Best Cardio Machines for Home Gyms: How to Pick by Category
Home Fitness Supplies carries 48 cardio machines across five categories and six brands — WalkingPad, Sports & Fitness Exchange (SFE), DeerRun, Spinning, XMark, and our own house line. Scrolling all 48 to find the right one is slower than starting from the category you actually need. Here's the real breakdown, with the price range and brands in each, plus the deeper comparison guides once you know where to look.
At a Glance: Cardio Machines by Category
| Category | Count | Price Range | Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treadmills | 24 | $119–$2,999 | WalkingPad, DeerRun, SFE |
| Exercise Bikes | 11 | $269–$3,695 | WalkingPad, XMark, SFE, Spinning, HFS |
| Rowing Machines | 9 | $299–$3,299 | WalkingPad, SFE, HFS |
| Stair Climbers | 3 | $599–$2,899.97 | WalkingPad, SFE, Rovix |
| Elliptical | 1 | $3,299 | HFS |
Treadmills are the biggest category by far, which is also why they split into the most genuinely different sub-types — see below before assuming "treadmill" means one thing.
Treadmills: folding desk pads vs. commercial decks
The 24 treadmills split into three distinct products, not 24 variations on one idea. WalkingPad's folding under-desk pads run $269–$949 and are built for walking while working, not running — the full lineup (Z1, Z3, C1, C2, R-series, X-series) is broken down in our WalkingPad Models Compared guide. DeerRun's four compact folding treadmills ($119–$649) sit in the same under-desk category at a lower price, in our DeerRun collection. Sports & Fitness Exchange's commercial-style and curved treadmills ($1,199–$2,999) are a different class entirely — motorized and self-powered curved-deck decks built for actual running, compared in our SFE Treadmill Lineup Compared guide.
Exercise Bikes: desk bikes, air bikes, and studio cycling
The 11 exercise bikes span a $269–$3,695 range because they're not really one category. WalkingPad's magnetic resistance bikes ($269–$349) are the compact, low-cost entry point. XMark's CAT 3 Hurricane ($899) and SFE's dual-moving-arm bike ($799) are commercial-style air bikes built for interval training rather than seated endurance work. Our own HFS stationary bike ($2,489) sits in the middle. The official Spinning® Connected bikes ($399–$3,695) are the most specialized option in this category — built around Spinning's own studio-cycling ecosystem rather than general-purpose cardio — and get their own breakdown in our Spinning collection.
Rowing Machines: water resistance vs. magnetic
Most of the 9 rowing machines are WalkingPad's water- and magnetic-resistance rowers ($299–$899) — water resistance machines (like the WR3L and WM10) aim to mimic the feel of rowing on open water, where magnetic models are quieter and more compact. SFE's Air Rowing Machine ELITE ($899.99) adds a monitor and air resistance for a more commercial feel. Our own HFS rower ($3,299) is the highest-end option in the category.
Stair Climbers and the One Elliptical
Stair climbing is the smallest category at just 3 products: WalkingPad's compact Stair Stepper ($599) is the budget entry point, while SFE's Stepmill Pro ($2,799, revolving steps) and Rovix's 15-resistance-level commercial stepper ($2,899.97) are built for serious, sustained stair training. If you want a low-impact, full-body machine instead, HFS's own High Quality Home Elliptical Machine ($3,299) is the only elliptical we currently carry.
Which Cardio Category Should You Get?
Want to stay active while working, with the lowest entry price: a WalkingPad or DeerRun folding treadmill — both start under $300.
Training for actual running performance: an SFE commercial or curved treadmill ($1,199–$2,999) is a different machine class than a desk pad, not just a pricier one.
Want structured, studio-style cycling: the official Spinning® Connected bikes are the only option built around that ecosystem specifically.
Want upper-body-inclusive, low-impact cardio: a rowing machine — WalkingPad's water-resistance models for feel, or SFE's Air Rowing ELITE for a monitor and commercial build.
Tight on space but want something besides a treadmill or bike: WalkingPad's Stair Stepper is the most compact option in the lineup at $599.
FAQ
Is Home Fitness Supplies an authorized dealer for all these cardio brands?
Yes — we're an authorized dealer for WalkingPad, Sports & Fitness Exchange, DeerRun, Spinning, XMark, and every other brand we carry.
What's the real difference between a WalkingPad treadmill and an SFE treadmill?
WalkingPad builds compact folding pads for walking at your desk, starting under $300. SFE builds motorized and curved-deck treadmills meant for actual running, starting around $1,199. See our SFE Treadmill Lineup Compared guide for the full breakdown.
Do I need to buy equipment from every cardio category?
No. Pick the category that matches your actual goal — walking/desk cardio, running, studio cycling, rowing, or stair climbing — rather than assembling one of everything.
Is a Spinning® bike really different from a regular exercise bike?
Yes. The Spinning® Connected bikes ($399–$3,695) are built around Spinning's own studio-cycling system, which is why they're priced and positioned separately from WalkingPad's or XMark's general-purpose exercise bikes.