by Michael Skatoli

We all know that fitness and health are big parts of a content existence, and there are many ways to achieve a healthy lifestyle with a regular exercise routine. However, few pieces of exercise equipment can deliver the convenience, effectiveness and general advantages of the stair climber, or stair master or stepper as it is sometimes known as.

It is a well-known fact that one of the most efficient ways to burn calories and increase fitness levels is to scale stairs. However, spending an hour each day in the stairwell of your office building or apartment block doesn’t appeal much, but fortunately there is another way.

Stair climber exercise machines basically reproduce the act of climbing a flight of steps. In fact, they are even more effective than the real thing because, as well as to building your leg muscles, many of them also give you an intense workout for your arms and abdomen.

Here are just a few of the obvious benefits of steppers:

Aerobic exercise – Using with a stair climber increases your heart rate and provides great aerobic exercise. Even just thirty minutes’ exercise every day will ensure a strong and healthy heart.

Muscle toning – Stair climbers promote muscles throughout the body. Much of the work is concentrated in the leg area, where the majority of your leg muscles are used, but it also helps promote strength in the arms and the abdomen. All in all, regular stair climber exercise will keep you toned and help you maintain a great body. Unlike a lot of exercise machines and training regimes, steppers provide benefits all over the body.

Convenience – As mentioned earlier, stair climbers are an effective health solution. Steppers are also quite small and can fit easily in the home without using too much space.

The majority of stair climbers have common features, although they can vary in other ways depending on make, model and price. The most low cost stepper will have footholds, a mechanism that reproduces the act of mounting a flight of steps and armrests. Many will also involve a back and forth action of the arms, while others will have an electronic console that will show such details as your heart rate, steps climbed every sixty seconds, the amount of calories burned, and more.

There is a correct way and a bad way to use a stair climber. Good posture is essential, with the back kept straight. The training should be carried out under control with all of the work being done by the legs and arms. If you are not sure, some quick advice from a fitness expert at your local gym should have you getting the best from your stepper in no time.

Stair climbers continue to be among the more popular home-fitness exercise solutions because they are convenient and not expensive. Quality stair climbers can be bought for as cheap as $1,000, and with effective and regular use this investment will soon pay itself off in terms of fitness and well being.

Michael is a national correspondent with over 12 years writing experience. Michael is presently consulting as a national correspondent for fuzing.com and has become the local specialist on stair climbers. Take the time to visit our very useful web portal for additional information on Stair Climbers and Stair Steppers.