Happy Work it Wednesday! I hope you’re all having a lovely week so far. Today I’m coming atcha with a new workout featuring my favorite cardio machine – the stairmill.
I love working out on the stairmill for so many reasons:
- Going up stairs is about climbing, not running. Essentially, the vertical motion strengthens the glutes and hamstrings more than running on a horizontal surface (it’s like doing dozens of lunges repeatedly).
- In addition to strenthening the lower body, climbing requires core strength and stability to stay upright.
- It’s low impact compared to jogging and running.
- It’s efficient! You can get an intense, heart-pumping workout in a short amount of time.
- And most importantly…It doesn’t bore me as much as other cardio machines.
Just kidding on that last one. Ok, I’m actually not kidding. After training for a half marathon almost exclusively on a treadmill, I’m just plain over it. And anytime I’m on an elliptical I feel like I’m going to break it just to get my heart rate up (aggressive much?).
Try this booty-burning circuit below if you’re looking to mix up your cardio routine! Go through this circuit one time through for a 15 minute HIIT burst, or twice for a 30 minute workout. As always, please check with your doctor before making any fitness changes, and modify as needed to best suit your fitness level.
- Keep your hands on the handles while climbing the stairmill.
- Whatever you do, don’t slump while you’re climbing! Your lungs can’t get the air they need if you’re hunched over the machine. If you start to get tired, take it down a level. You want to maintain good posture throughout the circuit to help your breathing, and engage your core.
- Be careful while transitioning from facing one direction to another. Feel free to slow it down if you need to!
Let me know if you give it a try! And if you want to know how to fit cardio into your overall fitness routine, check out this post.
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Questions:
Do you have a favorite gym machine?
What’s your favorite way to get cardio in?
This machine is the sole reason I miss having a gym membership. I love it when I sweat when I workout (it makes me feel like Im working real hard haha) and this machine always has me dripping.
Amen girl, this machine is the only reason I do have a gym membership!
The stairmill is my favourite way to cardio it out! I usually put it on interval mode then just climb and read haha. Definitely going to give this a try!!
Hope you love it!