StairMaster vs Treadmill: Which one is better for fat loss?

A little to moderate levels of exercise can undoubtedly help you out a great deal. If you workout for as little as just 2 hours/ week, then you’ll end up significantly lowering your risk of contracting any disease. Also, it can moderately have an impact on your body weight. This is according to research by various health experts. Treadmills & stair-climbing machines happen to be two of the most common pieces of equipment for having an efficient cardiovascular workout. Using a treadmill, jogging, or, walking can result in burning fewer calories compared to a stair-climber. However, if you run at a higher intensity & pace, then it will help in burning more than that of using the stairs.

The number of calories you burn also depends on your fitness level & your overall body weight. If you feel as though, it is easier for you to run, because, you might be running a lot, hence, you’d find it to be a lot easier. Whereas, in such a case, the stairs might help you in burning more calories & vice versa. All you need to do is, make changes to the type of activity you perform, for increasing the number of calories you burn. Moreover, the heavier you tend to be, the greater will the number of calories you end up burning during your workout sessions. Because due to your greater body weight, you will be required to work harder to move your weight. As a result, you end up losing more fat & get fitter in the process.

StairMaster

StairMaster is a tool that is specially designed for next-gen fitness fanatics. Thanks to its tech-savvy console, wide range of options for programs & space-saving design, these exercise machines will be able to provide you very good potential. The StairMaster happens to be a more effective way to strengthen and tone your legs, thighs, and butt. Not only are the health benefits of using these machines clearly visible upon usage, on the body, rather, they are also very beneficial for your heart as well. Because, when you use the StairMaster, your heart-rate increases rapidly, during the course of your exercise sessions. Hence, in time, your heart becomes quite strong, resulting in significantly improving your cardiovascular health.

As you use the stairs, you’re essentially climbing upwards & more importantly, you’re performing resistance cardio sessions. This is exactly why the usage of stairs is recommended by various strength training coaches. The stairs also happen to be quite effective if you’re focused on losing fat. Since this happens to be a low-impact workout, therefore; StairMaster is relatively gentle on your joints, this can specifically aid you in exercising longer & more often.
You can learn more about fat loss using StairMaster from this tutorial –

Some advantages

• With the StairMaster, you can change the speed of the machine to adjust each workout to your current level of fitness.
• With each step, you are defying gravity and moving upwards. This physical activity improves mental toughness.
• Stair climbing has been proven to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
• Climbing the stairs also happens to be a lower impact exercise regime. The StairMaster tends to work on your feet, knees & shins much less compared to other cardio workouts, for example; running.
• The StairMaster can burn calories very quickly during a workout. Just thirty minutes of moderate climbing can burn more than 280 calories.
• Repeated cardio exercise using the StairMaster significantly helps you in improving your heart health.

Some disadvantages

• Requires a period of adaptation before getting used to the movement.
• Monotonous: less possible variations when compared with other machines.
• Usually not well tolerated by those with back issues because of the often inclined position.
• No impacts on articulations.

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Treadmill

There are various types of pieces of equipment for your home gym available on the market nowadays. As pieces of equipment in your home gym can tend to be on the pricier side as well, so, it can turn out to be difficult to choose the ideal one, that would be best suited for your needs. For you’re someone, who’s looking to get into proper shape, then, treadmills should undoubtedly be the preferred choice when it comes to your home gym equipment.

As you keep running on a treadmill, the fat within your body will be burned & this will be converted to produce energy. The fat in your body is the storage of glycogen. While you run, this glycogen gets converts to glucose & the glucose is in turn converted to calories. Hence, you lose belly fat, you end up becoming slim, thus; losing weight in the process. If you happen to be overweight, then you can go for a sturdy treadmill, this will help you in losing weight otherwise, it might not be able to withstand your weight & may not last for long.

➥ If you want to get rid of annoying belly fat, then have a look at our suggestion for a treadmill or exercise bike for belly fat.

To know more about the importance of a treadmill in your fat loss journey watch this tutorial –

Some advantages

• It will be a whole lot easier for you to use & walk on the belt at a different speed or incline levels based on your requirement.
• You can also go for treadmills that happen to be foldable & ones that can also be operated manually, without the need for using an external power source. Therefore, you won’t have to go through the trouble of using electricity, every time you use the treadmill.
• Aside from burning fat, muscles and bones are strengthened by the regular use of the treadmill.
• Mental health is improved because of the better circulation of blood and oxygen to the brain.
• Sophisticated and electric treadmills can be programmed to indicate targets that need to be reached on a certain day.
• Some treadmills consist of specially designed calorie trackers, these will provide you with an idea of how many calories you have burned during your workout sessions. Hence, enable you to make the judgment as to what you must do for meeting the target.

Some disadvantages

• Treadmills are large pieces of equipment and you need a large room or garage to put them in.
• You will need professional maintenance and repairs.
• Wherever you put the treadmill know that it makes a lot of noise.
• Treadmills are quite expensive, and a decent model will require a huge investment.

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Verdict for fat loss between StairMaster & Treadmill

If you’re planning on losing excessive fat at a faster rate, then, the treadmill would be the ideal exercise equipment to meet your needs. Also, a treadmill allows you to have a rather skinny-fat physique. However, using the treadmill means. you’ll end up losing muscle mass. You will be required to maintain consistency for each of your cardio sessions to effectively keeping your weight off.

On the other hand, if you plan on maintaining overall, good fitness, then, the StairMaster would have the upper hand. If you work out using a StairMaster, then it wouldn’t only help you in burning calories more effectively, rather, it is also very capable of serving you low to moderately intensified workout sessions. When it comes to having lean muscles, the StairMaster definitely is the clear winner here. Added to that, if you focus on maintaining a clean diet, then, the StairMaster workout sessions will be even easier & a more sustainable choice compared to that of the treadmill.

Differences between StairMaster & Treadmill

If you’re into running in the streets, then it poses greater chances of a potential foot injury. Also, you’ll have to overcome motor traffic as well as debris & uneven terrains. Keeping fit, that too within the comfort & security of your home is one of the best things you can do for your body. Treadmills and stepper machines have great potential in making you lose fat. We especially like their minimal space requirements, adjustability, and effectiveness. Moreover, for effective shock-absorption, these machines consist of a flat surface, which helps in reducing the risk of you falling abruptly.

The difference between the Stairmaster and a treadmill is the resistance.

You are climbing a residual hill with the StairMaster, but you are “running” down a street with a treadmill. We have created a table below so that you can compare their differences and select the equipment which is best for your fat loss journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is climbing stairs better than running?

Ans.: Sprinting & stair climbing are considered very effective forms of exercise regimes. These workouts can also provide you with the benefits of aerobic exercises & help you in toning your muscles on your buttocks & legs. Although, climbing the stairs offers more benefits compared to that of either running or just walking. Stair climbing aids you in building muscles within your lower body & helps you in burning calories as well.

When walking and running, your body moves in a horizontal pattern. With running, your body does experience slight vertical movement. However, with stair climbing, your muscles are forced to resist gravity and move in a vertical pattern. When you move your body vertically, you place high demands on the lower body.

Watch this tutorial to learn more –

Q2. What are the levels on a StairMaster?

Ans.: Most machines allow you to pick a level between 1 and 20, with each level representing a different speed. At the lowest speed, you climb about 24 steps per minute. At the highest speed, you climb about 162 steps per minute. At the midpoint of 10, you climb about 89 steps per minute. Each level is 7 to 8 steps per minute faster than the next. For example, level 2 is 31 steps per minute, while level 3 is 39 steps per minute.

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Q3. Does the StairMaster burn belly fat?

Answer: The StairMaster can help you lose fat overall, not just from the abdominal area. It can be more or less effective, depending on your diet and workout regimen. A 30-minute session on the StairMaster burns an average of 223 calories, a good start in your quest for fat loss. This machine also helps build muscle in your legs, and the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even while at rest.

In order to learn other inexpensive methods to burn belly fat watch this tutorial –

Q4. Are expensive treadmills worth it?

Answer: An expensive treadmill doesn’t always mean it’s of better quality. Sure some parts used may be of higher quality, for example, the motor or the belt. But a lot of the price may not add to the core features of the treadmill. For example, if you want a touchscreen that integrates with an internet browser or your Netflix account, the technology element here costs more than a treadmill without such technology.

You should weigh up what you are really looking for in a treadmill such as the specs and features in order to determine whether it is expensive or not.

Q5. How long should I walk on a treadmill to see results?

Answer: To achieve greater fitness, your workouts need to vary by intensity, duration, frequency, and mode of exercise. Increase the time you spend on the treadmill. If you have been spending 30 minutes on the treadmill for several weeks, bump it up to 45 minutes for at least one session per week. After a couple of weeks, take it up to 60 minutes. Once you are used to treadmill walking, you can do it every day of the week. Walking at a brisk pace for 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week, or a total of 150 to 300 minutes per week, is recommended to reduce health risks.

Q6. How many years do treadmills last?

Answer: The general consensus is 7 to 12 years with about 10 being the average. This is what the manufacturers say. Of course, if you take care of the machine yourself it may well last longer. Regular maintenance should make it last longer and work better. If you don’t regularly lubricate the belt then other parts of the treadmill will struggle like the motor.

The bottom line

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If you do your stationary bike workouts for fat loss on a regular basis, you will notice changes in your fitness level and body in a matter of weeks. If you are healthy and looking to increase your level of fitness while losing a bit of weight, you should incorporate both Stairmaster and treadmill work into your exercise routine.

The moral of the story is no one machine is better than the other. Each one offers up specific benefits that will better serve you at different points in your fitness journey as your goals evolve and change. Instead of defaulting to the same machine when it’s time to log some cardio, take advantage of what each has to offer and incorporate them into your routine accordingly. One thing to remember is that our bodies adapt quickly. Hence you should frequently change up either the modality or intensity of the exercise. Instead of falling in love with only one machine, take advantage of both of them. In the end, you will get the best of both worlds!