Stairmaster 7000PT Review: Worth the Price Tag?
The StairMaster 7000PT is one of the earliest and most successful lines of stair-climbing machines, and it has paved the way for the brand’s iconic StepMill series.
Without a doubt, the StairMaster 7000PT was instrumental in making the brand a gold standard in fitness equipment both for commercial and home use. While other versions of stair-climbing and stepper machines from different brands have also appeared, this line of cardio equipment will always be identified with the StairMaster.
While the StairMaster 7000PT and other stair-climbers are staples in most fitness centers, the data from Ecofit shows an increasing interest in StairMaster machines. This may lead some gym owners to consider adding more StairMaster 7000PT units to their cardio room.
Will the investment be worth the price of the StairMaster 7000PT?
Quick Overview Of Product
StairMaster 7000PT Key Features
Whenever you enter fitness centers, it is easy to spot members who are doing cardio on StairMaster equipment. The members are heads and shoulders above everyone else as the StairMaster 7000PT, as well as other models for commercial use, add between 33 to 36 inches to your height. This means that fitness centers should have a ceiling clearance of at least 10 feet to have StairMaster stair-climbing machines and ensure that members who exercise on the equipment have enough headroom to workout safely.
As far as the basic build of the StairMaster 7000PT is concerned, nothing much has changed since it was launched back in 1991. The most notable upgrade to the StairMaster 7000PT is the integration of newer consoles, which made room for workout programs and users to interface with the machine via heart rate Polar telemetry. Its dimensions, however, remained the same measuring 50 inches long, 29 inches wide and 78 inches tall. The StairMaster 7000PT does weigh a hefty 400 pounds, which means moving it around can be a pain.
Another advantage of integrating newer consoles to the StairMaster 7000PT is that the users have better control over the speed of the revolving stairs. The consoles connect to the drive chain, alternator, and brake of the 7000PT, making it easier for the users to adjust the speed and resistance of the machine to suit their level of fitness. Among the workout programs that come with the console include Manual, Quick Start, Fat Burner, and Heart Rate Trainer. It also comes with the CPAT fitness test, which is a standard fitness test for firefighters.
The StairMaster 7000PT has 20 resistance levels with speeds ranging from 24 to 162 steps per minute. There are eight rotating steps with three steps that are always active. Each of these stair-climbing models is robust enough to accommodate users weighing up to 300 pounds. One word of caution, though for those who want to purchase one for home use, is that you need to weigh at least a hundred pounds for the stairs to run properly.
Endurance Training
One of the most popular benefits of working out on a StairMaster is that it improves your cardiovascular endurance. Since it replicates working out on real steps, it works well in increasing your heart rate and strengthening both your lungs and heart. This is why more trainers and professional athletes are incorporating StairMaster workouts to their training.
Muscle Strength and Toning
Working out on a StairMaster 7000PT hits your major lower body muscles including your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. The more you train on the machine, the stronger and tighter these muscles become. Since you’re also working to maintain your balance all-throughout the workout session, your core muscles are at work all the time. There is a whole range of benefits from having strong core muscles, including acquiring a good posture and lowering your risk of back injuries.
Weight Loss
The number of unwanted pounds lost while in a weight-loss regimen is primarily affected by diet and is supplemented by the effort put in during workouts. Make no mistake about it though; the StairMaster 7000PT can effectively help you burn calories. As the exercises increase the lean muscle mass in your lower body develops and your body’s metabolism will also increase along with it. If you are looking for certain workouts you should be doing while on the StairMaster 7000PT then take a look at our StairMaster HIIT workouts article.
Other Benefits
Most injuries incurred while working out on a real flight of stairs occurs as you go down the flight of stairs. This is yet another major advantage of the StairMaster as your workouts only involve motion that replicates ascending a flight of stairs. With less risk to injuries, physical therapists have long used StairMaster machines to rehabilitate patients with muscle weakness and lower body pain.
Is the StairMaster 7000PT Worth its Price Tag?
StairMaster 7000PT remanufactured units costs anywhere from $1,700 to the upwards of $3,000. Gym owners who are working with a limited budget will realize that this price is still far cheaper than other cardio machines. They can take advantage of the resurgence of StairMaster equipment and add a few units to their cardio room.
Those with money to burn, however, may want to consider more up-to-date StairMaster stair-climbers particularly the Gauntlet G8. While the StairMaster 7000PT is not ideal for home gyms, they still can prove to be a good investment. Just make sure that you have enough space and ceiling room for it.
StairMaster 7000 PT Stepmill
About
- Revolving staircase with 8-inch-tall steps
- Adjusts from 24 to 162 steps per minute
- 20 resistance levels and 6 programs
- Easy to read, backlit LCD display
Depending on which StairMaster machine you purchase the cost could be anywhere from the $1,000 mark all the way up to around $7,500. The StairMaster 7000pt stepmill specifically can cost anywhere from $1,700 to $3,000, and deals are easy to find on Amazon for used machines in good condition.
A StairMaster and a step mill are different in a couple of different ways, but usually, they are very similar. StairMaster is more known as a brand and a stepmill is a kind of machine that Stairmaster primarily makes. However, not every machine that StairMaster makes is considered a stepmill and sometimes with other brands step mills can be smaller and more user-friendly. It’s easier to think of the word StairMaster as a brand and a step mill as a type of machine that has revolving stairs that mimic a stair-stepping motion.
The StairMaster is good for working out your lower muscles such as your hamstrings, glutes, and quads. While toning these muscles you can obtain a good cardio workout since the revolving steps increase heart rate. The revolving stairs of a StairMaster mimic the feeling of climbing flights of stairs without being high impact, which means it is easier on your joints.
The elliptical, when compared to the StairMaster, does burn more calories since it is a high cardio machine. However, StairMaster does give a more challenging workout which helps you build more lean muscle mass which helps with weight loss over time. The elliptical may burn more calories in one singular session, but it doesn’t help when trying to tone and build more lean muscle mass.
Depending on what type of workout you are looking for, both the StairMaster and treadmill can be beneficial for increasing overall fitness. However, the StairMaster has more the offer since it provides a toning effect while building muscle along with it being a cardio machine. The treadmill is also more high impact and is used more for increasing overall stamina instead of helping you build more lean muscle mass.