Best Exercise Machines For Women To Lose Weight

Reach your weight goal, we break down the top exercise machines for losing weight

Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.

If you’re serious about losing body fat and toning up, then you’re in the right place. We know how overwhelming it can be to choose machines that work for you, are interesting, and actually effective.

That’s why we’ve taken our own experiences along with the feedback from countless other consumers to bring you the best exercise machines to lose weight.

We will go in-depth about what to look for and what to steer clear from to ensure you’re feeling and looking great!

Best Home Exercise Equipment For Weight Loss

#1 Stepper Machine

Calories Burned Per Hour: Up to 532 calories

Why Are Stepper Machines Great for Weight Loss: Focusing on the largest muscles in the body (core, glutes, hamstrings, quads), steppers burn a ton of calories while helping to tone muscles.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Low-Impact
  • Burns large amount of calories
  • Compact

Space Considerations: Stepper machines are some of the most compact cardio machines out there and are great even if you don’t have a large space dedicated to a home gym. You also should plan for at least a couple feet of space in the front and rear of the machine to allow for the pedals and moving handlebars to move freely.

See all of our stepper machine reviews here.

Best Stepper Machine for Losing Weight

Bowflex is one of the most respected names in the fitness industry, due to their consistent innovation, build quality, affordability, and reliability. While it’s not the cheapest out there, the Bowflex Max Trainer Series does offer the best bang for your buck.

The low-impact motion of an elliptical combined with the challenge of a traditional stepper makes it a calorie scorcher ideal for just about any fitness level.

8 levels of resistance are available to make it easier or harder for you, and are all controlled with the handy dial located on the handlebar. With built-in programs, target zone and burn rate indicators, you can sculpt your body exactly to your liking.

2 user profiles are ideal if you live with someone else who’d also like to use it without affecting your history and results.

Runner Up Stepper Machine

The Sunny Health & Fitness Premium Cardio Climber is perfect if you’re on a tight budget but still want quality. Supporting up to 260 pounds, their steel frame is durable and sure to last you through countless workouts.

Ideal for shared spaces, their smooth belt-drive operation ensures noise is kept to a minimum so as never to bother anyone else.

That smoothness is enhanced by a 14-pound flywheel to make intervals and climbs seamless, with no stuttering. Keep track of your performance with pulse sensor grips on the handles, working out your upper and lower body simultaneously.

With 8 levels of magnetic resistance, you’ll ensure you are always improving. For the one of the best weight loss machines for home use on a budget, check this one out.


#2 Stationary Bicycle

Calories Burned Per Hour: Up to 372 calories

Why Are Stationary Bikes Are Great for Weight Loss: Stationary bikes are easy to use, don’t take up much room, and place less stress on your joints while still providing a great aerobic workout. If you prefer to stay seated while doing cardio, it’s one of the best options for fat loss.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Low-Impact
  • Easy to use
  • Compact
  • Great for all fitness levels

Space Considerations: Stationary bikes themselves are typically quite compact, though they do range depending on the model. Just keep in mind how much the handlebars stick out, because you’ll want to take into account that extra couple of inches while stowing it.

See all of our stationary bike reviews here.

Best Stationary Bike for Losing Weight

With a steel frame, a 35-pound flywheel, and attention to detail taken down to the very smallest components, the kind of quality you receive with the YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike is obvious.

Combine that with a belt drive system, and it’s nearly silent and ultra-smooth for you to get a solid workout in at any time of day or night.

An adjustable handlebar and 4-way padded seat offer supreme comfort while making sure you’re placed in an ergonomic position throughout your body.

A wide selection of resistance settings is there to prevent plateauing and maximizing weight loss. Track your results with the LCD monitor and keep yourself entertained with the tablet holder!

Runner Up Stationary Bike

We’re back yet again with another Sunny Health & Fitness machine, this time with their Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike.

16 different levels of computer-controlled magnetic resistance make it a great option for any physical fitness level while 12 preset workouts will ensure you follow the workout ideal for your goals.

While this bike is significantly larger than the previous model, it’s incredibly comfortable, offering a large, padded seat and mesh back to rest against.

The device holder makes it easy to watch videos, listen to music, workouts, and more while you pedal away. Finally, the performance console comes in full color to make it easy to track your performance.


#3 Elliptical Trainer Machine

Calories Burned Per Hour: Up to 540 calories

Why Are Ellipticals Great for Weight Loss: Ellipticals are great for steady-state cardio just as well as HIIT. They are one of the most low-impact forms of cardio and offer either a full-body workout or just lower-body isolation which further diversify workout potential.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Low-Impact
  • Full-Body Workout
  • Great for all fitness levels
  • Diverse workouts

Space Considerations: With ellipticals, you should expect to set aside at least 4-7 feet in length worth of space. This is to allow for the moving handlebars to move freely without hitting anything. Also allow for some room for the pedals to move.

See all of our elliptical machine reviews here.

Best Elliptical Trainer for Losing Weight

The Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine is one of the best gym machines for weight loss if you’re tight on space. While ellipticals aren’t traditionally very compact, this one has one of the smallest footprints out there.

Weighing just 120 pounds and coming with transport wheels, it’s a great selection if you’ll need to stow it away after using it, too.

16 levels of resistance offer a good amount of diversity, though the Explore the World app is where it really shines; letting you immerse yourself in virtual worlds to “run” in. The console is sleek and easy to use, showing all important workout stats, including heart rate.

With both moving and fixed handlebars, you get to choose whether you engage in a full-body workout or solely the lower body.

Runner Up Elliptical

The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer may be easy on the wallet, but it’s definitely not lacking when it comes to durability. Capable of supporting up to 330 pounds, it’s made to withstand heavy-duty workouts, too. 24 varied workout modes will let you select whether you’d like to focus on fat burning, heart rate, and more.

The magnetic resistance is nice and smooth, which will help offer efficiency so you’re not wasting your energy on just trying to keep a steady motion.

The monitor isn’t the largest out there, though it is backlit and does a good enough job of tracking necessary metrics.


#4 Treadmills

Calories Burned Per Hour: Up to 460 calories (walking at 3.5 mph)

Why Are Treadmills Great for Weight Loss: Treadmills offer a natural movement just as you would walking or running outside or on a track. You can walk, run, or jog, and usually can adjust the incline which mimics climbing hills. This offers diversity in your workouts and can burn a huge amount of calories.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Scorches body fat
  • Easy/natural to use
  • Great for all fitness levels
  • Diverse workouts

Space Considerations: Treadmills are one of the more space-consuming pieces of cardio machines though there are some which are more compact. Generally, you want about 20” of space on each side and 40 inches behind the back to allow for getting on and off, and for your legs/feet while running.

See all of our treadmill reviews here.

Best Treadmill for Losing Weight

NordicTrack T Series Treadmill


NordicTrack is a brand known for creating some of the best gym equipment for weight loss, and their T Series 6.5S Treadmill is no exception. Another feature they’ve become known for is their iFit Interactive Personal Training.

While you do have to pay extra for it after the first month, it’s like having unlimited personal training and workouts accessible to you right from the comfort of your own home.

With the ability to increase speed up to 10 MPH and incline up to 10% with OneTouch controls, it’s perfect for hill or speed intervals.

The 20” x 55” belt is long enough for taller users, as well as runners, so you don’t have to feel restricted. The 300-pound user capacity and strong frame is made to hold up to heavy use, so prepare to have it for years to come.

Runner Up Treadmill

XTERRA’s TR150 is one of the most affordable treadmills at this level of quality. With a running surface of 16” x 50” it’s a bit more narrow than the previous model, though it’s overall more compact and lightweight which is ideal if you need to transport it or are limited on space.

It comes with 3 manual incline settings which could be a bit more time-consuming to use, though if you want something inexpensive it’s a great deal.

12 preset programs offer variety, and 0.5 to 10 MPH speed ranges work well with users of all fitness levels. Direct Access speed keys make this easy to change up, though the console is one of the most basic we’ve seen.


#5 Rowing Machines

Calories Burned Per Hour: Up to 700 rowing at 100W and up to 1150 rowing at 200W

Why Are Rowing Machines Great for Weight Loss: Contrary to how it may look, rowing is a full-body workout that engages even the smallest muscle groups. It’s perfect if you aren’t able to or prefer not to do stand-up cardio workouts then it’s a wonderful alternative.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Scorches body fat
  • Great if you can’t/don’t want to stand up
  • Great for all fitness levels
  • Low impact
  • Great for elderly users

Space Considerations: Rowing machines are longer than they are wide, so you’ll want around 9 x 4 feet of space, give or take depending on the model. Make sure to give the flywheel extra space so you aren’t closing off air circulation.

See all of our rowing machine reviews here.

Best Rowing Machine for Losing Weight

Rowing machines are some of the best exercise equipment for weight loss, and the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine is one of the best on the market today.

That means that you’re in for a real treat every time you use it, as it helps to melt the fat away. With a 14-inch seat height, it’s one of the safest to use for the elderly and those who don’t have great balance, as well.

With a 500-pound weight capacity, adjustable footrests, and ergonomic handle, it’s designed to work with just about everyone while offering comfort and proper body alignment.

The air-resistance flywheel is easy to control with up to 10 damper levels. This also means low noise and a smooth feel so you never disturb others.

Measure progress with the backlit LCD display, complete with wireless Bluetooth and ANT+ compatibility. If you’d like you can even save workouts to a USB drive!

Runner Up Rowing Machine

With 9 levels of magnetic resistance, the Magnetic Rowing Machine from Sunny Health & Fitness is great for challenging yourself, whether you’re a newbie or rowing pro.

Non-slip foot pedals, a cushioned seat, and padded handlebar will keep you comfy, even during extended sessions. A digital monitor is there to track your time, count, calories, total count, and scan.

The foldable design is super convenient if you have a small home and need all the space you can get. Transportation wheels only increase this convenience. With an extra-long slide rail, it’s a nice option if you’re taller, too.


#6 Kettlebells

Calories Burned Per Hour: Up to 1200 calories

Why Are Kettlebells Great for Weight Loss: Combining resistance workouts with cardio exercise, you’re getting the best of both worlds here. Meant to melt fat away and increase lean muscle mass, you’ll notice a significant difference in body composition in a short amount of time with kettlebells.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Space-saving
  • Easy to use
  • Great for all fitness levels

Space Considerations: Kettlebells are extremely small and are easy to stow away under a bed, closet, etc. Using them will require at least a few feet of distance around you though to allow for swings, snatches, lifts, and more.

See all of our kettlebell reviews here.

Best Kettlebells for Losing Weight

Instead of purchasing an array of different kettlebells of various weights, get yourself a Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Weight. With the turn of a dial, you can quickly and seamlessly change the weight anywhere from 8 to a whopping 40 pounds!

This makes them precise, and ideal for the entire body without the hassle of picking up and setting down tons of different weights.

The ergonomic handle comes with metal plates and sturdy molding so you can workout without inhibition and plan on using them for years.  As they’re so space-efficient, you can store them and use them just about everywhere too.

Runner Up Kettlebells

This set of 3 kettlebells from MaxKare comes in 5, 10, and 15 pounds which is great for deadlifts, squats, swings and more. This makes for an excellent full-body workout for all ages and fitness levels.

At first glance, you can see how attractive they are with color-coded vinyl. However, they’re also incredibly durable with quality cement to fill them, ensuring they stay rust-free.

The wide, smooth handle won’t give you callouses nor rough up your skin. However, they are textured to make for an easy, comfortable, yet secure grip each time you use them. With a flat bottom and compact footprints along with a base rack, storage is a breeze.


#7 Jump Ropes

Calories Burned Per Hour: Up to 1000 calories

Why Are Jump Ropes Great for Weight Loss: Jump ropes are not only great for developing and improving coordination, but also because it activates the entire body. Your lower body, core, and upper body are all activated at all times, burning a large amount of calories in a short period of time.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Space-saving
  • Low risk
  • Great for all fitness levels

Space Considerations: Jump ropes themselves are ultra-compact and can be stowed just about anywhere. However, while jump roping, you’ll be best off in the garage or outside with at least 4 feet of space behind and in front of you, and a couple feet of space on either side.

Best Jump Rope for Losing Weight

Crossrope Get Lean – Weighted Jump Rope Set

Jump ropes are some of the best home exercise equipment for weight loss, and the Crossrope Get Lean takes calorie-burning to the next level. The weighted jump rope set comes with two different ropes: ¼ pound and a ½ pound.

The former is great for all ages and fitness levels and the latter is ideal for tougher cardio workouts, fat burning, and those who are just learning how to jump rope.

The Fast Clip System lets you rapidly, seamlessly switch between the 2 to change up the difficulty of your workout.

Slim handles feel great in the hands and are ergonomically designed to minimize cramps and discomfort. Use it with the free workout app so you can access countless workouts and track your time, speed, and calorie burn.

 Runner Up Jump Rope

The Ballistyx Jump Rope is made for super speeds, with 360-degree spin and adjustable cables ideal for just about any type of workout or endurance training. Coming in Carbon Black, Red Bullet, and Silver Bullet, it’s also super sleek and one of the most visually aesthetic ropes on the market today.

Coming with 2 rotating cables as well, you get a lighter option for lightning speeds, and a heavier one for conditioning and toning muscles. While beginners can use them, these are really designed to take athletes’ fitness to the next levels.

Designed with durability and hard workouts in mind, the ropes won’t snap, splinter, or kink. The full stainless-steel handles are also tough yet have enough padding to feel comfortable in your grip.


#8 All-in-One Gyms

Calories Burned Per Hour: Varies, depending on model

Why Are All-in-One Gyms Great for Weight Loss: All-in-one gyms typically allow you to perform cardio and strength training workouts which will tone and burn fat without having to use multiple pieces of equipment.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Comprehensive
  • Full body
  • Great for toning and strengthening muscles

Space Considerations: All-in-one gyms vary widely on how much space they require. However, you do want at least a few feet of space between the walls, and you and the gym.

See all of our home gym reviews here.

Best All-in-One Gym for Losing Weight

The Bowflex Home Gym Series is one of the most in demand all-in-one home gyms on the market today due to its high level of quality and comprehensive workout offerings.

Often deemed the best exercise machine to lose weight, it’s designed to tone every muscle group so you’ll feel and look better!

With more than 60 exercises and 210 pounds of resistance, you don’t have to worry about getting bored or plateauing anytime soon. Power Rods are effective, safe, and conserve space well – perfect for home use.

As you can change up cable and pulley positions, you can ensure you target the exact angle and muscles you want.

Not only that, but you have a sliding seat rail which lets you get some cardio in with aerobic rowing, too! Needless to say, it will destroy excess body fat!

Runner Up All-in-One Gym

If you’re looking to really save space in your home gym or you find yourself traveling frequently, the BodyBoss 2.0 Full Portable Home Gym is the one for you.

Consisting of resistance bands, a collapsible resistance bar, handles, platform and more, it has everything you need to get or stay in shape.

With the ability to choose between dozens of different colors you can select just the one that suits your tastes. With everything, you’ll easily be able to target the upper body, lower body, and core.

The non-slip grip base will ensure that the floor won’t become damaged and you can workout with complete confidence.

Offering up to 30 pounds of weight, the 4 different exercise bands are perfect for rehab as well as overall toning and strengthening muscles. If you are really tight on space, the door anchor is perfect for bodyweight exercises.


#9 Resistance Bands

Calories Burned Per Hour: Around 108 calories per hour

Why Are Resistance Bands Great for Weight Loss: They are extremely compact, safe to use, yet offer the same amount of resistance as you’d get from dumbbells or weight stacks. Not only that, but they are great for concentric and eccentric exercises.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Very compact
  • Full body
  • Great for toning and strengthening muscles
  • Easy to use
  • Great for all fitness levels

Space Considerations: Resistance bands are very compact and can be stowed away anywhere. You’ll usually only require a couple of feet of space around you to use them, as well. This makes them great to use in hotel rooms, apartments, or just very tight spaces in general.

See all of our resistance band reviews here.

Best Resistance Bands for Losing Weight

Named as the Best Resistance Bands by The Wirecutter, the Bodylastics Resistance Bands Set is also some of the best gym equipment for weight loss. With 14 pieces in total, you get 5 bands: 3 pounds, 5 pounds, 8 pounds, 12, 19, and 23 pounds.

Not only that but you have 2 tough handles, ankles straps, a door anchor, a small “anywhere” anchor, and a carrying bag.

If you travel a lot and can’t always access a gym, this is one of the best pieces of gear to bring along. The patented anti-snap design is not only incredibly safe, but strong as well.

It ensures you never overstretch the bands, which in lower-quality models could cause them to snap and potentially hit your face or other parts of the body. Dipped in Malaysian natural latex, they’re known to even be eco-friendly.

Use them individually or altogether to use up to 142 pounds of resistance! They essentially replicate plate-loaded resistance machines.


Runner Up Resistance Bands

The VEICK Resistance Bands Set draws quite a few similarities to the previous model, with a set of 5 bands: 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 pounds.

Combined, you’ll get just a bit more resistance with this one, offering up to 150 pounds. Right when you first grab them, you’ll feel their superior quality, with their softness against the skin combined with durability.

If you want some of the best exercise equipment for weight loss but are on a strict budget, then this set’s also a great choice as it’s really cheap – more so when you consider how tough they are.

Made with eco-friendly latex, they’re stronger than ever before and are resistant to snapping, excessive stretching, and sweat.

Use them alone to strengthen and tone, or in conjunction with other workouts to give a bit extra burn and scorch calories.


#10 Air Bikes

Calories Burned Per Hour: Up to 900 calories

Why Are Air Bikes Great for Weight Loss: They offer a full-body workout by both pedaling and pushing/pulling the moving handlebars. As you can adjust the seating position and the intensity, you get a variable workout so you maximize efficacy and keep your body guessing.

Why You Need It For Your Home Gym:

  • Air from fan keeps you cool
  • Full body
  • Great for cardio and resistance exercise
  • Multiple positioning

Space Considerations: Air bikes are a bit more space-consuming, as you’ll need at least 3 feet of space in front of the bike, a couple feet of space on each side, and 1 foot of space in the rear. It’s important to make sure the front of the bike is never obstructed.

See all of our air bike reviews here.

Best Air Bike for Losing Weight

While air bikes are known to be the best exercise machine to lose weight at home, the Assault AirBike Classic is known to be the top model of all air bikes. This means that you can expect to really begin to torch body fat, increase endurance, and much more – just in the first workout alone.

Coming with 20 sealed ball bearings throughout the model complete with various pivot points, it’s made to always be smooth as butter with heavy duty strength. The 350-pound max user weight attests to that.

The 25”-diameter steel fan offers incredible resistance with 6-way adjustable seat fore and aft, up, down, and tilt. This will lend to create versatile workouts but also ensure you stay in an ergonomic position at all times.

Complete with a high-quality computer, you can select between various programs like Tabata, Intervals, Watts, and more to reach your goals. Even integrated messaging is included to help keep motivation high.

Runner Up Air Bike

It may be more affordable than the Assault, but the Marcy Fan Exercise Bike still provides a high-octane cardio and resistance workout.

Addressing the entire body, it strengthens while helping to keep your heart rate in the ideal zone for fat burning. The air resistance system will always keep you cool and relatively dry so you can keep working hard to reach your goals.

The tension level on this model is adjusted with the resistance knob, which is nice and convenient. Ergonomic seating comes packed with high-density foam and will let you work out for longer with less discomfort. The handlebars also come covered with this foam for your comfort.

Made with 14-gauge steel tubing and a powder-coated finish, it looks sleek and will last throughout countless grueling sessions.


Summary

Now that you know all about the best exercise machines to lose weight, have you decided which models you’ll be using soon? The great thing about these is that you can use them in conjunction too to really amp up the calorie burning.

What’s most important, though, is that you find something that suits your budget, space, and preferences. We hope our guide has helped you to do exactly that. Thanks for tuning in and we’ll see you again soon!

Notice:

BestWomensWorkouts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. BestWomensWorkouts earns fees from products sold through qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a commission on products sold through their affiliate links.

Ericka Parker

Ericka started her career as a personal trainer over 20 years ago and her goal was to help people become healthy, happy and fit. To do this she would find out their goals and provide the tools and routines to help them reach them. As her career progressed, she added yoga training to her skills to help her clients achieve mindfulness and help with clients mobility. To help more people she started bestwomensworkouts.com to help other people achieve their fitness goals with advice, tips and fitness equipment reviews.
Back to top button