🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <Jan.8.13.43.01.1993.19045@gandalf.rutgers.edu> shagan@gandalf.rutgers.edu (Susan R. Hagan) writes:
>From: shagan@gandalf.rutgers.edu (Susan R. Hagan)
>Subject: Re: StairMaster Technique?
>Date: 8 Jan 93 18:43:02 GMT

>gb03@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (GEORGE PHILIP BLUHM) writes:

>>In article <Bq06AE.Dx8@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, djn20624@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Danielson)
>> writes:

>To be a bit more specific:

>>>       At the gym here at the U of I, I see several different "techniques"
>>>that people use on the stairmaster :
>>>
>>>       1. some people put their hands on the front of the console and
>>>          stand erect.  Nearly all their weight is on their feet.  These
>>>          people only use the stairmaster for about 25 - 30 min on a
>>>          med-high setting

>This is the proper posture for using the stairmaster.  These people are 
>using their hands for balance.  You say that they *only* use the stairmaster
>for 25-30 minutes, but that is really a long time, and it is quite a good
>workout.

>>>       2. others lean all over the hand trails and support most of their
>>>          weight that way.  But these people usually go about an hour
>>>          on the highest setting

>They can go for an hour because they are cheating.  This is like doing
>stomach crunches and letting your head rest on the floor in between each
>one.  You can exercise longer, but you won't get the full effect of the 
>exercise.

>Also, these people risk injuring their backs.

>>>       3. still others lean when they get tired.  After leaning on the
>>>          rails for a minute or two, they'll let go of the rails for a
>>>          while.

>Again, they are cheating.  Slow down if you need to, but don't bend over.

>>>   Which one is the "best" for an aerobic exercise??

>The first one.

>>>   Will doing #1 build more muscle?

>I don't think  the stairmaster is supposed to be used to build muscle.  
>Toning and conditioning, yes, building - no.

>-- 
>Susan R. Hagan (shagan@gandalf.rutgers.edu) 
>Publications Coordinator - User Services
>Rutgers University Computing Services


I would like to defend the "leaning-over" (aka "cheating") posture. I've 
read, and have found from personal experience, that using an upright posture 
works the quads more, while leaning over is better for the gluts and backs 
of the thighs. For maximum butt toning, it is recommended that you go 30-60 
min in a weight-forward position on a low resistance. I also have a bad 
back, and this position causes me no discomfort whatsoever.

Lee Ann Wentzell                          "...foodless toads in 
Biology Department                        voluptuous chambers panting
Acadia University                         crawled..."
Wolfville, NS, CAN              P. B. Shelley - Prometheus Unbound