and quadricep muscles. An assault bike is similar to a stationary bike but with long handles. It also has a fan rather than a wheel that creates wind and resistance. As you pedal harder, the more wind resistance it generates and the more challenging your workout becomes.
Pros
- Low impact cardio machines
- A safer option than cycling outdoors
- You don’t have to stress about the weather or traffic
- Preset programs for an effective workout
Cons
- Not very compact or foldable
Suitable for elders: No
Calories burned per hour: 1200 to 1800
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Safety
There is a risk that an average person might get carried away because they’re excited about the fast fat loss progress made with this type of machine. But overdoing assault bike training does not allow the muscles enough time to recover. Overdoing exercise could lead to slow metabolism and weak muscles.
Assault Bike Tips
Do you want to lose weight fast? Choose HIIT workouts and include a rest day between your exercise routines. If your aim is flexibility, try using the assault bike for steady-state cardio sessions no longer than 20 minutes, and you can exercise every day.
Rowing Machine
This is the best exercise machine for getting a great total body workout and burning many calories. Nevertheless, there is a downside to rowing machines, and that’s the fact that there’s no pushing element, so you’re not working your triceps or chest much.
Pros
- Low impact exercise
- Great cardio machines for increasing heart rate
- Effective full-body workout
- Rowing machines work multiple muscles at the same time
- Can burn calories quickly
Cons
- A certain amount of skill is required
Suitable for elders: No
Calories burned per hour: burns between 500 and 1000
Beginner-friendly: No
Safety
The seated position can lead to a rounding of the back during exercise, resulting in lower back pain and aches.
Rowing Machine Tips
Look for a rowing machine that allows you to adjust resistance settings. As you increase the resistance, you’ll find you’re burning more calories. There are four different types: air, hydraulic, water, and magnetic. The magnetic types are easier to control and get the desired resistance.
Kettlebells
Some say that kettlebells are overall the best exercise equipment. They are versatile and target more muscles than many other options. Use them for cardio and strength workouts. HIIT drills that include kettlebell swings can be very good for weight loss. However, to get the most from this kind of exercise, you really need more than one kettlebell or an adjustable type to suit your fitness level. Kettlebells should be a part of everyone’s fitness journey.
Pros
- You can use them for various exercises
- Inexpensive
- Improves coordination, balance, and stability
- Continue to burn calories after you’ve finished training
- Build muscle faster with heavier weights
Cons
- Put stress on your joints
- You must use them correctly for optimal results
Suitable for elders: Yes
Calories burned per hour: Between 500 and 800
Beginner-friendly: No
Safety
You should avoid using kettlebells if you’ve got injuries, joint issues, or torn rotator cuffs.
Kettlebell Tips
Try to get some expert advice before using them. Exercise with your feet apart and keep your spine neutral.
Arc Trainers
Also known as a cross trainer, this is the best exercise equipment for cardio. It targets more muscles than some other fitness equipment and gives your entire body a workout, and helps you lose weight.
When using the machine, your arms and legs work in a circular motion. An arc trainer simulates the natural movements of walking, running, and climbing stairs. Exercising with an arc trainer is less stressful on joints than lifting weights.
Pros
- Great calorie burn
- It’s low impact exercise
- Works both your upper body and lower body
Cons
- Not the best option for gaining muscle strength
- Can be rather monotonous
- Requires lots of space
Suitable for elders: Yes
Calories burned: Between 500 and 800
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Safety
It’s not advisable to use this kind of fitness equipment if you’ve got knee or back problems.
Arc Trainer Tips
When using the trainer, your feet must be flat, and you shouldn’t put all your weight on the handles.
Functional Trainer
You can use a functional trainer to help you improve your lean muscle mass and lose weight. The biggest benefits are that you’re targeting different muscle groups, and you can perform various exercises.
Pros
- Use it for various exercises
- You can perform different motions
- Works different muscles
Cons
- You need some knowledge and more than a basic level of fitness to use it
- Takes up a lot of space
- Expensive
Suitable for elders: No
Calories burned: Depends on the type of exercise you do
Beginner-friendly: No
Safety
If you don’t have any fitness or training experience, a functional trainer might not be the best gym equipment. Consult a personal trainer to learn how to use it for the maximum benefit.
Functional Trainer Tips
It might be better to start with lighter weights and gradually increase them depending on your fitness level.
Jump Ropes
Jump ropes are one of the most basic types of home exercise equipment. Jumping rope is an excellent workout for your cardiovascular system. And it works a range of muscle groups, including forearms, abdominals, quads, deltoids, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius.
Pros
- Very effective at burning calories
- Improves eye, hand, and foot coordination
- Increases cardio endurance
- Strengthens bone density
- Requires very little space
Cons
- High impact exercise
- Puts stress on your knee and ankles
Suitable for elders: No
Calories burned: 750 to 900, depending on how fast you work out
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Safety
You shouldn’t jump rope if your ankles or knees are weak.
Jump Rope Tips
To minimize the risk of injury, land softly and make sure your knees are bent and your spine is neutral.
Which exercise machine is best for losing belly fat at home?
One of the best home exercise machines for losing belly fat is the rowing machine. The rowing movement works your lower and upper core muscles, arms, and legs, helping burn belly fat more efficiently. A rowing machine also helps you build muscle.
How to choose the right weight loss equipment for your home?
As you can see, there’s a range of home gym exercise options you can use to help with your weight loss. However, before you start shopping for the best exercise equipment, consider some of the following things:
- What are your weight loss goals? Where do you want to lose weight? How long would you like it to take? Your weight goals, the number of calories you would like to burn, and other overall health goals impact your decision.
- How knowledgeable are you about exercising? As you can see from our list of the best home gym exercise options, some are better for beginners, such as a jump rope or rowing machine. Some workouts require a higher fitness level or experience to get the best results.
- How much time do you have for exercising? How much time you’ve got for exercise dictates the type of machine you use. For example, you can jump rope for an hour and burn as many as 900 calories.
- New vs. used: New home gym equipment can require a huge financial investment, but there is another option. Suppliers of refurbished used gym equipment such as BUGE (BestUsedGymEquipment.com). You can choose from some of the top gym equipment manufacturers in the US and get something that’s almost as good as new at a fraction of the price.
Conclusion
In this post about the best home exercise equipment for weight loss, we’ve covered a range of equipment. Before you make your final decision about the best exercise machine to lose weight at home, consider your goals. What particular areas do you want to focus on? How much free time have you got for workouts to achieve your goals?
It will also help if you do some more research. Online reviews can be helpful, and you can benefit from taking advice from personal trainers.
And let’s not forget one final thought. Exercise alone will not help you lose weight. A healthy, well-balanced diet is also essential for achieving your weight loss goals.
