Should I buy a Peloton or a regular exercise bike?

A Peloton requires a £44/month subscription to unlock its primary value. A Schwinn IC4 or Bowflex C6 pairs with Peloton's app at a cheaper subscription rate and costs half the hardware price.

Best Home Fitness for Cardio (2026)

Best for Cardio

Concept2 Model D Rowing Machine

The world standard for rowing. Used in Olympic facilities, commercial gyms, and living rooms.

★★★★☆ 4.8 (9,100 Amazon reviews)

✓ Global performance standard — data is comparable across all Concept2 machines

✓ Air resistance provides natural feel that scales with effort

✓ Folds vertically — stores in minimal footprint

Price range: Premium

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

Best Value

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill

3.75 CHP, -3 to 15% incline, 14" touchscreen. The complete home running experience.

★★★★☆ 4.4 (7,100 Amazon reviews)

✓ 3.75 CHP continuous duty motor handles daily running without strain

✓ -3% decline to 15% incline — unique for home treadmills, changes training fundamentals

✓ 14" HD touchscreen with iFit coaching integration

Price range: Luxury

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

Also Recommended

Sole F80 Treadmill

3.5 CHP, Cushion Flex deck, no subscription. The serious runner's no-nonsense treadmill.

★★★★☆ 4.6 (5,300 Amazon reviews)

✓ 3.5 CHP rivals machines costing twice as much

✓ Cushion Flex Whisper Deck reduces joint impact by 40%

✓ No mandatory subscription — all features work without ongoing cost

Price range: Premium

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

Affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Why These Made Our List

#1: Concept2 Model D Rowing Machine

Best for: Serious fitness users who want accurate performance tracking and a machine that will last decades.

The Concept2 exists in a different category. It's the machine every serious rower trains on — from Olympic athletes to CrossFit boxes. The PM5 monitor's standardised data means your split times are directly comparable to anyone, anywhere.

Full verdict →

#2: NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill

Best for: Serious runners wanting gym-quality performance at home who will engage with structured coaching programmes.

The Commercial 1750 is where home treadmills have arrived. The -3% decline is genuinely different — eccentric loading of the posterior chain is only possible on machines offering this. The iFit ecosystem is excellent if you use it; a subscription tax if you don't.

Full verdict →

#3: Sole F80 Treadmill

Best for: Dedicated runners wanting commercial-grade performance without subscription lock-in or inflated smart-feature pricing.

Sole doesn't build exciting treadmills. They build reliable, powerful, well-engineered machines that last decades. The F80's 40% impact reduction and 3.5 CHP at this price make it the most honest value in the running segment.

Full verdict →

How to Choose: Home Fitness for Cardio

Home gym equipment is a significant purchase — and the market is full of brands that look impressive in photos but fall apart within a year. Our verdict is based on build quality, long-term reliability data, and whether the equipment will actually get used.

What to Look For

These are the factors that genuinely separate good purchases from regretted ones:

Weight Capacity & Frame Quality

Never buy a treadmill or bike without checking the weight limit and frame warranty. Steel frames with powder coating outlast aluminium.

Motor Quality (treadmills)

Continuous duty horsepower (CHP) is the figure that matters, not peak HP. For running: 2.5 CHP minimum. Under-powered motors burn out within 18 months of regular use.

Noise Level

Critical if you live in a flat or have family members asleep. Belt-drive bikes and magnetic resistance treadmills are quietest. Anything under 60dB is genuinely quiet.

Footprint & Foldability

Measure your space including the safety zone (1.5m behind treadmill belts). Folding treadmills save space but add weight and complexity.

Console & Connectivity

Bluetooth heart rate, Strava/Zwift compatibility, and incline controls add genuine motivation value. Proprietary app lock-in is a long-term cost consideration.

Warranty Terms

Frame/motor/parts/labour warranties are all separate. A 'lifetime frame warranty' with 90-day labour is essentially worthless. Look for balanced coverage across all four.

Mistakes to Avoid

⚠ Buying a folding treadmill to save space — they're heavier and harder to fold than the photos suggest
⚠ Ignoring the weight limit on a bike or treadmill as 'only a guideline'
⚠ Buying smart fitness equipment without checking the ongoing app subscription cost
⚠ Underestimating the noise impact on neighbours — especially for running at 6am

Understanding the Price Ranges

Under 200: Entry-level equipment. Fine for walking or light use. Not suitable for daily running.

200–500: Mid-range. Suitable for regular moderate use. Good 2–3 year lifespan with proper use.

500–1000: Semi-professional. Daily use viable. Expect 5+ year lifespan.

1000+: Professional grade. Commercial-quality build. 10+ year lifespan for serious athletes.

Price Ranges Explained

under-200

Entry-level equipment. Fine for walking or light use. Not suitable for daily running.

200-500

Mid-range. Suitable for regular moderate use. Good 2–3 year lifespan with proper use.

500-1000

Semi-professional. Daily use viable. Expect 5+ year lifespan.

1000-plus

Professional grade. Commercial-quality build. 10+ year lifespan for serious athletes.

All 9 Products Compared

Product	Score	Price Range	Rating	Buy
Concept2 Model D Rowing Machine	9.6/10	Premium	4.8★ (9,100)	🛒 Amazon
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill	9.0/10	Luxury	4.4★ (7,100)	🛒 Amazon
Sole F80 Treadmill	9.1/10	Premium	4.6★ (5,300)	🛒 Amazon
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike	9.0/10	Premium	4.5★ (8,100)	🛒 Amazon
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine	9.0/10	Luxury	4.7★ (4,800)	🛒 Amazon
Peloton Bike	8.5/10	Luxury	4.3★ (7,900)	🛒 Amazon
Life Fitness C3 Upright Exercise Bike	8.8/10	Premium	4.5★ (3,200)	🛒 Amazon
Onnit Primal Kettlebell (16kg)	9.0/10	Mid-Range	4.8★ (6,200)	🛒 Amazon
Crossrope Get Lean Weighted Jump Rope Set	8.8/10	Mid-Range	4.6★ (8,900)	🛒 Amazon

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a home gym actually cheaper than a gym membership?

Over 3 years, usually yes. A £1,000 treadmill vs £50/month gym membership breaks even at 20 months. The caveat: home equipment only saves money if you actually use it.

What's the best home gym equipment for small spaces?

Adjustable dumbbells, a folding resistance bench, and a pull-up bar. These cover 80% of strength training in a 2x2 metre footprint. For cardio: a stationary bike is narrower than a treadmill.

Are cheap treadmills worth buying?

For walking (up to 6km/h), a £200–300 treadmill is fine. For running, no — underpowered motors overheat and the frame vibrates at speed. Spend at least £500 for a treadmill you intend to run on regularly.