Best exercise machines to lose weight and burn fat 2022
The best exercise machines to lose weight are ideal if you want to tone up or drop a few pounds and all in the space of your own home. Whatever your fitness goals, we’ve put these pieces of equipment through our extensive testing process to see which ones are really worth your money.
Choosing from the best cardio machines isn’t always an easy decision with so many options on offer and a huge range of price points to navigate, too. However, whether you spend hundreds or even thousands, the first thing to consider is which type of activity will you enjoy the most as you’re more likely to stick to it and see the weight loss results you want. Consider what would be best for your body. Do you need something low-impact like the best exercise bikes, or would you prefer to work up a sweat on a treadmill?
Not all of the best exercise machines to lose weight are for vigorous cardio that’ll have you working up a sweat. Instead, we’ve also included options such as the TRX suspension trainer which you can use at home for resistance training, an ideal option for burning fat.
We tested this equipment to see how it fared in real life. We took note of the features each product has, how noisy it is to use in your home, any features it offers such as built-in virtual workouts, and whether it can be folded away so that it doesn’t take up too much space in your home.
The best exercise machines to lose weight
1. Echelon Smart Rower
Connected rowing machine with virtual workouts and magnetic resistance
Display: No | Dimensions: 84 x 45 x 21 inches | Storage options: Yes, foldable | Virtual workouts: Yes, Echelon app (requires a subscription)
Quiet workouts
32 levels of magnetic resistance
Echelon app for virtual workouts
Foldable
App requires monthly subscription
No integrated display
Feature-limited without app
When we tested the Echelon Smart Rower, we found that the high-quality rower is one of the top weight loss machines, as it comes with virtual classes to keep you motivated, raise your heart rate, and work your whole body. Plus, we liked that the foldable design makes it easy to store away.
It's really two products; an impressive, almost noiseless rowing machine and a subscription-based app that offers hundreds of on-demand and live workouts. The machine doesn't have a display, so you need a phone or tablet to view metrics like speed and distance traveled.
There are 32 levels of magnetic resistance (making your exercise super quiet) that were quick to adjust using the handlebar controller. The app could use a bit of work as it wasn't as polished as expected for such a premium monthly cost. But, if you're after a comprehensive workout that'll burn fat and build muscle, then the Echelon Smart Rower is an excellent choice.
Read our full Echelon Smart Rower review
Alternatively, check out our roundup of the best rowing machines
2. Peloton Bike+
Premium exercise bike with high-intensity virtual classes
Display: Yes, 23.8-inch | Dimensions: 59 x 59 x 22 inches | Storage options: No | Virtual workouts: Yes, Peloton app (requires a subscription)
High-quality design
Brilliant live classes
Accessible for all levels
Peloton subscription required
Expensive machine
Handlebars can shake loose over time
The Peloton Bike+ is the premium edition of the exercise bike that made the company famous, and during our tests, we felt that it deserved a place as one of the best exercise machines to lose weight. Our favorite part of this upgraded exercise bike is the large display, which gives you access to Peloton's instructor-led heart-pumping workouts.
This helps recreate the spin class experience, as you're connected with other riders worldwide, and you can see your performance on the app's leader board. Notably, the display on the Bike+ can also rotate, which means you can spin the screen around and take part in a virtual strength training session or yoga class too.
The bike comes with an electronic resistance controller, so the bike will automatically control the resistance for you during an on-demand class after you tap the 'Auto-Follow' option. So, if you want to hop on the bike and pace through an intense workout without getting distracted, we found that the Peloton Bike+ is a great all-around option.
Read our full Peloton Bike+ review
Find more options in our best exercise bike roundup
3. TRX Home2
Portable strength training equipment to build muscle and burn fat
Display: No | Dimensions: n/a | Storage options: Yes, carry bag | Virtual workouts: Yes, TRX app (12 months free with purchase)
Durable design
Affordable
One-year access to TRX workout app
Easy to set up
Not aimed at beginners
Requires a suitable anchor point
App requires subscription after a year
The TRX Home2 suspension trainer helps you use your bodyweight to build muscle and burn fat. Although cardio exercise is the most popular way to lose weight, adding resistance training to your exercise routine with this portable, lightweight setup is an excellent way to work out at home or on the go. It's also more budget-friendly than the other styles of weight loss machine.
That doesn't mean it's less effective, though. During our testing, we found that the high-quality straps and handles—which were easy to attach to a door, tree, or another anchor—gave us enough support to take on a range of bodyweight exercises, including variations on push-ups, lunges, and squats.
When you invest in the set, you also get a year of complimentary access to the TRX app, which has a collection of strength training workouts that you can use designed with your suspension trainer in mind. The sessions were too fast-paced for newcomers, but we found that the pause button helped slow down the routines so that we could focus on our form.
Read our full TRX Home2 review
4. ProForm Pro 9000
Foldable treadmill for at-home cardio workouts
Display: Yes, 7-inch | Dimensions: 73.5 x 64 x 35 inches | Storage options: Yes, foldable | Virtual workouts: Yes, iFit (requires a subscription)
Foldable design
Powerful motor
30 preset workouts
iFit workouts require subscription
Belt not ideal for tall people
Small display
The ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill is a great way to get into running without leaving the house. It comes with a range of workouts designed to challenge you and reaches a top speed of 12mph. When we tested the weight loss machine, we found that it was one of the easiest treadmills to assemble, comes with a foldable design, and has plenty of features to help you reach your goals.
For one, the built-in display integrates with the iFit virtual workout platform for on-demand training, and our motivation never dipped thanks to the knowledgeable, high-energy instructors. And even when running flat out on a steep incline, the integrated multi-speed fan helped us stay cool.
While it's an excellent space-saving option, this compact design does have some limitations. For instance, if you're over six-foot-tall, the 55-inch running belt might be a little short for your natural stride. However, whether you enjoy a gentle stroll, an intense sprint, or an extended run, the ProForm Pro 9000 is one of the best home exercise machines to lose weight.
Read our full ProForm Pro 9000 review
Not for you? Consider one of the best treadmills instead
5. Sole E95
Budget-friendly elliptical machine for full-body training
Display: Yes, 10-inch | Dimensions: 82 x 71 x 31 inches | Storage options: No | Virtual workouts: Yes, Sole Studio app (requires a subscription)
Smooth, quiet flywheel
10-inch display for workout metrics
Bluetooth speakers
Some parts break easily
Requires some maintenance
The Sole E95 elliptical machine combines cardio exercise with upper-body resistance training to earn its place as one of the best exercise machines to lose weight. The heavy, 17kg flywheel sounds like a negative thing, but it actually isn't. This part of the elliptical is responsible for the smoothness of your workout, and a heavier flywheel means a smoother, quieter machine.
You'll need a dedicated workout space for this machine as it doesn't fold away, but the feature-packed unit is still worth the investment. It comes with 20 levels of resistance, allowing you to increase the intensity for heart-pumping workouts or keep a steady pace for longer sessions. Plus, the foot pedals are slightly sloped to reduce the pressure on your knees and ankles.
There's also a 10-inch display for keeping track of your workout stats, built-in Bluetooth speakers to stream your favorite music, audiobooks, or podcasts, and an integrated fan to keep you cool while exercising. If you take out a subscription to the Sole Studio app, you can also use the integrated tablet holder to stream virtual at-home workouts.
Want to know more? Read our guide to the Sole E95 elliptical machine—should I buy one?
Find more options in our best elliptical machines roundup
What is the best home exercise equipment to lose weight?
If you want to burn fat and drop pounds without leaving the house, there are plenty of options, ranging from treadmills for cardio workouts to strength training kits to build muscle for long-lasting results. We've included a range of equipment in our guide, so let's look at why these units make ideal at-home weight loss machines.
Elliptical machines
The best elliptical machines are a great all-rounder if you want to get fit, lose weight, and get stronger all at once. The use of handles and different resistance settings allows you to incorporate your upper body and core into the workout, providing a full-body session.
According to a study published in the journal Gait Posture, these machines also activate more leg muscles than treadmills but still offer a low-impact way to strengthen your body for high-intensity exercise.
Rowing machines
Rowing machines, whether water, fan, or magnetic, are also fantastic for toning your upper body in addition to getting a cardio workout. As a result, a quick rowing workout builds muscle but also raises your metabolism for fat-burning results.
Rowing benefits handgrip strength, a great metric for health (preventing falls), and protects your heart with a good cardio workout. And the increased muscle tone also fights age-related atrophy, making it an ideal choice for older adults.
Treadmills
Running is a popular cardio-focused way to stay active, raise your heart rate, and burn fat. But treadmill sessions aren't just about hitting the top speed for a high-intensity workout.
If you're not into running, you can opt for a gentler pace, as walking to lose weight is a sustainable way to drop pounds. And, whether you're short on time or have mobility troubles, you can get a quick stroll in without leaving the house.
You can even adjust your training environment by controlling the speed and gradient, which you can't do while running outdoors. The soft treads are also kinder on your joints than concrete roads.
Exercise bikes
You need a helmet, lights, and bike lock if you want to go for a cycle outdoors. Plus, not everyone feels comfortable cycling along high traffic roads and breathing the pollution caused by vehicles.
Exercise bikes make a great at-home alternative, offering effective low-impact cardiovascular workouts. These stationary bikes have had a resurgence over the past few years thanks to the popularity of the Peloton Bike and spin classes more generally.
Intense spin classes have been scientifically proven to up your metabolic rate for up to 14 hours after the class is finished, which is why exercise bikes are ideal for at-home, fat-burning workouts.
Suspension trainers
Most exercise machines are large (even those with a foldable design) and can be an expensive investment, so they're not the best option for everyone. Helpfully, lower-cost equipment like suspension trainers can help.
You attach one end of the trainer to a door, tree, or another surface, clip a handle onto the other end, and then you can use the suspension trainer to support your body weight and build muscle.
Although cardio exercise is the most well-known way to lose weight, gaining muscle is also an effective way to increase your metabolism and burn more energy during the day, which helps burn fat to hit your weight loss goals.
How to choose the best exercise machines to lose weight
If you're after a home weight loss machine that'll help you get results, there are a few things you need to consider. Firstly, what type of exercise do you enjoy the most? If you aren't into running but invest in a treadmill, it'll be hard to find the motivation to train.
Helpfully, there are many varied options for you to choose from, including cardio-focused treadmills through to muscle-building suspension kits. If you're worried about joint pain, low-impact elliptical or rowing workouts might be best.
But while many rowing machines come with a foldable design, elliptical machines and exercise bikes typically don't, so you'll need space to store your weight loss machine.
If you're tight on space at home, you can still hit your weight loss goals by using a suspension trainer to build muscle. Cardio vs weights is an age-old debate, but building muscle also increases your metabolism, helping you burn energy throughout the day.
It's also worth thinking about whether you enjoy training independently or prefer a class environment for motivation. Many of the best home exercise machines to lose weight come with virtual workout apps, so you can join a community without leaving the house.
How we tested the best exercise machines to lose weight
Using an exercise machine for at-home training is a great way to stay active, but some are better for weight loss than others. To help you find the right one for your home, we've tested these machines and found the top choices for at-home weight loss workouts.
Design and storage
Probably the most crucial aspect is the physical size and design of the machine. So, we assess the quality of the materials, how durable the design is, and whether it comes with convenience features like a water bottle or tablet holder.
Importantly, we also look at how easy the machine is to store. Some come with foldable designs, so we test the folding mechanism to see if it's convenient and safe and report on how much space it helps create.
If you can't fold it, we consider if it has wheels or an accessible transport system to move it out of the way when you're done exercising. We also look at the assembly and day-to-day setup during testing to check whether it's easy to get started.
Exercise performance
We chose a varied selection of equipment for the guide, covering machines known for their fat-burning potential. But each model has a unique approach to exercise, so we do several workouts to check if it offers an effective way to train.
The placement of handles, controls, and fans can make a big difference in whether you'll enjoy a hassle-free session on the machine. So, we assess if these options are within reach and detail any quirks in the mechanisms.
You also want your training to feel smooth, so we test the running belt on treadmills, the resistance mechanism and handlebar on a rowing machine, and the feet plate and handles on an elliptical machine.
Virtual workouts
With many manufacturers now offering optional app-based workouts, we explore these on-demand and live classes to see if there's variety in the offering and that they are suitable for beginners and advanced exercisers.
We look at whether they're good value for money, critical to the machine, and whether you can stream the classes directly to the equipment or if you need to provide your own screen, like a phone or tablet.
Whether you want to join these classes to get inspiration from the instructor or like to be part of a community, we also consider whether the session is actually enjoyable and if it delivers an effective weight loss workout.
What is the best exercise machine to lose belly fat?
Personal Trainer, Maddy Biddulph told Fit&Well, “All cardio (aerobic) exercise is good for overall weight loss and losing body fat, including your belly, as it revs up the heart rate and boosts the metabolism, but you can’t target specific areas.
“The key to blasting fat is to be in a calorie deficit – and that means consuming fewer calories than you burn, and being consistent with your exercise program.
“The best exercise machines to lose belly fat are the ones that really get your heart rate up and offer a high-intensity workout, so the top of my list would be the treadmill – shown to burn the highest calories of any cardio machine. While running is great for fat loss, walking on an incline can burn just as many kcals, if not more, as you have to engage your core to help stabilize the body when you walk uphill.
“The Stairmaster and cross trainer are also great for blasting belly fat and put less strain on your joints than the treadmill.”
