Want better results???? Ditch the elliptical and......

ryanherbert

Lift weights, run and ride a bike. No need for cardio machines

ChasingSweatandTears

I was always under the impression that the stair master builds butt and thigh muscles. I certainly don't need any of those... You're just using your legs to walk up stairs. Wouldn't a workout that worked multiple areas be best like with running (or the terrifying elliptical)?

It will not "build up" your legs/butt to a large degree. In order to do that you'd have to do heavy weight training and follow a bodybuilders diet. Even then, women tend not to bulk up like men anyway. The ellpitcal employs zero resistance really and "works" your heart some..but no real muscles. I do run, as I'm training for a marathon now. i cross train with the step mill twice a week.

Please define a "real" muscle as opposed to a "not real" muscle If the elliptical does not work your muscles, then tell me why my thighs burn after a new level of resistance, changing the direction from forwards to backwards, and digging in with my heels vs on the balls of my feet?

_SpeshK_

Holy crap YES. Within 5 minutes of the stairmaster (what I am used to calling it), I am DRENCHED in sweat and DYING. I usually set a "floors" goal, because it feels more realistic and I can envision how far I've gone and how hard I've worked!

gmoneycole

I lost almost 200 lbs on the elliptical.............I wish someone had told me sooner it didnt work

Dude! Best post in the entire thread! Thanks for your contribution.

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prettythinlove

I would prefer the elliptical then the stairmaster because I don't want my calves gaining anymore muscle. I'm toned enough in my legs, I just want to lose body fat!

FORIANN

Yup, I was right, all the elliptical people came out and got offended in full force! I never said it didn't have it's uses, but people are going to twist things how they see fit. to the guy who lost 200 pounds. CONGRATS!! Something tells me though..that you also cleaned up your diet. give yourself credit, it wasn't just the elliptical machine.

"Elliptical is a great start for poeple who are unfit or elderly..."

I believe that was your quote. So unfit people and my grandmother can benefit from this, but for more advanced and fit users...well, they shouldn't waste their time.

I haven't decided if you're just thriving off the attention or you really believe what you're saying.

Nellanad

I lost almost 200 lbs on the elliptical.............I wish someone had told me sooner it didnt work

Yeah, just think about how much more you could've lost haha...congrats btw.

Using strictly the elliptical (and a healthier diet) I have lost 25 lbs in the last 2 months...but now I am kinda wishing I would've used the step mill and I wouldn't have to lose anymore weight since it is apparently so much better...

You get out what you put into it people...if you work yourself hard, you will get rewarded. I rock out on the elliptical, 30 mins-60 mins a day...In 30 mins, I may not be sucking wind at the end of my workout, but I am drenched in sweat and my legs are sore (due to high levels of resistance). Now, I am not doggin the step mill...I have seen some people get on there and kill a workout...but what are the benefits if I can only do 5 minutes of it? Granted, its better than 0 mins of exercise, but why would I do that when I know for a fact I can do 'X' amount of mins on the elliptical. I will say though, that there are some elliptical machines that are crap...I have been on some that did all the work for you and then some that whoop my butt...but to totally discount it and say one is better than the other is garbage.

mogriff1

I actually do 20 min on treadmill, 20 min on crossramp and then 20 min on elliptical. I actually burn around the same amount of calories on the crossramp & elliptical per my heart rate monitor and get a great workout! I've toned and lost overall fat from this, spinning classes, strength training and aerobic classes. As well as at home dvds. I like to mix it up. My gym does have the stepmills and I always walk right by them. The people I see on them are sweating perfusely though! LOL Maybe I'll start to incorporate it into my cardio workout days.

rileamoyer

I would use a step mill if my gym had one, but they don't. I have a treadmill at home and use elliptical at the gym. Most of the time I keep the elliptical at a high resistance and use my HRM. However, I believe in variety, not just depending on one exercise and/or machine.

StartingAnewDay

I life I'm pittsburgh, used to do the cathedral of learning steps at PITT (72 flights) weekly.. 2 bad knees later,1 nearly bone on bone and doctor said no more stairs, more fluid motions, nothing that requires both my feet to be airborne at one time either, so jogging/running/jump rope, although fabulous is also out, so elliptical it is for some. People can only do what they are physically capable of and shouldn't be made to feel bad/like ****/our like it's an excuse. Stuff like that gets petiole injured and or causes them to quit. MFP and even trying to be more healthy and active.

It always feel like on here people have to explain/justify their business and defend why they do what they do.. Isn't it enough that most people are getting off their *kitten* and doing something.. Which is usually inherently better than what they were doing and if you think about it, better than what most people on an average do...

This isn't directed at all by any means, not even the OP, just as usual, the judgmental crew.. Also I'm 102 & can run up stairs allall day carrying car parts and entire couches on my back... Whats your excuse? Lazy *kitten*!! <<that was sarcasm..

Teksavvy

I can't afford a gym. I do own an elliptical and just started the C25K program.

For calories burned, is there an entry in MFP for step mill?
Is the closest comparison one of these --> "running (jogging) up stairs" or "stair treadmill ergometer"?
Is the workout of running up and down bleachers similar to a step mill?

Natx83

Skip all that shiz and lift heavy

Go for a long walk on rest days, do something light etc

Yeah....that will help my heart and lungs be healthy. If only my mom had just lifted heavy she wouldn't be slowly dying of congestive heart failure.

So what your saying is that weight lifting will have zero affect to actually help you be healthier?

Depends in what you want to do. If you want nice body composition lift weights. If you want to burn your muscle mass away, run 60 miles a week.

Intensity also plays a part. If I wanted to do lighter sets where not training to failure and cut down rest times, I'm pretty sure my heart rate would raise significantly and would stay there due to only short rests between exercises.

I can do get my cardio and be healthy just by going for a walk after walk for 30-60 mins on a rest day.

MsQt

One size does not fit all. Do you. Do whatever cardio machine gives you the best results and that you will actually work. I incorporate the elliptical as well as the step master, among others, in my overall cardio plan.

Agreed!

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chelledawg14

I have to agree... My treadmill died and I bought an elliptical last year to replace it. I HATE it. But.... sometimes I'll hop on just to switch up my exercise routine. I was amazed at how much higher the calorie burn shows than what my HRM actually says. I'm sorry I spent so much money on it because I could have used that nearly $800 on something else. I do LOVE treadmills, but nothing beats Zumba classes, walking./jogging outside, and weights! I've had such better results with those.

Meemoland

get your knees checked out, turns out what i thought was old age was collagen deposits... very painful but they can be massaged away.

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ourgang

(1) Cannot afford gym fees; (2) Cost of one of those machines is OVER $2,000 and up to around $5,000; 3) I moved from my lovely home to this nice two story apt. building for those over age 55. I'm on the 2nd floor and our building has an elevator BUT... I'm taking the stairs a lot more these days & wearing my FitBit.

(4) Climbing the stairs, regularly, for fitness is FREE
(5) I keep my car in the parking garage under the building. Now, when I come in with groceries, I don't use the elevator to haul them upstairs in one trip. I carry them up and make as many trips with the bags as necessary. To begin with, carrying a heavier load up the stairs helps burn more calories AND.... I'm getting my flights of stairs in for fitness for the day.
(6) I'll be 75 in early December this year. What's your excuse?

LOVE YOU!!! ROCK IT GRANDMA!!!!!
Blessings!!!!

jadedone

I have never tried the stepmill. For me it is kinda like the treadmill and the bike. Why do the "controlled" version when you can just go outside and do the real thing.

I only do intervals on the elliptical. And I just go outside to walk the hills (or stairs) in my neighborhood. The park about 3 blocks away has several staircases anging from about 65 steps to 85 steps.

I just found out the Lake in the middle of town also has a staircase somewhere, with around 125 stairs.

Check out the stair climbing website for resources:
www.publicstairs.com

ShawnaCurley

To each his own!
I love my elliptical, it's really the only thing I can use without killing my knees, and I also have feet problems.
Hmmm, doesn't burn that many calories, huh? Makes me wonder how I lost 26 lbs, if it doesn't work that well?

mfpcopine

If a machine is so unpleasant I dread doing it, it's not a good machine for me. I use the treadmill and the elliptical, although I sometimes find the elliptical awkward.

I've tried the step mill once or twice and I had a home stairmaster machine, which I never used. What a waste of money.

chanson104

(1) Cannot afford gym fees; (2) Cost of one of those machines is OVER $2,000 and up to around $5,000; 3) I moved from my lovely home to this nice two story apt. building for those over age 55. I'm on the 2nd floor and our building has an elevator BUT... I'm taking the stairs a lot more these days & wearing my FitBit.

(4) Climbing the stairs, regularly, for fitness is FREE
(5) I keep my car in the parking garage under the building. Now, when I come in with groceries, I don't use the elevator to haul them upstairs in one trip. I carry them up and make as many trips with the bags as necessary. To begin with, carrying a heavier load up the stairs helps burn more calories AND.... I'm getting my flights of stairs in for fitness for the day.
(6) I'll be 75 in early December this year. What's your excuse?

I love you. :flowerforyou:

mruntidy

Is it me or are all the people that say the elliptical is easy just not putting the resistance up enough, cause on intervals of 16 and 18 on a life fitness machine its done the trick for me, but then someone said spin was easy too, go figure

mfpcopine

Yup, I was right, all the elliptical people came out and got offended in full force! I never said it didn't have it's uses, but people are going to twist things how they see fit. to the guy who lost 200 pounds. CONGRATS!! Something tells me though..that you also cleaned up your diet. give yourself credit, it wasn't just the elliptical machine.

And if he'd used the stepmill, his benefits wouldn't have been completely attributable to that machine either.

I'm not offended. (The crack about the elliptical being such a wuss machine that it was only suitable for the unfit and the elderly was gratuitously dumb.) I don't love the elliptical trainer; I just don't like the stepmill at all.

Fit_Canuck

hit the step mill instead. Non jarring, more effective, actually simiuates USABLE REALISTIC movement. When I used to train, I slowly converted many a soccer mom to the step mill. I can't tell you how many of those women would brag about how they could go for an hour on the elliptical and burn SOOOO many calories....um hmmmmm.

5 minutes on the step mill at a level 5 and they were panting and DONE.

Elliptical is a great start for poeple who are unfit or elderly. Once you're past the "newbie" phase of exercise however, it's time to step it up..literally!!

I know I'm gonna get a hundred replies of offended people who just swear by the elliptical. For some reason that machine has a cult following (probalby because it's easy and shows huge calorie burns..which are false..but that is another thread). But...there is a reason that very few trainers actually use them THEMSELVES. It's unnatural movement, it's too easy to wimp out on it, and it's just simply not enough once you hit a more advanced level of fitness.

Flame away...most trainers are on board with me on this one. Step mill. GO THERE...

Elliptical is great for the unfit and elderly...wow, I'm not quite sure what to say at this point, I guess my 600cal workout on it this morning was because I'm an old man at 33..

mruntidy

Yup, I was right, all the elliptical people came out and got offended in full force! I never said it didn't have it's uses, but people are going to twist things how they see fit. to the guy who lost 200 pounds. CONGRATS!! Something tells me though..that you also cleaned up your diet. give yourself credit, it wasn't just the elliptical machine.

So by that logic does using a stair mill make any difference either if people clean up their diet?

Fit_Canuck

Yup, I was right, all the elliptical people came out and got offended in full force! I never said it didn't have it's uses, but people are going to twist things how they see fit. to the guy who lost 200 pounds. CONGRATS!! Something tells me though..that you also cleaned up your diet. give yourself credit, it wasn't just the elliptical machine.

So by that logic does using a stair mill make any difference either if people clean up their diet?

Well said, I love how the fact that I enjoy running, jogging, biking, swimming, tennis, golf doesn't matter because I enjoy the elliptical machine ( machine of choice for old people / noobs by the way ) and don't do Stair mill

And the fact that that OP could have stopped at recommending the benefits of the Stair Mill vs continuing with " This is for old people etc...and I know I'll offend the Elliptical People " and then gets offended when people say they see benefits for the elliptical machine speaks volumes to the intent

lyssaloo

(1) Cannot afford gym fees; (2) Cost of one of those machines is OVER $2,000 and up to around $5,000; 3) I moved from my lovely home to this nice two story apt. building for those over age 55. I'm on the 2nd floor and our building has an elevator BUT... I'm taking the stairs a lot more these days & wearing my FitBit.

(4) Climbing the stairs, regularly, for fitness is FREE
(5) I keep my car in the parking garage under the building. Now, when I come in with groceries, I don't use the elevator to haul them upstairs in one trip. I carry them up and make as many trips with the bags as necessary. To begin with, carrying a heavier load up the stairs helps burn more calories AND.... I'm getting my flights of stairs in for fitness for the day.
(6) I'll be 75 in early December this year. What's your excuse?

You, my dear, are awesome! I hope to still be climbing stairs when i'm 75!

sawyermark

Me personally I find if I mix up the stair stepper, elliptical, arc trainer, and treadmill it works best for me. If I do just one my body gets use to it and I don't get as much out of it or I get bored.