If you have recently joined a gym for the first time, or if you are considering buying gym equipment for your home, you might wonder which machine will give you more cardiovascular bang for your buck, the treadmill or the Stairmaster. Either one can result in an aerobic workout and more toned leg muscles, but the one that is better for you depends largely on how intensively you'd use each one and your personal preference.
Advantages of Both
The Stairmaster, which simulates the motion of climbing stairs, and the treadmill, which simulates the motion of walking or running, are both excellent tools for cardiovascular workouts that burn calories, increase overall fitness and help you lose pounds or maintain your weight. They are both easy to learn to use and widely available in most gyms. In the home, they take up similar amounts of space. Both allow you to listen to music or watch television while you work out, and to use your arms to increase the intensity of your workout. They both require little extra equipment; if you have sneakers, water and a towel with you, you can use the treadmill or the stair machine.
Disadvantages of Both
Many people find the repetitive movements of the treadmill and Stairmaster to be boring, and prefer forms of exercise that include a greater variety of movements, such as dancing or sports, or ones that take place outdoors, such as walking outside or hiking. Although both machines will tone your legs, neither will build significant amounts of new muscle. The machines can also be expensive to buy or to access through gym membership and they are not transportable.
Advantages of the Stairmaster
The primary advantage of the Stairmaster over the treadmill is that the motions are lower impact; they involve a more gentle shifting of weight from one foot to another. The proper way to use a step machine is not to jerk down on the pedals or lock the knees, but to gently rock your weight from side to side. If you have joint problems or injuries that prevent you from running, the step machine might be a better option than the treadmill.
The step machine also burns more calories than the treadmill if you would use the treadmill at a slow pace. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you weight 160 pounds and use a Stairmaster for one hour, you'll burn 657 calories, compared to only 277 calories if you walk at 3.5 mph, or 584 if you jog at 5 mph.
Advantages of the Treadmill
If you use a treadmill at high speeds, you can burn significantly more calories than you would on the Stairmaster. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you weigh 160 pounds and run at 8 mph for 60 minutes, you'll burn 986 calories, compared to only 657 on the Stairmaster. The treadmill is also a better choice if you have problems with stairs or with balance, since the Stairmaster requires more balance and more weight loading on the front part of the knees.
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