We talked to running coaches about their favorite smart treadmills, and they recommended some of these models below from NordicTrack, ProForm, and Peloton. For more, read our round-up of the best treadmills, as well as our buying guide for treadmills.
Best Smart Exercise Bikes
Indoor cycling is an excellent, low-impact form of exercise for beginners that’s easy on joints. When on the hunt for your stationary bike, think about the bikes you like at various studios and gyms, and consider the pros and cons of each and which of its features best suit your fitness goals. Smart exercise bikes allow a level of engagement that road bikes and very basic stationary models can’t, syncing up to fitness apps through WiFi and Bluetooth, supplying challenging guided workouts, and digital displays that track your metrics and performance.
We asked indoor cycling instructors for bike recommendations, summarized below. For more, read our round-up of best exercise bikes, our buying guide on how to buy a stationary bike, as well as SELF Certified reviews of the popular SoulCycle At-Home Bike and Peloton Bike+.
Best Smart Fitness Mirrors
If space and style are priorities for you, a fitness mirror could be a nice fit. Though these sleek machines look a lot like full-length mirrors, they’re actually full-on smart home gyms that have touchscreens, offer access to personal trainers and all sorts of on-demand and live classes, provide feedback, and usually let you see your own form in the reflection. Some fitness mirrors, like the Mirror, revert to looking like standard mirrors when not in use, and others like the Tonal and the Tempo neatly house additional gear and have arms that heighten your exercises.
Below are some of the top smart fitness mirrors. For more, read our reviews of the Tonal and the NordicTrack Vault.
Best Smart Rowing Machines
Rowing machines have risen in popularity because they provide a low-impact way to get in a great cardio workout. When shopping for a rower, experts advise looking into the machine’s type of resistance (hydraulic, air, water, or magnetic resistance), its durability, and its overall experience. Smart rowing machines offer preprogrammed workouts, streaming capabilities, Bluetooth headphone and WiFi connectivity, and the ability to sync with third-party apps of a heart rate monitor. And while smart features are not absolutely necessary for your workout, they may enhance it for you in a meaningful way.
Below are two top-rated rowing machines. For more, read our round-up of the best rowing machines, as well as our buying guide on how to choose a rowing machine.
Best Smart Ellipticals
Looking to shake up your cardio? Consider a machine that gives you a workout that’s like running without having to actually run. The elliptical lets you progress intensity over time (via resistance and incline) so you can gently build challenge in your workouts without pounding the pavement. Smart ellipticals come equipped with screens that stream live and on-demand classes and have easy-to-use interfaces with visible metrics that help measure your progress.
Below are two smart models from Bowflex and NordicTrack, and for more info, read our buying guide on how to choose an elliptical.
Best Smart Jump Ropes
We’re big fans of jump ropes for their versatility and how portable they are. Whether you want to do some high-energy cardio or just warm up, jump ropes are a nice option, especially if you’re not quite ready to go in on a larger piece of fitness equipment. You can find jump ropes that are lightweight enough to pick up real speed, or weighted, so you can strength train. Smart jump ropes add the benefit of Bluetooth app connectivity, so you can gain insight into your goals, heart rate, and other helpful metrics. Some even include guided workouts, in case you tire of repetition.
Here are some of the best smart jump ropes, and for more jump ropes, see our round-up of the best jump ropes.
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Source: SELF