5 Exercise Machines that Burn the Most Belly Fat


What Exercise Machine Burns the Most Belly Fat?

A flat stomach is a goal for many people on their fitness journey. Whether you are male or female, this feature is a desirable part of someone’s physique. Extra fat stored in the body can lead to a number of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, etc. You may have seen exercises, diet pills, or certain foods claiming to “burn belly fat.” But what really is the best way to achieve this goal?

Treadmills, ellipticals, and rowing machines are among the best exercise machines that burn the most belly fat. You can also burn the most belly fat through exercise with stationary bikes and stair climber machines. Exercise equipment such as vibration plates and ab rollers can also help you easily target and burn belly fat at home.

In this article, we will break down exercise machines, discuss which is best for you and share tips for losing belly fat. Let’s get started!

Best Exercise Machines to Lose Belly Fat  

We mentioned that losing weight is directly correlated with the number of calories burned. So logically, the best exercise machines to do so would be the ones that burn the most calories. In any case, these will be machines focused on providing a cardiovascular workout. These exercises do not specifically target belly fat but can decrease the amount of fat in your body overall.

We’ve broken down the pros and cons of the most popular machines and information on the average caloric burn for each. Take a look at the list below.

1. Treadmill

Treadmills are one of the best exercise machines to burn calories. Depending on the intensity of your workout, you can burn up to 900 calories per hour. Treadmills allow you to run, walk, or jog. You can boost any of these activities by increasing your incline. The incline is meant to mimic the terrain of hills, making your workout more difficult. Additionally, a treadmill is proven to be the most effective exercise machine to burn calories because it allows you to move the fastest.

IntensityDurationCalories
Walking (3 mph)30 min.170
Jogging (5 mph)30 min.272
Running (7mph)30 min.459

Treadmill Benefits:

  • Highest calorie burner out of all exercises
  • Easily found at most gyms
  • Various speeds and inclines to provide an exciting workout

Treadmill Disadvantages:

  • High impact on joint pain
  • Upper body is used minimally

2. Elliptical

 An elliptical workout is a great option for those who can’t run or want to prevent joint pains. On an elliptical, or cross trainer, your body is moving as it would be running or climbing. However, your feet are planted into position as the machine moves for you. This makes less of an impact on your joints, resulting in fewer injuries over time. Also, an elliptical has arm handles that give your upper body a workout as well. You can up the resistance on an elliptical to add strength training and intensity.

IntensityDurationCalories
Light (Resistance Based)30 min.173
Moderate (Resistance Based)30 min.320
Hard (Resistance Based)30 min.450

Elliptical Benefits:

  • Low impact on joints
  • Full body workout

Elliptical Disadvantages:

  • Burns fewer calories than running
  • Uncomfortable movement for some

3. Rowing Machine

Rowing is another excellent exercise to burn calories and belly fat. Just like the elliptical, a rowing machine puts your entire body to work! The rowing machine mimics the movement of rowing a boat. Begin seated, holding onto your imaginary oar (the handles) with your legs bent. Then, you explosively drive your legs and extend through your core and upper body, pulling your arms to your chest. As you can imagine, this exercise is a powerful way to burn a massive number of calories and shrink belly fat.

IntensityDurationCalories
Light (2,000 meters)30 min.165
Moderate (4,000 meters)30 min.300
Hard (6,000 meters)30 min.370

Rowing Machine Benefits:

  • Full body workout
  • Dynamic and engaging

Rowing Machine Disadvantages:

  • Cannot be found at every gym
  • Difficult to do for prolonged periods
  • Easy to over-exert yourself

4. Stair Climber

Climbing flights on a stair climber can pack a punch when it comes to burning calories. On this machine, you are on a flight of stairs that moves as an escalator does. You can adjust the speed to determine how quickly you climb the stairs. On top of burning calories, the stair climber also works your quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. Additionally, each time you bend your knees to take a step, your core is engaged. This is important because weak core muscles can lead to easier fatigue, less endurance, and injuries.

IntensityDurationCalories
Light (16 flights)30 min.167
Moderate (20 flights)30 min.235
Hard (33 flights)30 min.310

Stair Climber Benefits:

  • Low impact on joints
  • Builds muscle in the lower body and core

Stair Climber Disadvantages:

  • Burns fewer calories than running
  • Not recommended for individuals with chronic knee or back problems

5. Stationary Bikes

An intense stationary bike or cycling exercise is one of the best options when it comes to burning calories and shedding belly fat. This machine works just like a regular bike, except you are locked into place at the gym. As you peddle, you can build lean muscle in your calves, hamstrings, and glutes. Some gyms offer cycling classes, which allow you to work out as a group. This can push you to work harder, stay engaged and enjoy the social aspect of group fitness.

IntensityDurationCalories
Light (3 miles)30 min.132
Moderate (5 miles)30 min.264
Hard (7 miles)30 min.300

Stationary Bike Benefits:

  • Low impact on joints
  • Group classes available at some gyms

Stationary Bike Disadvantages:

  • Can lead to back pain
  • Uncomfortable seats on bikes

Which Is Better for Losing Belly Fat: Treadmill or Elliptical?

Now that we know the treadmill and elliptical are amongst the top exercise machines to promote weight loss, you may be wondering which one is superior. Both of these machines have their pros and cons, but neither one is technically “better” than the other.

To put their differences briefly, the treadmill burns slightly more calories compared to the elliptical but can also add stress to your joints. Ellipticals provide a low-impact workout and have the added benefit of the arm handles.

The exercise machine that will provide better results is the one you are most likely to consistently use! Since the caloric burn between these two machines is relatively similar, it comes down to personal preference.

If you prefer running on the treadmill over the motion on the elliptical, do that. If you enjoy an exercise, you are more likely to participate for a longer period of time and more frequently, giving you desired results faster.

Exercise to Reduce Belly Fat for Females at Home with Equipment

If you are looking to skip the gym and reduce belly fat at home, this goal can be achieved. The best exercise will depend on the equipment you have available. If you have cardio machines such as a treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike, those will be the most effective medium to burn calories.

As we have learned, a cardiovascular workout is very beneficial when it comes to promoting weight loss. Experts say that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day should be incorporated into your routine to reduce belly fat.

Free weights can also help in burning fat. Weight training is an important component of losing weight. This is because muscles burn more calories while the body is at rest. This means that the more muscles you build, the more calories you burn.

You can use strength training to develop your core muscles, which help you burn calories and create defined muscles in your abdomen.

What Exercise Burns the Most Belly Fat for Females?

As mentioned previously, our bodies cannot burn fat in targeted areas. When we burn calories, fat is burned throughout our bodies. With enough fat loss, you will see that flat tummy result you are looking for. If you are a female, you may be wondering what specific exercises you should be doing to reach that goal.

Besides using cardiovascular exercise machines, there are also additional modes of exercise that can reduce your waistline. These exercises will include those focused on your core.

Exercises such as crunches, planks, and bicycle crunches help the stomach area appear flat and more toned. Combined with a consistent high calorie burning workout, this is the secret recipe for a flat stomach.

Building a strong core can have various benefits beyond a flat tummy. On top of gaining a 6-pack, a strong core increases balance, mobility, and flexibility. Although abdominal exercises will not technically burn belly fat, they still have positive benefits.

Best Exercise Equipment for Stomach

Abdominal muscles are important for not only the desired look of a 6-pack but our overall health as well. Increasing the muscle mass in your abdomen region increases the rate of metabolism, which leads to more fats being burned. In addition to this, incorporating a session of abdominal workouts into your routine can have a great impact on your posture, back pain, performance, and even breathing! Below are a few of the best equipment you can use during an ab workout:

  • Captain’s Chair
  • Vibration Plates
  • Ab Coaster
  • Ab Roller
  • Sliding Core Discs
  • Decline Ab Workout Bench

Tips for Belly Fat Loss

On top of aesthetics, keeping belly fat low is important for our overall health. Having extra fat in the stomach area leads to a greater risk of various health problems. Losing belly fat is one of the top fitness goals across the nation. In any region of the body, shedding weight can be a daunting task. Below are the top tips for belly fat loss.

1. Keep a Journal

You can journal about food consumed and workouts completed. This allows you to track your progress to see how far you have come since the beginning of your journey. It also keeps you accountable.

2. Measure Food Portions

You will want to keep track of the numbers associated with protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Sticking to a targeted diet with ideal numbers for your body type is the easiest way to shrink belly fat.

3. Join a Social Group

Having others to lean on for support and motivation is crucial for a successful fitness journey. Tackling a big task alone seems scary. Encouragement along the way makes it feel easier and more rewarding.

4. Get Good Rest

Getting the proper amount of rest each night can have remarkable effects on our health. You experience better moods, increased metabolism function, and more energy to complete those tough workouts.

5. Stay positive!

In the midst of this journey, you might wonder why you have seen no results. Remember that results take weeks and months, not hours and days.

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Choosing Nutrition Team

Here at Choosing Nutrition, our goal is to help people with making smarter food choices. Whether you're wondering about vegan, keto, paleo, or other diets, we'll help you determine which options fit your nutritional lifestyle. Our staff is composed of registered dieticians, nutritionists, and health-conscious individuals.

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