Which cardio device suits you?

Cardio is a good way to burn a lot of calories and keep in shape. In addition, training on a cardio machine reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, improves your blood pressure and helps to improve the condition of your heart and lungs. By doing cardio regularly, your condition will improve by leaps and bounds. For example, you'll notice that climbing stairs becomes more and more smooth and you won't be out of breath after a game of football with some friends.

Always a training that fits your goal
For example, you can train on a cardio machine for a marathon or a bike ride. But, you can also opt for interval training, for example. Interval training is a form of cardio where you burn a lot of calories in a short period of time by constantly accelerating and slowing down the pace.

There are different cardio machines, with which you train different muscle groups. Below we explain the functions of the different devices.

Hometrainer
An exercise bike is a fitness machine on which you make cycling movements, it is also called 'indoor cycling'. On an exercise bike you not only work on your condition, but also on strengthening your muscles. On an exercise bike you train different kinds of muscles: your thighs, calves, hamstrings and buttock muscles. By maintaining the right posture you also train your abdominal muscles. An exercise bike is easy to use and suitable for beginners and more experienced athletes. An exercise bike is often used for recovery training after an injury or during rehabilitation. The following brands have good exercise bikes available: Assault fitness, Christopeit, Life Fitness, Adidas, CardioStrong, Ergo-Fit, Reebok, Star Trac, Tunturi.

Crosstrainer
A crosstrainer is a widely used cardio device that mimics a walking movement. On a crosstrainer you mainly train your thighs, calves, thighs and buttocks. Your arm, shoulder and back muscles are also put to work. On a crosstrainer you can make a lot of variation in your workout; in a backward movement you stimulate your buttock muscles, when you are more on your toes you stimulate your calf muscles. Well known brands of crosstrainers are: Christopeit, Ergo-Fit, CardioStrong, Life Fitness, Reebok, Star Trac.

Spinner
Despite the fact that a spinning bike looks a lot like an exercise bike, they are different. A spinning bike is more like a racing bike. For example, the pedal system of a spinning bike is different; the pedals keep spinning, whether you pedal or not. Cycling on a spinning bike therefore requires some practice. On a spinning bike you can keep going a little longer and get more out of your training (and yourself). You can also stand on the pedals and hold your hands in different ways. Do you like intensive training, where you burn a lot of calories? Then a spinning bike is great! Common brands for spinning bikes are: Bodybike, Life Fitness, Museeuw, Star Trac.

Treadmil
l A treadmill is suitable for different ways of training and different levels. You can do a long endurance run to train for a marathon, do an intensive interval training, or walk quietly. Of course you mainly train your leg and gluteal muscles on a treadmill. Besides the fact that you can vary in speed, you can add an extra dimension to your training by setting a slope percentage. The steeper you set the slope, the heavier the workout becomes. While running, you also tighten your stomach and back muscles to keep your upper body stable. Well-known brands for treadmills are: Reebok, Christopeit, Star Trac.

Recumbent
A recumbent is very similar to an exercise bike, although you are more down with a recumbent than with an exercise bike. A recumbent has a lower step in and a backrest, so there is less tension on the back muscles. This bike is therefore ideal for rehabilitating people, or when you quickly suffer from back pain. The recumbent bikes from Ergo-fit are widely used in physiotherapy practices and are very comfortable.

Rowing traine
r On a rowing trainer, you train many different muscles: you use your leg, buttock and hip muscles to push off and your back, shoulder and arm muscles when you pull on the handle. You also use your abdominal muscles to keep yourself in balance. A workout on a rowing trainer is a real full body workout. However, it is important to master a good rowing technique so that you get the most out of your workout. A good brand for a rowing trainer is the Concept 2.

Stepper
A stepper is a device in which two pedals move in opposite directions to each other. On a stepper you mainly train your leg, buttock and calf muscles. You can easily make the work out heavier by bending your legs a bit more. On a stepper, it is important that you keep your back straight, keep your feet on the pedals, relax your shoulders and look straight ahead. A good stepper is the one from Life Fitness.

Do any of these cardio devices appeal to you? We have all these devices in stock for rental or sale. This allows you to easily build up your condition from the comfort of your own home. Take a look at our rental pages for all cardio equipment.