Calories Burned While Stair Climbing
New and innovative equipment can make burning calories fun. While the most popular piece of exercise equipment is the treadmill, the stair stepper is an effective addition to an exercise program. Although not quite as challenging as actually running up stairs, there are many benefits to using this revolutionary machine.
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Why Use a Stair Stepper?
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A stair stepper has a few advantages over a typical stair routine workout. One is that the individual never runs out of stairs to climb on a stepper, while a staircase has a limited number. Ascending stairs works out different muscles than are used when descending, so specific muscle groups can be targeted on a stepping machine.
Another advantage is that the difficulty level can be adjusted on a stair stepper to tailor a workout to an individual's needs. Making it more challenging by adjusting the setting helps burn more calories, as if you are climbing a steeper incline.
What Is a Calorie?
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A calorie is a unit of energy. Specifically, it is the amount of energy required to heat 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. Calories are stored in food, so when you eat, your body uses them to perform physical functions. When calories are consumed but not burned, the body stores them in fat cells. On average, consuming 3,500 more calories than the amount burned results in a weight gain of 1 pound.
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Calories Burned Using a Stair Stepper
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Calories are burned at varying rates depending on an individual's weight and metabolism, which is the speed with which the body burns calories to fuel basic functions. On average, a 150-pound person using a stair stepper at a fairly easy setting will burn 415 calories an hour. On a medium-difficulty setting, the same individual would burn 524 calories an hour, and on a challenging setting she would burn an average of 626 calories an hour.
Results of Stair Stepping
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By using a stair stepper, an individual burns calories, builds lean muscle and reduces body fat, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease and offers a number of other health benefits. Using a stair stepper also strengthens the quadriceps and thigh muscles, which increases speed and endurance.
Warning
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Always consult with a doctor before beginning any physically demanding activity. As working out on a stair stepper is a strenuous activity, stop using it immediately if you feel any unusual pain or discomfort. Make sure to maintain the equipment according to the manufacturer's recommendations and use it as instructed.
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References
- Photo Credit Microsoft Office Clips
