Aerobic riders have hit the market with a flurry, and it's hard to go a day without seeing them advertised somewhere. In fact, many people are toting them as the best way to accelerate fat burning, to lose weight and to jack up your metabolism. But can a machine really come through on all these things?

The verdict is still out on this. However, there is one area where aerobic riders really don't shine, and that is calorie burning. First, let's look at a study done by an international association of fitness professionals called IDEA. In this case the aerobic rider was compared to treadmills, cross-country skiers and stationary bikes. When it came to burning calories, the rider finished dead last.

Perhaps the study was just a fluke. However, there was another study commissioned by the American Council of Exercise that also looked to measure the amount of calories burned when using an aerobic rider. The test subjects in this study were women ages 21 through 28. First, each woman was tested on a treadmill to find their aerobic capacity.

The study then measured three different aerobic riders, and each of them produced similar results. What they found was that even though the aerobic rider produces about the same workout intensity as a treadmill, they generally only burn 75% of the calories that a treadmill does. Yikes!

Also the researchers uncovered that aerobic riders don't hold up over the long run. Once you hit a certain level of physical fitness the riders will no longer provide you with a workout that is as challenging as simply using a treadmill.

Maybe the aerobic riders are not all they are cracked up to be. The participants in the study above also reported that the riders cause them to feel tightness and fatigue in their forearms, and that certain models even caused back pain that concerned them. In each case, discomfort was reported.

The evidence seems to suggest that aerobic riders are really only beneficial to those who are just beginning a fitness exercise program. They are good at increasing your aerobic fitness if you are in poor shape, but it is hard to make improvements on your physical fitness after you have gotten into shape. Also, comfort seems to be an issue that should be seriously considered before purchasing this type of machinery.

The bottom line is that there are many other types of fitness equipment out there that offer you a better and more comfortable workout.

The author is part of an expert fitness team, that has launched a comprehensive guide on Bowflex fitness equipment. To read our independent reviews, user videos and low price alerts for the Bowflex models and how they can help you achieve your fitness goals, visit Bowflex Reviews