The #StairMaster strikes fear into the hearts of many gym go-ers.
Why? Because as simple as it is, it’s a brutally difficult workout to stick with for more than a few minutes at a time.
Even if you’re in great shape, you’ll probably still struggle during your first couple of workouts on the stair machine.
But even though it’s hard, and we know it burns lots of calories, can the StairMaster actually help you get the results you want?
Let’s take a look at 4 big changes you’ll notice in your body after just a month or so of working out on the stair machine at the gym.
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Increased Stamina
On average, a stair machine is far steeper than even the most intimidating hills — you’re practically climbing straight up!
That’s why, even if you’re moving slowly, the stairmaster is quite a bit more difficult than most treadmill workouts.
But the good news is that stair climbing workouts are incredibly effective at building stamina and endurance.
In one recent study, participants who exclusively worked out on the StairMaster saw a 17% increase in their cardio thresholds in just 8 weeks.
So it’s safe to say if you can stick with the stair machine for a month or more, you’ll definitely notice huge improvements to your conditioning.
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Weight Loss
When it comes to calorie burn, it’s tough to do better than the StairMaster.
You could burn up to 820 calories per hour on the machine, though it’s doubtful many of us could last that long.
Still, when it comes to calorie burn — which is a huge driver of fat loss — the StairMaster is right up there with the rowing machine and high-intensity running.
It’s generally considered safe and attainable to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week, so in a month of work on the stair machine, you could lose up to 6 or 8 pounds.
Remember, though, that weight loss is heavily dependent on your diet. Burning tons of calories is great, but you’ll see the best results if you can stick to filling, nutritious foods and avoid undoing all of your hard work at the gym.
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Lower body and core strength
Where the stair machine really starts to set itself apart is in the way it tones and strengthens your entire lower body and core.
Climbing stairs requires great stability from your core muscles, and the steep incline demands lots of power from your legs.
Expect noticeable differences in your core strength and all of the major leg muscles, including your hamstrings, calves, and quads — even after only a month or so.
Some trainers say that the StairMaster doesn’t activate your glutes as much as real stairs, so if you’re looking to build your booty, you might want to incorporate some extra glute exercises with traditional weights.
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Better bone health
The high resistance nature of stair machine workouts can lead to one benefit you won’t see with your eyes:
Increased bone mass.
As we age, our bone density and overall mass start to degrade, which can lead to a number of health issues.
All forms of exercise are good for promoting bone health, but usually strength training offers more potent benefits than cardio.
The StairMaster, though, is the exception. Though you won’t see or even feel the difference, regular stair climbing workouts will do wonders for the long term health of the bones in your lower body.
Just make sure you include some upper body work to keep your arms, back, and shoulders healthy, too.
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Stair machine workouts are incredibly hard, but you’ll find they’re worth the effort once you build up the stamina to tackle them head on.
Not only will you burn calories and lose fat, if that’s your goal — you’ll also strengthen your abs, lower body, and legs in ways the treadmill could never dream of matching!
You’ll want to give your upper body some love, too, for the best results — pair the StairMasters with some regular resistance training and you’ll start to see your physique really pop.
