Why Everyone's Obsessing Over the Stairmaster

If you’re anything like us here at The Edge, GymTok and the new fitness craze around the Stairmaster has likely saturated your ForYou pages. From viral workouts to influencers recommendations, this machine has completely overtaken the realm of fitness. Thanks to gym enthusiast and influencer Hailey Fernandes, the Stairmaster has now become every girl’s new obsession and mission to conquer. She has even popularized the idea that 45 minutes on the machine is the secret to achieving your dream body. Another creator, @shutupcamilla, has also taken to social media to share her irresistible Stairmaster routine: 25-7-2 (25 minutes at level 7, twice a week). So what is it about the Stairmaster that has caused it to become the new “it girl” workout, and does it really work?

I Tried the Viral Stairmaster Workout … Here’s How it Went

Sitting on my dorm room bed, I wondered — it can’t really be all that difficult, can it? But after giving the viral 25-7-2 workout a try, I realized the fitness influencers really are onto something: the machine is definitely a game changer. I’ll admit, about ten minutes in, I was breathing heavily, and my legs were burning and shaking. Through all the pain, I began to understand the hype. While the machine may look simple enough, the repeated motion at a moderate intensity had me sweating relentlessly and hoping the time would tick by faster. But, nothing compares to the feeling after a good workout, and the Stairmaster definitely produced this feeling for me. After trying this workout, I would recommend starting at a moderate intensity and a shorter time frame rather than jumping right into Hailey Fernandes’ viral 45-minute Stairmaster routine if you’re a beginner, as even the 25-minute session was no breeze. 

Is the Stairmaster Right for You?

First, it was the viral 12-3-30 workout and walking at an incline that was praised amongst the fitness community. Now, the Stairmaster has completely taken over as the go-to workout for getting snatched in no time. So, which one is best for your fitness goals: the viral Stairmaster or the trusted treadmill? The truth is, it boils down to preference and your fitness goals. Both machines — the treadmill and the Stairmaster — can be made into an intense cardio workout. 

The Stairmaster has quickly become a fan favorite for a number of reasons, one being its ability to target multiple muscle groups in just one workout. While most cardio machines focus primarily on cardiovascular fitness, the Stairmaster provides a full-body workout, making it the perfect machine if you’re in a time crunch but still want to hit the gym. It is also an excellent cardio burner, as — depending on the intensity and individual metabolic rates — you can burn an average of 300 calories in just a 30-minute session. The Stairmaster is especially good for developing lower body strength, as it targets and tones your glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves. It is also a low-impact, high-intensity workout, making it kind on your joints but still producing maximal results.

 If the hour-long session on the Stairmaster seems too intense, don’t worry! You can start slow with 10-15 minute sessions at moderate intensity and gradually increase the intensity and duration as you become more comfortable with the machine. Before you know it, you’ll be crushing those 45-minute sessions while barely breaking a sweat!