As far as stair climbers go, Stairmaster is arguably the class leader. Seen as the pioneer in this segment of gym exercise machines with the Stairmaster 4600 Classic stair climber, Stairmaster has evolved and improved their product over the years. Of course, as part of the Nautilus group (which includes Schwinn Fitness, Nautilus Equipment, and Bowflex), evolution is a given. But it did not take long for this company to develop the dreaded Stairmaster Stepmill.
Known at local fitness clubs as the toughest workout in the gym, the Stairmaster Stepmill is a rotating set of 8-inch stairs that so closely resembles actual stair climbing that most people say it is a stair climbing exercise. Of course, it is not the same thing because the Stairmaster Stepmill provides users with the benefits of a modern-day stair climber, including the lower-impact benefits as well as pre-defined workout intensity levels. These are key.
Over the years, the Stepmill has evolved. Along with some of the creature comforts of today’s gym exercise machines, the Stepmill can now accommodate LCD televisions, wireless heart-rate monitors and a host of other workout specific benefits such as predefined workout routines, varying intensity levels and measurements and goals (e.g. X calories burned).
The model shown here is actually an in-home version of the dreaded Stairmaster Stepmill. Expect to pay over $5,000 for such a model, but rest assured that it is the same high quality product that you would normally find in a fitness club, including the electronically controlled chain-driven motor that can push anywhere from 24 to 162 stairs per minute your way (with lighter hardware). For people with the ability to take this route for their stair climbing workouts, the Stairmaster Stepmill is an easy, mindless decision.
Note: this is not a beginner machine… not even an intermediate machine. Spending this kind of money on product like this is silly unless you know exactly what you are getting into. It is wise to join a gym for $50 just to try one of these machines out and see whether it is worth the expense (and pain).
Stairmaster Stepmill on SALE for $5,299
