If you are looking for an exercise that can increase leg strength, boost aerobic capacity, improve balance and coordination, and strengthen your bones, look no further than climbing stairs. While this might be reminiscent of gym class or sports conditioning, the motion of going upstairs does more for our bodies than we might give credit to.
However, this activity can irritate the joints of those looking for something a bit lower impact while still increasing the heart rate….so what should you use?
Let’s look at the HIIT H14 Trainer from ProForm and compare it to a regular stair stepper. From there, you can determine what is best to achieve your fitness goals!
ProForm HIIT H14 Trainer
A newer piece of equipment from ProForm, the HIIT H14, comes in at $1,699. This price includes a month-long membership to the iFit community (which will then be the standard $39 per month after the 30 days are done) and allows you and your family full access to this online platform. iFit lets you choose your workouts, with studio class workouts and streaming global exercises available at your fingertips.
Need a bit more direction? Perfect – the virtual trainers guide you with interactive workout sessions, even so much as being able to control your resistance so that you hit your goals appropriately.
The H14 Trainer is different from a regular stair stepper that you’d see in a fitness center in that your feet travel along a specific path with two different platforms. With 10 inches of vertical and 5 inches of horizontal space, you combine the motion of a stepper and an elliptical. The handles on the H14 Trainer can also be moved, allowing you to integrate more of your upper body into a workout than you would with a regular stair stepper.
With a 14″ high definition touchscreen (that also has the ability to swivel), you can complete your workout of choice without your feet ever leaving the pedals – allowing for a quieter and lower impact workout.
Are you worried about space? Not with the H14 Trainer – the overall footprint is less than that of an elliptical, allowing you plenty of space to do your workout and leave your furniture in place.
With 26 different levels of resistance silenced with Silent Magnetic Resistance, you’ll be able to work out to your heart’s content without waking anyone else up in the house. A fan, dual 2″ speakers, and water bottle holder will make your workout much more enjoyable, while the cushioned pedals take the impact away from your joints. With a weight capacity of 325 pounds, you might not look at a stair climber and elliptical the same way anymore!
Stair Steppers
Stair steppers in and of themselves aren’t terrible pieces of workout equipment. They can be amazingly helpful in strengthening the lower body while improving endurance! However, there are some differences between stair-steppers and the H14 Trainer. First and foremost is the price – some stair steppers can start around $3500 and make their way to over $10,000, depending on the brand and accessories.
The steps of a stair stepper aren’t typically cushioned and might show significant wear and tear (especially if it’s been inside a fitness facility). In addition, the handlebars are fixed, meaning that you won’t be able to integrate upper body workout into your cardio routine unless you add it in before or after your time on the stairs.
Lastly, stair steppers tend to cause a slight shoulder hunch in participants while using them, especially for extended periods. This is because it takes constant work to engage the core and retract the shoulders so that your upper body isn’t relying on the handlebars to stay on the stepper itself – all of which can be very intimidating for those new to a stair stepper.
These machines are reliable while taking up quite a large footprint. If you’re willing to start slow and build up your intensity (as well as improve your balance and coordination from stepping up), then a stair stepper is a wonderful outlet. If you want to incorporate the upper body while keeping your feet on the pedals as you exercise, then the ProForm H14 is for you!
