Anything that gets your large muscles moving rhythmically, then keeps them moving, is considered cardio exercise. Considering a garden rake as a cardio machine might be a bit of a stretch, even if it's technically true by this definition, but you can find plenty of cardio machines in gyms or at home that are designed to keep you moving for a cardio workout.
Exercise Bikes
A stationary bike is one of the least-imposing cardio machines because the pedaling motion already is familiar to most people. Adjusting an exercise bike is relatively simple, too. Just slide the seat forward or back if the bike is recumbent, or up or down if it is upright. Exercise bikes are one of the less expensive pieces of exercise equipment, making them a reasonable choice for home use. According to the Harvard Heart Letter, riding an exercise bike burns the most calories of all cardio machines--315 to 466 calories in 30 minutes of effort, depending on your body weight.
Treadmills
Treadmills also mimic familiar motions: walking and running. Most treadmills are simple to operate, too. Just push the start button to get the belt moving, then step on and adjust the speed to suit you. According to the Harvard Heart Letter, a fast walk can burn up to 222 calories in 30 minutes. You can burn up to 488 calories in the same time, depending on body weight, if you consistently run 9-minute miles.
Elliptical Trainers
Elliptical trainers might be a little more imposing than treadmills and bikes, but once you're on the trainer and pedaling, the motion is a natural running or walking stride. Instead of adjusting the trainer's speed, you adjust the elliptical's resistance and determine the speed yourself. The Heart Letter says elliptical trainers can burn up to 400 calories in 30 minutes.
Stationary Rowers
Stationary rowers challenge your heart and lungs, and they also provide a punishing back, glutes, arm and leg workout. Stationary rowers also take up relatively little space, making them an ideal choice for a home exercise machine. The Heart Letter says 30 minutes of vigorous rowing can burn up to 377 calories.
Steppers
Steppers can resemble a motorized treadmill with stairs on it, also known as a stepmill, or have two pedals that you push up and down on to mimic a stair-stepping movement. You'll also encounter mini-steppers, small home-fitness models that are little more than a pair of pedals and, occasionally, a hand rest or support. Steppers provide the same leg-toning and cardiovascular benefits of running up and down stairs without the risk of falling down the stairs or crashing into somebody else. According to the Heart Letter, stair steppers generally burn up to 266 calories in 30 minutes.
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