Back pain can be debilitating. For those with particularly bad backs, sometimes the only solution seems to be staying perfectly still.
In reality the opposite is usually true: relief from back pain is delivered by enhancing joint mobility through exercise, and by strengthening the muscles that surround the spine and stretch across the back.
If you suffer from back pain you can and should exercise, whether to relieve the discomfort or to simply keep yourself in good physical condition. The key is to choose the right cardio equipment – the machines that won’t inflame your back issues, and might even help to fix them.
What is the best cardio equipment for bad backs? Read on to find out.
Low impact cardio: the best exercise for back pain
People with back issues will be all too familiar with the intense, shooting pain that can accompany a jarring movement. When you have back pain, the last thing you want to do is go for a jog.
With low impact cardio, you don’t have to.
Low impact cardio is a type of exercise that minimises jarring body impacts, but that retains the cardiovascular intensity – i.e. gets you huffing and puffing. It is:
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Accessible: Low impact cardio can be enjoyed by anyone – the young, the old, those with limited mobility and back pain, even professional athletes.
- Safe: When you minimise jarring impacts, you also lower the risk of injury to joints, bones, muscles and tendons.
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Comfortable: As we’ll soon find out when we reveal the best cardio machines for bad backs below, low impact cardio can be a surprisingly comfortable experience for those with chronic pain.
- Effective: Low impact cardio can help to relieve back pain while greatly improving your fitness levels and general health.
The 5 best cardio machines for a bad back
What is the best equipment for bad backs? That will depend on your specific issue, levels of mobility and personal preferences, but here are a few that those with back pain have found to be effective.
1. Elliptical/cross-trainer
Ellipticals and cross-trainers have a reputation as perhaps the best cardio machines for bad backs. This is because they allow you to keep a straight spine while enjoying the lowest of low impact exercise. Ellipticals are designed to replicate the action of running, but replace the jarring impact with perfectly smooth movements that engage your legs and your arms.
Take the Matrix E30 Suspension Elliptical, which features a wheel- and track-free design that creates perfectly smooth motion. And as a Matrix machine, the E30 comes with your choice of interchangeable console, some of which use AR to replicate the feeling of running through nature, but in the comfort of your own home.
2. Recumbent bike
Sit back, relax and get pedalling. That’s part of the joy of a recumbent bike, which allows the rider to cycle in a perfectly reclined, perfectly comfortable pose. Ideal for people with back pain, recumbent bikes also feature bucket-style seats, rather than the sometimes uncomfortable saddles seen on spin and road bikes.
The Matrix R30 recumbent bike is one such machine. It has been designed from the ground up to offer the most stable, supportive and comfortable ride possible, from the cushioned and contoured seat and backrest, to the step-through frame that makes the bike super easy to mount.
3. Upright bike
Cycling is inherently low impact, so another back pain-friendly cardio machine is an upright bike, which, as the name suggests, allows you to straighten your back as you ride – unlike spin bikes, which force you into a hunched posture. Upright bikes also tend to feature a wider saddle than a spin or road bike, so can be more comfortable for longer sessions.
When you choose a modern, high-end machine like the Matrix U30 Upright Bike, you can also add that augmented reality element via an interchangeable console, to turn a ride at home or the gym into a picturesque pedal or an exciting downhill run.
4. Stair climber
Stair climbers serve up a never-ending supply of stairs for you to climb, which, for those who suffer from back issues, can actually be a surprisingly comfortable experience – while going down stairs can be jarring, going up stairs is smooth, and can be a great workout.
Choosing a stair climber with handlebars either side, like the Matrix C50 ClimbMill, can also help you to support your sore back as you enjoy your workout.
5. Ascent trainer
Combining the smooth motion of an elliptical with the vertical challenge of a stair climber, an ascent trainer perfectly melds low impact and high intensity exercise, making it ideal for people with back issues who are looking to improve their health and wellness.
The Matrix A30 ascent trainer features the latest and greatest elliptical technology for the most fluid type of motion. You can adjust the incline to increase the intensity and target specific muscle groups, while three sets of handlebars give a back pain sufferer all the support they could need.
GymQuip: low impact cardio specialists
At GymQuip, we’ve spent over 30 years helping people with chronic pain to find the low impact cardio exercise that can help them improve their mobility and fitness. As the home of Australia’s largest fitness showroom, we stock all types of cardio equipment, including a range of Matrix Fitness machines that are ideal for people with bad backs.
We’re also home and commercial gym fit out specialists: we can help you design, fit-out and maintain your gym with equipment that looks great, works even better, and lasts the distance. We also offer all the support you could ever need (additional charges may apply).
Our online store is even larger than our sprawling showroom. We deliver Australia-wide, orders are shipped within 24 hours, and you’ll enjoy our price match guarantee: if you find one of our products cheaper elsewhere, we’ll beat that price.