Building a stairway to a heavenly derriere
June 8, 2017 Ashley 0 Comments
“Okay ten more minutes and you can rest.”
“Well.. ten more minutes, fifty squats, some lunges, hydrant kicks, and then you can rest.”
I say this, as I fight the fiery temperatures (yes, already in Virginia) for the last few moments of my woodsy trail run. And, apparently, I’m not the only one who slips in some strengthening after cardio. I mean, in a way, it makes sense. By clumping all our sweat stuff together, we can get it over and done with. Then, we can go clean ourselves up, proceed with the day, and forget about it until tomorrow – when we’ll likely swing the strengthening spotlight onto another body part. But what if you didn’t have to do it after cardio? Or before? What you could work your booty while you’re doing cardio and beat the heat simultaneously? With a timeless classic, no less?
Like… the Stairmaster?
(Raise your hand if you’re sold already.)
Believe it or not, I’ve never actually tried one’ve these things. By the time I was interested in cardio machines, the elliptical and treadmill were the more fashionable option. So I stuck with those. However, this neglected relic (which always makes me think of an 80’s Jane Fonda-bee, donning tights under a thong body suit) has actually got a lot going for it. And, seeing as I’m always into trying new things, I figured I’d do my research. The facts didn’t disappoint. For example, the number of muscles you work on this thing is impressive and a half. If you’re looking to fortify your gams, the stairmaster’ll strengthen your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves. Aside from the fact that built up brawn burns more fat, this also means lean, schmexy stems, with two tight fleshy derriere orbs perched atop ‘em.
And, speaking of fat burning, how about that actual caloric value? When you step up your gym game with this stepping machine, you aren’t just pumping muscles. You’re also pumping blood – the way you would in a good cardio workout. That means, not only are you getting in your brawny gains, but you’re also incinerating that energy you ingested too much’ve last night. (Thirsty Thursday’s always followed by munchies midnight, isn’t it?) In fact, a 160-lb. person can chuck roughly 360 calories in half an hour… all while shaping their legs and bum. And I’m all about a twofer.
Only caveat? You’ve gotta keep your paws off those hand rails, for the most part.
(“Marcia, do you wanna granny bottom or a Granny Smith apple bottom? Then, hands off!”)
Exceptions? Yes, those exist – if you’re doing a warmup, cool down, working through an injury , or this’s you’re first time and you’re still getting your stems’ steping muscles up ‘n running. Otherwise, hands off. Unless you’ve gotta balance condition, don’t rely on those supports for the whole workout. Force your muscles to work harder to keep you up, in lieu. Make your seat meat do the work. Why? That’ll make for the maximum caloric burn (and booty boosting) ‘cause you’re working the right muscles, instead’ve pawning the job off onto your arms.
Then, finally, it’s a fab way to beat the heat. I won’t pretend to be a veteran of a lot’ve things. However, I’m fairly accustomed to running in any kind’ve weather by now. (Trail running is my fave.) Freezing. Sweltering. Hurricanes. (Yes, you read that right.) That said, I do know the human limits. And if it’s approaching 100 degrees in the middle of the day and that’s the only time I have to get my body moving, then hitting the gym might be a better bet, ya know? And, if I happen to also be in a time crunch, why not take down the amount of time I spend there, by lifting my booty during my heart pumpery?
So, if you wanna master dat azz, Stairmastering might be right for you.
You’ll get a good sweat, blast a bunch’ve calories, bubble up that booty, and beat the heat.