New to this forum! I am 5'5 128 lbs, 20% bf. In order to lose those lat 3 pounds, I took up the Stair milll 3 times a week, level 11,for 45 minutes. I lost the weight quickly and lost alot of "saddlebags" from my butt and thighs - but now they are huge! I'm already very thick down there, and now, although the shape of my butt is great, it is really large and muscley, as are my thighs, and my pants are all too tight! I's like to keep a good shape down there, but not bulk up anymore - any thoughts? Should I quit the Stair mill and do different cardio for a slimmer effect?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Does The Stair Mill Build Too Much Bulk??
- Thread starter tamraloo
- Start date
It's very hard for women to build "bulk" period, no matter what we do! We just don't have the hormone makeup to build big muscles.
It sounds like you likely hold your fat in your lower body. I would doubt that you are building up a lot of muscles from doing the stairmaster, although if you're a super easy msucle builder, then it's possible. Why don't you post more about your nutrition and workout plan so we can all give some advice.
Sarah
It sounds like you likely hold your fat in your lower body. I would doubt that you are building up a lot of muscles from doing the stairmaster, although if you're a super easy msucle builder, then it's possible. Why don't you post more about your nutrition and workout plan so we can all give some advice.
Sarah
Okay - here goes! Pre-September, I was using the treadmill 4-5 times a week, at a 15 incline 5mph, anywhere from 45-90 minutes. A trainer at the gym told me I was probably doing too much cardio, but I wasn't really out of breath ever or sore at all. I was also doing Pilates once a week and usually a strengh training bodyworks class once a week. Anyway, I couldn't lose the extra 3 or 4 pounds post-baby, even though I was in all my skinny jeans, so I switched my routine to the Stair Mill, after I read in a fitness book that a certain trainer liked that machine the best. It KILLED me the first little while. I eventually got up to 3x week, 45 minutes. I was burning about half the calories that I used to burn on the treadmill, but I saw results in pounds lost and better tone and shape in my lower body, and I met my 20% bf goal. I also kept up my Pilates class one a week. In the last month, however, I have noticed that those skinny jeans and pants that I could wear at a heavier weight and higher body fat are too tight, because my butt is very "poofy" - it's like a shelf between my belt and my butt. This is not necessarily a bad thing, especialy for my husband, who loves the look, but it annoyes me to have to go up a size in jeans!! I also measured my thighs, and they have increased in diameter. So now I am afraid to use the Stair Mill too much, but I'm nervous that using the treadmill will not keep my weight down. Curently, I am hitting the Stair mill once a week, treadmill twice, Pilates once a week. I know women aren't supposed to be able to bulk up, but... Any advice??
This is interesting. That trainer may have been right that you were doing too much cardio. If you don't feel happy with the stepper, why not just try another machine? No matter what type of cardio you do, you're going to be burning calories.
You seem to be in pretty good cardio vascular shape. Have you ever tried doing intervals? They work well on an elliptical. After a good warm up try going as fast a possible for 30 seconds, then slow way down for a minute. Then repeat. Once you've gotten the hang of it you could even try 20 second sprint/40 second recovery. Make sure you're really going as fast as possible on those sprints. Do the intervals for 20 minutes, then have a good cooldown. You could do intervals once or twice a week and longer steady state cardio once or twice a week. Just some ideas for you.
Also, are you still taking the strength training class? It would be a really good idea for youy to do some form of strength training. As we get older we naturally lose muscle mass and strength. It's important to keep that. Also, as you lose fat you will want to hang on to your muscle so you like nice and firm.
Hope I helped.
Sarah
You seem to be in pretty good cardio vascular shape. Have you ever tried doing intervals? They work well on an elliptical. After a good warm up try going as fast a possible for 30 seconds, then slow way down for a minute. Then repeat. Once you've gotten the hang of it you could even try 20 second sprint/40 second recovery. Make sure you're really going as fast as possible on those sprints. Do the intervals for 20 minutes, then have a good cooldown. You could do intervals once or twice a week and longer steady state cardio once or twice a week. Just some ideas for you.
Also, are you still taking the strength training class? It would be a really good idea for youy to do some form of strength training. As we get older we naturally lose muscle mass and strength. It's important to keep that. Also, as you lose fat you will want to hang on to your muscle so you like nice and firm.
Hope I helped.
Sarah
Thanks alot!! IN regards to strength training - I have not been attending the class recently, because it is packed and there aren't enough weights to go around. I have been doing three sets of 10 regular guy pushups three times a week for my upper body (seems to keep my upper body toned pretty well), and 2 sets of ten tricept pushups. I also try to fit in a tricept side lift that our instructor showed us. For lower body strength right now, I am doing a 6 week leg program based on ballet moves that uses a barre and a ball.
Last edited: