Hybrids

Bowflex Max Trainer M3 | Burns 2.5x More Calories

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The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 is the most affordable option in the Max Trainer line. It doesn’t have all the features and programs of the M5, M7, or M8, but it still offers zero joint impact and burns a lot of calories in a short workout.

The M3 is a superior alternative to an elliptical, and in many respects, it achieves that goal. An independent study found that people working out at the same intensity for the same amount of time burned 2.5x the calories on the Max Trainer than on the elliptical.

The Bowflex M3 comes with two workout programs, Manual and Max Interval (for automatic interval training). The machine also allows you to choose from 8 resistance levels to adjust the difficulty of the workout. As you build up your stamina and get in better shape over time, you can gradually crank up the resistance to keep reaching higher levels.

The display is well-designed and includes easy to read indicators for calories burned and your burn rate (a good measure for intensity). You can monitor your heart rate with the included chest strap. This is less convenient than having the machine automatically measuring it for you through the contact grips, but chest straps are also more accurate.

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Sunny SF-E3919 Cardio Climber | A Perfect In-Home Cardio Machine

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Climb to the top of your fitness routine with the Sunny SF-E3919 Cardio Climber. This premium in-home cardio machine combines the best of a step machine and elliptical to engage your lower body and upper body muscles. Enjoy long-lasting climbing and striding sessions when you exercise on the steel climber frame with a maximum user weight of up to 260 lbs.

The SF-E3919 machine combines the best of stepping and striding in one intense movement. Climb to a vertical height of 9 inches and stride a horizontal distance of 7 inches. Engage your upper body to work synchronously with your lower body with each stride as you grasp onto the full-motion handlebars.

The Sunny SF-E3919 Cardio Climber features eight magnetic resistance levels, allowing for easy workouts when you want it or challenging when you need it. Switch up the intensity to boost or lower your challenge based on your comfort level. Engage the 14 lb inertia-ready flywheel to perform challenging strides and climbs with ease.

Use the SF-E3919 multifunctional fitness console to track important activity details, including your time, distance, RPM, speed, calories burned, and pulse. The display also comes with a preinstalled calendar, thermometer, clock, scan, recovery mode, BMI, and body fat percentage calculator.

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Octane Fitness xR4x Seated Elliptical | Burns 23% More Calories

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The Octane Fitness xR4x Seated Elliptical is one impressive-looking machine that does enable you to tone up your lower body, improve your overall fitness, and increase your activity level while sitting in a comfortable position.

The xR4x seated elliptical provides a full-body workout, burns 23% more calories, and activates three times more muscles than a recumbent bike. The cushioned seat has a backrest for more significant support. It is fully adjustable to help you find the most comfortable position because there are 15 seat height positions and five tilt settings.

The defining feature that sets the xRide recumbent elliptical apart from recumbent bikes is Octane’s 16″ PowerStroke technology. PowerStroke allows for optimal leg extension and power drive, delivering more muscle engagement. Due to its innovative design, xRide users demonstrate more activity in their glutes and have the potential for increased calorie burn during workouts.

Octane’s trademark Workout Boosters, including X-Mode, Leg Press, and Chest Press, add cross-training with various commands every few minutes to keep the heart pumping and muscles pushing. These add variety, motivation, and productive intervals. And higher intensity leads to better results and efficient, effective workouts that keep members coming back again and again.

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ProForm Elliptical/Recumbent Hybrid Trainer | Impressive Versatility

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The ProForm Elliptical/Recumbent Hybrid Trainer is one of my top picks for the best budget-priced elliptical/recumbent bike on the market.  This trainer offers impressive versatility as it can be transformed from a recumbent bike into an elliptical trainer with a few simple adjustments. Thus, allowing users to perform cross-training on a single machine.

You can use it as either a recumbent bike or as an elliptical. It only takes two quick adjustments – in the pedals and the console – to change it from a recumbent bike into an elliptical – or vice versa. And unlike some other 2-in-1 elliptical bikes, it’s not hard (or back-breaking) to make these adjustments. You can do it in less than 30 seconds.

The console on this trainer is relatively basic and straightforward, but you get the essential feedback of speed, time, distance, calories burned, pulse, and RPM. The machine comes with built-in Bluetooth/iFit compatibility. From there, you can monitor and track your workout progress over time to see how far you’ve come. You can also download new workouts and even run or world-famous bike trails.

The seat is easily adjustable forward and back with extra padding to ensure a comfortable recumbent bike ride. The back is a mesh back – which lets the airflow keep you fresh as you cycle. The bike also comes with oversized pedals with built-in traction that you can adjust to fit your frame – again, for a more comfortable ride or run.

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Loctek UF6M Upright Desk Exercise Bike | Comfortable & Functional

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The Loctek UF6M Upright Desk Exercise Bike can convert to and from a bike with a desktop to a more standard upright exercise bike. The bike is compact and operates very quietly, so it won’t disturb others while you exercise.

The eight magnetic resistance levels are controlled by a tension knob that is just below the handlebars on the front support post. The resistance goes from very easy to moderately challenging. It moves up incrementally, and the changes are smooth.

The bike has a belt drive and flywheel to provide an excellent, consistent pedaling motion. It operates very quietly and is low maintenance. All you might hear is a very soft whooshing sound when pedaling fast.

The seat is padded and contoured and comes with a padded backrest. The two connect in place to each other – i.e., both move together when you adjust the seat’s position. The seat is large, which, along with the backrest, helps provide proper support and balance.

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ProGear 9900 Stepper/Elliptical | Helps You Torch Calories Faster

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The ProGear 9900 Stepper/Elliptical is an affordable machine that can help you burn more calories than many other models on the market. That’s because this design combines elements of both an elliptical and a stair-climber. The 8” vertical and 9” horizontal stride path provides a significant amount of fixed incline.

Beyond the aggressive incline, the ProGear 9900 also helps you torch calories with its eight different magnetic resistance levels and 29 lb flywheel. Compared to fan-wheel models, magnetic wheels provide a smooth and ultra-quiet ride.

The 3.5” LCD provides you with workout statistics to keep you on track. With the free MyCloudFitness app, you can set workout goals, track your workouts, and more. So train hard and get the results you want with the ProGear 9900 Stepper/Elliptical Trainer.

Its compact design is perfect for limited space while still providing a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout. The ProGear 9900 has pulse sensors, eight magnetic resistance levels, and a 29 lb cast iron exposed flywheel, allowing you to burn calories in a shorter time.

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