Fat Burning: Rolling Mill or Ladder Master?
A treadmill is one of the most common cardio equipment found in gyms today. Treadmills consist of a rubber mat that moves on mechanized rollers. You can walk, jog, or run on a treadmill. Modern variations of the treadmill come with variable speed and incline settings and customizable programs for effective weight loss. Many models also come with heart rate and pulse sensors that give you a real-time overview of how effective the exercise is on your body.
Stairmasters were developed in the mid-1980s and have become increasingly popular ever since. A stair master, as the name suggests, simulates the action of climbing stairs. There are two basic versions of the design. One of them has a rotating escalator (similar to escalators). The other type is not mechanized and uses pedals instead of actual steps to mimic a climbing activity. Stairmasters come with variable speeds and resistances and may also include sensors to monitor your heart rate and pulse.
The difference between a treadmill and a stair master is that while a treadmill allows you to run, a stair master allows you to mimic the action of climbing a flight of stairs. So which one is better from a cardio standpoint? Well, strictly speaking, if you were to use the treadmill and the Stairmaster, for 15 minutes each, at the same intensity continuously, you would end up burning a little more calories on the Stairmaster. This, however, shouldn’t be the only criteria when selecting one of the two for your cardiovascular exercise.
The most important criterion when choosing one of these two pieces of equipment for your daily training is your comfort level with each of these pieces of equipment. Some people prefer the more natural running and jogging option available on the treadmill; however, others find it tedious and prefer to go with the slightly more demanding training that the Stairmaster offers. Some people even go for the best of both worlds by switching between these two machines. Those with heel injuries may prefer the Stairmaster, while those with knee problems will generally opt for the treadmill. At the end of the day, whether it’s the Stairmaster or the treadmill, the choice is yours: you can only give all your cardio if you really like the activity you are doing.
Some people even go for the best of both worlds by switching between these two machines. Those with heel injuries may prefer the Stairmaster, while those with knee problems will generally opt for the treadmill. At the end of the day, whether it’s the Stairmaster or the treadmill, the choice is yours: you can only give all your cardio if you really like the activity you are doing.
While it’s premature to claim that ellipticals will dethrone the treadmill as the exercise equipment of choice, you can bet they’ll give them a good run for their money. If you look at all the health clubs and rehab clinics, you will soon realize that elliptical trainers are more than just a fad and they are here to stay.