EXERCISE MACHINES
From rowers to ski machines and air bikes to treadmills, these are the best exercise machines for taking your home gym set-up to the next level
Outdoor running and cycling sessions are the easiest way to up your aerobic fitness, but they’re not such attractive options when nights close in, the temperature drops or it’s pouring with rain. You may also want a bit more engagement from your cardio workouts than pounding the pavements or crunching the pedals.
Some people find it easier to work out if they can gamify their sessions; others prefer to join in virtual exercise classes. Most of these cardio machines will give you at least one of those options. So, if you’ve got the space and cash to spare, a dedicated exercise machine is well worth considering.
Bowflex VeloCore
From £1,959, fitness-superstore.co.uk
The VeloCore takes home cycling workouts to a whole new level. It works like a normal stationary bike, but with the press of a button switches from a stationary bike to one that actually leans into corners. In a similar way to the Garmin Tacx Neo Bike, it adds an unprecedented degree of realism to stationary, virtual cycling.
As you lean from side to side, riding through the winding roads of your virtual workout, you’re also giving your core, arms and shoulders a more significant test than you would on a stationary bike. You’ll automatically increase muscle activation, and hence increase calorie burn.
In addition to its standout leaning mode, the Bowflex VeloCore comes equipped with a host of other features that make for an engaging cycling experience. There are two touchscreen console sizes available – a16in version, as well as the 22in model we tested. These are compatible with a variety of streaming apps. Both versions also come with a one-year membership to JRNY, an adaptive fitness platform that offers a variety of workout options.
Measuring 141.7 x 140.5 x 62.2cm, the bike is a pretty normal size. You’ll just need to remember that in Lean Mode you’ll need an available width of at least twice that 62.2cm to make full use of the feature.
The VeloCore’s main frame feels extremely sturdy and is pretty straightforward to set up (though it helps if there are two of you). It’s also easy to manoeuvre and relocate, thanks to the wheels at the front of the bike and the handle behind the rear wheel. The pedals also offer dual-functionality. On one side, you’ll find SDP clips for cycling shoes, but if you don’t have the correct footwear, no problem – just pop on your trainers, flip over the pedals and push your feet into the toe baskets.
Primal Pro Series HIIT Skier
£799.99, primalstrength.com
While it’s not the kind of equipment you’d usually associate with a home set-up, Primal Strength’s HIIT Skier is ideal for those who w
