When choosing the best cardio equipment for small spaces the most important thing is to pick something that you will enjoy using so you are more likely to get good use from it. Secondly it is also a great idea to pick something that has a lot of versatility and will give you a good efficient workout. Here are our top picks for the 5 best pieces of cardio equipment for small spaces. All of these are going to give you a fantastic cardio workout and assist you on your journey of health and well-being.
1. WaterRower Rowing Machine
Our first pick of the best pieces of cardio equipment for small spaces is the WaterRower rowing machine. This particular rowing machine has a smaller footprint than the popular Concept2 RowErg Rowing machine at 82.25″ Long x 22.25″ Wide. Rowing machines are great cardio equipment for small spaces and to have in your home gym as they don’t take up much space. Also with the WaterRower, once you have finished your workout it can be stood upright to save space. Rowing is an excellent full body workout that targets all major muscle groups, making it an efficient way of toning and strengthening your body and a great way to burn a whole bunch of calories in a short period of time.
The WaterRower rowing machine famously stared in the hit TV series ‘House of Cards’ and is a highly enjoyable piece of equipment for tuning out and enjoying the meditative sound of the water swooshing against the flywheel as you row.
It also comes in many different woods and is probably one of the best looking pieces of cardio equipment we have seen.
If you would like to learn more about the WaterRower, check out my WaterRower buyer’s guide or the WaterRower Oak rowing machine below
 | WaterRower Oak |
| View on Amazon |
2. Sunny Health & Fitness B1002 Spin Bike
Spin bikes are also a favorite among home gyms. They take up a small foot print and require very low maintenance. Anyone that has done a spin class knows that it is a great way to get fit and get a great sweat on!
Exercise bikes are typically much less expensive that other pieces of cardio equipment like your average treadmill or stair master. Other great alternatives to the spin bike is the Concept2 BikeErg where instead of having a heavy flywheel keeping you in constant motion it uses air resistance. Another great option is an air bike which includes handles so it also heavily incorporates the arms and upper body.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Spin bike B1002 is a great basic spin bike to get started on with spin classes or for hill climbing sessions. It takes up a total space of 41″ x 22″ and features a heavy 49lb chrome flywheel. The Sunny B1002 does not include a monitor but you can easily attach a Wahoo speed or cadence monitor and pair it with your phone via Bluetooth and use an app like Strava or the Wahoo Fitness app to track your workout and get real-time stats.
This is also great if you are following along with an online training session or using training apps like Zwift etc. Another option is the Sunny Health & Fitness B1877 model spin bike which also includes a digital monitor.
 | Sunny Health & Fitness B1002 Spin Bike |
| View on Amazon |
3. Concept2 SkiErg
The Concept2 SkiErg is a very underrated and often overlooked piece of cardio equipment for small spaces. It requires a minimal foot print of 20.5″ x 16″ and gives you a fantastic full body exercise. This has made it become more and more popular as a fantastic piece of cardio equipment for small spaces. Can you get fit using the SkiErg? Nordic skiers are some of the fittest athletes on the planet with amazing strength and endurance! Give it a go and be hooked on this amazing workout.
Concept2 have been around since 1976 making some of the most durable and high quality cardio equipment and are worth considering when choosing cardio equipment for small spaces for your home gym. They are most famous for their Concept2 RowErg Indoor rowing machine and oars. However, their SkiErg and BikeErg have become a popular pick in recent years for many commercial and home gym owners.
 | Concept2 SkiErg |
| View on Amazon |
4. Schwinn Fitness 411 Compact Elliptical
Most commercial gyms have elliptical machines and there is a good reason for this. They provide a great low impact complete body workout. The Schwinn 411 elliptical is a great home gym friendly version of the much loved elliptical, rather than the typical heavy and bulky elliptical machines that you often see at your average commercial gym. Using an elliptical is an enjoyable piece of cardio equipment for small spaces to do a lot of low intensity and longer duration workouts. They are also a great way to keep fit and healthy, especially if it is raining outside and you prefer to exercise indoors. The Schwinn 411 elliptical takes up a minimal footprint of 53.8″ D x 24″ W.
 | Schwinn Fitness 411 Compact Elliptical |
| View on Amazon |
5. Rx drag rope Jump rope
Our last pick is the humble skipping / jump rope, an often overlooked piece of cardio equipment with its very simple design. However, the skipping rope provides an excellent full body conditioning exercise. Jump ropes are relatively inexpensive, take up little to no space, last a long time, require no maintenance and help build your coordination and balance. Also being low impact on the joints whilst giving you a killer workout. The Rx drag rope goes beyond your typical jump rope to offer an even harder cardio session. Jump ropes are also fantastic as on a nice day you can easily take them outside and skip in the sunshine. This makes it the perfect piece of cardio equipment for small spaces.
 | Rx Smart Gear Drag Jump Rope |
| View on Amazon |
Conclusion: Cardio equipment for small spaces
I hope these 5 pieces of cardio equipment for small spaces gave you some ideas for inspiration your own home gym and as you can see there is a great range of different pieces of cardio equipment for small spaces that you can include in your home gym.
There are a tonne of workout programs and apps that you can use to help deliver you an even better workout including free content on YouTube. All the best with deciding on the best cardio equipment for your home gym!
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