Does the Stair Stepper or Treadmill Incline Walking Provide a Better Workout?

Women’s Health featured insight from Alexander Rothstein, Ed.D., assistant professor of exercise science, in an article comparing the stair stepper to treadmill incline walking. While both machines can provide a challenging cardio workout, he noted that the stair stepper tends to offer a bigger calorie burn, given the inherent upward motion required to overcome gravity. However, using the treadmill at a higher walking speed and incline could provide similar results and may even be better for those dealing with physical limitations or joint pain. Ultimately, as Rothstein explained, calorie expenditure depends more on the intensity of the exercise, regardless of which machine is used. 

“More people struggle with the stair stepper because, if it was moving at the same speed as a treadmill, the act of having to lift your leg the full distance is technically harder…[but] if someone were to, say, walk on a higher incline or speed versus the stair stepper, it could be more intense on the treadmill,” said Rothstein.

The article also appeared on Archynetys.com.