StairMaster vs Elliptical: Which One is Better for Cardio & Weight Loss?

Key Takeaways

• The elliptical burns more calories than the StairMaster in the same amount of time as it works your whole body.
• The StairMaster is good for making your legs stronger and toning your glutes, quads, calves, and hamstrings.
• The elliptical is easier on your joints, so it’s a better pick if you have knee, hip, or ankle problems.
• Both machines offer various programs and resistance levels, but ellipticals often come with more workout options.
• Investing in a high-quality elliptical will minimize maintenance and keep your workouts noise-free.

StairMaster vs Elliptical: Which One is Better for Cardio & Weight Loss?

The StairMaster and elliptical are both super popular for cardio and weight loss. But which one should you choose?

Here’s a quick look at both:

• StairMaster: High intensity, mainly works your lower body, tough on your joints.
• Elliptical: Medium to high intensity, works your whole body, gentle on your joints.

At SOLE Fitness, we’re proud to offer the best treadmills for your home or gym. These machines are crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and performance, ensuring they are ideal for anyone - from fitness novices to seasoned athletes. Featured Products SOLE Ellipticals: Priced from $1,199.99, SOLE ellipticals are known for their ergonomic design, durability, and affordability. They provide a quiet, smooth workout with intuitive consoles, adjustable stride lengths, incline options, and heart rate monitoring, ensuring a comprehensive exercise experience.

Common Causes of Elliptical Noise

Burning calories and losing weight are top reasons why people use cardio machines. The amount of calories you burn on a StairMaster compared to an elliptical is quite different.

Equipment	Weight	Calories Burned (30 minutes)	Source
StairMaster	155-pound person	216	Harvard Health
Elliptical	155-pound person	324	Harvard Health

The StairMaster gives you a very intense workout, while the elliptical can be medium to very intense. But in the same amount of time, the elliptical burns more calories because it works your whole body.

If you want to burn calories fast, the StairMaster is a decent option, but it burns fewer calories per hour than the elliptical. For a full-body workout, the elliptical is the better choice.

StairMaster vs Elliptical: Muscles Targeted

It’s also important to think about which muscles each machine works on.

Pick the StairMaster if you want to work on your:

• Glutes
• Quads
• Calves
• Hamstrings

It’s like climbing stairs, so go with the StairMaster if you’re looking to tone and strengthen your lower body.

Pick the elliptical if you want to work on your:

• Arms
• Chest
• Shoulders
• Legs

The elliptical targets both upper and lower body muscles. While holding the handles, you’re also exercising your arms, shoulders, and chest, making it a full-body workout.

StairMaster vs Elliptical: Joint Impact

If you’re worried about your joints, the elliptical is easier on them.

Its smooth, gliding motion is gentle on your knees, hips, and ankles, so you can use it for longer without getting hurt.

The StairMaster is good for burning calories and building stronger legs, but it can be rough on knees and hips because of the constant climbing motion. If your knees or hips aren’t in great shape, the StairMaster might not be the best choice.

Pay attention to how your body feels. If using the StairMaster hurts or feels uncomfortable, try the elliptical instead, or ask a fitness expert for advice.

StairMaster vs Elliptical: Versatility

Both machines have cool features, but ellipticals usually have more options and programs.

With an elliptical, you can change the resistance and incline, and pick different workout programs like hill climbs or interval training. For example, the SOLE E35 Elliptical has 10 pre-programmed options to choose from. Some ellipticals even have virtual courses and fitness tracking to keep you motivated.

The StairMaster has limited options, but you can still adjust the intensity and do step-count goals. Some models let you change the resistance.

StairMaster vs Elliptical: Which is Best?

Choosing between the StairMaster and elliptical depends on what you want from your workouts, how your joints feel, and what kind of exercise you enjoy. Both are great for cardio and weight loss.

• StairMaster: Offers a fast, intense workout that burns calories and makes your legs stronger.
• Elliptical: Works your whole body, burns calories even faster, and is easier on your joints.

It’s a good idea to try both machines to see which one you like more. The best machine is the one you’ll use regularly and actually enjoy!

Best SOLE Equipment for Cardio and Weight Loss

Looking to step up your cardio game and lose weight? Here are two user-friendly elliptical machines from SOLE Fitness that can help:

SOLE E35 Elliptical: Check out the new E35. It now has a 10.1” touchscreen with WiFi, screen mirroring, and a wireless charger. You can adjust the incline to 20 different levels to work all your leg muscles. It also comes with pulse sensors, Bluetooth speakers, and a tablet holder to make your workout even more engaging.

SOLE E98 Elliptical: The Sole E98 Elliptical is becoming really popular in small gyms. It feels super smooth because of the well-designed foot pedals, a 20” stride length, and a balanced flywheel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which Machine Burns More Calories?
Usually, the elliptical burns more calories than the StairMaster. For example, if you weigh 155 pounds, you can burn 324 calories in 30 minutes on an elliptical, but only 216 calories on a StairMaster.

Is the Elliptical Better for Joint Health?
Yes, the elliptical is better for your joints. It’s a low-impact workout, so it doesn’t put much pressure on your knees, hips, or ankles.

Which Machine Is Better for Weight Loss?
Both the StairMaster and elliptical can help with weight loss, but in general, the elliptical burns more calories in the same amount of time.

Which Machine Offers More Workout Variety?
The elliptical has more workout options. Many ellipticals let you change the resistance and incline, and have preset programs like hill climbs and interval training.

What’s a Good Starter Elliptical for Weight Loss?
The SOLE E25 Elliptical is perfect for beginners wanting to lose weight. It’s affordable, smooth, and reduces joint stress with innovative foot pedals. You can also track your progress easily using the integrated SOLE+ app.