Is the StairMaster worth it?

Yes, the StairMaster is worth it. It's a hard cardio workout with low impact, it works your glutes, quads and calves, and 15 to 30 minutes at a pace where you can still talk is enough to get your heart rate up. The main thing is not to lean on the handrails.

What it's good for

• Cardio in a short time. Climbing stairs is demanding, so you get a solid session in less time than a walk.
• Glutes and legs. The step-up motion loads them more than flat walking or cycling does.
• Low impact. Your feet stay in contact with the steps, so it's easier on joints than running.
• Intensity control. It's simple to go up or down a level.

Common mistakes

1. Holding the rails with your full weight. It lowers the effort and tilts your posture. Rest your fingertips lightly on them for balance.
2. Leaning forward and hunching. Stand tall, with your chest up and your hips under you.
3. Tiny steps on the toes. Use the full foot and push through your heel for more glute work.
4. Skipping every other step to look hard. Taking two steps at a time can work, but it stresses your knees if you overdo it, so go slowly.

A few sessions to try

• Steady: 20 to 30 minutes at a level where you can speak in short sentences.
• Intervals: after a 5 minute warm-up, 6 rounds of 1 minute at a hard level and 2 minutes at an easy level.
• Finisher: 10 minutes at the end of a leg day, light enough that your legs can keep going.

A StairMaster session recorded in Apple Health syncs into League of Fitness and is scored by heart rate zones, so a steady climb at talking pace and the hard intervals each count for how hard you actually worked.

Is it better than other cardio

Not better, just different. It's harder than a flat treadmill walk at the same time, but it can be tougher on your knees than cycling if you have a history of knee trouble. If your knees ache on the climb, lower the level and see a physical therapist if it keeps happening.

If you like it, it's a great option once or twice a week. If you'd dread it, a hill on the treadmill gets you much of the same thing. See if the rowing machine is a good workout for another low impact choice.