The Stairway to Heaven, a workout machine known for its exceptional weight loss effects, is a familiar name if you frequent the gym. As an aerobic exercise machine that burns a lot of calories, it’s highly effective for dieting. The original name of this exercise equipment is different, so why is it called the Stairway to Heaven? Let’s find out how effective this exercise equipment is, and what precautions to take during exercise.
Stairway to Heaven A.K.A The Stepmill
The Stairway to Heaven is an exercise machine designed to replicate the action of climbing stairs continuously. It not only burns calories but also improves muscle strength, including the core, buttocks, thighs, and calves. It requires balance and coordination between the upper and lower body, offering the advantage of improving both muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance at the same time.
How the Stairway to Heaven Moves
The Stairway to Heaven is equipped with a rotating staircase, designed to move continuously up and down. This allows the person to walk in a motion very similar to climbing actual stairs. The walking speed and intensity can be adjusted according to the person’s fitness level and preference.
A High-Calorie-Burning Aerobic Exercise Machine
With just a slight increase in speed, the Stairway to Heaven can consume anywhere from a minimum of 600 calories to a maximum of 1000 calories per hour. That’s about 2-3 times the calorie burn of high-intensity cycling. Just 20 minutes on the machine can have nearly the same effect as an hour of cycling, saving time and allowing for efficient workouts. This is especially popular among those on a diet.
Use the Stepmill At Least Twice a Week
To see the effects of the Stepmill, it’s best to use it for at least 25 minutes, twice a week. However, for beginners, it’s best to start with 15 minutes and gradually increase the time to 20 minutes, then 25 minutes, over 1-2 weeks. To enhance the health benefits, it’s better to exercise without holding onto the Stepmill’s railings and maintain your balance on your own.
Be Careful of Joint Injuries
When using the Stepmill, start by keeping your back straight and moving your lower body lightly. Initially, start with an incline of 4 inches and gradually increase the intensity of the incline to 8-12 inches. If you increase the angle too much, it can strain your joints. It’s important to adjust the incline to a point where your knees do not bend more than 90 degrees. When climbing stairs, make sure the entire sole of your foot touches the ground to prevent strain on your ankles or knees. Avoid prolonged exercise if you have weak joints or weigh more than the average person.
Proper Use of the Stepmill
First, grab the handles of the Stepmill and carefully step up. Press the start button and slowly increase the speed level. Warm up for about 2 minutes at a speed of 6-8, then slow down to 3-4 for 1 minute. Continue this repetition for more than 20 minutes. Finally, lower the speed to level 1, press the cancel button, and step down.
Any Tips?
Instead of hunching your back, hold your core tight and keep your spine tilted slightly forward. If you want to increase the intensity, you can proceed without holding the handle, but in this case, your back should be straight. If you focus on the entire sole of your foot and press your heel harder to give the feeling of going up, you can also use the muscles in your back.
Different Moves Depending on the Difficulty
If you’re using the Stepmill for the first time, start by holding the handle. Make sure your hips don’t sway and keep your upper body upright to engage your abdomen. Once you’re accustomed to it, you can proceed without your hands. The process of finding balance activates your core muscles. Placing your hands on your pelvis during exercise makes it easier to maintain a horizontal position. Finally, set the speed a little slower and try climbing two steps at a time. If you kick your legs back, the contraction of your buttocks becomes stronger. However, be careful not to sway your body or bend your waist during the kicking process.
Can We Use It at Home?
Is there a way to do the highly effective Stairway to Heaven workout at home? There is a similar exercise machine called a stepper on the market. The stepper is a convenient device for home workouts and is affordable enough to purchase without burden. However, the effects of this workout don’t quite match those of the Stepmill. But if you don’t have the time to go to the gym or need to work out at home, we recommend buying a stepper instead of a Stepmill.
An Upgrade From the Stepmill: The Arc Trainer
The Arc Trainer, an aerobic exercise machine known for its outstanding effects and dubbed the final boss of the gym, allows you to do stair climbing, stride walking, and front-and-back cross exercises simultaneously. It’s an excellent calorie-burning machine, making it a recommended device if your goal is to burn body fat. It’s also easy on the knees and ankles, and the incline and exercise intensity can be adjusted in stages. This makes it suitable for beginners as well as experts. It’ll become addictive once you start using it. Why not challenge yourself with the Stairway to Heaven now?
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