Outdoor fun just gained momentum by combining the glide of a bicycle and the ease of an elliptical with the workout of a treadmill. Elliptical and ski machines are some of the best workouts you can find but they come with one big drawback: they are indoors only. The ElliptiGo Stand Up Bike just opened up a lot of scenery, fresh air, and miles of roadway to the stationary elliptical machine. 

Take your workout outdoors on the bike path or in the neighborhood by trying out an ElliptiGo. This bike-and-hike hybrid is a blast for all ages. Since ElliptiGo is so new, we’ve reviewed four models for comparison.

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ElliptiGo Stand Up Bike (SUB)

An ElliptiGo is the blend of bicycle and ski machine we’ve all been waiting for, because it offers the great workout of an elliptical machine but without the dull indoor setting. The ElliptiGo is also adds a touch of scooter to the mix, because the driver has a great panoramic view of the horizon as she or he pedals forward.

Using an ElliptiGo is fantastic exercise because it combines comfortable riding position, a full-body workout, and a substantial aerobic challenge without all the negative joint impact. More than that, ElliptiGo provides fun that transcends its novelty. The riding position enables a far better view than either bike or skateboard.

Product Range and Description

The ElliptiGo comes in several models, from the basic SUB that mimics a foldable bike but adds stairstepper-like pedals to the Longstride Family that looks like an elliptical machine on bicycle wheels. We compare the SUB with the ARC 3, ARC 8 and 3C.

The 3C is a Longstride, while the ARC 3 and ARC 8 are compact-stride models that offer a great workout but don’t quite give as fluid an experience as the Longstride. All models offer a blend of running, cycling and cross-country skiing motions, but the SUB offers the best alternative to bicycling by removing seat and neck strain from the equation. We detail the specs of each below.

Pricing

These bikes range from $$$ to $$$$$, with the SUB being the most user-friendly entry model and the Longstride rivaling comfy recumbent bikes in cost.

How it Compares

We picked four models for comparison of price, ease of use, features, design quality, and warranty.

• ElliptiGO ARC 3
• ElliptiGO ARC 8
• ElliptiGO 3C

ElliptiGO SUB

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Price (​$)

At $$$, the sub is eminently affordable for solving so many bicycling problems.

• Ease of Use
• features
• Design Quality
• Warranty

Easy to get going, this stand-up elliptical machine has shorter range of motion than a standard indoor elliptical machine and thus a choppier feel than the more expensive Longstride models. It is more like a bicycle and less like the experience of running, so isn’t as smooth as models with long wheel bases. Working the quad muscles is easy on this bike but it is a more assertive exercise. 

This SUB is easy to use, but not as relaxing as longer wheel bases like the 3C and beyond. The engineering of this design channels circular energy into forward motion and results in a quiet performance.

The SUB is adjustable in both height and length, and this customizability makes it truly a one-size-fits-all vehicle. It is far more portable than the larger models, and the pedal interaction is similar to shorter elliptical machines. The bike is lightweight, easy to store, and is compatible with indoor stationary trainers. The small wheels and comfy steering make it a straightforward and uncomplicated design that is hassle-free in terms of long-term maintenance.

This bike is designed for short (20-minute) to moderate (40-minute) full-body workouts and meets the needs for fitness at these levels. For an entry-level, easy-to-operate bicycle, the design is ideal. The workout is short and intense, but without any joint impact or neck strain. In terms of burning calories, this is the best designed of the ElliptiGo models. It isn’t the fastest or the most relaxing, but for an intense workout with a panoramic view, the SUB is ideal. The custom pedals require no straps but imitate elliptical machine pads and fit all foot sizes.

The warranty for all ElliptiGo products is the same and offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee and replacement of any manufacturer defects.

Pros

• Affordable
• Intense workout
• Removes cycling neck strain
• Great view
• Easy to operate
• Portable
• For use with indoor trainers
• Adjustable, one size fits all

Cons

• Less relaxing than longer models
• Balance is more challenging
• More of a bike than an elliptical trainer
• Shorter training periods recommended

ElliptiGO ARC 3

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The ARC 3 adds a little more of a running or skiing experience than the SUB, with a longer wheel base. ARC 3 owners choose this model for a more intense workout with a fairly relaxed ride.

Price (Approximate only) $$

At less than $$$$, the ARC 3 is the most affordable elliptical bike on the market.

• Ease of Use
• features
• Design Quality
• Warranty

The ARC 3 provides an excellent, intense workout and combines the best of bicycling (low impact, great distance) with the best of running and skiing (requires balance, works smaller muscles, aerobically intense). But the ARC 3 – again, like all ElliptiGo trainers – offers something else: scenery enjoyment without having to “look up” if skiing or “head bob” if bicycling. The ARC 3 is a tad easier to use than the SUB, but doesn’t quite meet the mellow and relaxing ride of the Longstride Family series. It’s adjustable, fits anyone, and has killer pedals. Portability beats all models except the SUB.

The features on all ElliptiGos are user-friendly, especially the ability to adjust frame height and stride length. Like its cousins, it is a lightweight bicycle. What makes the ARC 3 and ARC 8 mid-range models different from the SUB or Longstride is the combination of a smooth ride, longer stride, and more security when standing upright and gaining speed. The pedals on these models (3 and 8) have straps for more foot security – because there is more forward to back motion and less up and down motion as in the SUB or a bicycle – yet have the long profile for foot stability.

The ARC 3 optimizes fit, performance, and ease of use in its relatively compact design and adjustable features, and hill climbing is far superior to the long-stride models made for extensive, mostly flat, riding. With the ARC 3 and ARC 8, steeper hills are no problem but speeds of up to 18 mph are possible. As in all ElliptiGo bikes, the size range for riders comes standard with the ARC 3. A pivoting foot platform allows for better positioning and more flexibility in tackling hills. The foot platform straps are standard on this model.

Like all ElliptiGo stand up trainers, the warranty is for full money back within 30 days.

Pros

• Adjustable stride length
• Adjustable height
• Decent hill climber
• Intense to moderate workout
• Great for flats or hills
• Pivoting foot platform
• Affordable
• Fairly transportable

Cons

• Accessories such as water bottle frame extra
• Handlebars need to be removed for most car transport

ElliptiGO ARC 8

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The ARC 8 is the best marriage of price and relaxing ride, and for most owners, offers a compact bicycle for transport to the bike path or neighborhood workouts.

Price (Approximate only) $$

ElliptiGo promotes this model as “the best balance of performance and price”, and at $$$$ is comparable to high-performing road bikes.

• Ease of Use
• features
• Design Quality
• Warranty

Easy to use on flat and sloping terrains and will climb better than the ARC 3. For longer rides and gaining speed over variable terrain, this is the most practical of the stand-up bike models. As with all these Elliptigo stand up bikes, the stride length and handlebars are adjustable. Seven speeds with thumb-activated shifters add to the overall smoothness of the ride. At the smaller size, this bike is portable when the handlebar is dropped and, like its cousins, can adapt to indoor trainers for workouts in adverse weather. 

Multi-speed, easy shifting, plus a secure footbed make this a well-rounded iteration of the stand up trainer. The workout can range from short and intense to an hour or more (depending on your fitness level). The ARC 8 offers the best balance of features and ride. It requires owners to purchase additional accessories such as a water bottle cage, but offers the one-stop ElliptoGo Enthusiast Accessory Bundle for $264, which includes a bike computer, repair kit, headlight and taillight, water bottle set up, and insulated bottle.

The ARC 8 is lightest of all Elliptigo bikes. The ARC 8 offers the best integration of design specs from a machine that can cruise for up to an hour without exhaustion, to a stand up bike that can negotiate hills and valleys. This optimizes cost in a user-friendly machine. The gear setup meets the standards of high-end road bikes with ease of shifting, and the extreme adjustability of handlebars means the ARC 8 is portable and doesn’t waste storage space. The short chain doesn’t disintegrate into slackness like recumbent bikes, and the simple frame style combines elliptical and bicycle in the best possible combo. 

A 30-day money-back guarantee comes with all ElliptiGo trainers.

Pros

• Best ride of all shorter ElliptiGo trainers
• Great cost-feature ratio
• Climbs hills
• Portable
• Highly adjustable
• Secure footbeds
• Versatile beyond the bike path

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• Handlebars need removal for most transport

ElliptiGO 8C

[amazon box=”B07C18M422″]

This entry-level exemplar of the Longstride Family will take your beloved elliptical experience outdoors.

Price (Approximate only) $$$

Longstride bikes cost between $$$$ and $$$$$; the 3C is the entry level model at $$$$.

• Ease of Use
• features
• Design Quality
• Warranty

To use a boat analogy, this is the longer, sit-on-top kayak. Easy to mount, easy to balance, and gives more speed for effort put in than the shorter, smaller bikes. This ElliptiGo is pricey, but the best option for serious fitness. The Longstride family models don’t require as much focus to learn or stay balanced because of the smoothness of the ride.

The 3C offers the same adjustable handlebar, great braking, and versatile steering of less expensive models but has a much longer wheelbase which makes for a more stable ride. This ride is more like running and less like cycling but removes all the joint impact. Riders will love the lightweight frame and adjustable stride length. This model will handle gently rolling hills but balks at anything sudden or steep, and is best used on long, flat stretches. The adjustable features make this model a cut above cheaper ElliptiGos, and the running feel is impressive.

A fitness machine like this needs stability, which the 3C brings. The more expensive Longstride models are all highly adjustable, and accommodates riders from under 5 feet to up to nearly 7 feet in height. The handlebar offers several levels of adjustment, and the ergonomic handlebar styling is helpful as you learn to use the 3C and find your stride. The 3-speed hub allows for speeds of up to 25 mph. This bike is slow to gain speed but easy to maintain speed once a comfortable rhthym is reached. The Elliptigo is also compatible with indoor trainers.

The 30-day money-back guarantee is helpful, because this machine is harder to use than a bicycle and requires some getting used to. We’ve given this category 4/5 stars on all the trainers, because we feel a 90-day warranty would be more appropriate, since it may take some users a bit more time to decide on whether or not this new-fangled contraption will be worth the investment. However, if you get enough use out of it within the 30-day period, you can definitely find time to make that decision!

Pros

• Entry-level price
• Mimics running
• Easy on joints
• Terrific view
• Superior aerobic workout
• No neck strain
• Relaxing ride
• Fastest of all ElliptiGos

Cons

• Learning curve
• Hard to transport
• Requires a garage or carport
• Doesn’t handle steep hills
• Expensive

Conclusion

A decision about which ElliptiGo bike to choose requires asking yourself, “Do I want more of a stair-stepper or a ski machine?” The Longstride will give a long, smooth stride as it advertises, but unless you have a garage, live next to a bike path, and have the funds saved up, it isn’t optimal. The ARC 8 is a great compromise and can negotiate beyond the bike path for possible commuter use (if you can take it inside). 

Of all the ElliptiGo models, we like the SUB best, because it acts more like a bicycle but solves the problem of neck strain and pressure that afflicts older or long-distance riders, while still offering a great fitness and cross-training challenge for weekend warriors and athletes alike.

Featured Image via Pixabay

The post Elliptigo Reviews appeared first on Fitness Tech Pro.

A fantastic workout is possible on a trainer because they activate all the major muscle groups. The handles allow for a significant upper body workout, and the variety of grip positions help the user localize different muscle groups. Trainers are ideal for both strength and aerobic improvement.

Users see results with as little as 15 minutes of exercise a day. Also, trainers are versatile. Whether you’re following a highly technical program, or you want an exercise machine that allows you to blow off steam after a hard day of work, the Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is a piece of exercise equipment you should consider.

What Is Bowflex Max Trainer M3?

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Image from Amazon

The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is the starter model on Bowflex’s popular line of home trainers. As a base model, the M3 does not have many of the features found on the more expensive models. However, this can be an advantage for users unfamiliar with home trainers as it means there are fewer new things to learn. The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is an attractive piece of well-constructed equipment that takes up a relatively small amount of space, and will make a welcome addition to your home.

Product Specs

The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is one of the more attractive trainers available on the market. Its sleek black color scheme with red highlights make it both unobtrusive and quietly elegant. The Bowflex trainer design is highly compact, and the M3 has a relatively small footprint. The machine measures 46.1″ L X 25″ W with a height of 62.9″. The ceiling space required for the Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is the user height plus 15″. The machine weighs 143 pounds and features transport rollers to make it easy to reposition. The maximum user weight for this machine is 300 pounds.

Four Horizon Fitness Treadmills to Consider

We put the Bowflex Max Trainer M3 through a barrage of tests to see how it performs. We also compared it to several other similar trainers available on the market. These trainers included the Schwinn AirDyne AD6, the Stairmaster Stepmill 3, and the Keiser M3+. We tested these trainers on factors such as price, ease of use, assembly time, design quality, and warranty. We also noted particular pros and cons specific to each unit.

• Schwinn AirDyne AD6
• Stairmaster Stepmill 3
• Keiser M3+

Bowflex Max Trainer M3

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• Ease of Use
• Assembly Time
• Design Quality
• Warranty

The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is a very intuitive machine. For your first effort, you mount the non-slip pedals, grab the arm bars, and off you go. The unit features a max interval and a manual workout, both of which can produce a great work out in as little as fifteen minutes. The action is smooth and silent, and it is possible to work out on this machine while watching television. This is a fun workout that leaves the user exhausted and satisfied.

Bowflex has a reputation for ensuring their design quality extends to the assembly process, and the Bowflex Max Trainer M3 was no exception to this rule. The item assembles in about two-and-a-half hours, and we found the included instructions to be very detailed and easy to follow. All the pieces fit together as designed with no need for excessive force. Quality products always go together without significant issues, and that was the case with the Bowflex Max Trainer M3.

Bowflex advertises the Bowflex Max Trainer M3 as a hybrid that combines the best of both worlds from a typical elliptical and a typical stepper. The elliptical component helps eliminate the jerky action you sometimes get on a stepper but allows for an intense calorie burn. Every aspect of this trainer shows attention to detail and superior engineering.

The trainer comes with an industry-standard one-year warranty.

Pros

• Hybrid elliptical/stepper design 
• Very attractive
• Economical unit

Cons

• The warranty is only one year which is less than other Bowflex warranties

Schwinn AirDyne AD6

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The Schwinn AirDyne AD6 is an exercise bicycle equipped with handles to provide an upper body workout. The unit features footrest pegs to isolate the upper body. A fan produces resistance which also keeps the user cool. The unit’s footprint is 46.3″ L X 15″ W and is 25.2″ tall. The unit weighs 116 pounds and has a maximum user weight of 250 pounds.

• Ease of Use
• Assembly Time
• Design Quality
• Warranty

The machine is easy to use, but we did not find it to be efficient or effective. Although the unit advertises infinite resistance levels due to the use of a fan to capture air resistance, we didn’t find the resistance levels to be high. Also, the fan is too loud to allow users to exercise while watching TV. This is a good machine for a light workout, but not as a primary piece of exercise equipment.

The machine is simple and goes together in about 30 minutes. A little understanding of bicycle technology is helpful as one pedal has a reverse thread.

The fan-based air resistance system was not effective in producing high levels of resistance. The overall machine seemed too lightweight to withstand regular or vigorous use. The machine is not very attractive to look at.

The unit comes with a great warranty. The frame has a 10-year guarantee, with a 2-year warranty on the mechanical parts. The electrical components have a 1-year warranty, and the warranty for labor is 6 months.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Allows for exercise from a seated position
• Fan keeps the user cool

Cons

• The air resistance system provides a low level of resistance
• The fan is noisy
• Overall flimsy construction

Stairmaster Stepmill 3

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The Stairmaster Stepmill 3 is a smaller home version of a stepping machine common to professional gyms. The unit is like having a private escalator in your own home. The stairs run on a track and flip down at the bottom before coming around to emerge at the top of the unit. There are armrests surrounding the unit, but there is no feature to engage the upper body for a complete body workout. There is a large, back-lit LCD digital display that offers 10 total workout programs. The unit is also compatible with Polar heart rate monitors.The assembled unit is 223 pounds and has a footprint of 46″ L X 29″ W and is 73″ high. It has a user weight capacity of 275 pounds, plus a minimum user weight of 125 pounds. Ceiling clearance needs to be approximately 2′ higher than the user height. The stepper boasts heavy-duty construction and is also loud.

The unit is available on Amazon and select local retailers that carry sporting and exercise equipment.

• Ease of Use
• Assembly Time
• Design Quality
• Warranty

The machine is easy to use, and it outperforms other steppers in that the revolving 6″ stairs give you a superior sensation of climbing stairs. With no means available to engage the arms there is a limited variety of exercise routines available on this machine. This unit makes more sense as a featured piece of equipment in a rehabilitation clinic, and not as the primary exercise machine in a private household.

Assembly is fairly straightforward and takes about 2 hours. The machine is heavy and maneuvering it provides a challenge.

For what it is, the design is good. It is a solid stepper that outperforms other straight steppers by using a 6″ stair track. However, the lack of any means by which to activate the upper body limits the variability of this machine. We grew bored with this machine quickly. Also, the machine is too loud to use while watching TV.

There is a lifetime warranty on the frame, a 5-year warranty on mechanical parts, 2-year warranty on electronics, and a 1-year warranty on labor.

Pros

• Features realistic stepping motion
• Solid construction
• Great warranty

Cons

• No upper body workout option
• Heavy machine with a minimum user weight
• Loud

Keiser M3+

Keiser M3+

The Keiser M3+ is a gym style indoor exercise bicycle featuring a computer console. The bicycle is fully adjustable to fit a wide range of users. The console and fame construction is of corrosive resistant materials and the bicycle boasts a virtually maintenance-free design. This bicycle features a quiet rear belt design that makes it possible to watch TV while exercising. The unit’s footprint is 49″ L X 26″ W and has a height of 45″. The bicycle weighs 85 pounds.

The bicycle is available on the manufacturer’s website and select local retailers that offer sports and fitness equipment.

• Ease of Use
• Assembly Time
• Design Quality
• Warranty

The bicycle is easy to adjust and features smooth and silent pedal action. The console offers few features, but it’s sleek and easy to understand. There is no way to activate the upper body when using this machine.

The unit comes in a large box with the handlebars, console, and rear flywheel removed. It took about an hour to put together but we recommend the help of a trained bicycle technician.

This is the exercise bicycle you would expect to see at a spinning class in a professional gym. The unit is very rugged and can withstand a lot of abuse. It is a well-designed exercise bicycle; the only drawback is that users do not have ways to target and activate the upper body with this piece of equipment.

The bicycle comes with a 3-year, all-inclusive warranty and a 6-month warranty on the wearable parts.

Pros

• Attractive exercise bicycle
• Low maintenance
• Silent drive

Cons

• Expensive
• Cannot activate the upper body
• Limited console functionality

Conclusion

Busy professionals are often in the market for a good, full-body exercise machine they can use in the comfort of their own home. The aim is a machine capable of activating all the major muscle groups to produce a great workout in a short time. The best machines are durable and attractive, with the greatest flexibility of use. Machines with clunky or loud action are not desirable because they prevent the user from watching television or otherwise multi-tasking during a workout.

The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is a great trainer which features an elliptical and stepper hybrid drive system that offers a workout that’s the best of both worlds. The arm bars allow the user to activate both the upper and lower body, and the programmable workout options make it possible to achieve a tremendous workout in as little as 15 minutes. The machine is compact and light enough to move around and features a very attractive design. The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is available at a very affordable price.

We were less impressed with the Schwinn AirDyne AD6. The Schwinn was a bicycle with handles capable of activating both the upper and lower body, but the air resistance system did not offer sufficient resistance. The unit was too loud for our liking. We had similar concerns about the Stairmaster Stepmill 3 which offered a superior stepping workout but was ineffective in activating the upper body. The Stairmaster was also expensive. Finally, the Keiser M3+ represented a great trainer bicycle but had severe limitations for providing a total body workout.

The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 was our choice for an efficient, top quality workout. The machine was the most fun to work out on and featured the most attractive design. The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is the perfect choice for busy professionals who have a limited amount of time and home space to dedicate to their fitness. It’s a compact, affordable machine capable of providing a gym quality workout in a matter of minutes.

The post Bowflex Max Trainer M3 Reviews appeared first on Fitness Tech Pro.

We all know that working out can be intimidating, especially when you have no idea what you’re doing.

Body weight exercises are confusing enough, not to mention those huge hunks of metal that people call gym equipment.

Well, fear no more because we’re about to break down every piece of gym equipment known to man so you can bust yourself into shape like a boss.

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You Go-Getter, You

First off, congratulations on taking the first step to getting swole, as the kids call it nowadays.

It’s easier than ever to binge-watch every season of SVU, or The Price is Right until our eyes fall out, but nope you’ve beaten the odds and made the decision to get off the couch, shake off that delicious Dorito dust, and begin your fitness journey!

Kudos to you, friend.

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It’s important to realize that the only true way for you to feel at home at the gym is to actually go to the gym.

Once you’ve learned all you need to know from this run down, you’ve gotta lace up those crisp tennis shoes you bought in 2014 and go throw some weights around. Deal?

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The Bad Boys Of Cardio

Image: by MabelAmber, via Pixabay

First off, cardio sucks.

No one needs to sit here and lie about how fantastic and fun running or climbing stairs is, because it really isn’t.

But it sure as hell is a lot less torture and a little more enjoyable when you get used to controlling your breathing and resisting panting like a hyena. 

Also, this type of gym equipment is the most straightforward to use.

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Stair Master

Nothing compares to the workout that you get when you’re battling a relentless Stair Master. It’s just you, your wobbly knees, and a killer playlist that can help you drive those knees high and not give up the fight.

The Stair Master is notorious for being the most dreaded of gym equipment. Sure, we would rather take the elevator up to the second floor instead of facing 15 individual steps. Sure, even the most in-shape person is winded after a few flights of stairs.

Yes, you will feel winded almost the entire time you’re on the Stair Master, and honestly, you may feel like you’re losing the battle, but you’re #winning the war.

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You’re the Master of the Stairs

Don’t let this machine intimidate you. At the end of the day, we all know how to climb stairs, some of us do it every day, while others only have to fight that uphill battle once in a while.

Whatever your circumstance, we’ve all got the power to conquer the stairs, so don’t get too caught up in the exercise of it all. Stand tall, move your arms, and put as much of your foot as possible on each step!

Treadmill

Out of every cardio machine, the treadmill seems to be talked about a lot. That’s because when people think about cardio, they think “running. Well, they’re not wrong, the treadmill can be either the bain of your existence or a catapult to being heart healthy and confident with your fitness.

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Ah yes, the treadmill. Yep, you read that right. People avoid the treadmill because it’s intimidating at first. Alas, just as how all humans are unique, so is every treadmill.

Different Treadmills, Still a Killer Workout

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Still, the most common treadmills are those that have the curved running surface and those that are flat. First off, it’s important to realize that when you’re running on the treadmill, you need to set your incline to 1%.

Contrary to popular belief, treadmills are actually built a decline, so bringing that incline up to a 1% ensures you’re running on a truly flat surface.

The curved surface treadmills are generally used for sprints, and something you definitely want to make sure you’re comfortable with before going too fast. Of the treadmills that are built with a flat running surface, one takes the crown above the rest.

The Life Fitness treadmill is a crowd favorite for a slew of reasons:

Okay, I know what you’re thinking- this treadmill can’t be real. But it is, tried and true, one of the best out there.

Many other treadmills don’t average your mile time, show you videos of parks, or accurately sync information to your smartwatch.

In the age of technology, this treadmill truly helps make running easier and takes a little pressure off of the newbies.

The Hunt is On

Unfortunately, it’s hard to track down exactly where one might purchase a reliable one of those bad boys, so for now, we linked a more affordable, and equally tech-savvy treadmill for you to bring into your own home.

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Elliptical

If running isn’t really your style, you should definitely give the elliptical a try. The machine itself looks like it would be confusing to use, but it’s extremely simple. Hop on, start pedaling, and you’re off to the races!

Image: by tanjashaw, via Pixabay

The elliptical is hands down THE most versatile of the “bad boys of cardio.” They give you the option of choosing the resistance that you’d like to combat, enabling you to torch tons of calories a minute.

Bad Knees? This is the Bee’s Knees

Ellipticals are also super low impact, so if you have bad knees, this might be a better idea than the traditional run on a treadmill.

There are also options to spin the pedals both forward and backwards to target certain muscles in your legs while still getting a true cardiovascular workout.

Bikes

We gave the stationary bike a spin and had a great time.

This machine almost brings back some nostalgia because having a bike, and being able to go out and enjoy bike rides, is somewhat of a luxury nowadays (RIP to all the childhood bicycles sold at garage sales without explicit permission from the child).

When people think of the bikes at a gym, they often think of 100 sweat-coated stationary bikes crammed together in a mirror-lined room, manned by soccer moms and sorority girls, pedaling away to blaring pop music.

That’s a pretty inviting picture, huh? Yeah, we don’t think so either. In reality, stationary bikes are fairly versatile machines.

Winter, Spring, Fall, Bike Through it All

One of the perks of stationary bikes is sweet, sweet location—indoor and air-conditioned.

On top of this, the bike offers the option to both stand up and sit down, making it very easy to transition from a leisurely ride to an all-out, screaming, uphill sprint in your own Tour de France. (We don’t suggest screaming, as it can draw some concerned attention, but sometimes you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do.)

Ultimately, stationary bikes are a great option for anyone who wants to sit down while still getting their heart pumping.

This is another machine that requires you set a resistance, much like shifting gears on an actual bike, but this makes for a truly customizable workout.

You can even watch Netflix while getting your cardio in. Imagine if every time you watched Netflix you were doing cardio; We don’t know about you, but that’d basically make us Lance Armstrong.

Rowing Machine

Another piece of cardio equipment that is often forgotten is the rowing machine. Not all gyms have a rowing machine, which could be why it is not widely known or used.

However, this machine affords you to get a stellar full-body workout while sitting down.The rowing machine is another low impact type of cardio machine that is still a full body workout. 

The motion of rowing, like you would perform if you were on the rowing team or “crew,” is condensed into a neat machine that will let you reap all the benefits without stepping foot on the water.

Hittin’ All the Right Muscles

This machine works your arms, shoulders, legs, core, and gives you a nice little cardio workout. And by “nice little cardio workout,” we mean it’s actually pretty hard and not that fun.

But there’s good news! Rowing workouts are usually short intervals, repeated until your heart’s content. So, while it may be hard, you have plenty of breathers.

Plus, many row machines include games to make the experience more fun, which makes your workout even more interactive and breaks up the monotony. (This is probably because even the makers of the row machines can’t deny rowing sucks sometimes.)

Multi-Purpose, Multi-Directional,

Multi-Dimensional, Multi-Intimidating

There’s a lot of huge gym equipment out there that looks pretty intimidating, but this is mainly because these machines are made to be versatile.

When you, the newbie in the gym, are left to decide exactly what to use the equipment for, it’s easier to stick to a less intimidating machine you already know how to use or just walk out of the gym.

But, before you decide you’ve learned all you want to learn from this article, wait! You might be missing out on the one thing you needed to step your gym game up to a whole new level.

Well-rounded workouts are often the best way to maintain interest in working out, spicing things up and working different muscle groups.

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The Legend, The Myth, The Smith Machine

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The Smith Machine looks a little daunting at first, but its main purpose is to help you get in a good squat or bench press, letting those buns and guns do the heavy lifting without the pressing concern (yes, pun intended) of being crushed under the weight.

Always Supporting You

If you ever need something to hold you up, look no further than the Smith machine. It’s all metal, built to last and gives you the sense of security you need when you’re performing exercises with a heavy barbell.

Overall, you’re doing most of the heavy lifting, and it’s just there to give out the support you need, kind of like a loving mother or your own personal cheerleader.

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This machine is a built-in spotter, so you can feel safe knowing that you’re doing the exercises with a little less risk involved. Disclaimer though- form will always be an important aspect in working out, even with your built-in spotter.

All-in-One Total Body Workout Equipment

The steel frame in this all-in-one workout equipment ensures that it is meant to last. Every piece of equipment is made to take a beating and will last for years to come.

Donned with a wide array of pulley systems, barbells, weight plates, grip attachments, and even a free weight rack, this is the big boy in the gym.

Without the proper knowledge of what this steel framed equipment can do, one can be overwhelmed by the sheer possibilities and head for the hills.

Arms-Ageddon Serious In Here

Most of the gym equipment that is geared towards working out your arms can be replaced with dumbbells (a.k.a. free weights or barbells), which is great for those times when every single arm machine seems to be occupied by buff, grunting, frat guys who do arm day every day.

However, using these machines does tend to help you keep your form, which makes replacing these machine workouts with barbells easier because you’ll know what the workout should feel like.

There are machines like the chest press, bicep curl, row machine, and lat pulldown machine. These machines are perfect for ensuring that you isolate whatever targeted muscle group that you would like to work out, as opposed to dumbbells, which can easily be misused due to their free range of motion and lack of stability.

Chest Press, Less Stress

The chest press is one of the more widely known exercises to perform. This is probably because every movie about a high school football team or champion boxer seems to include this exercise in the plan to getting ripped.

One crowd favorite is the sitting chest press because it gets rid of the intimidating barbell and replaces it with handles that are attached to a weight pulley system.

This weight pulley system has a range of weights from 10 pounds all the way up to 200 pounds attached to each arm, which means that in total one can chest press 400 pounds if they would like to.

This gym equipment targets the pectoral and the bicep muscles while allowing you to sit down and really focus on exactly what you would like to work out.

Get Low and Let Row

Utilizing the seated row machine, instead of avoiding it because it seems a little scary, is definitely a good move. It will help you gain stability in your abs and can even target your back muscles.

The seated row machine is a popular work out that also targets not only the biceps but also the triceps due to the pulling motion that is required to operate it.

Let’s Build Some Phat Lats (Lat Pulldown Machine)

A hidden gem in the gym is the lat pulldown machine. Using this machine can help you take the first steps towards building strength to do wide armed pull-ups, and helps both your biceps and your back get toned.

The lat pulldown machine helps work on the shoulders, which a lot of people have trouble working out because they don’t know what exercises to perform.

All of these machines that target the arms are helpful pieces of machinery because they allow the user to determine exactly what weight they would like.

They also allow you to choose between weights that increase by 15-pound increments instead of having to put two dumbbells back every single time you pick up the wrong weights.

Curls for the Girls (Guys too!)

Sometimes free weights give you too much freedom to decide how to use them, and this is where the bicep curl machine steps in to tell you exactly what to work out and how.

The bicep curl machine is a beneficial piece of gym equipment because it forces you to isolate your bicep muscles, as opposed to when you do a bicep curl on your own.

Free weight bicep curls give you free range of motion to not necessarily isolate the biceps.

This can be due to lack of proper form or using the incorrect weights.

Don’t Be Scared to Go Low and Slow

All of the gym equipment that comes with weights attached can be wholly intimidating, but you’ll look like a friggin’ badass when you master the techniques and kick fear to the curb.

Starting off at low weights and increasing the weight by 5-pound increments is a good way to gauge exactly where your strength lies and to push yourself in a safe manner.

Remember, going to the gym can actually be fun when you start to see those gains.

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Tomatoes, Tomatoes – Just Go Get Fit

Like we said, any of these exercises can be replaced by dumbbells or barbells, but at the end of the day if you’re a newbie it might be safer to use the machines because they force you to practice proper form as well as giving you the versatility of choosing weights in smaller increments. These are also just totally convenient.

Why make going to the gym any more complicated than it has to be?

Leg Day Is Every Day

Actually, you really shouldn’t work out any one muscle group every day, but you kind of need your legs to get around so don’t go askin’ us too many questions.

All in all though, the most intimidating of gym equipment has to be the leg machines. If you get past the stigma, however, these artfully crafted pieces of machinery can have those glutes, hammies, quads, and calf muscles poppin’.

There’s everything from the leg press, the leg curl, the leg extension, and a whole slew of squat machines that are totally awesome. As long as you use them correctly, you diminish your chance of injury as well as increasing your confidence and your strength.

Squat it Like it’s Hot

The Squat machine is the holy Mecca for girls in their 20’s and have become a seemingly hot spot on college campuses. They offer you the ability to customize your squat weight, as well as fully isolating your glutes and your quads to skyrocket your strength.

So Many Options!

There are multiple squat machines like the free motion squat machine and the standing-up squat machine that also help you perform your weighted squats without having to use a barbell, especially if one isn’t available to you.

Here’s a quick run-down of how to use a few of our favorite machines:

These also have the ability to increase your weight by various increments, to really test your limits. You can safely test yourself by adding 5 to 10-pound weight increments after a few reps.

Leg Press, Building a Bad Ass (Or a Good Ass Depending on How You Look at it)

The heavens must have opened up and dropped this amazing machine from the sky because the leg press 10/10 one of the most popular machines in the gym. We’ve waited hours before one opened up and, honestly, it’s totally worth it.

Don’t assume your capabilities when it comes to the leg press, especially if you aren’t used to using the proper form.

It’s really important to not overextend or lock your knees, just for safety purposes, because the weight can easily come back down and cause injury.

So, when using gym equipment like the leg press, it’s super important to focus on form and safety.

Abs-Olute Insanity

There are three notable pieces of equipment that are specifically geared towards working out the abs.

There’s the ab crunch machine, the rotating ab flex, and a stand-alone device that allows you to either do hanging ab workouts or propping yourself up on your elbows to do ab workouts.

Easy Peasy, Give Those Obliques a Squeezy

These particular pieces of gym equipment are relatively easy and straightforward to use. They can also help catapult you into getting that six or eight pack that you always desired (and I’m not talking about beer).

They bring variety to the bland sit-ups and crunches that we’re used to; they are less impact on your back and neck, as well as they provide a little bit more resistance by adding weight so that you can push your abs to the next level.

And who the hell doesn’t want a rockin’ bod to match their rockin’ personality?

Do You Even Bench, Bro?

Last but certainly not least, and arguably one of the most versatile pieces of gym equipment that you will ever encounter is the bench.

You can use it for basically anything from bent over rows, chest presses, bicep curls, step ups, seated v leg lifts, normal leg lifts, or just to sit your butt down after you’ve done a kick-ass workout.

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The bench is one of the most underappreciated, widely used pieces of gym equipment that you’ll find. It’s reliable, sturdy (hopefully), and simple to utilize.

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What Can’t It Do?

It offers you the option to adjust the back and the seat in order to fully maximize your work out.

There are also options to have your bench set at an incline so that you can work out your abs by doing sit-ups and on an incline.

You can also use the bench for tricep dips and a whole slew of other workouts.

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Overall, if you’re looking for a straight-up rock star to hold you up while you’re feeling down (or hitting a couple dips), your best bet would be to get a bench press because they’re just so many ways to use it.

It may seem like the bench is one of the most boring pieces of gym equipment, but it is a hidden gem in a sea of hunks of metal and sweaty teenage boys.

So, if you wanna get one piece of equipment that won’t let you down, it is absolutely a bench. You can work out literally every single part of your body using a bench, and call it a day.

You’re Finally Ready To Crush That Workout!

After Go all is said and done, just knowing the ins and outs of each piece of gym equipment allows you to be light years ahead of the other newbies around.

You can walk into the gym with confidence knowing that you at least know the concept of how to use each piece of equipment and can start your journey to becoming the fit God that you deserve to be.

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Go Ahead and Make that Gym Equipment Bow Down

Now, do you remember our deal? Because we gave you all the information, so now you gotta lace up those sneakers and go hit that cardio machine. Show those “bad boys of cardio” who really is the baddest around (hint hint it’s you).

Aim for that summer bod, because honestly, summer is way closer than you think it is. Don’t wait till tomorrow, go today! This is the time to be your fit of self; your body will thank you.

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Now get out there and crush it!

Featured image by 12019, via Pixabay

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