Stairs: will they make a big behind bigger?

meggiemaye
meggiemaye Posts: 117
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hola!

I play sports and we get stairs for punishments. Sort of like laps. They sure are grueling! But I always felt like I was walking on air after an intense workout involving stairs.

Because of this, I was using the stair machine at my gym. I was told by a personal trainer to stop my use of stairs in my workouts. She said with little delicacy, "We recommend stairs for men mostly, or for lean people who are trying to develop a butt. If you've, uh, got one already, you're only going to make a big butt bigger." :embarassed:

I realize that it works those muscles, but I also wonder whether that's such a bad thing. Will it most definitely bulk you up, or could it also convert a bigger butt into a more muscular or toned butt?

Truth be told, I'm not trying to affect my butt either way (although it really doesn't need to be any bigger), I'm only concerned with general health and fitness and getting in shape. It always seemed to me like stairs were good for that. Who do I believe, my personal trainer or my coach? :tongue:

Replies

  • meggiemaye
    meggiemaye Posts: 117
    No recommendations at all guys? :\
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    I suffer from the Irish disease of Noassatall. Even when fat!

    When I lived in a 4th floor walk-up, I had a great butt. When I regularly used a stair climber, I had a great butt. The rest of my life? Noassatall. So yes, I have to say that stairs will add some muscle to your butt and increase its size.

    You will burn a lot of calories doing stairs, and the shape of your butt will improve. But it will also gain some mass. Up to you whether that's within your goals or not.

    Unfortunately, we can't 'spot reduce'. Our genetics dictate where the fat accumulates and where it is willing to leave.
  • meggiemaye
    meggiemaye Posts: 117
    Gotcha. I definitely wasn't trying to 'spot reduce'...I just don't want to 'spot gain' either!! :tongue:
  • Rodneymc4
    Rodneymc4 Posts: 62
    As you already stated:


    "They sure are grueling! But I always felt like I was walking on air after an intense workout involving stairs."

    Muscle development anywhere on the human body is a plus, especially the gluteus maximus. I just started squating and dealifts again because I want to develop and get that strong glute area. The gluteus is the largest muscle in your body and your base. Football players and combat athletes strive for strong glutes because glutes are part of your core and stabilizers.

    If you are not going to use the stairs, I certainly will. I hope I helped you as much as you just helped me,

    Hola :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
  • sassyg
    sassyg Posts: 393
    1. it is next to impossible to "bulk up" or gain muscle on a caloric deficit

    2. working those muscles will help define your bum, making it trim and tight, not big and flabby

    3. those muscles are some of the biggest in your body for a reason -you WANT them to be strong if you're into your sports

    I'd listen to your coach any PT that's told you that needs to be kicked to the kerb
  • angp7711
    angp7711 Posts: 324 Member
    If you have a significant amount of weight to lose stairs aren't going to make your butt bigger. Yes you will gain lean muscle mass BUT you will also be losing a great amount of fat which will leave you smaller. You don't want to be left with a lose flabby anything (skinny fat is not pretty) that is why you do some weight bearing exercises while doing all of that cardio. Keep doing what you are doing. You aren't doing any harm.

    smiles :)
    Ang
  • mbroeckelmanpost
    mbroeckelmanpost Posts: 44 Member
    You might notice more muscle definition (in a good way), but you're not actually going to bulk up unless you're eating a super-high protein diet intended for body building. I wouldn't worry about it too much-- stairs are great exercise and burn calories, which will help you to reduce body fat everywhere as long as you're keeping your calorie consumption in check.
  • JennHas2Ns
    JennHas2Ns Posts: 17
    Good topic!

    I've always been 'blessed in the behind' area, but have always avoided the stair machine for years and years because I didn't want to make it any bigger. Great points you all have! I won't be so scared to try it out at the gym now.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    I didn't mean to scare anybody--it's not like I went up a pants size or anything when I was doing lots of stairs! But I did finally have a butt, and a cute one at that! So I did get a little mass, but mostly a complete reshaping. ;)
  • meggiemaye
    meggiemaye Posts: 117
    Good topic!

    I've always been 'blessed in the behind' area, but have always avoided the stair machine for years and years because I didn't want to make it any bigger. Great points you all have! I won't be so scared to try it out at the gym now.

    This is exactly how I feel! :)
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