Stair climber machines give you the ability to climb endless stairs with minimal impact on your knees. During the boom of the stair climber machine, people were so obsessed them that a portable version was invented for those who wanted to take the stair climber with them while traveling. While some machines become less popular with time, you can still find stair climbers in many gyms.
Popularity
The stair climber machine first came to light in 1968, notes "Time" magazine, and have had loyal fans ever since. The love of stair steppers escalated in the mid-1970s. The spike followed a published report stating men who climbed at least five flights of stairs a day reduced their risk of heart attack. Stair climber machines remain a standard piece of equipment in most gyms.
How It Works
Stair climber machines allow you to climb a never-ending flight of stairs with little to no impact on the knees. The machine has two platforms you stand on, and you push down alternatively on the platforms, mimicking walking up a flight of stairs. This raises your heart rate and the continual climbing works out muscles in both the legs and rear end. Because resistance is adjustable, you can use the stair machine whatever your level of fitness.
Advantages
Stair climber machines offer a low-impact workout for the lower body. This low-impact workout makes the stair climber an acceptable workout machine for almost anyone. You can program stair climbers to vary the routine, allowing you to get a more interesting and intense workout. The machine takes up little room. The time you spend on a stair climber machine is equal, if not less than, the time you would need to work out on real stairs.
Disadvantages
People with knee problems should not use stair climber machines. Stair climber machines do not give a full-body workout, so you will need to use free weights or another machine to work your arms and upper body. If you're overweight or out of shape, you may find stair climber machines difficult to use, especially if it has independent steps instead of steps linked together. Older adults should only use a stair stepper that has handrails.
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