Stair stepper machine

When it comes to standard fitness equipment you'll find in just about every gym, a stair-stepper is at the top of the list. It's usually somewhere between the ellipticals and the treadmills, but the cardio machine can be an amazing strength-training tool, too.

It's easy enough to use — one never-ending step in front of another — and taking the stairs to get your daily steps in is important for weight control and building a strong lower body, right?

How to use stair climber for glutes

Yes. But there's an art to crafting an effective stair-stepper workout.

Here, five ways to make sure you're the steps you're logging are worth your time (and not just wasted time climbing stairs to nowhere).

1.

Focus on building lower-body muscle strength.

Every step on the stair-climber engages your calves, glutes, quads, and hamstrings, so it's a good way to target and tone your lower body, says Lisa Niren, C.P.T., head trainer of CITYROW in New York City.

The key, though, is making sure you keep your back upright and core engaged, so your lower half takes the forc

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