From late November to March each season my go to gym machines to use are the treadmill or /and the Stationary Bike .
These are used to to maintain some type of overall fitness when training outside is not an option.
Wanting to know in any ST’ers use the Stair Climber /Elliptical with positive fitness after using regularly 3-4 times per week .
When I was training for an ultra, I would use a stair climber in additon to my mileage to gain fitness and strengthen the legs without the impact of running. I still use it randomly or if niggles pop up from running.
I’ve used both, but only when injured. I find they do not maintain fitness, but rather just slow the loss of fitness.
I’ve used the stairs as supplement to running when doing long trail run races, especially ones that have an aggressive amount of climbing. For example, I did the Pikes Peak Ascent half marathon (7800 ft of climbing and average 11% incline) and would spend 30 to 45 minutes on the stair climber after doing steep hill repeats since the end of that race is just more aggressive power hiking than running. But other than supplementing running for technical trail ascents, someone said its good for slowing the decline of fitness, not so much maintaining it and I’d be inclined to agree. Not that that’s a bad thing in and of itself if that’s where your season’s cycle is at.
I’ve used the stairs as supplement to running when doing long trail run races, especially ones that have an aggressive amount of climbing. For example, I did the Pikes Peak Ascent half marathon (7800 ft of climbing and average 11% incline) and would spend 30 to 45 minutes on the stair climber after doing steep hill repeats since the end of that race is just more aggressive power hiking than running. But other than supplementing running for technical trail ascents, someone said its good for slowing the decline of fitness, not so much maintaining it and I’d be inclined to agree. Not that that’s a bad thing in and of itself if that’s where your season’s cycle is at.
What was your time at pikes?
Also stair master helped improve by run speed when I was injured. Although mind numbing boringness of watching your steps suck. Don’t hold the railings!
The elliptical is utterly useless, unless you are morbidly injured
I came in just over 4 hours so not bad for a first attempt. I’ll be back.
I’ve used the stairs as supplement to running when doing long trail run races, especially ones that have an aggressive amount of climbing. For example, I did the Pikes Peak Ascent half marathon (7800 ft of climbing and average 11% incline) and would spend 30 to 45 minutes on the stair climber after doing steep hill repeats since the end of that race is just more aggressive power hiking than running. But other than supplementing running for technical trail ascents, someone said its good for slowing the decline of fitness, not so much maintaining it and I’d be inclined to agree. Not that that’s a bad thing in and of itself if that’s where your season’s cycle is at.
Wow this pikes peak race sounds intense! Awesome.