The Stairmaster challenges the butt and leg muscles.

Image Credit: Joseph C. Justice Jr./iStock/Getty Images The Stairmaster provides a cardio workout, while building muscular endurance and toning lower-body muscles. Doing three Stairmaster sessions a week helps tone and slim the legs, reports “Fitness” magazine. While the handrails help you balance, make sure that you are not leaning on them and shifting the focus away from your lower body. If you have knee problems, talk to your doctor before using the Stairmaster.

  Advertisement
 
Tone Your Backside

You use your glutes and hamstrings every time you push through your heel and lift your foot onto the next stair. Strong butt and thigh muscles improve physical appearance and athletic capability, making it easier to run, jump and squat. Try skipping a stair to increase muscular intensity.

  Video of the Day
  
Power Your Quads

Climbing the Stairmaster challenges the quads, or the front, top portion of your legs. Skipping a stair also ups the ante for the quads. Quads power many movements, including walking, running and squatting.

  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
 
Strengthen Your Calves

The Stairmaster works the calves, on the lower, back portion of your legs. If you want to emphasize your calves during part of your workout, shift your weight onto the balls of your feet.

  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
  
  references
  
      Canada.com: Step Up to Shape Up: StairMaster Great for Legs, Butt, Cardio Conditioning
    
      Fitness: Will I Get Bulky Muscles from the Stair Climber?
       




  references
  
      Canada.com: Step Up to Shape Up: StairMaster Great for Legs, Butt, Cardio Conditioning
    
      Fitness: Will I Get Bulky Muscles from the Stair Climber?
    




The Stairmaster challenges the butt and leg muscles.

Image Credit: Joseph C. Justice Jr./iStock/Getty Images

Image Credit: Joseph C. Justice Jr./iStock/Getty Images

      Canada.com: Step Up to Shape Up: StairMaster Great for Legs, Butt, Cardio Conditioning
    
      Fitness: Will I Get Bulky Muscles from the Stair Climber?