Don’t get us wrong, the treadmill is a gym classic. From steady-state jogs to sweaty sprints, it’s the go-to for anyone looking to clock up miles without braving the weather. But if you’ve ever spotted someone stepping away on the StairMaster with legs of steel and sweat dripping by the bucket load, you’ll know there’s a serious contender in town.

Enter the StairMaster – the treadmill’s tough-love cousin that doesn’t just work your cardio, it torches your legs, glutes, and lungs in record time. Both machines promise a killer workout, but the big question is… which one is right for your workout?

What is a StairMaster?

A StairMaster is a type of exercise machine that simulates the motion of climbing stairs. It typically features either a rotating staircase, moving pedals, or a combination of both, allowing users to perform continuous stepping motions in place.

The machine is designed to provide a controlled stair-climbing workout indoors, making it a popular option for cardio exercise and lower-body training without needing actual stairs. The name “StairMaster” originally refers to a specific brand, but it is often used to describe similar stair-climbing machines in general.

If you’re new to cardio machines, you can follow a structured gym cardio workout plan to ease into using the StairMaster and other equipment safely.

How a StairMaster Benefits Your Workout

A StairMaster is ideal for anyone looking to combine cardiovascular exercise with lower-body strength training, from beginners to advanced fitness enthusiasts. It targets the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves while providing a low-impact alternative to running, making it especially beneficial for those with joint concerns.

For people aiming to improve endurance, burn calories efficiently, or add variety to their workouts, a StairMaster offers a challenging yet manageable way to elevate heart rate and build stamina. Its adjustable speed and resistance make it suitable for all fitness levels, allowing users to progress at their own pace.

 → Compare the Skillmill and Treadmill side by side – see which is right for you. 

Pros and Cons of a StairMaster 

When considering adding a StairMaster to your workout routine, it’s helpful to weigh both the advantages and potential drawbacks to see if it fits your fitness goals:

Pros

• Provides an effective cardio workout while also engaging lower-body muscles

• Strengthens glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves

• Low-impact on joints compared to running or jumping exercises

• Adjustable resistance and speed for all fitness levels

• Helps burn calories efficiently

• Can improve endurance and stamina

• Offers a controlled, indoor stair-climbing experience regardless of weather

• Versatile for interval or steady-state training

Cons

• Can be intimidating for beginners due to the continuous motion and intensity

• Repetitive motion may lead to overuse injuries if proper form isn’t maintained

• Primarily targets lower body, offering limited upper-body engagement

• Can feel monotonous compared to other cardio machines

• Takes up space and can be expensive for home use

• May strain knees or hips if used excessively or with poor technique

• Not ideal for those with severe mobility issues or balance difficulties

Is a StairMaster Good for Weight Loss?

Yes, a StairMaster can be an effective tool for weight loss. It provides a high-intensity cardiovascular workout that elevates your heart rate and burns calories efficiently.

The continuous stepping motion engages major lower-body muscles—glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves—adding a strength component that supports metabolism. Its adjustable resistance and speed allow for interval training, which can further increase calorie burn.

Does a StairMaster Build Muscle?

A StairMaster can help build lower-body muscle, particularly in the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, by providing continuous resistance through stepping motions. 

While it primarily functions as a cardiovascular machine, the effort required to lift your body weight repeatedly engages and tones these muscles. However, it is not ideal for significant muscle growth compared to traditional strength training with weights. 

What is a Treadmill?

A treadmill is an exercise machine that allows you to walk, jog, or run in place on a moving belt. It’s designed for indoor use, providing a controlled environment for cardiovascular workouts regardless of weather or terrain. 

Most treadmills feature adjustable speed and incline, letting users vary intensity and simulate outdoor conditions like hills. 

How a Treadmill Benefits Your Workout

A treadmill is a versatile tool that supports a wide range of fitness goals. It allows users to walk, jog, or run indoors, making it convenient regardless of weather or time of day.

Adjustable speed and incline settings let you customise intensity, simulate outdoor terrain, and perform interval training — for example, you can follow a structured HIIT workout plan for the treadmill to maximise calorie burn and cardiovascular benefits. It’s effective for cardiovascular conditioning, endurance building, and calorie burning.

Treadmills are suitable for beginners, those recovering from injury, and experienced runners alike. They also provide consistent, controlled workouts with the ability to track metrics such as distance, time, and heart rate for progress monitoring.

Pros and Cons of a Treadmill 

Before you hit the belt, let’s break down the pros and cons of a treadmill so you know exactly what to expect from your workout:

Pros

• Provides a convenient, indoor cardio workout regardless of weather

• Adjustable speed and incline for varied intensity and training options

• Supports walking, jogging, and running for all fitness levels

• Tracks distance, time, calories, and heart rate for progress monitoring

• Can be used for interval training and endurance workouts

• Low-impact options available with cushioned belts to reduce joint stress

• Offers a controlled environment for consistent workouts

• Suitable for rehabilitation and beginner fitness programmes

Cons 

• Can become monotonous compared to outdoor running

• Takes up space and can be expensive for home use

• Some models lack full shock absorption, potentially stressing joints

• Primarily focuses on lower-body muscles, offering limited upper-body engagement

• Risk of injury if used with improper form or at high speeds

• Requires electricity or battery power, limiting portability

• Can encourage over-reliance on controlled movement, reducing adaptability to varied terrain outdoors

Is a Treadmill Good for Weight Loss?

Yes, a treadmill can be an effective tool for weight loss. It allows for continuous cardiovascular exercise, which helps burn calories and improve metabolism.

Walking, jogging, or running on a treadmill engages major lower-body muscles—glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves—adding a strength component that supports fat loss. 

Does a Treadmill Build Muscle?

A treadmill mainly improves cardiovascular fitness and tones the lower-body muscles, but it won’t build significant muscle. 

For strength and size, combine treadmill workouts with targeted resistance training while using the treadmill for endurance, calorie burn, and lower-body conditioning.

Treadmill vs StairMaster: Similarities

• Both are indoor cardio machines designed to improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance.

• Each allows for adjustable intensity through speed, resistance, or incline settings.

• Both engage lower-body muscles, including glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves.

• They provide a controlled, consistent workout environment independent of weather or terrain.

• Both machines can be used for interval training or steady-state cardio.

• Each tracks metrics like time, calories burned, and heart rate for progress monitoring.

• Both are suitable for a range of fitness levels, from beginners to advanced users

Treadmill vs StairMaster: Differences

• A treadmill simulates walking or running on a flat or inclined surface, while a StairMaster mimics continuous stair climbing.

• Treadmills primarily work the legs and cardiovascular system, with more emphasis on endurance, whereas StairMasters target the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves with greater lower-body resistance.

• Treadmills can be high-impact, especially at faster speeds, while StairMasters provide a low-impact alternative that’s easier on the joints.

• StairMasters often feel more strenuous for shorter sessions due to constant resistance, whereas treadmills allow longer-duration cardio at variable intensity.

• Treadmills support walking, jogging, running, and incline training; StairMasters are mostly limited to stepping motions.

• Treadmills provide a more natural gait, while StairMasters demand rhythm and coordination to maintain pace.

Should You Choose the Treadmill or StairMaster?

Choosing between a treadmill and a StairMaster depends on your fitness goals, preferences, and physical condition. If your focus is on cardiovascular endurance, longer-duration workouts, or simulating outdoor running, a treadmill may be the better option. It’s also versatile for walking, jogging, and running at various speeds and inclines.

If your goal is lower-body strength, muscle toning, and high-intensity calorie burn in shorter sessions, a StairMaster can be more effective, especially for targeting the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Consider your joint health, workout variety, and space availability when deciding.

Ready to Get Started with Village?

Try out our cutting-edge cardio equipment at your local Village Health & Wellness Club and leave the gym feeling stronger, more confident, and totally unstoppable.

Whether you’re looking to improve your cardiovascular health or smash your weight loss goals, our gym floor offers plenty to get your cardio workout done, with the latest built-in technology to track your progress. 

Not quite sure where to start your fitness journey? Our trainers are here to guide you every step of the way. Join now.