When it comes to what the best exercise machines are, you really have to ask yourself a few defining questions for what it is your goals are. For example, are you looking to blast away a ton of calories in a short period of time?

Are you more so looking for a good muscle workout to tone and define certain areas of your body that are problems?  Are you maybe looking for an exercise machine that minimizes joint impact and is easy on the body while still working out your heart?

It really depends on what your goals are, but there are a few types of exercise equipment that have gained a lot of popularity today precisely because they fit so many of these criteria all in one.  Let’s start off with my favorite piece of exercise equipment, the elliptical machine.

I love the elliptical because it not only lets me get a good sweat in, in a short period of time, but it also is easy on my joints. It also helps me to not bulk up too much in the quadriceps area of my legs, which is quite common in women.

Ellipticals are perfect for women who want to get a good cardio workout in without bulking up. Instead, many times this exercise machine gives you that long, lean look without bulking up the muscles, that so many women (and lots of men too) love to have.

It’s extremely easy on the joints, and it feels like you are gliding, so you don’t feel like you are jumping up and down, rattling your bones and your joints.  One of my favorite saddlebag-busting exercises is one that I perform on this machine.

I put it on a higher resistance setting, and I point my toes outward, so I’m walking pigeon toed. I do this for about five minutes, and it really deeply targets the sides of the thighs and the rotating hip area, which is where saddlebags tend to pouch out.

Women and men who do yoga love to use the elliptical because it gives them that long, lean look and doesn’t bunch up the muscles. You still have to stretch afterwards, but it’s a great, enjoyable workout.  You can buy these machines used often times for a good price, and there are some great brands (I myself own a Horizon model – see elliptical reviews for information), that are reasonable and last forever.

Now, let’s talk about the treadmill.  Treadmills are a good old standby in the world of working out and fitness.  Why?  Because they will always be around, and people will always love to do the simple act of walking and jogging indoors, especially when the live in inclement weather and they can’t get outside for long periods of time.

They are great for running too, with different incline settings for more or less resistance, and they let you build up your lungs by slowing increasing speed and incline, helping gradually build endurance. Treadmills are truly a classic when it comes to exercise machines.

Recumbent exercise bikes are really making their way up in popularity as a form of cardio fitness also. I love these because when you are in the mood to park it and read a book or something, you can still do this comfortably, sitting back and not hurting your lower and upper back at all.  You can read comfortably, or watch the TV and get an excellent workout.

Some people may not think that the recumbent bike is that hard of a workout because you are sitting in an reclined position.  However, I can tell you now, that when my half hour is up on the recumbent exercise bike, my arms are even sweating. My back is dripping with sweat, and my butt is drenched too.  So anyone who thinks you can’t get as good of a workout in on recumbent bike simply hasn’t tried it yet.

There are a variety of other newer types of exercise machines that use an elliptical, or cross country skiing type of motion that are supposed to be highly effective. Not only that, they are also very smooth on the joints and the bones, and they also tone and slim you at the same time.  What is key when you are looking for the ideal piece of equipment for yourself is to know what you are looking for.

You almost always want to go with a higher quality piece of equipment, because you really do get what you pay for in this arena.  Don’t get something that you’ll regret that falls apart in a year, or is uncomfortable to use. After all, it’s an investment in your body, and your body deserves the best exercise machines that get you the results you want, the quality you expect and the results you desire.