StairMaster exercise machines are designed for cardiovascular fitness training. They are a combination of a treadmill and an escalator. There are many physiological benefits associated with cardiovascular training using a StairMaster stair climber. By varying the speed or skipping steps, it allows the exerciser to modify her workout depending on her individual fitness levels, goals or time constraints.
Aerobic Conditioning
Exercise is considered aerobic when oxygen is required, and the heart rate is raised for at least 20 consecutive minutes. Using the StairMaster to exercise aerobically increases the body's ability to use oxygen, increases the amount of blood the heart can pump each beat (stroke volume) and, over time, decreases the resting heart rate. When combined, these allow the body to do more work, while using less energy.
Anaerobic Conditioning
The StairMaster can also be used to do interval, or anaerobic training. By mixing up steady aerobic speed with short bouts at a higher speed, it trains the body to perform longer and burn more calories. Interval training on the StairMaster also may raise the lactic acid threshold, which causes the body to fatigue faster during bouts of exercise.
Burn Calories and Lose Weight.
Any kind of aerobic or anaerobic training burns calories, but the StairMaster can burn more. When using a StairMaster, the body not only has sustained muscle contractions over a certain amount of time, but it also uses more muscle power with each step. The StairMaster requires a larger range of motion than other cardiovascular exercises using treadmills or ellipticals. This means that more exercise can be performed in less time with the same results.
Muscular Strength and Endurance
The StairMaster is a great piece of equipment that combines cardio and strength training. In addition to a great cardio workout, the StairMaster requires greater force be used to step up, which develops muscular strength and endurance in the legs at a much higher rate than simply running or walking.
Low Impact
When exercising on a StairMaster, the feet stay relatively close to the steps, and the speed of movement is slow and controlled. Exercising in this manner minimizes the stress in the joints that plagues people that run for cardiovascular exercise. The controlled nature of the StairMaster also helps minimize the occurrence of exercise-related injuries.
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