Stair master -- worth it?
Discussion
Just wanted to get everyone's opinions on stairmasters. I have started doing 30 minutes at fairly high resistance levels and at a decent speed--but it only burns 350 calories. I switched to this from running because I hear so many horror stories about knees. But, despite working up a good sweat, it just doesn't feel that "intense"...am I really getting the same workout as going for a 3 mile run?
More importantly, is this going to affect my "fast twitch" muscles and make me slower on the bike?
Thanks in advance.
More importantly, is this going to affect my "fast twitch" muscles and make me slower on the bike?
Thanks in advance.
dont use calorie meters, the exercise that gets your heart rate the highest is the best. Aim for over 150bpm during a work out and max out at 170 a few times in the work out. How you achieve this is up to you (run, spin, step). But running is the best bet, if you are worried about knees, run on grass.
mat205125 said:
I prefer to just drift around when I'm on a rowing machine, or sit there making outboard motor noises (BERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR) pretending to steer. First time I did that my mate on the machine next to me laughed so much he nearly fell off of his 
I make that Pimm's o'clock...
Stairmasters are for girls... don't see many blokes on them! Unless you want a nice pert bum
Running is the best calorie burner. BIG BIG tip is to go to a proper running store and get them to analyse your running style. This took me 45mins so make an appointment. Different shoes are designed to support your feet/knees/etc in different ways depending on the travel of your foot.
Like Laingy says running on grass is good, but not when wet or if the ground is uneven as you can get uneven jarring which is even worse. Developing a soft running action will help.
Rowing is apparently the best for calorie burning.
If you want a rowing challenge... full resistance, 2000m beat 7min and 31 seconds. Thats my current best. My instructors is 7min 58... damn he was p*ssed when I beat him.
Running is the best calorie burner. BIG BIG tip is to go to a proper running store and get them to analyse your running style. This took me 45mins so make an appointment. Different shoes are designed to support your feet/knees/etc in different ways depending on the travel of your foot.
Like Laingy says running on grass is good, but not when wet or if the ground is uneven as you can get uneven jarring which is even worse. Developing a soft running action will help.
Rowing is apparently the best for calorie burning.
If you want a rowing challenge... full resistance, 2000m beat 7min and 31 seconds. Thats my current best. My instructors is 7min 58... damn he was p*ssed when I beat him.
Edited by rico on Tuesday 27th February 00:01
Nick_F said:
Find a gym with Concept 2 rowing machines - there are all kinds of indoor rowing leagues and challenges you can get stuck into to keep you motivated.
4,000m in 15 minutes is a good'n, 2,000m in 7 minutes is a killer.
4,000m in 15 minutes is a good'n, 2,000m in 7 minutes is a killer.
If you can row those sorts of figures, have you thought of doing a Rowathlon? 3k row, 21k bike ride, 3k run. There were a couple of events last year at Castle Coombe. Thinking about giving it a go myself.
The Londoner said:
Nick_F said:
Find a gym with Concept 2 rowing machines - there are all kinds of indoor rowing leagues and challenges you can get stuck into to keep you motivated.
4,000m in 15 minutes is a good'n, 2,000m in 7 minutes is a killer.
4,000m in 15 minutes is a good'n, 2,000m in 7 minutes is a killer.
If you can row those sorts of figures, have you thought of doing a Rowathlon? 3k row, 21k bike ride, 3k run. There were a couple of events last year at Castle Coombe. Thinking about giving it a go myself.
I only row once a week as a warm-up for a weights/core session, so my 2,000m time isn't quite down to 7 minutes yet, although it's getting there - 7.24 last week.
I have thought about rowathlons, and shorter-course triathlons, but I have a limited amount of time for training and so at the moment everything is geared to one event.
I'd say a 'cross trainer' is a good substitute. I manage to burn around 750-800 calories in 30mins (level 17 out of 20) on one & produce similar wattage to when using an excercise bike.
I suppose you could do some short sudden sprints to stimulate the fast twitch muscles.
I find spin, crew, body pump & circuit classes the most effective & stimulating ways to train.
I suppose you could do some short sudden sprints to stimulate the fast twitch muscles.
I find spin, crew, body pump & circuit classes the most effective & stimulating ways to train.
mat205125 said:
Roman said:
I manage to burn around 750-800 calories in 30mins (level 17 out of 20) on one & produce similar wattage to when using an excercise bike.
Fair play mate. I feel like a proper lightweight now as I only do about 450 - 500 in the same time when I use them.
I am going as hard as I can but maybe the machines at my gym are set to flatter!
rico said:
If you want a rowing challenge... full resistance, 2000m beat 7min and 31 seconds.
6.47 for 2000m and top of the works 2000m leaderboard! I find cycling and weight training ideal for being a fast sprint type rower. My mate is a sub 3hr marathon man, and he can't get below 7m50.
I find a good technique for getting a fast time is to go as fast as you can for the first 500m. Then for the next 1000m, slow down and try and keep it to 1m45-1m50 per 500m. Then sprint again and hold on for the last 500m.
Matts_Zed said:
I find a good technique for getting a fast time is to go as fast as you can for the first 500m. Then for the next 1000m, slow down and try and keep it to 1m45-1m50 per 500m. Then sprint again and hold on for the last 500m.
Good advice! Just did a 7min 23 so new PB for me
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