Arc Trainer vs Stairmaster – Which is uniquely better?

Stairmaster has been a revolutionary innovation in the fitness industry but nothing could have prepared the world for the Arc Trainer. What exactly makes one unique equipment better than the other?

I was once a young and vibrant lady with the body of a goddess and while I have always kept fit, sadly the effects of age and time have caught up with me and I have these rampant aches and pains my joints.

It is not secret that I had for years abandoned my fitness track and resigned myself to a sedentary lifestyle with my grandkids. However, when I turned 50 this year, I had a great idea to buy myself a home training kit to get back on the wagon.

I’d read about this new awesome machine called the Arc Trainer on a fitness magazine and because I was previously eying the Stairmaster, I decided to make a review of the two.

What are the differences between Arc Trainer and Stairmaster?

Arc Trainer
Stairmaster
Stride Length
24 inches
26 inches
Resistance
Up to 900 Watts
20 levels
Inline
21 Levels
None
Programs
8
6
Display
LED
LED
Max Weight
400 pounds
350 pounds
Price

Arc Trainer vs Stairmaster: How they Compare

Function

If you have a weight-loss fitness goal, both equipment should give you great benefits in terms of calorie burning.

The Arc Trainer specifically is great for this weight loss journey because it incorporates a full body workout by use of the movable handlebars. Calories are burned more if you exert energy and effort in your workouts.

Even on an easy training program, you can burn at least 250 calories every 30 minutes which is huge if you tally up the results in a week of working out. this machine could help you lose up to 1 pound a week.

Stairmaster training also works up a sweat and raises your temperature which facilitates further caloric burn. On this machine expect to lose about 180 calories per 30-minute sessions which is a little lower than the Arc Trainer but still highly significant.

Pushing yourself up the steps faster will help you increase resistance and challenge in training which adds to more burning of calories.

Climbing on the Stairmaster every half hour will have you burn about 200 calories while the same time on the Arc trainer has you burning about 100 calories more.

Performance

Due to the adjustable modes of strengths and patterns that you can adjust to on the Arc Trainer, different muscle groups in your leg muscles will be targeted with each adjustment.

Being a low-impact exercise, the Arc Trainer hits all the right muscle groups in your glutes and calves which result in a more toned and stronger physique.

Handles on the Arc Trainer are movable and this makes workouts more wholesome because as you flex your legs, your arms, shoulders and back can join in the action and consequently benefit from these exercises over time.

The Stairmaster requires you to keep balance as you engage your legs in the climbing motion. It will strengthen and tone your core muscles, hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps and calves.

Both the Arc Trainer and Stairmaster will give you a stronger and leaner physique in the long run but you will have to compliment your training with heavy weights if you have pro-athlete goals in mind.

Arc Trainer vs Stairmaster: A Comparison Overview

Arc Trainer Overview

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This machine resembles an elliptical as it is considered a cross trainer. The Arc Trainer comes featuring a range of resistance, incline options and it gives you a great cardio workout while going easy on the joints.

It does this by its design that encourages only a slight bend of the knee that does not extend far back or in front of the toes. It has better resistance and incline settings compared to an elliptical which emphasizes it calorie burning, speed sprinting and muscle development effects.

Thirty minutes of training on the Arc Trainer will see you burn 300 to 475 calories on moderate intensity training. If you are doing the bare minimum, you can still expect to burn at least 250 calories per half an hour of exercise.

Due to the adjustable modes of strengths and patterns that you can adjust to on the Arc Trainer, different muscle groups in your leg muscles will be targeted with each adjustment.

Being a low-impact exercise, the Arc Trainer hits all the right muscle groups in your glutes and calves which result in a more toned and stronger physique.

Handles on the Arc Trainer are movable and this makes workouts more wholesome because as you flex your legs, your arms, shoulders and back can join in the action and consequently benefit from these exercises over time.

The most frustrating aspect of this trainer is that it is highly challenging to beginners especially because it takes a lot of huffing and puffing to exercise.

Pros

  • Great for all level of trainees
  • Calorie burner great for weight loss
  • Low impact equipment
  • 21 incline settings
  • Pre-set workouts
  • Heart rate monitor

Cons

  • Basic display
  • Expensive

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Stairmaster Overview

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StairMaster is a great workout tool to help you condition your lungs. It works by simulating the motion of climbing stairs on a stationary platform. It trains both core and lower body muscles and they come with customizable settings to accommodate varied preferences.

If you are looking to lose weight or tone your lower body like your thighs, this is the equipment for the job. Be aware of your posture while working out on this machine and avoid hanging on to the rails for support.

The StairMaster requires you to keep balance as you engage your legs in the climbing motion. It will strengthen and tone your core muscles, hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps and calves.

On the StairMaster, you can expect to burn up to 420 calories per hour. Calories are burned when you exert pressure on your muscles, joints, and limbs to move training equipment. To burn the most calories within a workout session, you need to get all muscles engaged and flexing them hard. The more you weigh, the more calories you will burn.

With its rotating steps, it gives the user a climbing experience which is easy on their knees and helps release feel-good hormones that are an instant mood pick-me-up. Some of this equipment have an in-built screen that mimics you walking up the world’s coolest destinations.

If you suffer from knee and joint pain, this equipment will be easy on your aches because it was designed for low-impact training. However, it is important to consult on the nature of your ailment and get a medical practitioner’s prescription.

Pros

  • Great calorie burner
  • Tones and strengthens muscles
  • Low impact exercise
  • Great for building bone density

Cons

  • No workout for upper body
  • Not recommended for use if you have back pains
  • Takes a while to master the technique

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Verdict: So, which is better, Arc Trainer or Stairmaster?

Stairmaster has innovatively revolutionized the fitness industry and we may love it for its uniqueness. However, the real star in the world of fitness is the Arc Trainer because it features a combination of training exercises that cut across the available fitness equipment today.

It is more than an elliptical, treadmill or climbing machine because it provides opportunity for all these workouts and more. Also, as a low-impact exercise, this training unit is perfect for users of all ages, sizes and fitness abilities.