Do stair steppers really work?
- Thread starter deestarr
- Start date
deestarr said:
Although I think I have used one once in my life, I just dont see the benefits. I was watching a lady use one the other day at the gym, and she was just barely moving her feet up and down, no upper body movement at all. I would go for something like an elliptical machine, or the good ole Mr Treadmill.
I wouldn't buy one
If I was only going to buy one piece of cardio equipment I would buy a treadmill. But I live in the north where I can only run outside 6 months out of the year. If I lived in a more moderate climate I would buy an elliptical trainer.
Stairmasters are good for a change in your workout but not the most efficient piece of equipment. Now, if you could buy a Stair MILL where there are real steps that keep coming around, I would buy one of those.
Teresa
If I was only going to buy one piece of cardio equipment I would buy a treadmill. But I live in the north where I can only run outside 6 months out of the year. If I lived in a more moderate climate I would buy an elliptical trainer.
Stairmasters are good for a change in your workout but not the most efficient piece of equipment. Now, if you could buy a Stair MILL where there are real steps that keep coming around, I would buy one of those.
Teresa
stairmasters
they are the most evil piece of gym equipment known to man. i suggest you get one. if you just watch someone it doesn't look like they are doing much, but they make your heartrace increase to levels which give you benefits, and they tone your thighs, especially inner. they hurt like hell, but i recommend them.
they are the most evil piece of gym equipment known to man. i suggest you get one. if you just watch someone it doesn't look like they are doing much, but they make your heartrace increase to levels which give you benefits, and they tone your thighs, especially inner. they hurt like hell, but i recommend them.
I have one, (flying up the real stairs at my home is only recommended for ppl with a deathwish) and I defenitely feel it. But then, my stepper doesn't just go up and down, I also make a sideway movement. I've seen those women at the gym on a thing what tony was talking about, barely moving at all, but I guess they just aren't doing it right. When I'm on mine, I move both my upper and lower body and I'm really tired after 20 minutes. Also, it does get your heart rate up, so I think it's good.
Really cardio equipment is cardio equipment. The point is the intensity. Whether you are doing the stair stepper or running... your heart is still pumping and that is the point of cardio.
I hear a lot of people say... the (insert cardio machine of choice) works best because it works my (insert body part). You may feel it in a certain body part but it is not doing a lick to reduce fat in that area. It's just working that particular muscle.
Cardio has one goal. That goal is to get your heart rate pumping. That strengthens your most important muscle: your heart. It cleans the lungs and it increases circulation. Thus increasing red blood cell counts as well. The point of cardio is cardiovasular health.
To lose fat you need to do cardio and strength training. But I am getting off topic... the best machine to buy is the one you ENJOY doing the most. Personally I would get a treadmill. You can do tons of stuff on the treadmill. Do you have a regular bike? Go biking in the warmer months. Go trail running. Go swimming. The elliptical will get old after a while and you will need to switch things up in order to keep progressing. You cannot do that easily with an elliptical/stair climber/rower/exercise bike/etc.
Hope that helped
I hear a lot of people say... the (insert cardio machine of choice) works best because it works my (insert body part). You may feel it in a certain body part but it is not doing a lick to reduce fat in that area. It's just working that particular muscle.
Cardio has one goal. That goal is to get your heart rate pumping. That strengthens your most important muscle: your heart. It cleans the lungs and it increases circulation. Thus increasing red blood cell counts as well. The point of cardio is cardiovasular health.
To lose fat you need to do cardio and strength training. But I am getting off topic... the best machine to buy is the one you ENJOY doing the most. Personally I would get a treadmill. You can do tons of stuff on the treadmill. Do you have a regular bike? Go biking in the warmer months. Go trail running. Go swimming. The elliptical will get old after a while and you will need to switch things up in order to keep progressing. You cannot do that easily with an elliptical/stair climber/rower/exercise bike/etc.
Hope that helped