Stepmill vs StairMaster, Who Wins?

September 15, 2019 by

Paige Bremner in Fitness Equipment, Stairmaster

It will seem odd for those who are closely familiar with the brand to have a StepMill vs. StairMaster comparison. The most obvious reason, of course, is that StepMill is the line of cardio equipment that made StairMaster an iconic fitness brand. For the few who don’t know, StepMill machines are cardio equipment that has a belt of rotating stairs that replicates working out on a flight of stairs. In fact, those who are familiar with the brand will likely associate StairMaster with its StepMill line. So what’s with the StepMill vs. StairMaster showdown?

A lesser-known fact about the StairMaster brand is that apart from its StepMill line, it also has other fitness equipment for cardio and overall body conditioning. It is quite apparent that the success of the StepMill line such as the Gauntlet G8 and the SM5 has taken all the limelight away from the other StairMaster equipment. However, those who have tried and have taken a liking to other StairMaster machines swear to their effectiveness, which they say is equal to if not better than the StepMill line. This StepMill vs. StairMaster showdown thus pits the iconic stair-climbing equipment against other machines from this famous brand.

The StairMaster Line: A Quick Look

StairMaster Gauntlet G8

The StairMaster Gauntlet G8 is the latest iteration of the StepMill line. The brand’s decades of experience and expertise in designing stair-climbing machines culminated in the G8. The machine has eight rotating steps that have 8-inch rise, are 9 inches deep and 22 inches wide. Users can workout at leisurely speeds of 24 steps per minute to a highly intense 162 steps per minute. The G8 runs silently on a heavy-duty motor that is integrated with its state-of-the-art touch-screen console. This allows users to dial in a workout intensity that is within their level of fitness. Working out on a G8 improves your endurance, strengthens, and tones your lower body muscles, helps you shed unwanted pounds. The machine may also be used to treat and manage pain in the lower extremities.

StairMaster Gauntlet G8

StairMaster FreeClimber

If there were a fitness machine from the brand than can contend in this StepMill vs. StairMaster showdown, it would be the FreeClimber. Being StairMaster’s latest stepper model, FreeClimber workouts are somewhat similar to the StepMills in the sense that it involves a session that replicates ascending a flight of stairs. This latest stepper machine from StairMaster, like the G8, boasts of a more ergonomic design while incorporating a high-tech console that gives users better control of their workouts. The FreeClimber stepper also has the brand’s patented independent pedal geometry that keeps the pedals level to help users maintain proper form while working out, minimizing the risk of injuries. FreeClimber also helps in muscle toning, weight loss, and may also be used for pain management. This stepper machine has a slim profile, unlike the hefty G8, which makes the FreeClimber suitable for home and office gyms.

StairMaster Freeclimber 8 Series

StairMaster HIIT Equipment

The StairMaster HIIT series of equipment is the brand’s revolutionary set of equipment that fitness enthusiasts who tried them have been raving about. HIIT stands for high-intensity interval training and StairMaster’s line of HIIT equipment is specifically and scientifically designed to make such exercise more challenging and rewarding. The StairMaster HIIT series include the HIIT Rower, HIITMill, HIITMill X, HIIT Bike and HIIT UBE. Fitness centers across North America have been holding StairMaster HIIT group exercises, much to the delight of its members.

StepMill vs. StairMaster Equipment: The Verdict

Cardio

The HIIT equipment should win in this StepMill vs. StairMaster category owing to the intense workouts that they are sure to give their users. However, to use the machines effectively, a user will likely require supervision from a trainer for at least the first few workout sessions. StepMills are also more widely available compared to the StairMaster HIIT machines, at least as of this writing. The winner in this category is the StepMill by a slim margin.

Strength and Muscle Toning

The StairMaster HIIT Series wins this category handily because the machines hit, no pun intended far more muscle groups than the StepMill and the stepper. The HIITMill X even has the option of adding weight plates on the machine for a more brutally satisfying workout.

Weight Loss

By technicality, the StairMaster FreeClimber should be able to help you burn more calories with high-intensity training. While the StairMaster HIIT workouts may be more physically demanding, they also help you build muscle mass, which will make you put on more weight because of the extra lean muscle. This, of course, is a very good thing.

So Who Wins?

The classic stair-climbing machine wins this StepMill vs. StairMaster showdown as far as overall fitness is concerned. As physically demanding as the HIIT machines may be, each workout session will require at least 48 hours of recovery. This means that such workouts should be limited each week, and perhaps serve only to supplement a traditional cardio and weight-training regimen. If you want to make the most of the time you spend working out, however, it will do you well to schedule it around all the StairMaster fitness equipment in your gym for a well-balanced training program.