Exercising on elliptical and stair climber machines has both benefits and drawbacks. They each highlight different aspects of an athlete's routine, and you should use them according to your personal exercise goals. For example, while elliptical machines provide a more total body workout with less impact on your joints, stair machines provide a high energy, shorter workout that burns more calories while exposing your joints to a lot of stress.
Elliptical Benefits
Elliptical machines improve bone density without adding impact to your joints, thereby reducing stress and impact injuries without sacrificing aerobic intensity. Advocates of elliptical machines enjoy using them because they mimic the running motion, which works the same muscles as running while improving endurance and heart rate. Elliptical machines also have various add-ons and settings that can tailor your exercise routine for particular goals. For example, adjusting the resistance on the elliptical machine can provide a higher intensity workout for your leg muscles in a shorter time. Handles on elliptical machines help you balance and also work upper body muscles in the arms and torso. Lastly, you can use the elliptical machine backwards, that is, rotating your legs in reverse, which focuses your exercise on muscles that are underused if you only exercise by running forward.
Drawbacks of Ellipticals
As much as it imitates running, the elliptical machine is not running. The stress and impact of running is not replicated on an elliptical machine. Also, but like the stair climber machine, elliptical machines are generally used indoors. Although it benefits some, being indoors can make exercise less enjoyable and more tedious for others.
Stair Climber Benefits
Stair climbing machines provide intense, high-calorie workouts in short periods of time. They are ideal for people that want to burn many calories but do not have time for longer forms of exercise. They also provide a focused workout on your quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteus muscles, which is desirable for athletes looking to improve those muscles' strengths and for those who believe that those muscles are more attractive when they are fitter. Many stair-climbing machines, like elliptical machines, have various settings for you to personalize your workout, and some will remember your workouts so you can optimize your routine. As an aerobic exercise and like using the elliptical machine, stair climbers improve heart rate and endurance. It's also a natural movement and therefore easy to learn.
Drawbacks of Stair Climber
Because of the high intensity of stair climber machines, overuse can lead to bad technique and injuries. Unlike the elliptical machines, there is considerable amount of stress placed on joints, especially the knees and ankles, on the stair climber machines and they provide only a lower body workout.
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