Can a guy get a better workout on a Stepmill
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From: socal
u dont physically move up a stepmill. like when u put the incline up on a treadmill, are you magically going uphill? no, you're not. you center of gravity stays in the exact same spot in space, just like the weights this guy is carrying.
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From: Northern NJ
If you were just moving your legs up and down you'd never get your heart rate up to where you do on a stair climber. You're physically lifting your bodyweight with each step, increase that weight and you increase your resistance...to gravity. I think its pretty clear cut, do it yourself tomorrow and see if its as easy as you think. 
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by r_duff,Jan 29 2008, 09:40 PM
ok you're either dumb or have no idea what a stepmill is.
If you were just moving your legs up and down you'd never get your heart rate up to where you do on a stair climber. You're physically lifting your bodyweight with each step, increase that weight and you increase your resistance...to gravity. I think its pretty clear cut, do it yourself tomorrow and see if its as easy as you think.
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From: Doh!!
of course it's more work.
Standing still takes more work when you carry a weight. if you don't believe me, try putting 200lbs on your back for 5 minutes while standing still and compare that to standing around for 5 minutes.
Standing still takes more work when you carry a weight. if you don't believe me, try putting 200lbs on your back for 5 minutes while standing still and compare that to standing around for 5 minutes.
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From: Land of Cincinnati Chili
Originally Posted by GT_2003,Jan 30 2008, 06:25 PM
simple physics my ass 
See S2020's post above.
As long as the weight in the pack stays off the ground, he's doing more work just by carrying it. He's using muscles just holding his body erect while stepping, and given the additional weight, he's exercising more than just his legs. Now that's simple physics - energy expended over time.
This idea that "work" is only a measure of movement is a very simplistic concept only vaguely resembling physics.
See S2020's post above.As long as the weight in the pack stays off the ground, he's doing more work just by carrying it. He's using muscles just holding his body erect while stepping, and given the additional weight, he's exercising more than just his legs. Now that's simple physics - energy expended over time.
This idea that "work" is only a measure of movement is a very simplistic concept only vaguely resembling physics.
Holding the weight on your back is giving a wide variety of muscles in the back and torso a workout.
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Originally Posted by S2020,Jan 30 2008, 07:18 PM
of course it's more work.
Standing still takes more work when you carry a weight. if you don't believe me, try putting 200lbs on your back for 5 minutes while standing still and compare that to standing around for 5 minutes.
Standing still takes more work when you carry a weight. if you don't believe me, try putting 200lbs on your back for 5 minutes while standing still and compare that to standing around for 5 minutes.
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Also, work is technically defined by how far you've moved the mass; so, in that sense, he is doing no more work...even if he's moved it up and down 6" over and over for an hour.
The OP didn't use the word work in his post. He said "Adding weight to yourself does nothing except put extra stress on your straight leg.", which isn't true because your leg's not straight if you're on a stepmill...and, as mentioned above, you will MOST CERTAINLY get a better workout with the added weight.
The OP didn't use the word work in his post. He said "Adding weight to yourself does nothing except put extra stress on your straight leg.", which isn't true because your leg's not straight if you're on a stepmill...and, as mentioned above, you will MOST CERTAINLY get a better workout with the added weight.
