If only there were one, single best exercise machine to lose weight, guaranteed to achieve the maximum effect in everyone. But there simply isn't, and actually, perhaps that is a good thing. Because if weight loss is your goal, then the best exercise machine to lose weight is simply the one that you enjoy. Or at least hate the least! After all, if you enjoy it you are far more likely to keep using it.
There are also practicalities to consider — which exercise machine might fit best into your home? Which fits best into your lifestyle? Some exercise machines may be best suited to those with lots of free time, others work well if you can only commit to short workout intervals. Some take up a lot of space, others are foldable and compact.
One of the most important things to consider is that in order to lose weight, you need to be in a caloric deficit — where you burn more calories than you use. And while an exercise machine can help with this, it's vital to adapt your diet too. But essentially, if you find a machine that works for you, even if it doesn't score the highest on a 'calories burnt per hour' metric, it's still the right one for you.
If you are really tight on space, you might want to look at our guide to under desk treadmills. And if you want to combine your cardio work with some strength and conditioning, then check out our best workout equipment for home, where we've summarised some of the best accessories for home workouts.
The quick list
Best treadmill
The NordicTrack X22i is the crème de la crème of home treadmills. It boasts a powerful motor, an impressive incline range and comes with thousands of on demand classes,
Best walking treadmill
For walkers, the budget-friendly and compact Mobvoi Home Treadmill is an excellent buy. It's durable and high quality, albeit lacking any premium features.
Best budget exercise bike
For under $300 the no-frills Yosuda bike is sturdy, compact and comfortable to ride. An excellent home riding experience at a great price.
Best exercise bike
With the huge array of live and on demand classes, robust design and comfortable ride, the Peloton remains firmly front of the pack. It's one of the best indoor bikes money can buy.
Best rowing machine
While it lacks the interactive screen element of more modern kit, the Concept2 RowErg is still top of class. It offers a smooth rowing experience and exceptional build quality at a reasonable price.
Best for fun weight loss workouts
If you struggle with motivation, then the Aviron Strong Series Rower is our top pick for you. It features addictive games and fun workouts, bringing some fun to your exercise programme.
The best exercise machines to lose weight we recommend in 2024
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Best treadmill to lose weight
There’s certainly a huge array of exercise machines to chose for, but if you want efficiency then one study published in the Journal Of The American Medical Association concluded that “the treadmill is the optimal indoor exercise machine for enhancing energy expenditure”. And if running is your exercise of choice, then we recommend the NordicTrack X22i.
It’s a market leading treadmill for a good reason. It’s incredibly robust, has a fantastic range of incline (and even decline) options and is surprisingly quiet considering the speeds it can reach. It’s certainly not the cheapest option, and you will need the space available to house it, but we liked this treadmill so much that we gave it a solid 4.5/5 rating in our full NordicTrack X22i review.
The X22i is truly an impressive piece of kit, with a powerful but quiet 4.0 CHP motor. When it comes to those inclines, you can replicate hill work with anything from -5% to 40%, meaning that you can even practice downhill running, a rare feature on treadmills.
The NordicTrack X22i offers a huge array of workouts as well, with 40 pre-programmed options and over 16,000 on-demand classes ready to access. However, you do need an iFit subscription to access this, which will add a monthly subscription cost of $39 USD to the premium price of the kit itself, though you can get a 30 day free trial initially to see if it works for you.
The NordicTrack X22i is extremely well designed and comes with a huge 22” display screen. It’s certainly a sizeable investment but if you have the space and the budget, you won’t be disappointed.
Have a look at our guide to the best treadmills for more top models and some budget friendly alternatives to the NordicTrack X22i.
- Read our full NordicTrack X22i review
Best walking treadmill to lose weight
Juggling exercise in with work, family duties or other caring responsibilities can be a real challenge. So if you are looking for the most versatile way to burn calories, then look no further than the Mobvoi Home Treadmill. You can simply fit it under your work desk or table and use it whenever you can, even just to get some gentle steps in while working on other things.
For a more heart-racing workout, you can simply lift it up on its riser and it operates more as a standard treadmill, letting you get in a gentle run. It does have a maximum speed of 12kph (just under 7.5mph) so it’s certainly not suitable for max run efforts, but it’s a fantastic budget piece of equipment for raising that step count and getting you more active.
We gave it a strong 4/5 rating in our Mobvoi Home Treadmill review, and at under $400 USD, its sturdy design and quiet motor offer great value.
The Mobvoi certainly has limitations. It's treadmill belt is not particularly long nor wide so it might not suit those with a long stride, but for gentler runs and high-tempo walks, it's price, versatility and build quality make it very worthy of your consideration.
Make sure to check out our guide to the best treadmills to see how the Mobvoi measures up against other the treadmills Live Science have tested.
- Read our full Mobvoi Home Treadmill review
Best budget exercise bike to lose weight
The Yosuda Indoor Stationary Cycling Bike doesn't come with a host of premium features, but equally, it won't make a big dent in your budget either. For under $300 you will get a really well constructed stationery bike, with a smooth and comfortable ride. It's great value for the price.
It’s clear that Yosuda’s budget-conscious entry into the market isn’t aiming to be the next Peloton. While you still do get a small LCD display, it offers just the basic metric tracking that you need. If you want live classes or advanced real-time feedback, look elsewhere, but if you are happy to follow routines on YouTube or other apps, then you can just pop your screen in the fitted phone holder and work up a sweat.
And if you’re looking for more advanced real-time feedback beyond calories, distance and speed, you can always use a fitness tracker.
In short, although it's light on features and comes with no bells and whistles, the Yosuda Indoor Stationary Cycling Bike is comfortable, quiet and has impressive build quality for such a budget-friendly price.
So whether you are keeping an eye on the price, or simply prefer a more "old school" simple spin session without interactive screens, then this is a brilliant choice. As we mentioned it in our full Yosuda Indoor Stationary Cycling Bike review, it also boasts the best-cushioned bike seat that we've tested so far, so you can workout in comfort.
Make sure you check out our guide to the best budget exercise bikes for more of our favorite models.
- Read our full Yosuda Indoor Stationary Cycling Bike review
Best exercise bike to lose weight
If you are in the market for a premium workout machine, it's likely Peloton will already be on your radar. It certainly does come at a price, as you need to factor in not only the initial cost of the machine itself, but also the $39 monthly subscription also required to access the live classes. And it is these that really make the Peloton shine. The classes are fun, well-designed and with a huge variety, from short and sharp to long and steady, and plenty of "off the bike" workouts too. We liked the Peloton so much we gave it a 4.5/5 rating in our Peloton bike review.
At 61KG, the bike itself is superbly designed but certainly very heavy, though it does come with two front-mounted wheels which makes moving it much easier. In terms of design quality and looks, the Peloton Bike is first-rate with its luxurious and stylish matte-black finish. The saddle can take a little getting used to, so you might need to prepare yourself for some initial soreness (and invest in some good bike shorts) but embrace the sweaty burn, and your enthusiasm for the experience won’t be diminished.
To get the best out of a Peloton, you will need Delta-compatible cleats to clip inside the bike’s pedals. That does add yet another expense, but if you’re seriously considering the Peloton experience, that won’t faze you too much. The overall and ongoing price really is the only potential drawback here in what is otherwise a supremely enjoyable and effective workout experience.
Make sure to check out our guide to the best exercise bikes for more top models tried and tested by the Live Science team.
- Read our full Peloton Bike review
Best rowing machine to lose weight
If you've ever so much as set foot in a gym you'll probably have seen a Concept2 RowErg. It's simply the gold standard in rowing machines, and the mainstay of gyms and rowing clubs around the world. And that's for a good reason. It's sturdy, robust design has long set the industry standard for rowing machines. And when it comes to rowing itself, well, you will certainly get a great full-body low-impact workouts that will help your weight loss routine. We gave it a massive 4.5/5 rating in our Concept2 RowErg review.
You won't find premium touchscreens or interactive classes here, and if that’s what you’re looking for, you might want to check out some fancier models like the Aviron Strong Series. However, its backlit LCD screen does provide lots of data though, plus there are global rankings, options to program your own workouts and an accompanying app for those who wish to carefully scrutinise their performance.
What the Concept2 RowErg offers is a smooth, comfortable row on a supremely well-designed and robust machine. At between 70-100Db, it might not be as quiet as a magnetic rowing machine, nor is it as aesthetically-pleasing as a solid wood rower. But if you are looking for function over form, then it is a brilliant straightforward piece of kit that does its job superbly and at a competitive price.
Make sure you check out our guide to the best rowing machines for more tried and tested rowers.
- Read our full Concept 2 Model D (RowErg) review
Best exercise machine for fun weight loss workouts
Really struggle with boredom on cardio machines? You are certainly not alone, but the Aviron Strong Series Rower could be the answer. It's a robust, well-built rowing machine but it's also a whole lot more. It comes with an array of features designed to keep you hooked on working out, from addictive games and fun weight loss workouts to rowing challenges, including racing against other users. The Aviron Strong Series really does make it easy to enjoy exercising — which is crucial to successful weight loss.
It's also a really well designed machine. The Aviron Strong Series Rower boasts a 507 lbs (230 kg) capacity, which makes it suitable for heavier users. It comes with a high seat and widely adjustable footplates. As we mentioned in our Aviron Strong Series Rower review, these two features can be particularly handy for those with limited mobility.
We were also impressed at its smooth, comfortable rowing strokes, crisp touchscreen display and flawless connectivity with other apps and third-party devices. Design-wise, it is a near-perfect rowing machine.
Near-perfect, because there is one major caveat — its sheer size and weight. Even though it can be stored upright, it is a beast of an exercise machine and it also comes with a hefty price tag.
Make sure you check out our guide to the best rowing machines for more tried and tested rowers.
Our expert consultants
Emily Servante is a qualified personal trainer, passionate about helping people become the best version of themselves. She makes sure to always engage in continued research and learning to provide her clients with a targeted training plan, as well as providing nutritional and emotional support outside the gym.
Best exercise machines to lose weight: Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: resistance training vs cardio exercise?
According to Emily Servante, global trainer education manager at Ultimate Performance, both resistance training and aerobic exercise are helpful when trying to achieve fat loss.
This round-up focuses on cardio machines, which can ramp up your heart rate and subsequently your calorie burn, partly due to the ‘afterburn’ effect associated with high-intensity exercise. But Servante says both cardio and resistance machines can actually kickstart this afterburn effect, meaning that your body continues to burn energy at a higher rate for several hours after your workout.
Perhaps. more importantly, combining cardio and resistance training can build a stronger and more functional body. This can also be referred to as functional training. Resistance training builts stronger bones and joints and maintains your muscle mass, or even builds it. And this in turn can help prevent injury which hard cardio exercise may raise your risk of.
Servante tells us that both types of machine or exercise can improve how your body processes, stores, and utilizes carbs too, rather than storing them as fat. She recommends incorporating two to three weekly resistance sessions into your schedule.
Learning how to lose fat and gain muscle takes a bit of know-how, but it’s possible.
Calorie intake and output: how does it work?
A calorie deficit lends itself to weight loss, as the goal is therefore to burn more calories a day than you consume through food. However, it doesn't mean that you need to do hours of exhausting cardio. That, in fact, would be counter productive as it's likely to lead to burnout or even injury. The goal is really just to shift your energy balance slightly, by Increasing your day-to-day activity levels and establishing a sensible and exercise routine. One, crucially, that you can maintain.
This could include simple steps like taking the stairs more often, walking or cycling to work, or even getting up from your desk more frequently for a quick break.
But should you pour more energy into energy expenditure or lowering your calorie consumption? According to Servante, fat loss focusing solely on restricting food intake isn’t very effective and would require severe caloric restriction.
“Small errors can knock you off course,” warns Servante. “Likewise, only increasing your output would require a high level of activity, which is unrealistic and unsustainable for most people.”
Instead, combining more movement with a sensible cut in calories can help you to lose weight safely.
Weight loss vs fat loss: what should you be focusing on?
According to Servante, any exercise form that helps burn calories will ultimately aid weight loss, but this doesn’t guarantee fat burn, and there is no such thing as 'spot' fat loss. To lose fat while maintaining muscle, adding resistance training into your routine is your best bet.
Two to three sessions a week is an achievable goal, and you should try to aim to workout different areas of your body. For example, one session could include legs and chest, rather than just focusing on your arms.
A gentle calorie reduction of around 15-20% is a good place to start, in line with increasing activity levels. This could be in an informal way of simply upping your step count — like taking the dog for a walk — or by implementing structured cardio using one of our top picks from this guide. Or, of course, you can combine both. The key is to find something that will keep you motivated and entertained, which might well involve variety.
Many of us may default to running or cycling, but do consider those rowing machines too. In our best exercise bikes guide, we discuss how rowing works approximately 86% of your muscles. So you can drum up cardio and full-body resistance training in one sweaty sitting.
Servante tells us sustainable weight loss would look like gradually dropping by 0.5-1% each week, so do keep track of your progress and make adjustments. However, everyone is different, and progression isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It's not always linear, either. So focus on the bigger picture rather than day-to-day, and work towards sustainable, and achievable goals.
Most importantly, getting fit and healthy should feel challenging but fun, so make sure it engages you mentally and physically. Counting calories also isn't for everyone, so first and foremost just ensure your diet is healthy and varied, including plenty of healthy fats, protein, and unrefined carbs.
How we tested these exercise machines
How do we tested the best exercise machine for weight loss?
Our in-house team has tested each of the machines in this guide, trying out all of their features (including live classes) and pushing them to their max settings. To make sure that we thoroughly assessed each product, we did a minimum of three sessions on each machine, including at least one endurance session and one shorter, intense session.
Once we'd spent a day on the machine, we ranked it for usability, design, features, performance and value for money, giving it a final score out of five stars.
