The question of the best exercise equipment to buy for the home gym has been a popular one. It’s easier and more convenient than ever before to work out at home, but there are many choices when it comes to choosing the right piece of equipment.
- Which should you choose?
- What about treadmills vs stair steppers?
This blog post will help you decide if one is better for your needs of treadmill vs stair stepper.
The function of Treadmill Vs Stair Stepper
The treadmills and stair steppers are not just a matter of fashion because they also have their function.
- Should you buy one or the other?
- What is better?
Let us compare the treadmill and the stair stepper. The treadmills have been specifically designed to mimic the natural movement of running on a flat surface. At the same time, the stair steppers are a great full-body workout, and they can be used for endurance athletes because their motion is almost identical to climbing stairs!
Firstly, they both have different weight limits. Although the treadmill is heavier than a stair stepper, it has a higher weight limit of 400 pounds.
The heaviest person who can safely use an elliptical machine is 500 pounds. So, just like the treadmills, for both, you need to check on their maximum weight capacity before purchasing them.
The treadmills and stair steppers both have advantages if working out is your primary objective.
When it comes to the treadmill, there are more options for a varied workout than most other pieces of home gym equipment can provide. In addition, you can also run outside when the weather allows it, instead of staying cooped up in the home gym.
The stair steppers, on the other hand, are more focused on bodyweight exercises. Most models come with a handlebar for your hands to hold onto while you use the steps to simulate climbing stairs.
The cardio workout is great, and it also increases muscle tone in your calves and arms!
Both machines are good for different reasons, so it might be a better idea to own them both! For example, some people love to run on the treadmill, while others love stair climbing more.
How often do you think you will use each machine?
If you only plan on using the machine sporadically, you might be better off with a treadmill because of the space it would take. If you intend to use it every day or regularly, then a stair stepper is likely a better choice.
This will help you save money and make sure that you are making the right equipment investment for your home gym.
The question of the best exercise equipment to buy for the home gym has been a popular one. It’s easier and more convenient than ever before to work out at home, but there are many choices when it comes to choosing the right piece of equipment.
Which Activate more Muscles?
If you are looking at a piece of home gym equipment to build up your muscles, then the stair stepper is definitely better.
It is known as one of the most efficient exercises to tone muscle in your lower body, including your calves, hamstring muscles (the back part of your thigh), and glutes (butt). The other big benefit that the stair stepper has to offer is that it activates more muscles in your upper body.
It seems like the stair stepper is a clear winner here if you are only looking at which one will work out more of your muscles! However, if you want something that really works out both your lower and upper body equally, then you have to go with the treadmill.
This is because it works out all of your muscles, including those that support your ankles and knees.
If you want to mix up your workouts, then the stair stepper will be a great addition to help you build up more muscle. For example, if you were doing cardio on the treadmill, you could finish off your workout with the stair stepper and do resistance training.
Which Burn More Calories Stair Stepper or Treadmill?
If you want a serious cardio machine for your home gym, it is clear that the treadmill is better. It can burn up to 523 calories per hour (if you pace yourself at 4mph), which is twice as much as most stair stepper models can burn in 60 minutes!
The magic breakdown of the calorie-burning numbers are:
- -Running on the treadmill (at 4mph at 10% incline) = 523 calories burned
- -Stair climbing (at 3.5 steps/minute, 10% incline): 280 calories burned per hour
That is a huge difference! You can easily burn off the calories for that cheesecake dessert you were thinking of with just 10 minutes of stair-stepping!
However, if you are looking for a more intense workout that will burn off more calories, the treadmill is definitely the way to go.
The key here is to mix up your workouts between both machines and vary them as much as you can. If you want to include either machine in your home gym to build your muscles, both are a great choice.
Which is good for Cardio & Weight loss?
The easy answer here is the stair stepper! It provides a great cardio workout, and while it does work out your muscles, it will also increase your endurance and stamina.
Not only do you get a great cardiovascular workout, but you also build up some strength in your legs, arms, stomach muscles, etc.
This can help you lose weight, and it will help you to get in shape overall.
If you want a high-impact exercise, then the stair stepper is going to be your best bet for having fun while achieving all of your fitness goals. It is also great for improving balance and coordination as well! Both are great machines, but they can each serve different purposes.
If you are looking for a way to lose weight and get in shape, then the stair stepper may be your best bet as it will help you burn more calories than a treadmill or other machine could.
If you only have room for one piece of equipment in your home gym, then make sure that it can help you get in shape and lose weight.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a great addition to your home gym that can help build up muscle mass while seeing results, you should invest in a treadmill as it will be more effective at burning off those calories!
In most cases, having two machines will be the best choice, but not everyone has room for both a treadmill and a stair stepper. So only purchase one or the other if you are looking for a specific result!
How long will they Last?
This is an area where there isn’t too much of a difference between the two pieces of equipment.
The pole motor that runs either machine has a lifespan of around 25,000 to 30,000 hours (which is also the same amount of time it will take you to recover from an ACL injury fully).
Both treadmills and stair steppers have electronic, computerized displays that help you track your workouts. This is also another place where they are similar in how long they will last because they are both self-powered.
However, you should choose a stair stepper for a piece of home gym equipment that is likely to be used more frequently because they are less expensive and will need regular maintenance.
Conclusion
Which is better, a Treadmill or a Stair stepper? Well, it depends on what you are looking for in your home gym. If you want to lose weight and get in shape, then the stair-stepper may be the way to go, while if you have room for two machines in your home gym and can vary them up, either one will work well!
The key here is not to choose just one machine that doesn’t suit all of your fitness goals but rather invest in both so that they serve different purposes.
Which do YOU think would best meet YOUR needs? Let us know below!