I'd like to know your thoughts on the stepmill. When I was at the gym i'd be on there for about 25 minutes. But, it wasn't just stepping forward for 25 mintues, i'd walk up it sideways for 5 mintues and switch and go up the other side and then walk up it backwards. Does this really do that much for you or should I just focus on a higher level and do it "normal". Plus, I get a lot of stares when I do that! Just want to know because I'll either save up to buy one or just go to the local J.C. to run their stadium stairs!
P.S-Tried the fried rice last night, awesome. Even my 2 year old and boyfriend loved it. I think i'll try it again but, omit the sweetener!
Stepmill Variations
(21 posts) (6 voices)-
Jennifer S
MemberPosted 3 years ago # -
my thoughts on the stepmill.... Well it is a great and challenging workout, that is for sure. If you are someone who has fast twitch muscle fibers and your legs grow quick (like mine) watch out for increase size in your quads but other than that, it is a great workout. It is rare to have growth in your quads from the step-mill but it is something to watch out for and that is why variations are great. Not only with the way you use the step-mill but varying your workouts from treadmill to step-mill, etc. The step-mill is a great way to tone and round out your glutes. For some preps I have done mostly step-mill, just like you described (forward, sideways, every other step and every step) I never did it backwards but see people do that all the time. I am not one to like to have to think too much as I try not to trip and fall off. I change up the levels too. The other day I did a total of 10 minutes but at level 20! I like to use the glute workout so the speeds are constantly changing.
Change is good so vary from high speed to low speed and with different levels, workouts, etc. I would love to have one in my house but honestly I think you are better off getting a treadmill and using the stadium stairs or the gym step-mill. If you have room, that is great. Keep in mind they are really big and tall.
I am glad you liked the fried rice!!! Was it too sweet for you or just rather do without the sweetener... It is delicious, huh...
Posted 3 years ago # -
Jennifer S
MemberYeah, the only problem with going backwards is I have to keep a light grip on the handlebars or i'll fall right off. Room & Price are a factor with that, so maybe i'll just use the stadium steps. I don't think any gyms here in Salinas have a "working" stepmill, everything is always broken.
The rice was a tad sweet with the sweetener, I love soy sauce, so I can do with the faint touch of the saltiness it brings rather than the sweet!Posted 3 years ago # -
Got it, some prefer the salt over sweet...
I think the stadium stairs is the way to go. At least you know they will always be there and are functional!! Hard to have broken stadiums... ;)
Have fun with them!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Funny how when you just go with it, get some good music, you don't really realize you are going so "beastly" until you realize when you go to increase the level you can't!! It takes someone from the outside saying how crazy that is for me to realize that the person next to me is dying at level 7! I guess that is a little crazy but that is why I am able to get away with less time. Just go for it, get in and get out in 10 minutes! :)
I will say, that is not normal for a long duration so please be careful. When I do the step-mill for a longer duration I go between 9-13. I can go at these levels and still read but anything more it becomes a bit dangerous!!! Practice before you go for level 20 and do it at your own risk! ;) lol
Posted 3 years ago # -
that's it... that is my philosophy, get in and get out... make the most of your time, it is too valuable. Of course there are times for the longer slower fat burning cardio, ie pre contest but there are also times to benefit from the HIT in and out philosophy!
Posted 3 years ago # -
I used to use the step mill about 15 years ago but then I stopped just because it was rarely available. Thanks to Gina I have started up again! I can't even IMAGINE doing level 20!!! Gina, I agree with ekcentrx, you ARE a beast! It's getting better but it is really taxing to my heart and lungs. Thanks for reintroducing me to this Gina. :-) Oh, and by the way, I would be the person next to you that would be dying at level 7!! LOL!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Erin, You are too sweet!!! You will get there, promise!!! Before you know it, the level you are doing will be super easy and you will keep pumping things up until you are at level 20, no doubt in my mind! One step at a time, one day at a time... Promise! Keep up all your hard work! It is all going to pay off, mark my words!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Relationship Advice…:-)
I need some help!! I need to improve my relationship with...THE STEPMILL! LOL! The truth of the matter is that I wouldn't do the stepmill if I didn't have it in my plan. I find it mind-numbingly boring and tedious. It doesn't feel like a workout...just WORK. I really just don't enjoy it. I know several of you love your stepmill but I, for one, do not. Others of you that do the stepmill out of necessity and not enjoyment, how do you flip your mind to at least LIKE it? I don't even want to LOVE it. I just want to like it. Any ideas? I've been doing the stepmill for about 3 months now and I thought I would eventually like it but I don't. I have to be honest. I need help!! :-) I need to find motivation and I need an attitude adjustment. Advice? Anyone?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Claudine
MemberGina,
Good point there: If you are someone who has fast twitch muscle fibers and your legs grow quick (like mine) watch out for increase size in your quads but other than that, it is a great workout ---- I think I'll be carefull for this.
I love the stepmills althought I'm not a pro yet and can't do it for very long or my heart will jump out of my chest!!!! But, close to the comp, I needed a change in cardio and decided to give this beast a try (it always scared me!) ... In no time I saw my butt change and I thought to myself: OH YES! This is IT! :)
Erin, Erin, Erin :) Why force yourself if you really don't like it!!! Life's too short honey ! ;)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Okay so Gina to the rescue... You poor thing but let's see what we can do! First of all, it is a love/hate relationship, that is for sure because that is a hard machine but it will do wonders on that booty! What I usually do when I use it is go for mini intervals of single step, double step, going sideways one way and then sideways the other way. On the step-mill it is all about the music. Believe it or not, when I was doing the step-mill for the majority of my cardio, a while back, I was able to read and step and that made the time go by to fast! I know that is crazy but I was able to do it and it made it totally do able. I know you are not one to like to read and do cardio and for beginners on the mill, it is not recommended. My suggestion is to change it up with how you step and with the beat of the music. If this continues, you could always do 5-10 minutes on the stepmill than switch over to the treadmill and go back and forth, would that help? We will make this work for you. Where there is a will, there is a way!
Claudine- Glad you were able to see the love part of this relationship between you and the step-mill when you saw the wonders it does to your booty!! It sure does help! :)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Gina to the rescue is right!! I'll try changing it up tomorrow and see how it feels. The switching between machines might be a good idea but not at my gym. Once you get the stepmill, you better stay lest you lose your stepmill. They're a HOT commodity! LOL! Of course on the weekend, weather permitting, I will go to the Santa Monica stairs because that's just more enjoyable...outdoors and not so mind numbing!
Oh! I never told you I went there one time before (since the time I asked you about doing those) and as I was just starting, from the top, there was this VERY FINE looking shirtless man going down the stairs backwards 2 at a time! He was a maniac because then at the bottom he started jumping up the stairs 3 AT A TIME!!! Wow! His athleticism was something to be admired...and that's to say NOTHING of his awesome physique! ;-)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Claudine, I forgot to respond to your post because I got so lost in my daydream about the HOTTIE on the stairs! LOL!!! I know part of the whole contest prep is maybe pushing in some areas that you're not so comfortable so I'm actually trying to gear myself for a little bit of discomfort and I think that's why I so badly want to conquer the stepmill with a much better attitude! It's necessary for me because as you can see Gina wants me to be there. I can make it work. I think it's also hard for me to see such little improvement in any kind of physical activity. That doesn't usually happen to me. That's why I want to improve my relationship with good ol' SM! But I definitely loved your "life's too short honey"!! That made my day. Thanks Claudine!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Oh are you at one of those gyms where there are limited stepmills and everyone is wanting to get on one!!! oh yes, than the switching things up may not work so hot for you, bummer... Maybe if you get there on a day it is super slow, you can give that one a try! I know so many people that do the Santa Monica Stairs, They look like so much fun and I would take the outdoors over the gym, any day!! Sounds like you have an amazing training partner waiting for you there!! Isn't that athleticism and physique just impressive. Hey you are right there with him. I know you at least have 2 stairs at a time in you! ;)
You and the good ol SM will be best of friends in no time, I just know it!! Life is to short to not make friends with it! :) the day will come, promise! ;)Posted 3 years ago # -
Miranda
MemberSpeaking of Stepmill... Is this something you would recommend doing on a daily basis? I've been doing between 20-40 min on it every day, a long with either the elliptical or treadmill. I just love how it gets me sweating right away! Plus, I'm a little OCD and now that we finally got one in the gym, I have it in my head that I have to do it every day. Is this ok?
Posted 3 years ago # -
You do not HAVE to do it everyday but if it is something you enjoy, mix it up, like you are, doing 1/2 on it and 1/2 on another machine. It is great for those quads and glutes/hamstrings, especially if you change up the variation of your step!
Keep in mind, we all have different muscle fibers and those with the fast twitch fibers (i.e. those that grow quicker) may want to be careful of doing too many single steps, focusing on quads. Some of us can do the treadmill and literally watch our quads grow and others not so much. I did the stepmill for an entire contest prep, one time and loved it, seeing great results but I will say that is when my quads were fuller. Now, I tend to do it less and less and when I do I do it for a short amount of time and changing up my foot variations, speed, intervals etc. I highly suggest it for those glutes and hamstrings, squeezing and going every other step!!
I suggest doing some step-mill along with other machines to constantly change things up! I think if you do the step-mill like you are, Miranda, You are going to see great results. Doing only step-mill, like anything, can lead to injuries, monotony and your body being on cruise control, not tricking it. This goes for doing ONLY one machine all the time, day in and day out. Change and variations are key! I know we get stuck on one thing and if we are seeing results, tend to do just that, I have been victim of this... but it is good to remind ourselves constant change is key!
You are on the right path Miranda because you are changing things up, varying your cardio training and enjoying it so you are in a win win mentally and physically! ;)
Posted 3 years ago # -
on another note, remove it from you head and just go with your heart. If you feel like doing it one day and not the other, go with that. Do things because your heart tells you to and not because your head is speaking out... That darn head of ours... ;) You are doing awesome girlie!!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Ahh...me and the stepmill! We're really working on our relationship and it's working. Today I switched it up a lot like you suggested Gina and before I knew it I was 30 minutes into my 45 minutes. And then the last 15 weren't bad at all! So thank you! I think we're going to have a better relationship now! :-)
Woohoo! And so the day begins! Better workout = better mindset = AWESOME day!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Awesome, so happy to hear this!! I know relationships are work and take time and patience but sounds like you are mastering this one! Glad the changing things up is working for you! It does make such a difference!! Wahooo, nothing like starting your day out on the right foot! AWESOME DAY IT IS!! :) Great job erin!!
Posted 3 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.