ActiveWorkoutsBest exercise machine to lose weight 2025 for faster and more sustainable fat loss resultsGet in shape at home with the best exercise machines to lose weightWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveWorkoutsBest exercise machine to lose weight 2025 for faster and more sustainable fat loss resultsGet in shape at home with the best exercise machines to lose weightWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Get in shape at home with the best exercise machines to lose weight
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Finding the best exercise machine to lose weight can be a tricky task. Not because there aren’t any to choose from; on the contrary, there is an abundance of options available. However, they all target fat loss differently and can provide different results depending on how you use them.
If you’re looking to simply burn calories, a treadmill will help you take a step in the right direction on your weight loss journey. But it’s understandable if you don’t have the space or budget or if you need a low-impact alternative to pounding the running belt.
Fortunately, there are a whole host of alternative exercise machines to choose from and a variety of different activities that will help you get fit from the comfort of your home (or garage). But first, as it’s still an investment, it’s worth finding the right tool for you.
We selected the best exercise machines to lose weight from these T3 buying guides:
Best exercise machine to lose weight
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: Wolverson Fitness)
(Image credit: Wolverson Fitness)
AssaultBike EliteBest exercise machine to lose weight overallOur expert review:SpecificationsDisplay:Yes/LCDDimensions:140 x 66 x 140cmPerformance tracking:YesToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Gym-level construction+Built-in workoutsReasons to avoid-Seat is not the most comfortable-Can only be used for burning calories (no casual workouts)
AssaultBike Elite
1. AssaultBike Elite
Best exercise machine to lose weight overall
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
SpecificationsDisplay:Yes/LCDDimensions:140 x 66 x 140cmPerformance tracking:Yes
Display:Yes/LCDDimensions:140 x 66 x 140cmPerformance tracking:Yes
Display:Yes/LCD
Dimensions:140 x 66 x 140cm
Performance tracking:Yes
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Reasons to buy+Gym-level construction+Built-in workouts
+Gym-level construction+Built-in workouts
Gym-level construction
Built-in workouts
Reasons to avoid-Seat is not the most comfortable-Can only be used for burning calories (no casual workouts)
-Seat is not the most comfortable-Can only be used for burning calories (no casual workouts)
Seat is not the most comfortable
Can only be used for burning calories (no casual workouts)
In ourAssaultBike Elite review, we praised this exercise machine for its excellent build quality and a superbly robust drivetrain. We also noted that it “oozes commercial gym quality” without looking too out of place tucked inside the home or in a dedicated workout area outside.
While you can pick up an air bike for a fraction of the cost of the AssaultBike Elite – as evidenced in ourbest air bikeround-up – you might be better placed to splash the cash for the added peace of mind that it’s not going to fall apart when you’re pushing yourself to your limits.
Aside from its gym-level build, the Elite has a number of great features. It allows for both a pronated overhand or bicep-centric grip and footpegs to enable you to focus solely on the upper body. Although its LCD screen is basic, you can sync up Bluetooth and ANT+ monitors to track your heart rate. It also doesn’t require mains power, so can be used anywhere.
(Image credit: Waterrower)
(Image credit: Waterrower)
WaterRower Natural Rowing MachineWater-based rower that increases resistance the harder you pullOur expert review:SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):209 x 56 x 53 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:315 kgToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Beautiful wooden construction+Natural-feeling resistanceReasons to avoid-Not as feature-packed as other set-ups
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine
2. WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine
Water-based rower that increases resistance the harder you pull
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):209 x 56 x 53 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:315 kg
Display:YesDimensions (LxWxH):209 x 56 x 53 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:315 kg
Display:Yes
Dimensions (LxWxH):209 x 56 x 53 cm
Performance tracking:Yes
Max user weight:315 kg
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Reasons to buy+Beautiful wooden construction+Natural-feeling resistance
+Beautiful wooden construction+Natural-feeling resistance
Beautiful wooden construction
Natural-feeling resistance
Reasons to avoid-Not as feature-packed as other set-ups
-Not as feature-packed as other set-ups
Not as feature-packed as other set-ups
The WaterRower’s water-based flywheel is different to chain- or fan-based resistance mechanisms in that it gets easier or harder depending on the effort you’re putting in. This mimics the real-life feel of rowing on the water and is noticeably smoother than alternative set-ups that we tested in ourbest rowing machinesbuying guide.
Read our fullWaterRower Natural Series review
(Image credit: Jo Ebsworth)
(Image credit: Jo Ebsworth)
Concept2 Ski ErgA Nordic skiing experience for your homeOur expert review:SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):40 x 52 x 212 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:N/AToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Pocket-friendly full-body workout+Great for jointsReasons to avoid-Not as engaging as other exercises
Concept2 Ski Erg
3. Concept2 Ski Erg
A Nordic skiing experience for your home
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):40 x 52 x 212 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:N/A
Display:YesDimensions (LxWxH):40 x 52 x 212 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:N/A
Display:Yes
Dimensions (LxWxH):40 x 52 x 212 cm
Performance tracking:Yes
Max user weight:N/A
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Reasons to buy+Pocket-friendly full-body workout+Great for joints
+Pocket-friendly full-body workout+Great for joints
Pocket-friendly full-body workout
Great for joints
Reasons to avoid-Not as engaging as other exercises
-Not as engaging as other exercises
Not as engaging as other exercises
A SkiErg might get some strange looks, but it’s also one of the lowest impact methods of exercise around. Simulating the movement of Nordic skiing, it provides a full-body workout but focuses on the upper body more so than a rowing machine or an exercise bike. You don’t have to have skied in real life to get the most out of a workout, either, and it’s quite easy to pick up compared to the likes of rowing.
The SkiErg from the well-known rowing machine brand Concept2 is a great piece of kit that adjusts its difficulty depending on how hard you pull the handles, but can also have its resistance tweaked to 10 different base settings. Its compact build has a smaller footprint than other alternatives, but its height and torture rack resemblance might be off-putting for some.
Read our fullConcept2 SkiErg review
(Image credit: JTX Fitness)
(Image credit: JTX Fitness)
JTX Sprint-5 TreadmillAmazing and affordable home treadmillOur expert review:SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):174 x 83 x 157 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:140 kgToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Compact when not in use+Good include+Cushioned running beltReasons to avoid-Small running surface
JTX Sprint-5 Treadmill
4. JTX Sprint-5 Treadmill
Amazing and affordable home treadmill
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):174 x 83 x 157 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:140 kg
Display:YesDimensions (LxWxH):174 x 83 x 157 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:140 kg
Display:Yes
Dimensions (LxWxH):174 x 83 x 157 cm
Performance tracking:Yes
Max user weight:140 kg
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Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+Compact when not in use+Good include+Cushioned running belt
+Compact when not in use+Good include+Cushioned running belt
Compact when not in use
Good include
Cushioned running belt
Reasons to avoid-Small running surface
-Small running surface
Small running surface
We’ve already seen above that running is tough to beat when it comes to calorie burning. But is it possible to invest in a home treadmill without also burning a hole in your pocket? The Sprint 5 from JTX was our favourite cheap running machine in ourbest treadmillround-up and manages to provide everything you could want from an indoor running experience without the professional-level price tag.
Its cushioned platform is kind to knees and dampens noise – ideal if your whole building doesn’t want to hear your exercise sessions. It also has a number of built-in HIIT workouts if you want to give some heart-pounding interval training a spin but don’t know where to start. Finally, its folding ability and short platform mean you don’t need to have acres of space to own one.
Read our fullJTX Sprint-5 review
(Image credit: NordicTrack)
(Image credit: NordicTrack)
NordicTrack E11.5 Cross TrainerGreat (albeit chunky) elliptical trainer for home useOur expert review:SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):204 x 67 x 166 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:87 kgToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Great price+Foldable for storageReasons to avoid-Data screen is dated-Low max user weight
NordicTrack E11.5 Cross Trainer
5. NordicTrack E11.5 Cross Trainer
Great (albeit chunky) elliptical trainer for home use
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):204 x 67 x 166 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:87 kg
Display:YesDimensions (LxWxH):204 x 67 x 166 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:87 kg
Display:Yes
Dimensions (LxWxH):204 x 67 x 166 cm
Performance tracking:Yes
Max user weight:87 kg
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Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+Great price+Foldable for storage
+Great price+Foldable for storage
Great price
Foldable for storage
Reasons to avoid-Data screen is dated-Low max user weight
-Data screen is dated-Low max user weight
Data screen is dated
Low max user weight
Elliptical trainers (or cross trainers as they were previously known) are one of the least efficient exercise machines for burning calories, but their low-impact nature makes them ideal if you’re coming back from injury or have joints that need preserving.
The NordicTrack E11.5 might not be as aesthetically pleasing as some of our other picks in this list, but it does the job and does it well. Its 20 resistance levels and 30 different workouts are perfect regardless of fitness level, and the latter is split between three different focuses – calorie, performance and intensity. There’s no getting around the size of the machine, but at least it does fold in half if you want to store it somewhere when not in use.
Read our fullNordicTrack E11.5 Elliptical Review
(Image credit: Peloton)
(Image credit: Peloton)
Peloton Bike+Lose weight easier with Peloton’s engaging classesOur expert review:SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):40 x 52 x 212 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:N/AToday’s Best DealsView at Amazon(Black)Reasons to buy+A premium experience from start to finish+Extraordinarily well-made bit of equipment+Engaging instructors and a great range of classesReasons to avoid-Display resolution could be higher
Peloton Bike+
6. Peloton Bike+
Lose weight easier with Peloton’s engaging classes
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
SpecificationsDisplay:YesDimensions (LxWxH):40 x 52 x 212 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:N/A
Display:YesDimensions (LxWxH):40 x 52 x 212 cmPerformance tracking:YesMax user weight:N/A
Display:Yes
Dimensions (LxWxH):40 x 52 x 212 cm
Performance tracking:Yes
Max user weight:N/A
Today’s Best DealsView at Amazon(Black)
Today’s Best DealsView at Amazon(Black)
Today’s Best DealsView at Amazon(Black)
Today’s Best DealsView at Amazon(Black)
Today’s Best Deals
View at Amazon(Black)
View at Amazon(Black)
View at Amazon
(Black)
Reasons to buy+A premium experience from start to finish+Extraordinarily well-made bit of equipment+Engaging instructors and a great range of classes
+A premium experience from start to finish+Extraordinarily well-made bit of equipment+Engaging instructors and a great range of classes
A premium experience from start to finish
Extraordinarily well-made bit of equipment
Engaging instructors and a great range of classes
Reasons to avoid-Display resolution could be higher
-Display resolution could be higher
Display resolution could be higher
Thanks to its super robust construction, beautiful design with attention to detail, ease of use and comfort, we dare anyone not to become instantly obsessed with the Peloton Bike+. The premium experience it delivers is kind of magical, and as a result, we’ve used it almost daily over the past few months. We can’t get enough.
There’s a reason why Peloton is happy to provide a 30-day free trial with free delivery for newbies: the brand knows that as soon as a Bike+ virgin places their bum on that saddle, there’s no going back. An epic piece of home fitness equipment with an immersive top-notch platform to back it up.
Read our fullPeloton Bike+ review
How to choose the best exercise machine to lose weight for you
While there are a number of things to consider when buying an exercise machine, it’s important not to lose sight of your ultimate goal – losing weight. So what is the best exercise for burning calories?
Harvard University conducted research(links to Harward’s site) that showed the calories you can expect to burn during a 30-minute session for a variety of exercises. The study found that the biggest calorie burner was running, with a 13st 3lb (roughly 84 kg) person running at 10mph for 30 minutes burning 671 calories. It’s worth noting that this is pretty fast, and the slower you go, the lower the total calories burned – the same person would burn 495 calories at a 30-minute 5K pace.
When compared with other activities (rowing vigorously, 440kcal; cycling vigorously on an exercise bike, 441kcal; SkiErg, 399kcal; elliptical, 378kcal), a treadmill is still the best bang for your buck but isn’t miles ahead of alternatives that might be better suited to your budget, underlying health conditions or space restrictions.
For a low-impact exercise machine that’s easy on your joints, anything but a treadmill is going to suit your needs, so it then simply comes down to space. Elliptical trainers and rowing machines have the biggest footprint, but it’s possible to buy fold-up versions of both. The most compact is an exercise bike, while a SkiErg is a similar dimension but requires tall ceilings.
Finally, it’s important to think about how much enjoyment you’re going to get out of the exercise machine – a fun exercise machine is one you’re more likely to use repeatedly rather than being an expensive decorative feature that just collects dust.
Round up of today’s best deals
Peloton Bike+$2,495$2,146.86ViewSee all prices
Peloton Bike+$2,495$2,146.86ViewSee all prices
Peloton Bike+$2,495$2,146.86ViewSee all prices
Peloton Bike+
Peloton Bike+
$2,495$2,146.86View
$2,495$2,146.86
$2,146.86
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