Large sporting goods stores carry workout equipment that you would find in a gym or fitness center. Elliptical machines and stair-steppers offer you an at-home option to the gym and help you meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended guideline of 150 minutes of moderately-intense aerobic activity per week. The best option for you is the one that fits your needs and helps you achieve your fitness goals.
Stair Stepper
StairMaster is a brand name that has become interchangeable with stair-stepping machines, much in the same way Kleenex and facial tissues are linked. In 2011, StairMaster, like its competitors, produced two basic types of stair steppers. Stair mills are like miniature escalators, creating and collapsing two or three stairs at a time. Stair climbers are the more traditional form, with adjustable resistance pedals that vary the workouts intensity and simulate climbing stairs.
Stair Stepper Benefits
StairMaster's machines adjust in intensity, ranging in speeds from 24 to 174 steps per minute. Harvard Health Publications reports that a 155-lb. adult using a stair stepper for 30 minutes can burn 223 calories. The American Heart Association lists stair climbing as one of the best activities for healthy people to maintain health. In addition to increasing heart rate and improving cardiovascular health, the pedal resistance tones muscles in the calves and thighs.
The Elliptical
Elliptical machines mimic the motion of cross-country skiing, providing an intense full-body workout. Users strap their feet into pedals and grasp handlebars with their hands. According to ThatsFit Fitness Expert Sarah Brown, you move your feet and hands together. Your feet trace a flat oval, or elliptical pattern, while your arms work in unison sliding forward individually with each leg.
Elliptical Benefits
The elliptical outburns the stair stepper in terms of calories. A 30-minute workout on an elliptical training by a 155-pound adult can burn 335 calories, according to Harvard Health Publications. ThatsFit reports that changes to incline angle and resistance in the pedals and arms can increase or decrease the workout's intensity. It is also a low-impact machine. Unlike some stair steppers, the foot never leaves the elliptical pedal, thus reducing the amount of shock placed on the feet and legs.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How much physical activity do adults need?
- StairMaster: SC916 StairClimber
- StairMaster: SM916 StepMill
- American Heart Association: Statement on Physical Activity
- Harvard Health Publications: Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of three different weights
- That'sFit: How to Get a Better Elliptical Workout
Member Comments