This Underrated Machine Delivers a Better Cardio Workout Than a Treadmill!

Since a very long time, heavy lifters have believed that cardio will reverse their muscle gains. Thankfully, that type of bro-science is now largely ignored—particularly amongst those who have lofty goals like body recomposition. But what type of cardio is the best for your training programme? Most people would say running on a treadmill.

While the treadmill sure is one of the most efficient workout machines when it comes to weight loss, there is one more highly snubbed machine that can still give you the best results-The Stair Climber

Why You Should Add the Stair Climber to Your Workout Routine?

This cardio machine can give you a full body exercise, without the joint pounding that comes with running. Available in many big-box gyms, the humble stair climber is a fantastic calorie-burning tool that will help you stay lean while also boosting your capacity for strength and resistance training. It delivers an intense workout that challenges your body in ways other forms of cardio simply can't.

A Calorie-Burning Powerhouse

The stair climber is one of the most effective ways to burn calories in a short amount of time. A 180-pound person can torch around 400 calories in just 30 minutes of fast-paced stair climbing. That is more than you’d burn jogging and significantly more than walking. This makes it a fantastic tool for anyone looking to shed fat, maintain a calorie deficit, or highlight their muscle definition.

Boosts Endurance And Work Capacity

Beyond calorie burn, the stair climber also enhances your aerobic capacity (VO2 max)—a measure of how efficiently your body uses oxygen during exercise. A higher VO2 max means you can work harder for longer, which is beneficial for both cardio and weightlifting.

Even runners can benefit from this machine, as it allows them to improve their cardiovascular fitness while reducing joint strain from high-impact pavement pounding.

Strengthens Your Legs

While exercising on this machine won't replace leg day, the stair climber does work your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves—helping to build muscular endurance and some strength. Every step you take requires hip and knee extension, similar to a step-up exercise, adding significant volume to your lower-body training.

It is also a weight-bearing activity, which is great for bone health. Over time, this can help prevent fractures and osteoporosis. Want to take things up a notch? Try using a weight vest to turn your stair climber workout into a resistance session.

How To Add Stair Climber To Your Routine

Not sure how often you should use it? A good starting point is two 30-minute sessions per week at a moderate intensity. If you lift weights, you can also add 6-8 minutes of stair climbing after your strength workouts for an extra calorie burn without overdoing it.

If you're feeling sore or fatigued even with proper rest, that’s your cue to scale back. As a general rule, if you lift for three hours a week, keep your stair climbing (or any cardio) to no more than 90 minutes total to avoid burning too many calories and limiting muscle growth.

One thing to avoid? Unnatural movements. You might see people climbing laterally or adding resistance bands between their ankles, but this isn’t the safest or most effective way to use the machine. Stick to a natural stride for the best results.