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7 Rowing is a low-impact way to get your heart rate up

You don't need a gym membership to get into the best shape of your life.

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cardio machine peleton
Staff, Courtesy of Peleton

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Not everyone loves hitting the gym for cardio workouts. It can be grueling and difficult to muster enthusiasm for on days when you're already feeling a little worse for wear. If you struggle to get in your daily cardio, finding a workout that you actually look forward to will make all the difference—especially if you find a routine you can do at home. There are tons of home cardio options out there, from running to rowing to cycling, and many cardio machines even include a membership option that allows you to take instructor-led classes right from the comfort of your own home. Since there are so many different types of machines out there, we've rounded up our favorites to help you choose the one that's right for you.

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How We Selected

To find the best cardio machines among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular models available and considered price, features, durability, size, and exercise variety. We looked at both expert reviews and more than 65,000 customer ratings, written by people who’ve bought these models on sites like Amazon, to settle on the home cardio machines you'll find below.

Looking for more great additions to your home gym? Check out our picks for the How We Selected, kettlebells, and ab machines.

1
Best Overall

Peloton Bike Starter

Bike Starter
1
Best Overall

Peloton Bike Starter

$1,650 at Peloton

There's a reason Peloton bikes have earned a legion of absorbed followers: they're a great way to get in tons of sweaty cardio at home and actually enjoy it—while building a sense of community with fellow riders, no less. This starter kit comes with everything you need to begin your daily workout classes. It includes the bike, cycling shoes, dumbbells, and a bike mat. The large screen allows you to follow along with live and on-demand cycling classes, as well as Pilates, barre, and more.

More: Shop our favorite exercise bikes

2
Staff, Courtesy of Peleton

Mirror Mirror Pro

Mirror Pro
2
Staff, Courtesy of Peleton

Mirror Mirror Pro

If you only have enough space to choose between a couch or a treadmill, we bet—and encourage—that you choose the couch. But that doesn't mean you can't still get in a great workout at home.

The Mirror Pro functions as a traditional mirror until turned on, then it becomes a personal trainer, chock full of great classes like bootcamp, boxing, dance, and more. You also have the option of adding personal training to the equation for just $40 per session.

3
Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

Hydrow Rower

Rower
3
Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

Hydrow Rower

Rowing is a low-impact way to get your heart rate up, Best Fitness Trackers, and improve your endurance without causing undue wear and tear on your joints. This rowing machine by Hydrow has a sleek design, large touchscreen, and even has one-on-one coaching sessions available with purchase, which can help you improve your form and efficiency.

It also has live and on-demand workouts, journeys that allow you to virtually row through bodies of water, and even boasts mat-based classes like yoga and Pilates.

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4
Most Affordable

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine

SF-E905 Elliptical Machine
4
Most Affordable

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine

If you're looking for a more affordable, low-impact option, this elliptical might be the perfect fit. It is has eight levels of adjustable resistance, heart rate monitors, and an LCD screen that shows time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse. It's super easy to set up, and it also has a relatively compact design that won't take up too much space, making it ideal for smaller homes.

More: Shop our favorite elliptical machines

5
Health & Injuries

NordicTrack T Series Treadmill

T Series Treadmill
5
Health & Injuries

NordicTrack T Series Treadmill

If you're looking for a way to maintain your endurance at home on days when it's too cold or rainy to jog outdoors, look no further. This treadmill is a midrange model that gives you a great range of features to help you get the most out of your workout while forgoing flashy screens.

It reaches up to 10 miles per hour and 10 percent incline, with manual controls allowing you to adjust these settings according to your preferences. The treadmill can also be connected to an iFit subscription, which will change your incline and resistance settings automatically according to which class you're taking.

6
Best Fitness Trackers

CLMBR CLMBR Connected Home Gym

CLMBR Connected Home Gym
6
Best Fitness Trackers

CLMBR CLMBR Connected Home Gym

If you’ve ever worked out on a Jacob’s ladder before, you know how tough a workout climbing can be. This machine is a more compact version of a traditional Jacob’s ladder machine, but gives similar results. This machine delivers a low-impact workout that’s easy on your joints but still gets your heart rate up super high and burns a ton of calories. It also has a touchscreen, which allows you to get lost in immersive workouts and forget about just how hard you’re training.

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7
Shoes & Gear

Bowflex Max Trainer M8

Max Trainer M8
7
Shoes & Gear

Bowflex Max Trainer M8

Another great way to get your heart rate up fast and strengthen those booty muscles is with a stair stepper, like this Bowflex model. This machine combines both elliptical and stair stepper workouts, so you can mix it up and target different muscle groups.

It has a number of different preset workouts—starting at just five minutes long—and it is designed maximize the results of your workout regardless of how much time you have to spend on it.

It also has a backlit display that keeps track of your stats and it has a media holder where you can keep your phone or tablet for some entertainment while you exercise.

Headshot of Gabrielle Hondorp
Gabrielle Hondorp

Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track. 

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Hearst Men's and Enthusiast Media Group - Rowing is a low-impact way to get your heart rate up

Rowing is a low-impact way to get your heart rate up

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