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The home gym is an escape, a safe place to build a better you with free weights and the best cardio machines. No matter where you look, you’ll find treadmills leading the pack as one of the most popular exercise machines. But what do you do when you’re all treadmill-ed out? We want to broaden your horizons with...
The post The 9 Best Tried and Tested Treadmill Alternatives of 2024 appeared first on BarBend.
The home gym is an escape, a safe place to build a better you with free weights and the best cardio machines. No matter where you look, you’ll find treadmills leading the pack as one of the most popular exercise machines. But what do you do when you’re all treadmill-ed out? We want to broaden your horizons with a simple introduction to the best treadmill alternatives on the market.
Ellipticals, rowers, and exercise bikes are just a handful of the treadmill alternatives on this list, but before diving in, ask yourself why you’re over the treadmill scene. Are you looking for a lower-impact workout to support your joints? Are you hoping to find something that’s more engaging than just running in one direction? Maybe you’re keen on finding equipment with technology to help you track and progress in your workout. We kept these inklings in mind as we tried and tested over 140 of the top cardio machines. Here are our picks for the top 9 treadmill alternatives.
The 9 Best Treadmill Alternatives
About Our Expert
This article has been reviewed by Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, a certified personal trainer and member of BarBend’s editorial staff. She reviewed the research we cite to help ensure we’re providing advice that’s safe and sound. However, before you start a new fitness routine, it’s best to consult your doctor.
How We Tested the Best Treadmill Alternatives
When you’re fed up with your treadmill, it’s time to upgrade your routine and find whatever it is that’ll fit your workout needs. But where do you even begin? From full-body workouts to equipment that can aid with weight loss, we’re here to help you identify your options and find the perfect replacement.
The BarBend team is filled with certified personal trainers, cyclists, marathon racers, and fitness fanatics who have tried and tested more than 140 pieces of the most popular cardio equipment on the market to bring you our top picks. During testing, we scored each option from 1 (no thanks) to 5 (we love it) in the following categories:
Any cardio machine can burn some calories, increase your cardiovascular health, and aid with weight management, but finding the right option for your training takes some soul searching. (1) Figuring out exactly what’s out there, how much you’re willing to spend, and what you’ll enjoy doing will help you narrow down your options. Bringing the best cardio machines into your home can be a stressful undertaking, but we’ll do our best to highlight what we think users of various leanings might find useful.
Our team has ridden exercise bikes, they’ve tried the best compact ellipticals, climbed on vertical climbers, dabbled with smart gyms, and rowed on rowers until they couldn’t row no mo’. Along the way, we took notes on how reliable the equipment was, how difficult or seamless the setup proved to be, and what sort of user we thought would benefit from each product.
Whether you want to stair climb with connected programming, or you’re looking for a way to get your upper body involved in your cardio, you can’t go wrong with a choice off of this list.
Best Elliptical: Sole E25
Sole E25 Elliptical
Sole E25 Elliptical
The E25 is a high-quality, no-frills elliptical. It features a budget-friendly price tag, a 350-pound weight limit, and a 20-pound flywheel.
Shop Sole
Specs
Pros
Cons
The Sole E25 is one of the best ellipticals we’ve tried. It has a 20-inch stride length, 20-pound flywheel, 20 levels of resistance, and 20 levels of incline to provide a low-impact cardio workout with reduced stress to muscles and joints when compared to running. (1) You also have moving and stationary handles, depending on how much of an arm workout you want along with your cardio.
Our tester riding the Sole E25 Elliptical
This Sole E25 scored a 5 out of 5 in value and conveniences, and a 4.5 out of 5 for durability, customizations, adjustability, and warranty.
At $1,099.99, this elliptical is roughly $1,000 less than the average higher-end model we’ve tested. Value scored a perfect 5 out of 5 with our expert product tester and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier. “You have great built-in workouts… and the fan and Bluetooth speakers are amazing,” they said. The Bluetooth speakers can sync with your devices so you can easily stream music or fitness programming while getting in a HIIT workout.
The 350-pound weight capacity, which is on the high end of the average 250- to 350-pound weight capacity for ellipticals, accommodates a multitude of users and allows for a (mostly) steady ride. “There was a little bit of movement from side to side when I was working out,” Meier said, “and there aren’t any floor stabilizers to dial that in.” For this, its durability received a minor ding, but still came in with a 4.5 out of 5.
Deck and rollers on a Sole E25.
Our biggest gripe came with the portability and setup, scoring a 3.5 and a 3 out of 5, respectively. “This elliptical is a heavy 209 pounds, and if you wanted to move it around you may need another pair of hands,” said Meier, “but it does have transport wheels and a handle to make that process easier.”
It also took Meier about two hours to set up. “The instructions weren’t great,” they said. “Be prepared with a screwdriver with a magnetic tip and a socket wrench! Or opt for professional assembly if possible.”
Read our full Sole E25 Elliptical Review.
Best Exercise Bike: NordicTrack S22i
NordicTrack Commercial S22i
NordicTrack Commercial S22i
The NordicTrack Commercial S22i is high-tech and high quality, featuring both advancements like a 22” touchscreen display, and solid specs like 24 levels of quiet magnetic resistance.
Shop NordicTrack
Specs
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking for the best exercise bike to replace your treadmill, look no further than the NordicTrack S22i. With a 22-inch display that can rotate 360 degrees, you can stream iFIT programming on the bike or rotate the screen and take a yoga class off to the side. You’ll also have incline and decline capabilities that can evoke the hills and valleys of outdoor terrain. Customizations, tech capabilities, and dynamic programming all scored a 5 out of 5 with our team.
Kate riding a NordicTrack S22i
iFIT gives you access to thousands of on-demand classes, with scenic rides you can take on your bike and a variety of classes that span strength training to HIIT to yoga. One of the neatest iFIT features is the SmartAdjust setting, which can automatically adjust your resistance, incline, and decline depending on the class you’re taking. Our tester, BarBend editorial team member and certified personal trainer Kate Meier, said, “We don’t see this often, but this bike has incline and decline training capabilities.” That, along with its 24 levels of resistance, is why we scored its customizations and tech capabilities a 5 out of 5.
Push-to-Stop knob on a NordicTrack S22i
While iFIT provides what one tester said “is an experience that makes this a true competitor to Peloton,” you’ll need to be prepared for the $39 monthly subscription fee. Without this, you won’t have access to classes, scenic rides, or the SmartAdjust feature.
Our team scored iFIT’s dynamic programming a 5 out of 5, though you’ll also want to be sure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection. “That’s because of how many workouts are loaded onto the monitor… sometimes it can take a while to load and buffer,” said Jake Herod, our expert product tester and a certified nutrition coach, in his video review of the S22i.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=e6JbKMsCmG4Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike Review (2022) — Most INTERACTIVE BIKE? (https://youtube.com/watch?v=e6JbKMsCmG4)
At 205 pounds, this bike is between 45 and 85 pounds heavier than many of the bikes we’ve tested, which can make it difficult to transport. “You’ll have to be careful not to smack the big 22-inch screen into things when you move it,” said Meier, rating its portability a 3.5 out of 5.
This is an awesome bike if you’re looking for an interactive cycling experience to replace your treadmill workout. “The screen is top-notch, the incline/decline features are unique, and it’s priced in the same ballpark as Peloton. However, without the iFit subscription, the bike isn’t very impressive,” said Meier.
Read our full NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike Review.
Best Air Bike: Assault AirBike Classic
Assault AirBike
Assault AirBike
The Assault AirBike is a moderately priced bike with a solid build that features a powder-coated steel frame. It’s an upright indoor bike with moving arms that’s designed to burn calories and integrate seamlessly into cross-training and interval workouts.
Shop Assault
Specs
Pros
Cons
Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery to reignite the cardio fire in your belly. When switching from a treadmill to one of the best air bikes, you’ll be able to fold some upper-body work into your low-impact training. The Assault AirBike Classic is a reasonably-priced machine at $699, which is between $200 and $800 cheaper than many of the air bikes we’ve come across.
This is a bike you often see used in CrossFit gyms — since the resistance increases with your effort, it’s a useful tool for practicing high-intensity intervals that work the upper and lower body. Also, its heavy-duty steel frame and powder coating will help this bike stick around for the long haul, so long as you take proper care of it.
Our tester resting his feet on the Assault AirBike pegs.
Our tester, a CrossFit coach noted, “Most Crossfit gyms with Assault Bikes don’t take care of them or perform regular chain maintenance. However, they still last forever in those environments and that’s with loads of use. In a home gym, this bike can last decades with proper maintenance.” Durability scored a 4 out of 5.
You won’t find a touchscreen or Bluetooth speakers on this straightforward machine. “Assault Fitness is known for keeping their gear solid and simple, however, there is the ability to connect to a heart rate monitor,” said our tester, giving tech capabilities a score of 3 out 5. The bike is also louder than the average spin bike, due to the fan-generated rush of air.
As we noted, resistance increases with your effort on air bikes. “You’re going to burn calories here,” says Jake Herod, BarBend’s expert product tester and a certified nutrition coach, in the below video. “You can even take your legs out of the equation completely and just focus on your upper body.” Pegs on the front of the bike allow you a place to rest your feet should you want to only use your upper body.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok34YSJqQgE&feature=youtu.beVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Assault AirBike Review (2022) — Feel the BURN? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok34YSJqQgE&feature=youtu.be)
Herod has been using this bike for a while. He notes in his video review, “The treadmill tends to be a little bit boring for me, but this [bike] is well worth the money. It tends to kick my butt every single time.” We rated its overall value a score of 4.5 out of 5.
Read our full Assault Air Bike Review.
Best Rowing Machine: Hydrow Rower
Hydrow Rower
Hydrow Rower
The Hydrow is a high-tech rower with a library full of live and on-demand workouts, a smooth drive and electromagnetic resistance. It’s a quiet machine and provides a great full-body workout for both beginning and advanced rowers.
Shop Hydrow
Specs
Pros
Cons
Variety is the spice of life, so why not trade in your running shoes for a trip down river? The Hydrow Rower offers connected, interactive rowing where you can follow along with trainers who are rowing...
Click here to view the article.
The post The 9 Best Tried and Tested Treadmill Alternatives of 2024 appeared first on BarBend.
The home gym is an escape, a safe place to build a better you with free weights and the best cardio machines. No matter where you look, you’ll find treadmills leading the pack as one of the most popular exercise machines. But what do you do when you’re all treadmill-ed out? We want to broaden your horizons with a simple introduction to the best treadmill alternatives on the market.
Ellipticals, rowers, and exercise bikes are just a handful of the treadmill alternatives on this list, but before diving in, ask yourself why you’re over the treadmill scene. Are you looking for a lower-impact workout to support your joints? Are you hoping to find something that’s more engaging than just running in one direction? Maybe you’re keen on finding equipment with technology to help you track and progress in your workout. We kept these inklings in mind as we tried and tested over 140 of the top cardio machines. Here are our picks for the top 9 treadmill alternatives.
The 9 Best Treadmill Alternatives
- Best Elliptical: Sole E25
- Best Exercise Bike: NordicTrack S22i
- Best Air Bike: Assault AirBike Classic
- Best Rowing Machine: Hydrow Rower
- Best Vertical Climber: CLMBR Connected 02
- Best Smart Home Gym: Tonal
- Best Stair Climber: ProForm Pro HIIT H14
- Best Connected Boxing: FightCamp
- Best Slide Boards: Brrrn
About Our Expert
This article has been reviewed by Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, a certified personal trainer and member of BarBend’s editorial staff. She reviewed the research we cite to help ensure we’re providing advice that’s safe and sound. However, before you start a new fitness routine, it’s best to consult your doctor.
How We Tested the Best Treadmill Alternatives
When you’re fed up with your treadmill, it’s time to upgrade your routine and find whatever it is that’ll fit your workout needs. But where do you even begin? From full-body workouts to equipment that can aid with weight loss, we’re here to help you identify your options and find the perfect replacement.
The BarBend team is filled with certified personal trainers, cyclists, marathon racers, and fitness fanatics who have tried and tested more than 140 pieces of the most popular cardio equipment on the market to bring you our top picks. During testing, we scored each option from 1 (no thanks) to 5 (we love it) in the following categories:
- Footprint and portability
- Delivery and setup
- Durability
- Customizations
- Adjustability and ergonomics
- Workout experience
- Tech capabilities
- Conveniences
- Dynamic programming
- Customer reviews
- Value
- Warranty, financing, and returns
- Customer service
Any cardio machine can burn some calories, increase your cardiovascular health, and aid with weight management, but finding the right option for your training takes some soul searching. (1) Figuring out exactly what’s out there, how much you’re willing to spend, and what you’ll enjoy doing will help you narrow down your options. Bringing the best cardio machines into your home can be a stressful undertaking, but we’ll do our best to highlight what we think users of various leanings might find useful.
Our team has ridden exercise bikes, they’ve tried the best compact ellipticals, climbed on vertical climbers, dabbled with smart gyms, and rowed on rowers until they couldn’t row no mo’. Along the way, we took notes on how reliable the equipment was, how difficult or seamless the setup proved to be, and what sort of user we thought would benefit from each product.
Whether you want to stair climb with connected programming, or you’re looking for a way to get your upper body involved in your cardio, you can’t go wrong with a choice off of this list.
Best Elliptical: Sole E25
Sole E25 Elliptical
Sole E25 Elliptical
The E25 is a high-quality, no-frills elliptical. It features a budget-friendly price tag, a 350-pound weight limit, and a 20-pound flywheel.
Shop Sole
Specs
- Price: $1,099.99
- Weight: 209lbs
- Dimensions: 70” H x 70” L x 24” W
- Weight Capacity: 350lbs
Pros
- Elliptical machines like the Sole E25 offer a lower-impact cardio workout when compared to pounding on a treadmill.
- 20 levels of resistance and 20 levels of incline give you the ability to train hard.
- The 350-pound weight capacity is on the high end of what you’ll find on most ellipticals.
Cons
- This machine is heavy at 209 pounds, and moving it around may require two people.
- Assembly instructions are confusing, and setup was a pain for our tester.
The Sole E25 is one of the best ellipticals we’ve tried. It has a 20-inch stride length, 20-pound flywheel, 20 levels of resistance, and 20 levels of incline to provide a low-impact cardio workout with reduced stress to muscles and joints when compared to running. (1) You also have moving and stationary handles, depending on how much of an arm workout you want along with your cardio.
This Sole E25 scored a 5 out of 5 in value and conveniences, and a 4.5 out of 5 for durability, customizations, adjustability, and warranty.
At $1,099.99, this elliptical is roughly $1,000 less than the average higher-end model we’ve tested. Value scored a perfect 5 out of 5 with our expert product tester and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier. “You have great built-in workouts… and the fan and Bluetooth speakers are amazing,” they said. The Bluetooth speakers can sync with your devices so you can easily stream music or fitness programming while getting in a HIIT workout.
The 350-pound weight capacity, which is on the high end of the average 250- to 350-pound weight capacity for ellipticals, accommodates a multitude of users and allows for a (mostly) steady ride. “There was a little bit of movement from side to side when I was working out,” Meier said, “and there aren’t any floor stabilizers to dial that in.” For this, its durability received a minor ding, but still came in with a 4.5 out of 5.
Our biggest gripe came with the portability and setup, scoring a 3.5 and a 3 out of 5, respectively. “This elliptical is a heavy 209 pounds, and if you wanted to move it around you may need another pair of hands,” said Meier, “but it does have transport wheels and a handle to make that process easier.”
It also took Meier about two hours to set up. “The instructions weren’t great,” they said. “Be prepared with a screwdriver with a magnetic tip and a socket wrench! Or opt for professional assembly if possible.”
Read our full Sole E25 Elliptical Review.
Best Exercise Bike: NordicTrack S22i
NordicTrack Commercial S22i
NordicTrack Commercial S22i
The NordicTrack Commercial S22i is high-tech and high quality, featuring both advancements like a 22” touchscreen display, and solid specs like 24 levels of quiet magnetic resistance.
Shop NordicTrack
Specs
- Price: $1,999
- Weight: 205lbs
- Dimensions: 58” H x 61” L x 22” W
- Weight Capacity: 350lbs
Pros
- Exercise bikes like the NordicTrack S22i offer a lower-impact workout than treadmills.
- The S22i has a sturdy steel frame, multiple adjustability options, and seamless iFIT app integration.
- It has a 20 percent incline and -10 percent decline, which is rare for an exercise bike.
- The 22-inch HD touchscreen swivels 360 degrees so you can take classes on and off your bike.
Cons
- We feel iFIT, which costs $39 a month following your free trial, is what brings out the bike’s full potential.
- A strong Wi-Fi connection is needed to reduce buffering during classes.
- Moving it can be tough due to its 205-pound weight, large screen, and lack of a handle.
If you’re looking for the best exercise bike to replace your treadmill, look no further than the NordicTrack S22i. With a 22-inch display that can rotate 360 degrees, you can stream iFIT programming on the bike or rotate the screen and take a yoga class off to the side. You’ll also have incline and decline capabilities that can evoke the hills and valleys of outdoor terrain. Customizations, tech capabilities, and dynamic programming all scored a 5 out of 5 with our team.
iFIT gives you access to thousands of on-demand classes, with scenic rides you can take on your bike and a variety of classes that span strength training to HIIT to yoga. One of the neatest iFIT features is the SmartAdjust setting, which can automatically adjust your resistance, incline, and decline depending on the class you’re taking. Our tester, BarBend editorial team member and certified personal trainer Kate Meier, said, “We don’t see this often, but this bike has incline and decline training capabilities.” That, along with its 24 levels of resistance, is why we scored its customizations and tech capabilities a 5 out of 5.
While iFIT provides what one tester said “is an experience that makes this a true competitor to Peloton,” you’ll need to be prepared for the $39 monthly subscription fee. Without this, you won’t have access to classes, scenic rides, or the SmartAdjust feature.
Our team scored iFIT’s dynamic programming a 5 out of 5, though you’ll also want to be sure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection. “That’s because of how many workouts are loaded onto the monitor… sometimes it can take a while to load and buffer,” said Jake Herod, our expert product tester and a certified nutrition coach, in his video review of the S22i.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=e6JbKMsCmG4Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike Review (2022) — Most INTERACTIVE BIKE? (https://youtube.com/watch?v=e6JbKMsCmG4)
At 205 pounds, this bike is between 45 and 85 pounds heavier than many of the bikes we’ve tested, which can make it difficult to transport. “You’ll have to be careful not to smack the big 22-inch screen into things when you move it,” said Meier, rating its portability a 3.5 out of 5.
This is an awesome bike if you’re looking for an interactive cycling experience to replace your treadmill workout. “The screen is top-notch, the incline/decline features are unique, and it’s priced in the same ballpark as Peloton. However, without the iFit subscription, the bike isn’t very impressive,” said Meier.
Read our full NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike Review.
Best Air Bike: Assault AirBike Classic
Assault AirBike
Assault AirBike
The Assault AirBike is a moderately priced bike with a solid build that features a powder-coated steel frame. It’s an upright indoor bike with moving arms that’s designed to burn calories and integrate seamlessly into cross-training and interval workouts.
Shop Assault
Specs
- Price: $699
- Weight: 96lbs
- Dimensions: 50” H x 50.95” L x 23.34” W
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
Pros
- The Assault Airbike has moving arms that give your upper body a workout while you ride.
- The LCD display offers you 7 onboard programs, like endurance training or Tabata.
- A heavy-duty steel frame, industrial powder coating, and 20 sealed cartridge bearings in every pivot contribute to its durability.
Cons
- There aren’t any Bluetooth capabilities or speakers to stream music or programming.
- This bike is louder than the average exercise bike due to its chain drive and fan-generated rush of air.
- This is a low-tech bike, so you won’t find a touchscreen with streaming capabilities.
Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery to reignite the cardio fire in your belly. When switching from a treadmill to one of the best air bikes, you’ll be able to fold some upper-body work into your low-impact training. The Assault AirBike Classic is a reasonably-priced machine at $699, which is between $200 and $800 cheaper than many of the air bikes we’ve come across.
This is a bike you often see used in CrossFit gyms — since the resistance increases with your effort, it’s a useful tool for practicing high-intensity intervals that work the upper and lower body. Also, its heavy-duty steel frame and powder coating will help this bike stick around for the long haul, so long as you take proper care of it.
Our tester, a CrossFit coach noted, “Most Crossfit gyms with Assault Bikes don’t take care of them or perform regular chain maintenance. However, they still last forever in those environments and that’s with loads of use. In a home gym, this bike can last decades with proper maintenance.” Durability scored a 4 out of 5.
You won’t find a touchscreen or Bluetooth speakers on this straightforward machine. “Assault Fitness is known for keeping their gear solid and simple, however, there is the ability to connect to a heart rate monitor,” said our tester, giving tech capabilities a score of 3 out 5. The bike is also louder than the average spin bike, due to the fan-generated rush of air.
As we noted, resistance increases with your effort on air bikes. “You’re going to burn calories here,” says Jake Herod, BarBend’s expert product tester and a certified nutrition coach, in the below video. “You can even take your legs out of the equation completely and just focus on your upper body.” Pegs on the front of the bike allow you a place to rest your feet should you want to only use your upper body.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok34YSJqQgE&feature=youtu.beVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Assault AirBike Review (2022) — Feel the BURN? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok34YSJqQgE&feature=youtu.be)
Herod has been using this bike for a while. He notes in his video review, “The treadmill tends to be a little bit boring for me, but this [bike] is well worth the money. It tends to kick my butt every single time.” We rated its overall value a score of 4.5 out of 5.
Read our full Assault Air Bike Review.
Best Rowing Machine: Hydrow Rower
Hydrow Rower
Hydrow Rower
The Hydrow is a high-tech rower with a library full of live and on-demand workouts, a smooth drive and electromagnetic resistance. It’s a quiet machine and provides a great full-body workout for both beginning and advanced rowers.
Shop Hydrow
Specs
- Price: $1,995
- Weight: 145lbs
- Dimensions: 47” H x 86” L x 25” W
- Weight Capacity: 375lbs
Pros
- Hydrow membership offers immersive training where you can follow along with trainers while they row in scenic locations.
- The coaching is top level with a roster of olympians, D1 athletes, and competitive racers to help educate and motivate your workout.
- Hydrow has a patented electromagnetic drag system that makes it feel as if you’re actually rowing on water, and the harder you row the more resistance you’ll face.
Cons
- For access to Hydrow’s library of workouts you’ll need to pay for a $44 monthly membership.
- This rower has a large footprint, so if you’re looking to save space, about 6 inches in length and width, you may want to consider the Hydrow Wave Rower that’s $450 less.
Variety is the spice of life, so why not trade in your running shoes for a trip down river? The Hydrow Rower offers connected, interactive rowing where you can follow along with trainers who are rowing...
Click here to view the article.
