Before the advent of the elevator and escalator, people had to climb stairs to reach the upper floors of a building. Like many modern conveniences, elevators and escalators may have contributed to an increasingly inactive society. Then came the stair climbing aerobic exercise equipment. The exercising public quickly embraced this new form of aerobic exercise.
History
Stair-climbing machines stepped into the mainstream fitness industry in 1983, when a man named Lanny Potts invented the Stairmaster 5000, now called the Step. A company called Tri-Tech introduced the machines at the National Sporting Goods Association convention. Other manufacturers, inspired by the Stairmaster's success, soon created their own stair-stepping machines. Unlike other fitness fads, stair-climbing exercise was not a fly-by-night trend. A 1989 "Time" magazine article cites American Sports Data Inc., whose statistics show that stair climbing was the fastest-growing aerobic activity.
Misconceptions
The terms Stairmaster, Stepmill, stair climber and stepping machines are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between them. Stairmaster is actually a brand name, as opposed to a general stepping equipment classification. The Stepmill is a taller machine, which requires a ceiling at least 10 feet high. Its steps are 8 inches high, and its movements are similar to those of a downward moving escalator. In contrast, stair-climbing machines have two independent foot pedals. After setting the speed, the user must pedal at a pace that matches the machine's cadence.
Features
Most stair-climbing machines come with a water-bottle holder and a console, which provides program options, as well as read-outs displaying speed, caloric expenditure and time elapsed. The ultra-modern, high-tech machines have pulse monitors. Some even have small television monitors.
Benefits
Stair-climbing machines offer weight bearing, low impact aerobic exercise. The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests that this type of training may prevent bone-density loss. In addition to burning calories, the leg flexion and extension movements involved in stair climbing equipment work the hamstrings, quadriceps and gluteal muscles.
Warning
Stair-climbing equipment is less effective if you grip the handles for support, explains fitness specialists at the American College of Sports Medicine. Use an upright stepping posture, and engage your deep core muscles to maintain balance. You should also consider the machine's range of motion. Some machines allow the knee to hyperextend at the end of the pedal stroke. This may overstretch your knee ligaments, making then susceptible to injury.
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