One of the perks of going with a more upscale gym like the David Barton gym is that you’re more likely to encounter some of the best cardio machines available today. You can get a personal trainer to help you become more familiar with each piece of equipment, but here’s a quick overview on what you can do for the following machines: 

VersaClimber

This cardio machine costs a lot, but it looks a bit too simple that you might think you’re wasting your money. But it’s actually effective, according to plenty of trainers. And celebrities use it as well, with Jennifer Aniston among them. 

This simulates a climb, and it focuses on your core and legs. But it can work out your whole body, and it’s virtually impossible to cheat on this. When you strap your feet in and then grasp the handles, you’ll really have to move and get going. 

To use this, start with high-intensity efforts for 20 seconds. Rest for about 20 to 30 seconds, and then go again. Go for 10 sessions, after which you can rest for about 2 to 3 minutes. Then go for another set of 10 sessions. 

Once this workout becomes a bit too easy for you, just increase the resistance level to make it more challenging. 

Total Body Arc Trainer (X-Console)

This is even more expensive (it costs more than $5K) and it looks rather complicated. But it’s actually rather easy to use. It gives you a hiking simulation (only you do it indoors) and it targets both your lower and upper body. 

Newbies can set the resistance level to about 25 to 30, with the incline at 15%. Then try to maintain a consistent pace for at least 20 minutes, and then you can gradually increase the time frame to 30 minutes. 

Once you get the hang of it, you can try a bit of HIIT. Increase the resistance to 20%. Then spend 1 minute at the 30-resistance level. For the next minute, go with a resistance level of 80. Do this alternately for about 20 to 30 minutes. 

Peloton Spin Bike 

Spinning is always a good option for cardio. It doesn’t impact the joints all that much, but it really gets your heart pumping if you do it right. You also focus on your hamstrings, calves, glutes, and quads. 

If you’re a newbie, you ought to stick to beginner classes at first. A class should give you about 30 minutes to work out. Once you’re done with the beginner stage, you can progress to more advanced classes that last longer and involve greater intensity. 

Samsara Fitness TrueForm Trainer

This is a non-motorized treadmill, which basically means there’s no motor. What happens is that you have to do all the work. It also means there’s no screen, so you don’t have metrics like your incline or your speed to work with. 

But those metrics won’t really matter. This particular machine will challenge and boost your cardiovascular ability and your muscular coordination. You can end up enhancing your power, speed, agility, and endurance. Your core gets a workout, even as the machine also focuses on your hamstrings and glutes. 

It’s best if you start with this slowly until you get familiar with it. Start by walking on this for 20 minutes. Then you can get to jogging for half an hour. The next step is running for half an hour. 

For HIIT, try incorporating some sprints into your routine. Sprint for about 15 seconds, and then slow down for the next 30 to 45 seconds. Keep on alternating with these speeds for a total of 15 to 30 minutes. 

Schwinn Indoor Cycling Bike

This is the machine you’ll want to use when you realize that you’ve been neglecting your legs and now you look like a boxer (massive body, spindly legs). This machine also helps with your stamina, especially if you’re planning on running a marathon sometime down the road. 

To use this right, the key is to be able to maintain a consistent pace, for either half an hour or for a total of 10 miles. You can set the resistance level, but just make sure that you match your pedaling efforts with the level of resistance. You can go slower with a higher resistance level, but a lower resistance level requires you to pedal harder. 

To make things more interesting, do 5 sets of climbs. Each climb period should last about 8 minutes, and then you can rest for 2 minutes afterwards before you do the same thing all over again. Go for a total of at least 40 minutes, though a total of 50 minutes is ideal.