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

Key Takeaways

• The StairMaster provides an intense, low-impact workout primarily targeting the lower body.
• Treadmills offer more workout variety and can burn more calories with high-intensity routines.
• Running or performing HIIT on a treadmill can exceed the calorie burn of a StairMaster workout.
• StairMasters are excellent for building lower body strength and endurance.
• SOLE treadmills come with incline/decline features and adjustable speeds, making them versatile for various fitness goals.

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 Product StairMaster: The StairMaster offers a challenging and effective cardiovascular workout that targets the lower body. With a variety of models available, such as the StairMaster 10G, StairMaster 8G, and StairMaster FreeClimber, users can choose a machine that suits their fitness level and space requirements. SOLE Treadmills: Starting at $1.199.99, SOLE treadmills excel in ergonomic design, durability, and value. Equipped with advanced cushioning to minimize joint impact, powerful, quiet motors, and wide running surfaces, they suit any fitness level. Our intuitive consoles track progress, and the extensive warranties highlight their quality.

StairMaster vs Treadmill: Quick Comparison

Let's start with a quick comparison of these two popular cardio machines:

Feature	StairMaster	Treadmill
Workout Type	Simulates climbing stairs	Simulates walking, jogging, or running
Muscles Targeted	Primarily engages the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves	Engages the legs, glutes and core (varies with incline)
Impact on Joints	Low impact, gentle on the knees and ankles	Impact varies - walking has lower impact, running can be more strenuous
Calorie Burn	Generally burns more calories per minute than walking on a treadmill	Calorie burn depends on intensity, speed and incline - running and steep inclines can burn more calories than StairMaster
Intensity	Provides a high-intensity, full-body workout	Intensity can vary greatly from walking to sprinting and steep incline training
Versatility	Limited to stair climbing exercises	Highly versatile with options to walk, jog, run and adjust incline
Space Requirement	Typically larger and taller	Generally more compact
Learning Curve	Can be challenging for beginners	User-friendly and adjustable to various fitness levels
Cost	Often more expensive	Wide range of prices, generally more affordable

Benefits of the StairMaster

• Targets the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves intensely.
• Provides a low-impact workout, reducing stress on joints.
• Improves cardiovascular endurance and lower body strength.

Benefits of Treadmills

• Facilitates a variety of workouts, including walking, jogging, running, and HIIT.
• Allows for incline and decline adjustments to simulate different terrains.
• Can burn more calories, especially during high-intensity workouts.

Choosing Based on Your Goals

If your primary aim is to build lower body strength and endurance while minimizing joint impact, the StairMaster might be the better option. However, if you are looking for a versatile machine that offers various workout options and potentially higher calorie burns, the treadmill could be more suitable.

Calorie Burn and Intensity

StairMaster Calorie Burn

The StairMaster provides a high-calorie burn while being low-impact on the joints: on average, a 155-pound person burns approximately 216 calories in 30 minutes on a StairMaster, making it an excellent choice for those looking to lose weight and tone their lower body.

Treadmill Calorie Burn

Treadmills offer a range of workout intensities, from walking to high-intensity running. Because of this versatility, the calorie burn on a treadmill can vary significantly. For instance, running at 5 mph can burn around 288 calories for a 155-pound person, while running at 6 mph increases that to 360 calories in the same time frame - higher intensities such as running or HIIT yield the most significant calorie burns.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

HIIT workouts are highly effective for burning calories and improving cardiovascular fitness. Both the StairMaster and treadmill can be used for HIIT, but treadmills offer more flexibility in terms of speed and incline adjustments. Here are some tips for maximizing your calorie burn during HIIT sessions:

• Alternate between high-intensity bursts and low-intensity recovery periods.
• Use the incline feature on the treadmill to increase workout intensity.
• Incorporate short sprints or fast-paced steps on the StairMaster.

For example, at SOLE, all our treadmill models come with 15 incline levels and 0-12 MPH speed - only the F85 and TT8 have additional 6 decline levels.

Impact on Joints

StairMaster Impact

The StairMaster offers a low-impact workout, which is gentler on the joints compared to high-impact activities like running - as such, it’s a sound option for individuals with knee or hip problems. The stepping motion mimics natural stair climbing, providing a challenging workout without the jarring impact associated with running.

Here’s how the StairMaster 10G looks (image courtesy of StairMaster).

Treadmill Impact

Treadmills can vary in their impact on joints depending on the type of workout performed. Walking on a treadmill is relatively low-impact, similar to the StairMaster, however, running, especially at higher speeds, can place more stress on the knees and ankles.