Treadmill vs StairMaster: Which One is Better to Build Muscles?

Key Takeaways

• The StairMaster targets your lower body, like your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves.
• Treadmills are more versatile, letting you work different muscle groups by changing the speed and incline.
• Treadmills are great for longer, moderate workouts that improve muscle endurance and overall fitness.

Treadmill vs StairMaster: Which One is Better to Build Muscles?

Both the treadmill and StairMaster are great choices when it comes to building muscles.

The StairMaster works like climbing stairs, giving you a tough lower body workout. It focuses on your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, keeping these muscles active the whole time.

The treadmill, while excellent for cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning, typically offers less muscle-building potential. However, you can run, walk, or use the incline feature to improve muscle endurance in your legs.

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Treadmill vs StairMaster: Muscles Targeted

StairMaster: Targets lower body muscles like glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. While effective, its focus is limited to the lower half.

Treadmill: Offers a more wholesome workout by engaging not just your legs, but also your core and upper body. The incline feature further targets glutes and hamstrings, offering balanced muscle engagement.

Treadmill vs StairMaster: Intensity Levels

StairMaster: Offers a high-intensity workout through continuous climbing.

Treadmill: Offers fully adjustable intensity, allowing you to increase speed or incline.

Treadmill vs StairMaster: Frequency

StairMaster: Good for shorter, high-intensity workouts. These sessions build muscle and improve your heart health, but might not be the best choice if you're aiming for long-term endurance.

Treadmill: Best for longer, moderate-intensity workouts. These sessions help you build muscle endurance and improve your overall fitness. Research shows that treadmill running is easier on your joints and puts less stress on your knees than over-ground running while still working your muscles.

Treadmill vs StairMaster: Pros & Cons for Muscle Building

Feature	Treadmill	StepMaster
Versatility	High. Walk, jog, run, or incline.	Low. Focuses on a single motion.
Adjustable Intensity	Easily adjust speed and incline	High intensity, fewer customization options
Cardiovascular Benefits	Boosts heart health	Boosts heart health
Convenience	Widely available in gyms and homes	Compact, but less common than treadmills
Joint Impact	Low, moderate and high impact depending on speed, incline, and intensity	High. Continuous climbing can strain knees and hips
Muscle Engagement	Full-body	Lower body
Workout Variety	Multiple workout options keep it interesting	Repetitive motion, less engaging
Intensity Levels	Customizable for all fitness levels.	High intensity can be tough for beginners.

Boost Your Muscle-Building Routine with the Right Machine

Both the treadmill and StairMaster have their benefits, but the treadmill wins when it comes to versatility and working different muscle groups. Whether you’re walking, jogging, or using an incline, a treadmill like the SOLE F63 or F80 offers a full-body workout that fits your fitness level and goals.

Ready to Build Muscle with SOLE?

The SOLE F80 Treadmill, top-rated in its class, is your best friend for a full-body workout. With features like a 10.1” Android-powered touchscreen and a wireless charging pad, it’s perfect for home workouts of different intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is a Treadmill or StairMaster More Efficient for Muscle Building?
The StairMaster is more efficient for muscle building because it provides a high-resistance, vertical climbing motion that intensely targets the lower body muscles, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. However, the treadmill offers a full-body workout, especially when using the incline feature or incorporating hand weights.

Which Machine Is Better for Long-Term Fitness Goals?
The treadmill is better for long-term fitness goals as it offers more versatility in workouts, adjustable intensity, and the ability to engage more muscles over longer, moderate-intensity sessions.

Which SOLE Treadmill Is Best for Muscle Building?
All SOLE treadmills are excellent choices to build muscles. However, if you’re just starting out, we recommend the SOLE F63. It offers a balance of essential features, including quiet cooling fans, an easy-to-use interface, and convenient speed and incline controls.