Blog Archives

Best Cardio Machines For Runners

4/12/2019

Come rain or snow, I love to be outside running. I've never been one who prefers running on a treadmill or doing workouts inside. Sometime ago I was training for an Ultra and eventually decided to stop running due to a nagging injury. In order to get some exercise I ended up borrowing a friends road bike and trainer and set them up out in the garage. I started doing workouts on the bike and eventually bought my own road bike and have used it both in the garage on a trainer and on the roads. A different form of exercise, in the convenience of my home, was a nice option to have.

Most likely, at some point in your running career, you will have an injury and need to take time off running. Using a good cardio machine is a great option to stay in shape while recovering (depending on the injury) so you don't lose all your fitness. They offer a low impact workout while being able to provide high intensity as well. Cardio machines offer a solid option for cross training. They engage muscles not used in running and can help strengthen those used in running.

Let's look at some benefits to having a cardio machine in your home:

Convenience - life gets busy and you have a limited time to exercise. Quickly change, hope on a machine and get a quality workout without leaving your home. If you have little kids at home, cardio machines can be a life saver providing freedom to workout when kids are napping or playing.
Weather - winter comes and snow and ice cover the roads and trails and the temperature drops. Inside, you control the temperature and a roof keeps the ground dry.
Low Impact - injuries happen and you need an alternate source of exercise that doesn't put strain on bones, tendons and joints.
Cross Train - working different muscle groups and giving your body a break from running are great ways to reduce the chance of injury and help make you a more rounded runner.

With the wide variety of cardio machines out there, here are some things to keep in mind to help you make the right choice:

Size - determine where you are going to put and use the machine. Measure the area (length and width) so you know what dimensions to look for on the machine.
Accessories - make a list of things you want the machine to include (ie. heart rate monitor, connect to Wifi, stream workout videos, calorie counter, bottle holder, book holder, etc). Then separate your list into Must Haves and Could Live Withouts.
Cost - look at your budget and decide on your maximum budget. This ties in with Accessories - figure the more accessories, the greater the cost.
Noise - some machines may be louder than others. Are you going to be watching TV or Podcasts while using the machine? Will the noize interfere with what you'll be doing and where it'll be in the house?

To help you get started in your search for the perfect machine, I've provided the below options for review:

The L Now is an affordable bike with the basic accessories.

Measures heart rate and records distance, speep, calories burned, and RPM
Eight level magnetic tension resistant system
Quite
50.4 x 57.3 x 21.6 (WxHxD)
Upto 300 lbs capacity

Find on Amazon

The Concept 2 Rowing Machine offers a great low impact workout while engaging a variety of muscle groups

High calorie burn exercise
Real-time data shown on monitor - able to wirelessly connect to apps and heart rate belts
500 pound capacity with 5 year warranty on the frame
Easy to take apart and store
Fully assembled dimensions are 8 ft x 2 ft
Mid-range pricing

FIND ON AMAZON