You can see some counts of calories burned by different forms of exercise equipment in the table below. What I am going to do first is put into writing what many of you will already intuitively know to be true…
It does not matter much if a particular machine burns calories faster than another if you do not enjoy using it!
Yep, the battle with will power to exercise regularly (and you’ll need to for sustained weight loss) is hard enough. If you choose a machine you like less simply to add another 100 calories per hour then you are almost certainly making your task more difficult. This page covers the pros and cons of different types of fat burning home exercise equipment. Below you’ll info on treadmills, cross trainers (elliplicals), exercise bikes, rowers and steppers.
If you need a hand working out which is the best exercise equipment for you, then try my detailed How to Choose Fitness Equipment article here.
The list below gives approximate calorie counts for the main types of exercise machine. Keep in mind that your body weight and the exact intensity of your workout will affect the real number of calories burned.
Those calories add up. You only need to add 4 intensive sessions each week and you’ll be into the 2000+ calorie burn on most machines… keep this up for a few months and I’m sure you’ll see the difference.
Some people find treadmills on the dull side. For others, these are great machines to use while listening to music or an audio-book! The number of calories you burn per hour will depend on 3 things, your speed, the incline and the type of program you follow.
Walking will not burn through too many calories, though is a great option for those just getting started with losing weight and not wanting to overdo things.
Once you get used to using your treadmill you can up the speed to a jog then a run, and increase the incline (slope) which adds more difficulty and calories burned too. Many treadmills have programs which speed you up and slow you down (some along with incline changes) as you go… these can be useful cardio routines – certainly a more realistic option than a whole hour of sprinting for most people.
Home treadmills range from around £100 to £1000+. The budget ones can be a little noisy, though they do come with screens and count your calories. For me the ‘sweet spot’ is at around £200 to £250. Here you get a comfortable and quiet machine, with the ability to add incline and an on board computer that has set programs and can monitor your heart rate. You can also find models with entertainment systems and the ability to sync with popular apps.
The table below shows the best-selling treadmills in 3 different price categories. These models are the ‘most popular’ (and among the highest rated by buyers) at amazon.co.uk. You’ll find more detail on this in my Treadmill Reviews article (along with examples).
Best Selling Manual (No Motor) Treadmill Sunny Fitness produce this compact manual treadmill. This is popular for older users, and those returning to fitness. 8km / hour top speed, console to track you progress and 1000's of happy customers. |
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Lower Mid-Priced - Fit4Home Healthmate You get a lot of treadmill for a budget price with this Fit4Home model. The spec includes a 10 km / hr top speed, plus manual incline. Positive feedback suggests great value for the price-point! |
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Electric Treadmill with German Engineering: Sportstech F10 A solid machine with great feedback and multiple features you only get at a higher price range. Sportstech treadmills are app compatible, with 10km / hour top speed. Great value for money! |
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Mid-Range Pick - JLL S300 Treadmill Top level spec including auto-incline and amazing console setup + shock-absorbing surface . This has proven a hugely popular model and I recommend you check the buyer feedback as well as the price! |
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Newest Technology in a Big Mid-Budget Model: The JLL T350 This JLL treadmill is the bridge between the budget and gym-style machines. A big, folding body, cushioned running surface, app compatibility, plus the reliable, smooth action you'd expect from JLL. Check the feedback for this machine now! |
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Commercial Gym Level - The Amazing Elite Runner Pro This is not just 'gym style', you'll find these machines in high-end gyms & health clubs. A big machine, pro-level cushioning, amazing console (with full compatibility) and spec that the budget makers can only aspire to. This investment will last you for years! |
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One big advantage of exercise bikes is that you are sitting down. This makes it possible to watch TV, read or even try some extra arm exercises if you are really keen – all while you are cycling. Bikes are relatively quiet, though do not generally fold away.
Again the intensity of your workout is the key factor in how many calories you burn. This is controlled by a mix of speed (how fast you peddle) and the resistance level (how hard you have to push to turn the peddles). In the gym setting there are group classes with an instructor which add a fun dimension, these are known as Spinning classes.
You can pick up a very basic bike for £70, these might be enough to give this a try, though by bumping to the £125 to £175 level you’ll get machine which will last you for the long run. Look for adjustability, comfort and a big ‘flywheel’ to keep the resistance of the peddles smooth. You should get a LED display, preset programs and a heart rate monitor, as well as that all-important calorie count. As you go towards £500 you can get some really nice bikes – make sure you have the space for this as well as the budget.
The table below shows the best selling bikes at amazon.co.uk for smaller / middle and bigger budgets. You can see my detailed page for Exercise Bike Reviews – which covers the details of what to expect, and has a lot more options. If you value comfort, consider a ‘Recumbent’ bike. You sit back while you peddle, rather than upright. Another consideration is a padded gel saddle – these make regular indoor biking much easier on the behind!
Folding Best Seller - UltraSport F-Bike Hugely popular model from UltraSport which folds away for easy storage. Console, pulse sensors and even an option for getting a backrest with the seat. Check the positive feedback for this category best-seller - now with welcome options / add-ons. |
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Budget Upright Bike - JLL JF100 A solid upright from the popular JLL. This bike gives you 10 resistance levels, a pulse rate monitor and LCD console for a budget price. This UK based fitness equipment maker have a great range of bikes for all budgets. |
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Sturdy Recumbent Bike - XS Sports B400R No need to compromise comfort for calories with the B400R from XS Sport. This recumbent has a great spec, comfy seat and hugely positive feedback. |
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Nero Sports: Spinner Bike with Bluetooth Group rides from home with this Nero Sports Spinner. It connects to an app via Bluetooth - you will need to provide your own tablet / iPad. Great design and versatile spec. |
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Commerical Gym Level Home Bike - SX500 The dream bike for many people, the Sportstech SX500 has an amazing spec. With German engineering, stunning looks, electronic control for the resistance and KinoMap app compatibility, this is one hell of a bike! |
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Floor Standing Mini Bike from UltraSport This box with pedals can sit under your desk or by the sofa. You'll get a decent workout, which you can track via the built in LCD display. Can also stand on a table for use with your arms! |
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Cross Trainers are one of the better machines for fat burning. The key is using both the arms and legs at the same time. Again you’ll need to use your cross trainer intensively to get the best burn rates. This means taking longer strides, and also upping the resistance level while you workout.
For many people, ellipticals work better in shorter bursts. You’ll certainly expect to feel it the first time you try and intensive hour on one!
Once again you will find a huge range of models, with the budget end at under £100 and the higher end more than £500. Some of the key things to look out for are stride length (some basic models have 14 inch or 16 inch strides, which may be short for taller people) – and also whether resistance needs to be changed automatically or is done electronically. On-board computers are a standard feature, though their capability varies a lot. Basic models track strides, time and calories only – while the more advanced ones include monitors, app synching, adjustable programs and entertainment compatibility too.
Other options include machines which double up as Cross Trainers and Exercise Bikes. The table below shows the best-sellers for 3 different budget levels. You can read my individual reviews, or check the buyer feedback for each model for yourself at amazon. You can find out more about the price range and variations available in my Elliptical Trainer Reviews page.
Stunning: NordicTrack FS14i Ellipticals FreeStride Ellipticals from NordicTrack are amazing machines which combine cross-training with trainer-led iFit workouts (top end pricing). |
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HIIT L6 Cross Trainers from ProForm When you combine the spec (and brand) of the HIIT L6, it is hard to think anything other than 'bargain!'. (iFit too) |
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Mid Priced Marvel - X-Fit from Branx More quality from the Branx Fitness range. This super-spec'd cross trainer includes a huge 32lb flywheel, app connectivity and even a USB charger - great quality. |
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Category Best Seller: The JLL CT300 I'd put this popular elliptical cross trainer in the 'Budget+' category. It ticks all the right boxes, a decent size, LCD console and smooth resistance at a very reasonable price point. |
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Great Value Budget Elliptical: JLL CT200 The popular entry level model from the UK-based JLL. With solid engineering and top-rated service, this is another example of what JLL does brilliantly. |
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This type of machine hits the sweet spot for many of us trying to lose some weight. You get to sit down and will give yourself a full body and cardio workout that can vary considerably in intensity.
Rowing can be enjoyed steadily for a reasonably long time – in contrast to ellipticals and steppers, which are better suited to short and intensive bursts. Many rowing machines do not fold away, so make sure you have the floor space available before you buy.
Along with how solidly built each rowing machine is, the key factor to look out for is the resistance method. The very top end machines (£700 to £1200 range) use ‘water resistance’ which gives an authentic as well as uniform resistance when you row. Mid-range models tend to use magnetic resistance, while the budget end use mechanical resistance. Again, the computer and tracking will also get significantly better the more you invest. Expect to pay $120 for a very basic machine, with some quality products coming in at around £200.
The table below again has the best-selling / popular models in different budget calories. If you are interested in the nitty-gritty, check out my guide to the different types of rowing machine available in this article.
Best of the Best - Concept 2 RowErg with PM5 Concept2 are the leading rowing machine brand for a good reason. Their new 'RowErg' is the next generation replacement for the Model D. These top-end rowers will last you for years! |
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Row with iFit - NordicTrack RW900 This model combines NordicTrack style with the latest technology. Enjoy trainer led workouts, videos and scenic rows with iFit via the impressive HD screen. |
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Quality Folding Model - The Carbon R10 ProForm rowers have a solid reputation for durability and tech. The Carbon R10 has a unique space-saving design. It also works with iFit! |
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A Unique Twist on Water - JLL Aqua 1 JLL Combined water resistance with elastic resistance to give you extra power in the Aqua 1. This model stands upright for easy storage too. |
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Air Resistance - The vFit Tornado A popular model with air resistance. The 'Tornado' has more than just unique looks, it is a category best seller, giving you air breaking at a competitive price point. |
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Budget Magnetic Best Seller - JLL R200 JLL set the standard for magnetic rowing machines which get the basics just right. This machine has 10 resistance levels, an LCD console and a ton of positive feedback - a great value pick! |
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Perfect for Older Users - Sunny Elastic A comfy, stable seat combined with elastic resistance. This budget rower is from Sunny Fitness, who specalise in equipment for older people and those returning to fitness. |
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I’m going to include both variations of stair climbing exercise machines into one category here. Steppers can be very small. Some floor standing units are only 30cm high and are little more than a frame with a couple of paddles which are your steps. At completely the other end of the spectrum, you will find Stairmills. These are like mini-escalators, which staircases which keep going up for ever! The price range is huge between these items. With basic steppers £30 and up, and a top-end Stairmill at £10,000+!
In between there are a lot of different models, with many that include arm exercises too. Calorie burn rates of up to 650 per hour can be achieved. What you should keep in mind is that an hour of intensive stepping is a tough ask for many people. These type of machines are much better suited to small and intensive sessions which get your heart rate going. This could be in addition to whatever else you are doing to ensure that you are burning the maximum possible fat.
One more table is below, showing the popular options for steppers. As usual you can read all about the different types of stepper and Stairmill in this detailed article.
Popular Pick - Body Sculpture Lateral Stepper Straight from the best-sellers list. This stepper has elasticated ropes and twists too. Versatile, lightweight and easy to use |
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Aerobic Stepper - Best-Seller from JLL For use in aerobics classes, this solid step from JLLhas 3 levels and a robust enough build to last and last. |
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Regular Up-Down Mini-Stepper - UltraSport No-Frills, no gimmicks, this stepper will simply burn the calories day after day. Another one from the best seller list at amazon.co.uk |
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Of course, your exercise machine does not have to be the only way you burn through those calories. In fact some variation is recommended. This can be anything from using a skipping rope (which can be very intensive), running outdoors, swimming, cardio gym workout sessions, weight / strength training or even just walking to the shops or office instead of taking the car more regularly.
Abs belts are always an option. These are best suited to the ‘final mile’, when you have burned the excess fat and would like to see those stomach muscles shining through. You can find out about the science behind these belts, and the different options in my page on do abs toning belts work?
Burning those calories and improving your cardio performance / stimulating your metabolism is only part of the equation when it comes to losing weight. The other important factor is the type of an amount of food that you consume.
If you want to find out more about the different fitness diet options, then check out the Food and Diet section here at Fitness Review. This is not about diet plans or fads, being more focused on general information and guides to help you make informed choices.
To recap: The most important factor in buying exercise equipment to lose weight is to buy those machines you enjoy using the most (or, depending on your outlook dislike the least!). While intensity of use and different calorie counts will go into your decision making process – having a machine that you are happy to use regularly will make a much bigger difference over time. Don’t forget a thick gym mat to go under your new machine!
Update: There is a lot of enthusiasm around for vibration plate exercisers at the moment, with many users reporting fast results for burning fat. This page is already a bit long, so I’ll direct you to the page which compares vibration plate trainers instead.