The American College of Sports Medicine directs healthy adults to participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity five times per week. The elliptical and Stairmaster steppers are both stationary cardio fitness machines that can help you fulfill those requirements. Consider your goals and personal preferences when choosing which of the two works best for your workout.
Starimaster
Steppers come in two different versions---a step climber and a step mill. The step climber features two foot plates upon which you stand and shift your weight foot to foot to mimic stair climbing. The deeper and faster you step, the more intense your workout. The step mill is a large machine that appears to be a revolving stair case whose rate of turn you can adjust to intensify the workout.
Ellipticals
An elliptical machine offers the feeling of running or cross country skiing combined with stair climbing. Your feet never leave the pedals, so it is a low impact activity that may also feature arm poles to provide an upper body component to your workout. Most ellipticals also offer a cross ramp which can be adjusted to varying inclines in order to increase workout challenge and target different leg muscles.
Potential
Both the Stairmaster step machines and the elliptical trainers offer the chance to burn significant calories and build aerobic fitness. According to the website "Fat Burner", a 150-lb person can expect to burn 270 calories in a half hour on the elliptical or 260 calories on a Stairmaster stepper, while a stepmill workout burns about 390 calories in a half hour at a similar intensity. To match the calorie burn of the stepmill, you must work at about 80 to 90 percent of heart rate maximum on the elliptical or stepper.
Considerations
The stair climber machines are not appropriate for people with balance problems or joint problems. The step mill may intensify hip issues and the steppers can cause too much loading at the front part of the knee. Both machines work well for beginners as you can easily adjust the intensity, but may require a period of adjustment to the movements involved. The step mill is probably the most natural movement pattern and easiest to master.
Verdict
A healthy adult looking to create variety and challenge in her workouts should include all modalities in a weekly exercise routine. Cross training in this manner insures that particular muscles do not become overworked and it also decreases boredom. The stepmill may elicit a higher calorie burn, but remember that you must set the speed fast enough to raise your heart rate into an aerobic working zone.
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