[Fox]

I go to the gym 4-5 times a week and on days when I'm doing cardio only (usually 2 days) I will hop on a machine for 20-30 minutes and then change it up and hop on another for another 10-20 minutes. The other days I only do about 20 mins of cardio and then weights. But I never really know what machine to choose. Sometimes I'll choose something specifically because I want to do that activity but most of the time I just want the biggest bang for my buck! So what machines are better than others as far as a good workout that burns more calories?

At my gym I have treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, rowing machines, stair climbers and this machine that is sort of similar to an elliptical. I know that the calorie counters on the machines are notoriously inaccurate but when I'm on the bike for 30 minutes it tells me I've only burned around 100 calories, on the treadmill it's more like 200 and a little bit more on the elliptical. On all 3 I work out at around the same intensity - around 60% with short, harder intervals mixed in.

Which machines should I choose?

[nelie]

The elliptical generally is one of the best but I'd recommend looking into HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) if you aren't doing it already.

[mandalinn82]

Sign my name onto Nelie's post. The elliptical (with the resistance turned up so it's intense) is one of the best machines out there...treadmills with a lot of incline are really good burners too. You will probably get better results if you mix it up a bit...instead of doing the elliptical at a steady pace all week, mix up the machines and add in some HIIT...keep your body guessing.

[vertigoskyy]

Elliptical!

[bananapancakes]

I feel that the best cardio exercise is the one you will do day in and day out consistently. Choose one which you enjoy doing and as the others advised- don't be afraid to mix the exercises up. You could always try some interval cardio work which consists of moving from one exercise to another in set time intervals. For example, you could do the elliptical for 15 minutes, then switch to the bike for another 15 minutes and finish off on the treadmill for the last 15 minutes. Interval training is a great way to keep everything fresh.

[Sheena41]

I think the bike burns less calories because it is not weight bearing, you are sitting down. Spinning is a whole other story.

[csu23224]

I usually mix it up everyday. 1 day elliptical, next day treadmill, next day bike. I find that it keeps things interesting and have been told it's best for your body if you mix up your exercise routine