Whether you're going to purchase a cardio exercise equipment for the first time or you're just going to add another piece to your home gym, it is important to do a little research before you finalize your decision. Here's a brief overview of the things you need to look for in a cardio exercise equipment: 1. This is mimicked by a machine called the stair climber. It can pose a more challenging routine as compared to the regular treadmill and elliptical machine. You can ride your way towards a strong heart via stationary cycles. There are recumbent models that allow you too to have a more relaxed posture thus preventing lower back straining. Upright bikes imitate a regular bike while recumbent bikes let you sit in a slightly reclining position. If you want a more steadily paced fat-burning workout, you can keep the resistance of your bike fairly low and spin the pedals faster. If you consider yourself already in advanced phase and your stationary bike has preprogrammed features, you may try the hill-climbing or interval option to enhance calorie burn. Elliptical trainers are recommended to people who suffer from lower-limb injuries or arthritis. The drive system of an elliptical machine is the mechanism by which it applies resistance during exercise. There are two basic types: front drive and rear drive. 5. Treadmill is probably the top seller among types of cardio exercise equipment. How many people would be using the gym? How much are you willing to spend on the equipment? Determining your goals would help you identify what equipment will be purchased. For example, if you are after total cardio workout, then definitely a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike is needed. If you plan on building more muscle, then you would probably need pull-up bars, push-up stands, weights, etc. Fortunately you can acquire an alternative. All you need is to place a stationary bike in your favorite spot and voila you re all set. But unlike the normal bike that riders use you do not actually move from your original position. This bike is constructed with a solid back inverted T-frame attached firmly to the ground.