Step Aerobic Exercises Vs. Treadmill Machines

No matter which exercise you prefer, step aerobics and treadmill training both offer the plentiful rewards that come with aerobic exercise. Whether stepping, walking or running, you'll burn calories to help you manage your weight while protecting yourself from the maladies that often accompany a sedentary lifestyle. However, if you're working out at home and price is a factor, step aerobics may be a more practical and economical choice.

  1. Calories

    • You lose weight by burning more calories than you eat, and both step aerobics and treadmill exercises can help you achieve this. For a 155-pound person, a low-impact step workout burns about 260 calories in 30 minutes. A high-impact step workout -- which generally requires greater effort than a low-impact one -- burns about 372 calories. Calorie burning on the treadmill varies according to speed. In half an hour, a 155-pound person burns 149 calories walking at 3.5 mph, 186 calories walking at 4.5 mph, 372 calories running at 6 mph and 465 calories running at 7.5 mph.

    Aerobic Benefits

    • Step aerobics, walking and running all provide aerobic workouts, which offer some important health benefits. Your heart will work harder to circulate oxygen-rich blood to your muscles. You may also see improved cholesterol levels, which lead to clearer arteries. Your blood pressure may decrease, and your body may manage blood sugar better, which will help prevent diabetes. The activity releases feel-good chemicals in your brain, which enhance your mood and can strengthen your immune system.

    Difficulty Level

    • You've been walking and running since you were a child, but the movements of step aerobics won't come as naturally. The exercise involves some fancy footwork along with arm movements, which may take some time to learn. This can be a deterrent if you want a more basic exercise, but can also be a benefit if you enjoy a challenge. Challenging movements can make your workout more interesting, helping alleviate the boredom that can come with repetition.

    Workout Schedule

    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate cardio, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous cardio. Low-impact step aerobics is generally moderate, while high-impact stepping is vigorous; walking on the treadmill provides a moderate workout, while jogging or running provides a vigorous one. Therefore, you can meet your exercise goals with either exercise, increasing the intensity if desired to reduce total workout time.