Stair Master thoughts?

Anyone have any success with the stair master?  I worked out on it for 30 minutes & felt really good afterwards, but in the past have had no weight loss success with it.  I always see super in shape people using the machine...so it obviously does something.

I was wondering what everyone's opions were about this machine for weight loss.

Eh for losing weight I dont think it would do much.. but sure does give you a great butt =] (sorry couldnt help myself)  It will build alot of leg strength

worked out for ever on it because at some point it was the only thing I could do but never did have any results on it. Weight lifting has proven to be the best for me. Even over cardio...

Jolanda

Thanks for the replies....I do want to tone the backside...but still working on losing a bit of weight first...guess I will continue with the elliptical & treadmill. :)

I love the stairmaster as an adjunct to my running and use it for HIIT - so I will go slow for a few mniutes to warm up, then alternate moderate and then super fast at times that work for me on that day. Generally, I do 2 minutes moderate, 1 -2 minutes really fast, then 2 moderate adn so on... But honestly, I listen to what my body feels like. I also do it for 40 minutes. Generally lifting is done before but sometimes I don't have that luxury. 

Good Luck! 

I use it for cardio in conjuction with spinning and running.   I also lift 4-5 times a week.  It is def a good cardio workout, but on its own it won't help you lose weight unelss you have a rounded out fitness program and have you diet in check.  Diet is key!  :)

Bill Bradley among others really screwed up his hip joints doing the Stairmaster to excess - make sure you crosstrain doing other things as well.

 Note that while this particular injury is specific to the stairmaster, chronic overuse injuries from only doing one thing and not adressing muscle/posture imbalances is extremely common in all forms of exercise. If you want to be healthy, you'll do a variety of things ;)