Treadmill vs Rower vs Bike: Which Cardio Machine Is Actually Worth the Space

Which Machine Will You Actually Use?

The best cardio machine is the one that doesn't become a $2,000 clothes rack. IHRSA's 2023 survey found 67% of home cardio equipment goes unused within the first year.

Treadmills

Running burns more calories per hour than any other modality. A 170-lb person at 6 mph burns ~680 cal/hr (ACE). But treadmills are expensive to buy, maintain, and operate.

NordicTrack Commercial 1750

$1,799 Check Price on Amazon

3.5 CHP motor, 22x60" belt, -3 to 15% incline, 14" touchscreen. Best mid-range for serious runners.

Rowers

Rowing engages 86% of muscles per stroke. British Journal of Sports Medicine (2022) found equivalent cardiovascular adaptations to running with lower joint loading.

Concept2 RowErg

$990 Check Price on Amazon

Air resistance, PM5 monitor, stores upright. The rower every gym on earth uses. Lasts 20+ years.

Bikes

Quietest, most compact, most joint-friendly. Tradeoff: lower calorie burn, primarily lower body.

Schwinn IC4 / Bowflex C6

$799 Check Price on Amazon

Magnetic resistance, Bluetooth to any app, dual-sided pedals. Same bike rebranded.

Sources

1. American Council on Exercise. Calorie Burn Calculator. acefitness.org, 2024.
2. IHRSA. Home Fitness Equipment Usage Report. 2023.
3. Kang, H. et al. "Rowing vs running cardiovascular comparison." BJSM, 56(4), 2022.
4. Concept2 Product Specifications. concept2.com, 2025.