When you walk into a gym, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the choice of exercise equipment. Knowing exactly which machines you should spend your time on to lose belly fat fast will put you at a huge advantage. This article is designed to put you at that advantage by identifying the seven best cardio exercise equipment, as identified by personal trainers, to help you achieve your belly fat loss goals.
1. Elliptical Trainers
Elliptical trainers are among the most common and popular exercise equipment machines in the cardio area of any gym. Because they work both the upper and the lower body, with a push-pull action, they are a very effective calorie burner. Elliptical machine exercise is also very joint-friendly. That’s because this is an example of a closed chain exercise where your feet never come off the foot platforms.
The elliptical motion that you follow when doing this exercise provides a very natural biomechanical lower-body movement. This, combined with the low-impact nature of this exercise, makes it an ideal choice for doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT), one of the most effective cardio training methods.
We recommend spending 20-30 minute cardio workouts on the elliptical trainer.
2. Rowing Machines
The rowing machine is another cardio option that works both the lower and the upper body. In fact, the rowing action activates 85% of the muscles in your body. This is also another closed chain exercise, making it very joint-friendly.
Rowing does a better job than virtually any other cardio exercise of working the muscles of your upper body. At the same time, your abdominal muscles and leg muscles will also get a good workout.
Rowing is a fantastic exercise for doing HIIT workouts, where you switch from short sharp bursts of high intensity to slow recovery periods.
3. Stationary Bike
A stationary exercise bike is one of the oldest pieces of gym cardio equipment. However, it is just as popular and effective as some of the newer additions. While it is mainly lower-body-centric, your abdominal muscles will also get a good workout as your core stabilizes your torso.
Depending on how fast you are pedaling, you can burn up to 600 calories per hour on a stationary bike. Combine this with a low-calorie diet and you will be well on the way to your weight loss journey.
4. Ski Machine
A ski machine simulates the skiing action by having you place your feet on two skis that move back and forth along a set track. At the same time, you are holding ski poles and moving them in unison with your lower body action.
The ski machine was introduced by NordicTrack 30 years ago. It fell out of favor but is now once again becoming popular in gyms around the world. That is because people have rediscovered just how effective using a ski machine can be for those who are trying to lose stomach fat while getting an all-over body workout.
If you have ever spent time on the slopes, you will appreciate just how tough a skiing workout can be. It will engage and activate muscles that you never even knew you had. So, if you are using this machine for the first time, expected to feel sore the next day.
5. Treadmill
Treadmills are still by far the most popular and numerous pieces of cardio training equipment to be found in gyms. That’s because they have proven their effectiveness in helping people to torch belly fat. A treadmill allows you to customize your workout so you can walk, jog, or run according to your fitness level.
Treadmills also allow you to perform HIIT workouts, which have been shown to burn more fat than steady-state cardio. Regular sessions on the treadmill will also lower your risk of cardiac disease, improve your sleep and help to control blood glucose levels,
6. Stair Climber
The Stair Climber is a piece of gym equipment that allows you to simulate the action of walking upstairs. As such, it is a very good lower body exercise, with an emphasis on developing the calf and core muscles. At the same time, it churns through quite a lot of calories. The Stair Climber also does a very good job of engaging the abdominal muscles as your core works to stabilize and balance your torso.
A 30-minute workout on the stair climber will burn up to 300 calories, depending on your weight, gender, age, and the intensity of your workout.
7. Spin Bike
A spin bike is a variation of an upright exercise bike that is designed to look more like an outdoor racing bike. It’s designed for intense cycling, both while seated and in a standing position. Spin bike workouts are often done in classes that involve lots of enthusiasm, loud music, and flashing lights. This is a great way to get pumped up and engaged in order to give it your all and burn the maximum number of calories.
Spin bike workouts can be pretty intense. If you haven’t done it before, we recommend looking for a beginner-level class that lasts about half an hour. In that time you will burn around 300 calories.
Other Exercise Options
In addition to the seven cardio machines described above, there are a number of other exercises you can do in the gym to lose body fat, target your abdominal muscles and get in lean shape. These include Russian twists, crunches on a stability ball, vibration plates, the tummy trimmer, sit-ups on an adjustable weight bench, medicine balls, weight machine crunches, and jump rope exercises.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen in this article, there are plenty of excellent exercise equipment options available to burn calories and lose weight at your local gym. Our recommendation is to experiment with all seven of the exercise machines described above.
Find the two or three that you most enjoy and stick with them. Rotate between these three machines each time you go to the gym, and you will be able to benefit from their versatility as you zone in on your fitness goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gym equipment is best for losing body fat and working the rectus abdominis?
The best cardio exercise machine for losing excess weight and working the entire body is the stationary rowing machine. Rowing works 85% of the muscles in the body while also burning lots of calories. It is also a very low-impact exercise, which makes it joint-friendly.
How should I eat to lose my belly bulge?
To eat to lose your belly bulge you should cut back your calories by 500 per day, follow a high protein, low carb, medium fat diet, and drink lots of water. Cut out all processed carbohydrates and reduce your alcohol intake.
Are bodyweight exercises good for losing belly fat?
Bodyweight exercises can be good for losing belly fat if done in a circuit where you burn lots of calories. The best bodyweight exercises to lose belly fat are burpees, squat jumps, and jumping lunges.
