How Many Calories Do Cardio Machines Burn? [Infographic]

Welcome to Part II of our Ultimate Guide to Cardio

In Part I, we demonstrated that if you're doing cardio purely for fat loss, high-intensity cardio is more effective than steady state cardio.

As we look into the calories burned by cardio machines, keep in mind what the science showed us in Part I, that when it comes to increasing calorie expenditure, effort is more important than machine. The harder you go, the more energy you use, and therefore the more calories you burn.

Disclaimer on Calories Burned

Before we dive into the machines and numbers, a word on estimated calories burned, individual differences, and effort levels. The calorie readings on these machines are not 100% accurate, and "calories burned" readouts vary wildly from person to person, and energy expenditure also depends on exertion level.

So think of these calories burn numbers as estimates and general comparisons of the caloric demands placed on your body by each machine. They are estimates and should not be considered the end-all, be-all, but they will give you a good idea of what's going on.

Boost Your Brain Power With Longer Cardio Sessions

Research shows that longer sessions of cardio increase neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons) and helps increase BDNF, a growth hormone for your brain.