Comparison Of Exercise Bikes With Steppers

Exercise plays an important role in creating a healthy body and preventing chronic diseases, ranging from heart disease to some forms of cancer. Exercise is so important that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created guidelines suggesting that all Americans get at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise every week. Two pieces of equipment that are often used to meet this guideline are exercise bikes and steppers, with each having their own benefits.

Function

The primary difference between exercise bikes and stair steppers is the way they function. Exercise bikes are similar to traditional bicycles, working the lower body through turning the pedals in a circular motion. The intensity of the exercise is increased by increasing the amount of resistance on the pedals or the speed at which you pedal. Stair steppers function similarly to walking up a flight of stairs. The stepper also works the lower body but uses up and down motions, working the muscles by pulling the body weight up on to each step as the equipment moves. The intensity level of the exercise can be changed through speed, or for some models, through changing the resistance level of the stairs.

Joint Stress

Exercise bikes and steppers impact your joints in different ways. Stair steppers place a greater stress on your joints due to the up and down motion. As your feet impact the ground, with each step on the machine, you place stress on the knee and ankle joints. This can be difficult for those with joint problems. Exercise bikes use a circular movement to exercise the muscles. This removes the impact of your feet against the ground and reduces the stress on the joints.

Calorie Burn

Both pieces of exercise equipment can vary in the amount of calories burned in a 30-minute exercise session. According to Harvard Health Publications, stair-step machines burn 223 calories for the average 150-lb. person. Stationary bicycles burn 260 calories per 30 minutes for a person of the same size. The amount of actual calories burned will vary depending on your individual weight, the resistance level and the speed at which you exercise.

Price

Steppers and exercise bikes can vary widely depending on the quality of construction, the method of resistance and the available additional features. As of February 2011, stair-stepper prices start at around $50 for mini versions and can range all the way to $5,500 for full-sized commercial-quality steppers. Exercise bikes start at around $100 and can range up to $3,000 for commercial-quality bikes.