Which Cardio Machine Burns the Most Calories (2024)

If you are on a quest to lose weight, then you know cardio is one of the best ways to do it. If you’re someone who’s on the path to weight loss and wants efficient, fun, and effective ways to burn calories, you’ve come to the right place. With various cardio equipment available in the gym, it can sometimes be challenging to know which cardio machine is best for you.

Whether you’re working out for an hour or just 30 minutes, finding the best cardio machine that burns the most calories can make a difference in achieving your weight loss goals. Read on and we'll take a closer look at the top five cardio machines that burn the most calories.

Elliptical Machine For Weight Loss

Pros & Cons:

An elliptical machine provides a low-impact workout, making it an excellent option for those who have joint pain or injuries. This machine is also known for being very effective at burning calories compared with other cardio machines. With an elliptical, you can burn calories by using your upper and lower body. It engages your legs, core, arms, and shoulders, which makes it a great cardio machine to cover different areas of your body during a workout.

However, elliptical machines can get monotonous quite fast, especially if you are used to doing different workouts. Apart from that, while elliptical machines are great for full-body workouts, they are not ideal for muscle building. They do not provide enough resistance to build muscles. Last but not least, it is harder to measure your progress on an elliptical machine as the units of motion are not standardized. Therefore, you may not be able to compare your progress on different elliptical machines.

How Many Calories Are Burned In A 30-Minute Elliptical Workout?

According to Harvard Health, in 30 minutes, one can burn a significant number of calories depending on the speed and resistance used. For an average person weighing 160 pounds, a moderate workout can burn approximately 335 calories in 30 minutes. Higher-intensity workouts can also help burn more calories. For example, a vigorous workout on an elliptical machine can burn anywhere from 378 to 400 calories in 30 minutes for an individual weighing 160 pounds. The rate at which an individual burns calories also depends on the person's body weight. For example, someone weighing 200 pounds will burn more calories on an elliptical machine in a 30-minute workout than someone who weighs less. Someone weighing 200 pounds can burn up to 500 calories in a moderate-intensity workout.

What Muscles Does an Elliptical Machine Work?

The elliptical machine provides a full-body workout, which means it targets various muscle groups. The primary muscles targeted by the elliptical are the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. These muscles work together to provide an intense lower body workout with each stride you make on the machine. Additionally, the elliptical machine also works the upper body muscles. The machine is equipped with hand pedals that move along with the foot pedals, providing a simultaneous workout for the arms, shoulders, chest, and back muscles.

Does the Elliptical Machine Burn Belly Fat?

The elliptical machine is a cardio workout machine, which means it helps burn calories. This leads to weight loss in all areas of the body, including belly fat. However, the elliptical machine alone cannot specifically target the belly fat. For one to lose belly fat, she or he needs to incorporate a healthy diet and regular strength training exercises targeting the belly fat muscles.

Air Bikes For Weight Loss:

Pros & Cons:

Air bikes are a great option for people who have joint issues or previous injuries that limit their mobility. Unlike running or other high-impact forms of cardiovascular exercise, air bikes are low impact, which reduces the risk of further damage to joints. Additionally, air bikes engage the entire body in the workout, not just the legs. As well as providing a great cardiovascular workout, air bikes also work the arms, back, and core muscles, making them an excellent option for toning up the whole body and getting rid of unwanted fat.

Compared to other cardio machines, such as treadmills, ellipticals, or rowing machines, air bikes offer a limited range of movement. This can cause some users to become bored or lose interest if they are used to more varied forms of exercise. The high intensity of air bikes can be a con for some people, especially those starting on their weight loss journey. Air bikes offer a grueling workout and can be challenging for beginners or those with limited fitness levels. This intense workout can also be a pro for some, but it may be a deterrent for others.

How Many Calories Are Burned In A 30-Minute Air Bike Workout?

To calculate the number of calories burned during an air bike workout, various factors come into play such as age, weight, and workout intensity. On average, a person burns 12-15 calories in a minute of moderate Air Bike cycling. This means that in 30 minutes, a person can burn up to 360-450 calories, given they maintain a moderate intensity during the workout.

However, an individual can burn more calories in 30 minutes by increasing the workout's intensity through interval training or building muscle mass, increasing resistance. American personal trainer Rob MacDonald holds the current world record by burning 87 calories in a minute on an air bike.

Rowing Machine For Weight Loss:

Pros & Cons:

Rowing machines have a range of benefits. One of the significant advantages is that rowing machines exercise almost every muscle in the body. As such, you can burn calories and tone your muscles at the same time. More so, the machine also provides low-impact exercises, making it an excellent option for people with injuries or joint pain.

Despite these benefits, rowing machines are not for everyone. Firstly, they need a lot of space, which may not be practical for people with tiny apartments. Secondly, the motion of the rowing machine requires a little bit of coordination, which may take some time for people to develop. Lastly, if you have mobility or flexibility issues, then the effective use of a rowing machine may be a challenge.

How Many Calories Are Burned In 30 Minutes Rowing Workout?

A standard rowing workout can burn roughly 200 to 300 calories in 30 minutes, depending on your weight and level of intensity. This rate of calorie burn is more than running, cycling, or swimming, making it an efficient way to achieve weight loss. It’s important to note that the number of calories burned varies depending on the user's age, gender, and weight.

Gym Activities125-pound person155-pound person185-pound person
Rowing, Stationary: moderate210252294

What Muscles Does A Rowing Machine Work?

The rowing machine is one of the most effective total body workouts. The movements involved in rowing engage multiple muscle groups in your body. The main muscles used are located in your back, arms, glutes, thighs, and calves.

What Is The Rowing Machine Good For?

Rowing machines offer a wide range of benefits that can improve your health in various ways. Whether you're looking to lose weight, improve your cardiovascular health, or achieve a toned physique, the rowing machine can help.

Treadmill For Weight Loss:

Pros & Cons:

A treadmill is a versatile cardio machine and is one of the most common machines found in gyms and homes worldwide. Treadmills are known to burn a lot of calories because they simulate running or walking, incorporating more muscles and burning more calories.

Unfortunately, treadmills are hard on your joints, and running on them can lead to knee and ankle problems. Additionally, they can be expensive to purchase and take up a lot of space in your home.

How Many Calories Are Burned On a Treadmill In 30 Minutes?

When you walk at a moderate pace of around 3.5 mph on a flat treadmill, you can burn approximately 149-276 calories in 30 minutes. Keep in mind that these numbers are based on an average weight of 150 pounds. If you weigh more or less than this, the number of burned calories may be different. Also, if you increase the speed or add an incline, you will burn more calories.

If you are running on a treadmill at a 6 mph speed, you can burn between 270-500 calories in 30 minutes. You can increase the incline to make the workout harder and help you burn more calories. If you add an incline of around 5%, you can increase the number of burned calories by 70%. In this case, you will burn around 459-850 calories in 30 minutes.

On average, you can burn between 149 to 850 calories within 30 minutes of walking or running on a treadmill. However, if you weigh more, you will burn more calories than someone who weighs less.

Exercise Bike For Weight Loss:

Pros & Cons:

Exercise bikes are ideal for individuals who want a low-impact workout that's easy on the knee and ankle joints, especially those with pre-existing injuries. Unlike running, cycling doesn't produce high-impact shocks, reducing the risk of injury associated with the impact.

Additionally, exercise bikes are user-friendly, versatile, and can be used anywhere in your home. You can easily place the bike in your home and pedal away while watching TV or listening to music.For example, freebeat immersive and gamified spin classes will motivate you to workout more, providing exciting indoor cycling experience and effective cardio workouts.

However, the biggest downside to exercise bikes is that they only train specific muscle groups, mainly the lower body, but if you like to do full body workout, we recommend to pair with some strength trainning accessories.

Which Cardio Machine Burns the Most Calories (1)

How Many Calories Does An Exercise Bike Burn In 30 Minutes?

Light cycling is considered to be a low-intensity exercise and can burn approximately 200-300 calories in 30 minutes. Moderate cycling, which involves pedaling at a faster rate, can help burn around 400-500 calories, while pushing yourself hard can lead to burning up to 600 calories or more. It's worth noting that the number of calories burned on an exercise bike depends on various factors. Your weight, age, gender, and intensity of exercise can all impact the amount of calories you burn. That said, on average, a 30-minute workout on an exercise bike can burn anywhere from 200-600 calories, depending on your weight and exercise intensity.

Is Stationary Bike Good Cardio?

There's no denying that stationary bikes are effective cardio machines. They provide a low-impact, high-intensity workout that strengthens cardiovascular health, improves endurance, and helps with weight loss. They are versatile, catering to all fitness levels and ages, and are easy to use. Stationary bike workouts can also be fun, making them an enjoyable form of cardio exercise. With all these benefits, investing in a stationary bike may be well worth it for those looking to achieve optimal cardiovascular health.

Which Cardio Machine Burns the Most Calories (2)

Which One Burns the Most Calories?

All the exercise machines discussed in this blog are effective for burning calories. However, the elliptical machine and air bike came out as the winners, burning the most calories per hour. The stationary exercise bike, rowing machine, and treadmill follow closely behind, burning a significant amount of calories as well. Ultimately, the best cardio machine for you depends on your fitness goals and personal preferences. Choose the exercise machine that keeps you motivated and makes your workout enjoyable, and you will see results.

#1 Air Bike

#2 Elliptical Machine

#3 Stationary Exercise Bike

#4 Rowing Machine

#5 Treadmill

Which Cardio Machine Burns the Most Calories (2024)

FAQs

Which Cardio Machine Burns the Most Calories? ›

Running on a treadmill burns more calories than any other machine-centered workout. Before you begin, check the settings and select an intense pace to burn more calories.

What gym cardio machine burns the most calories? ›

Summary: The treadmill stands out when it comes to cardio – with an hour long run burning more than 700 calories. Running is also a great way to strengthen the muscles in your legs and one of the most affordable forms of aerobic exercise.

What cardio workout burns the most calories? ›

According to Healthline, running burns the most calories. A tried and true exercise that requires little more than your legs and the open road, running burns just over 800 calories for a 155-pound adult per hour.

What machine burns the most belly fat? ›

Which Machines are Best for Reducing Fat Around Your Stomach?
  • Treadmill.
  • Elliptical.
  • Stairmaster.
  • Stationary bike.
  • Rowing machine.
Nov 10, 2020

What is the fastest cardio to lose weight? ›

Running, for instance, has been shown to burn more calories than any other cardio activity (between 650 to 1,000 calories per hour depending on intensity levels and one's weight), followed by swimming and then cycling. "The more calories you burn, the more weight you will lose," explains Gontang.

Which cardio is best for belly fat? ›

Some great cardio of aerobic exercises for belly fat include:
  • Walking, especially at a quick pace.
  • Running.
  • Biking.
  • Rowing.
  • Swimming.
  • Cycling.
  • Group fitness classes.
Apr 25, 2023

What type of cardio burns the most fat? ›

Running is the winner for most calories burned per hour. Stationary bicycling, jogging, and swimming are excellent options as well. HIIT exercises are also great for burning calories. After a HIIT workout, your body will continue to burn calories for up to 24 hours.

What exercise burns the most belly fat? ›

High-intensity interval training (HIIT): It is probably one of the fastest and most efficient ways to lose stomach fat and reduce the overall body fat percentage. HIIT is a high-intensity short period of exercise that usually doesn't exceed 30 minutes, with short breaks of recovery periods of 30-60 seconds.

What is the biggest calorie burner at the gym? ›

Running is one of the best calorie burners out there,” Saltos says. An average person can burn anywhere from 500 to 1000 in one hour of running. “Speed, pace, and endurance are all factors that can impact this range. But running uses every muscle group in the body, allowing you to burn more calories.

What is the 30 30 30 rule for weight loss? ›

The 30-30-30 rule involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity, steady state cardiovascular exercise. Beyond these steps, the 30-30-30 method doesn't require any changes to other meals or behaviors, restrictions or counting calories.

What cardio makes you lose the most weight? ›

If burning calories is your main goal, consider running or cycling over walking. The faster you go and the harder you work, the more calories you'll burn per hour.

What is the best cardio machine to lose weight? ›

Treadmill

The treadmill is a classic and widely used cardio machine that remains a top choice for weight loss. It provides an effective way to burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously.

What melts belly fat the best? ›

  • Eat plenty of soluble fiber. ...
  • Avoid foods that contain trans fats. ...
  • Moderate your alcohol intake. ...
  • Eat a high protein diet. ...
  • Reduce your stress levels. ...
  • Don't eat a lot of sugary foods. ...
  • Do aerobic exercise (cardio) ...
  • Cut back on carbs — especially refined carbs.

Which cardio zone burns the most fat? ›

Zone 2 – endurance level: Exercising with a heart beating at 60-70% of your maximum heart rate for between 20–40 minutes is a step up that will bring you into the fat burning zone – a level at which you can effectively burn excess fat stored in your body.

Is an elliptical better than a treadmill? ›

Which machine is a better option depends on your individual needs. If you have a musculoskeletal condition or are injury-prone, you may want to stick with the elliptical. If you want to burn a lot of calories and build up leg strength and speed, the treadmill may be a better choice.

What exercise burns most calories in 30 minutes? ›

What Cardio Burns the Most Calories?
Type of ActivityCalories Burned per 30 Minutes
Jump roping300
Kettlebell circuit with light weights107
Rowing (moderate-intensity)102–205
Running (5 miles per hour)287
5 more rows
Feb 29, 2024

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