Now that I just hacked off all of the treadmill and elliptical machine lovers... let me say that if you truly enjoy mindlessly pumping away on a treadmill or elliptical or an exercise bike, then by all means, keep doing what you enjoy, because enjoying your exercise is one of the most important aspects to sticking with any exercise program.

But, don't say that I didn't warn you that you were wasting your time with all that mindless cardio machine boredom.  There are far better ways to exercise.

I truly don't believe in the hype of cardio machines and I don't think I've personally used a treadmill, elliptical, or exercise bike for at least the last 15 years or more.  Oops, wait a minute... I DID use a stationary exercise bike back in 2010, to rehab my knee after a meniscus surgery.  I had to be on it for 30 minutes a day for 10 days... I thought I was going to die of sheer boredom.  It was great for my knee, but terrible for my cardiovascular and weight control... the exercise bike that is.

I would NOT use cardio machines for warmups before a workout (I once did it briefly a long time ago)... but today, I prefer to do dumbbell or kettlebell snatches and swings mixed with bodyweight exercises as the perfect full body warmup at the beginning of my workouts... and of course, stretches.

So why do I have such a dislike for cardio machines?  Here are 5 great reasons:

1) Treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes are mind-blowingly, horribly BOOOORING!  I can think of a million things I'd rather be doing than pedaling my way to nowhere!

2) Mindless steady state cardio exercise while watching TV or reading creates a mind / body disconnect resulting in poor results from your exercise routine.  Instead of reading a gossip magazine or watching a cheesy reality TV show or the Food Channel on the TV screen in front of the cardio machine, a REAL workout consists of actually having your mind engaged strongly in what your body is doing!

3) I've seen research papers that indicate treadmill running may be less effective than outdoor running for various reasons such as stride abnormalities on treadmills vs natural running, slightly less caloric burn compared to outdoor running, etc.

I've never recommended just "jogging".   Variable intensity walks / runs or sprints are so much more effective for training your heart rate in a much wider range instead of just the same pace during the entire workout.

4) Treadmills and ellipticals are ridiculously expensive and a waste of money for people that workout at home... there's so many better options for home workouts you could have spent your money on rather than wasting it on a treadmill, bike, or elliptical.  If you absolutely HAVE to have one... go garage sale shopping as you'll save a bundle.  And after you've seen it sit in your garage or a room in your home posing as something you hang things on... then you can have a garage sale and get rid of it, too.

The absolute best home gym setup is MUCH cheaper and far more practical.   All you need is a jump rope, bodyweight exercises, a few dumbbells, stability ball, maybe a few kettlebells (if you want to get fancy), and high tension bands for some more variety.  And of course... the great outdoors has some of the best workout options of all... hiking, sprinting, mountain biking, kayaking, skiing, sports, and more! 

5) Treadmills and elliptical machines are a very ineffective way to workout compared to other options.  The metabolic response is much lower compared to the types of workouts ideas that are described below.  Why should you do treadmill or elliptical workouts when you can get better results by doing more interesting forms of training that actually stimulate a fat-burning hormonal response and stimulate your metabolism to a greater extent.

So what are the alternatives to treadmills, exercise bikes, and elliptical trainers? Here are TEN great types of alternative workouts:

1. Jumping rope - great mind-body connection - try speed jumping, crossovers, and double jumps once you get skilled at it.  An amazing metabolic exercise with one of the cheapest pieces of equipment available.  There's a reason that every world class boxer uses this exercise!
2. Bodyweight training - bodyweight squats, pushups, lunges, jumps, bear crawls, mountain climbers and jumpers, planks, and the list goes on and on.  Another example of great mind-body connection and much more metabolic type of training than treadmills and ellipticals. These are the core exercises for me.
3. Kettlebell training - nothing will get your heart pounding like high repetition KB swings and snatches or clean & presses (can be done with dumbbells too, but I prefer KBs).  Personally, I think one of the most intense body changing exercise ever invented are double kettlebell snatches (snatching both kettlebells at the same time overhead). 
4. Outdoor wind sprinting - the ultimate exercise for a rock hard ripped body... just look at the chiseled powerful bodies of world class sprinters, and compare that to the weakling withered physique of a typical marathoner.  These are my favorite exercises along with this next one...
5. Hill sprinting - another classic exercise for a rock hard lean and powerful body!  I like to do 30 yard sprints up a steep hill and then walk down and repeat a bunch of times.  Amazing workout.
6. The rowing machine - I don't lump this in as a "cardio" machine like treadmills and ellipticals.  The rowing machine is a great full body workout that actually uses resistance.  The best results come from using variable speeds and really pulling hard to challenge your body.  Cross Fit gyms use the best rowing machine available (see picture below right).  If you've got the money, I strongly advise you to purchase one http://www.concept2.com/us/indoorrowers/d_home.asp
7. Sprint style swimming workouts - a far more muscular workout than steady state distance swimming.  The upper body pump I get from sprint style swimming is fantastic!   This workout is the same concept as sprinting vs jogging but in a pool instead... and it's much easier and safer on your joints.  It's all about intensity! 
8. Heavy bag punching / kicking workout, speed bag, rebound bag - all are great forms of training and much more interesting than boring cardio machines.  These exercises are also great examples of exercises that require an intense mind-body connection.
9. Shadow boxing - This is an awesome workout, but if you're shy, this is best saved for your home workouts since you'll get some crazy stares doing this at a typical gym from people who think they're "too cool" for stuff like that.  I like to do "karate punches" in a half squat while holding 10 pound dumbbells and throwing the punches while looking in the mirror. 
10. Dumbbell Intervals — This is a super metabolic type of workout that involves alternating between various full-body multi-joint exercises to get a crazy fat-burning workout in minimal time.  A good example would be alternating between dumbbell lunges, overhead presses, bent over rows, step ups, and squat presses all with minimal rest between.  These are my absolute favorites!

This information helped give you some ideas on how you can get away from all of these mindless and ineffective treadmill and elliptical trainer machines and exercise bike workouts that are just wasting your time and energy that could be better spent on more effective workouts such as the above.
Not this...But this...