Get your hands off of the stair master! Just barely touching the Stairmaster with your finger tips will save you from lifting 30% of your own body weight! How much work do you think you are really doing when you’re hanging all over it?
Do you want to work out or just look like you are working out? One of my biggest pet peeve’s in the gym is when I see people on the stair master hunched over, slouching, leaning on the rails or holding on for dear life. It seriously drives me crazy!!! Great you’re sweating and huffing and puffing. Great you’re on a really high intensity level. Here’s what I have to say… Get real and move over so someone else can properly use it! What are you trying to do here…impress yourself? You’re looking like a mess and like you don’t know what you’re doing.
Here’s what you’re not doing. You’re not giving yourself a good workout, you’re not being honest with yourself and you’re NOT getting results! Your totally cheating and devaluing (in my opinion) the best man made piece of cardio equipment for fat burning!
You are totally ruining its purpose and function when you don’t practice good form. If you think you’re training hard when your slouching and sweating all over the machine, imagine how much better of a workout you’ll do if you actually do it right. Imagine how much faster you will drop body fat and improve your cardio respiratory function if you train your body to lift itself instead of hanging on the rails.
The next time you climb the stairs, let me challenge you to challenge yourself. Turn down the intensity, stand tall with your chest up and shoulders down and back. Plant your feet so that they are flat on each step and keep your hands off the rail! Don’t even touch the stair master with your finger tips…not once! If you feel awkward about what to do with your hands, place them on your hips or practice good posture by keeping them at your sides. If you’re a real rock star and you want to challenge yourself, slow down the speed, grab a pair of dumbbells or a barbell and very carefully and with perfect posture, do overhead shoulder presses as you step. Tell me you don’t sweat and feel like you had a hard workout after this.
Do you have a pet peeve at the gym? Are you the “sloppy Stairmaster” person that I’m describing or do you do it right? Do you disagree with my opinion? Let me know.
What motivates you?
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I think this is a true statement, but you have to give credit to the person trying and they might not be in the greatest shape so it is harder for them to not use the railing... I think because of your shape and condition it may be easier for you to say.. I love ya and love that you have always challenged me at the gym, but I give credit to those people that they are even at the gym trying. =)
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I think she could have a better attitude about it.
DeleteThank you for your advice. I tried it, as you know on Thursday. I actually burnt more calories by going slower and not holding on. It was hard to discipline myself not to hold on. I kept thinking I was going to fall and needed to support myself. I know with practice it will become second nature.
ReplyDeleteMaegan-
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you! God bless people for at least "getting" to the gym and doing "something" which is a whole lot better than nothing! But lets remember that we need to constantly be challenenging not only our bodies but our minds as well.
Way to go Ruth! See that? Focusing on form not only conditions and strengthens our core, but when we have good posture, we have a more productive workout and burn more calories!!
Holding on to the rails just shows the level of physical condition they are in-HELLO
ReplyDeleteThe older you get, adding more responsibilities, such as education, work, CHILDREN ( which increases with each child and age of child), health problems that cannot be resolved from exercise and nutrition, etc.., put many in the condition that starting out pethaps slumped over is the best they can do in the beginning. Your attitude shows ignorance, rather than a sense of motivation, which is what all people need. We are all different, our minds are different, our bodies are different - grow up and CATCH A CLUE!
ReplyDeleteWhatever anonymous. This lady is right on. Its my favorite machine and I have never touched the rails. Start on something else first and work your way up to the stair master. If you cant ride a motorcylce you dont even get on it right???
ReplyDeleteAnd how do you expect to learn how to ride a motorcycle, John? Riding a bicycle doesn't give you the skills required to ride a motorcycle.
DeleteActually it does. If somebody can balance on a bicycle and known how to drive manual in a car, they've got more than 1/3 the skills needed. John's analogy was spot on.
DeleteLOL! You just described me to a T. That machine is a beast. I felt like I was climbing Mt. Everest and holding on for dear life. Thanks for the tips. Soooooo Funny!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the Stairmaster. It feels like I am working much harder than I would jogging on the treadmill. Its challenging, and rewarding. But heres the thing. Sometimes I feel like I need a little time to regroup. I stumble on the step because I am a natural klutz. I probably don't have the best form while climbing the endless stairs. But I am working on it. We all have to start somewhere, and if it means Im hanging on the rails a little for whatever reason.... so be it. I'm still doing it. Right? You know what my pet peeve is? Loud people who hang out on the machines, or stand around the free weights and just be annoying. Not working out. Just standing there being loud. If someone has a habit of hanging on the rails, but they are still working out... let them be. A little positive motivation, a smile... acknowledgment that they are working hard can go along way. Best of luck to all those starting, or those well seasoned, or those natural klutzy people... at least they are moving.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with John. If you can't do it right then start on something else. I am 54 and I started by walking on the treadmill and not by slouching on the stairmaster. I only advanced to the stairmaster once I was able to do so with good form. You can do more harm than good by using bad form!
ReplyDeletetrue I have a bad habit of holding on to the rails but I love the machine I have seen results
ReplyDeleteI totally use to do that myself. I would slouch over because I felt like I was dying. Now I'm gradually trying to not hold on at all. I just need to turn down the intensity I guess so I can not use my hands on the rail. I feel like I'm going to fall though.
ReplyDeleteCame here expecting valuable information to help me improve my workout, not some adolescent rant. Anonymous up there had it right.
ReplyDeleteWhat motivates me? Not attitudes like yours.
I for one LOVE this post. It's not like the original poster is flat-out yelling at people she sees doing it (I assume).
ReplyDeleteThere's a certain kind of girl I usually see hunching over. They're almost always athletic-looking, very tan. What bothers me so much is how it looks like they're trying to impress everyone else.... "oooo check me out, locking my wrists and sticking my ass out" .... It's pretty sick that I do this BUT, i like going on the stairmaster right next to them, and stand up straight without holding the rails. I just want them to see how you're supposed to do it!
Ummm jealous much?
DeleteTan (by genetics) and athletic girl over here and I am very offended. Usually at the end of my workout when I feel the need to hold on it is because I am at muscle failure and it signals me that I need to slow down my intensity and focus on technique. I find it very condescending and just rude in general in the way you described this. It is a complete shame that women (sometimes who are insecure, sometimes just rude) have lost the want and need to be classy. Bath mouthing in this nature only proves one thing. That you are rude. Women should lift each other up positively, not drag each other down due to their own insecurities. In the nicest way, I want to say that you truly need to grow up. This site is intended to help those achieve personal fitness/ healthy living levels and standards not listen to everyone gripe and moan and speak ill of others. Show some class.
DeleteHaven't read the books on right or wrong ways to workout on the machine. Sounds like some of you are REAL experts. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteyes and no . . Where I disagree is everyone is different. some people are working on getting to that point where they can do a stair master workout w/out holding on the hand rails (the rails are there for a reason btw, otherwise they wouldn't he there, just like treadmills ) and are not there yet, they are still getting a workout in . Example: some people have physical disabilities that no amount of posture training can correct and they make due the best they can with what they have . Honestly, your point has validity but if falls short in realizing that not all able to do it like a "rock star" . This is not motivational, it is a rant ( but hey that's what the internet is for)
ReplyDeleteIm always stoned when I go to the gym, so lightly holding on to at least one rail is mandatory.
ReplyDeleteSorry but you're kind of a bit&*ch. You're never going to get anywhere by badmouthing others. In the fitness field or otherwise. One day you might realize that :)
ReplyDeletecongratulations guys, quality information you have given!!! gym equipment
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It never occurred to me that you shouldn't hold onto the rails. Now that I know, I will do as you've described before i try to raise the difficulty
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Immense information there. weight loss protein shakes
ReplyDeleteI do the stairmaster everyday and I do hold on the rail because I'm scare to fall but I don't lean on it I jus hold on it but thinking about it is true I think you will burn more fat without holding on the rail I'm gona start tomorrow not holding on it and see how it goes!!!and I had a question what part of the body the stairs work on???
ReplyDeleteI am 61 years old and I do hold onto the rails, it does no more than keep my balance, I have done up to 515 flights of stairs and my heart and strength of pulse have amazed my doctor, I've climber Mt St Helens 3 times and went to base camp of Mt Rainier at 10,200 feet with no problem, holding the rails OK, leaning on them is probably not OK.
ReplyDeleteI agree. There is nothing wrong with holding on to the rails. It is the leaning on them that is bad.
DeleteI know this is long after the date of this post but hoping I can still get Karra's take on this. Not holding on seems to make sense but the stairmaster at my gym specifically states to hold onto the rails at all times. Probably don't want any accidents but doing a disservice to most gym-goers if not actually needed.
ReplyDeleteI have 5 kids and have had to lose 50 lbs 5 times...I always use the stairmaster because it's the most challenging. I have always held the rails and always lost the 50 lbs :) I don't want to fall on my ass just to look fresh or to get a semi better workout.
ReplyDeleteGood advice. I was never much into using the stairmaster before, but I've been using it more often as of late. I used to be a leaner until I came across this article a week ago. Had to check back in and say that doing the stairmaster and not leaning on the rails has kicked my ass and I feel like I'm getting in better shape already!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the cool blog posts. Cheers
It feels good to feature much enlightening and unique articles on your websites. Gym Source
ReplyDeleteFuck people that don't like what you said. I totally agree with you! Irks me so hard!
ReplyDeleteWrong. You can get a GREAT workout and GREAT results despite having hands on the rails for balance.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just saw your challenge to hold a barbell overhead and do presses??? Are you an idiot? Taking your hands off the rail is dangerous on a machine like the stairmaster and adding a barbell overhead takes it to a new level of stupidity. I'm a nationally ranked competitive tower runner. I coach clients for stair climbing events around the country and I lead bootcamps for stair climbs as well. Your advise is ridiculous. I hold on to the rails when I use the stairmaster and I get an incredible workout. Let me challenge you to hold on to the rails while I turn up the stairmaster to my typical level of intensity. You'll die. Not a hard workout? Doesn't get results? Right.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Thank you! I hold onto the handrails.
DeleteIt's ADVICE not ADVISE. Learn to spell
DeleteNEWS FLASH: a healthy workout consists of raising your heart rate.
ReplyDeleteUse the stairmaster any way you'd please ;) just get that heart rate up.
What about those of us with sensory problems lady? I have Asperger's and my balance is off. I hold onto the rails for safety reasons. Don't judge everyone by the cover, you don't know what is going on with them.
ReplyDeleteI know this machine, and know it well. I've used it for more than 30 years and owned one for 12 years. I'm over 50 and started using it when I was 20, holding on to the rails for dear life, but at a level that was too fast.
ReplyDeleteNow I go 60 minutes, 6.25 miles+ a day, 6 days a week WITHOUT touching the rails. It makes a HUGE difference. It's all about slowing down to the lowest level, if necessary, and developing balance, which is so important to everyone of all ages and especially those with ailments. Even holding on with 2 fingers makes a surprising difference.
At my gym, I see 70-80 year old people who learned to reduce the level so they can develop balance without holding on. Karra is absolutely correct and offering thoughtful advice to help you!
Agreed. Don't touch the rails. Put it at a lower intensity and work your way up. Slow and steady is better then fast without proper form.
ReplyDeleteHaha, This is totally me . I was wondering if I'm really doing any better by going faster yet having to hang on for dear life . I'll lower the intensity , like my gut has been telling me to, thanks .
ReplyDeleteI agree that bending over and holding on is stupid. It clearly does not work as many muscles. I do stairmaster for up to 35 minutes standing straight up. It clearly works my butt and even my waist more effectively. I am doing it more slowly than the slouchers, but I'm sweating way more. I'm not trying to judge, bur there are so many women that do this crazy slouched over position at my gym that I believe they think it is the correct way. To be fair, I have very strong legs, so perhaps they're working up to it? I also think that hunched over position us very bad for your back. I sometimes want to say something to people in a helpful way because I don't think they know it's correct. But, they probably wouldn't like that. I just hope they don't injure themselves.
ReplyDeleteI did stairmaster for a long time, holding on. It got to be that I needed towels to hold myself from slipping. Then, I saw some guy doing stairmaster without holding on. He was just moving his arms as if he was running. After a long vacation, I came back to the gym and started over, at the lowest setting, but not holding on, in the same way as the guy I'd seen earlier. As it got easier over the weeks and months, I started to increase the speed, and now it's the only way I use it. I feel that I get a lot more out of the Stairmaster for the time I put in, and my time is valuable. I also feel like stairmaster without hands has really improved my balance, a benefit that I was not banking on, but is really welcome.
ReplyDelete