Nearly all the standard cardio machines you find in the gym (treadmills, elliptical crosstrainers, and bikes) require using your legs, but there are times when that isn’t an option. Whether you’re going through rehabilitation, wheel-chair bound or just went too hard on leg day, there are a variety of different machines that deliver a quality cardio workout while utilizing only your arms.
The name that you’ll most commonly see these machines referred to by is “upper body ergometer/exerciser” or UBE. Although they are not as mainstream as other cardio options, different fitness companies do put their own spin on this machine.
Technogym Excite UBE Upper Body Ergometer
The Technogym Excite UBE is one of the most technologically advanced upper body cardio machines. The Excite TOP as it is sometimes called provides excellent training for the upper body. It serves to not only burn calories, but also tones and strengthens the shoulder, torso and core muscles. The crank is also adjustable and it comes with a removable seat so users in wheelchairs can easily use. It also caters to all fitness levels with over 30 different difficulty levels. There is also a monitor attached that gives all relevant readouts to be able to track your progress.
SciFit Pro1 Upper Body Exerciser
The SciFit Pro1 Upper Body Exerciser is one of the more versatile upper body cardio machines because it can be used in both a seated and a standing position. The SciFit Pro1 further improves accessibility by having both a wheelchair platform and true step-through design. It is ideal for ground based training and is highly adjustable. Some of the options include an adjustable tilt head for different heights and ranges of motion. The arm cranks are also adjustable and they can be used in either direction. It has a low starting resistance so it can accommodate almost any user. The monitor also comes with built in workouts and fitness tracking information.
The most compact and space efficient upper body cardio machine is the Matrix Krankcycle. It has a clean and sleek silhouette making it a perfect fit for modern looking gym. This machine was created through a collaboration between Johnny G and Matrix and was designed for a cardio workout that strengthens both the core and arms.
Both of the arms move independently from one another which allows for a great variety of movements. It can also be lowered to chest level and used as a pseudo rowing machine. Similar to the other upper body exercise machines, there is also an option to adjust the resistance level. The head of the Krankcycle can be titled in a variety of positions and the seat can be removed for wheelchair accessibility. The cranks on this machine are also on a more narrow access compared to the other machines on this list. This allows for a higher rotation per minute and a more intense workout.
These are the three primary upper body cardio exercise machines on the market. They all offer the same great benefits of a cardio workout that requires only your upper body. If you are interested in any of these machines, feel free to contact one of our sales representatives for more information.
