Cardio

Treadmills, rowers, an indoor cycle, a ski machine and an air bike, covering most ways to get a cardio session done at home.

Nine of the seventeen products here are treadmills, so that's the biggest decision most people are making on this page. The rest split across rowing, cycling, skiing and striding movements, plus one accessory that isn't a machine at all.

Treadmills

Four pairs, plus one simpler standalone model. The T4 and T4S are the same treadmill at the same speed and incline range (1.6 to 16 km/h, 0 to 12% incline), the only real difference is the console: T4 has LED feedback and a tablet holder, T4S adds a 25.4cm touchscreen with built in programmes. Same relationship one tier up with the T5 and T5S, and again with the T7 and T7S at the top of the range. If you're deciding between a plain and an S version, it comes down to whether you want the touchscreen and programmes or you're happy running speed and incline manually.

The Centr RUNR and Runr-S follow the same pattern at a lower price point, with a slightly lower incline ceiling (0 to 10% rather than 12%). The Tread 3 is the simplest option in the range if you just want a reliable folding treadmill without comparing consoles.

Whichever one you're looking at, check both the in use and folded dimensions on the product page, not just one or the other. As an example, the T4 measures 177.4 x 90.7 x 121.2 cm in use and folds down to 122 x 91 x 146.5 cm, and the Runr-S measures 177.7 x 108 x 135.5 cm in use and 108.5 x 108 x 152.8 cm folded. Folding helps reclaim floor space between sessions, but you still need to check the folded height fits wherever you're planning to store it.

Rowing

The Centr Perform Series Rower is a standard air rower, 10 damper settings, with pace, power, distance and stroke rate on the display. It needs a longer footprint than a treadmill, 241 x 62 x 112 cm, so measure the full rail length before deciding it'll fit. The Inspire CR2 Crossrow is a different kind of machine, combining a rowing style pull with a push pull motion rather than a straight rowing stroke, worth checking the product page if you're not sure whether that movement suits you better than a standard rower.

Indoor cycling

The Inspire IC2 is a belt drive indoor cycle with a 24kg flywheel, adjustable seat and handlebar position, and friction resistance. The IC2 Console Display isn't a separate bike, it's an optional performance console you add to the IC2 if you want ride data on the bars rather than riding without one.

Ski machine and air bike

The Perform Series Ski Machine and HYROX Perform Series Air Bike both give you a full body option outside the usual treadmill or rower choice, useful if you want conditioning work that uses your arms as well as your legs. Neither needs as much floor length as the rower.

Cardio striders

The CS2.5 and CS3 are seated, low impact machines, a step down in joint stress from running on a treadmill while still giving you a rhythmic full body movement. Worth considering if running or standing cardio isn't comfortable for you.

Setting up cardio alongside strength training in the same room? See Home Gyms for functional trainers, or Weights & Bars for free weight work. If you're training specifically for HYROX, the HYROX collection covers the sled, rope and turf side of it rather than this page.

Questions people usually ask

Is the S version worth the extra cost over the plain version?

Only if you'll actually use the touchscreen and built in programmes. Speed, incline range and the deck itself are the same on both, so if you'd rather control things manually, the plain version does the same core job for less.

How much floor space do I actually need?

It depends on the machine. Treadmills need less depth than the rower, which needs a full 241cm of clear rail length. Check the in use dimensions on the specific product page rather than assuming based on a similar machine.

What's the difference between the rower and the Crossrow?

The rower is a standard air rowing stroke. The Crossrow uses a push pull motion instead, which is a different feel and works slightly different muscles through the movement. Check the product page description if you're unsure which suits your training better.

Do I need the IC2 console display?

Only if you want ride data, RPM, speed and so on, visible on the bike itself. The IC2 works without it, the console is an add on rather than a required part.

Which machine is lowest impact on the joints?

The cardio striders and the indoor cycle are both seated or low impact options, better suited if running isn't comfortable for you than the treadmills or the ski machine.