The International Health, Racket and Sports Club Association (IHRSA) held a trade show in Nashville in 1986. It was during this convention that StairMaster unveiled its new creation, and launched the StairMaster 4000PT, stair stepper without an escalator like, revolving staircase. Rather than a mechanical speed controlling the speed of a rotating staircase as was the case with the SM 5000 and SM 6000, the SM 4000PT had two steps, with motions independent of one another, simulating climbing stairs. Mechanically speaking, its aggregate pedal movement was controlled through a shared rotating shaft, while speed controls would be configured through its alternator. StairMaster would have a great deal of success with their new 4000PT stair climber and the two independent steps design, would set the trend for the next decade, as interest in the rotating staircase models soon began to fade.

StairMaster, Nautilus and Tri-Tech were all gaining momentum in the fitness equipment industries as a result of their overwhelming popular stair climbing equipment. In 1987, the Tri-Tech used their linear momentum to market their newly developed Gravitron. The Gravitron was an assisted dip and chin-up machine, mechanized with a pneumatic cylinder, compressor and accumulator. While the launch of an assisted dip and chin machine was fundamentally a sound invention, the original version would prove to be too comprehensive and complex for usage on an industrial level. Once redesigned with an easy to use weight stack, the Gravitron turned into a huge success.

StairMaster manufactures some of the most popular and effective stair steppers and StepMills in today’s fitness equipment industry. If you have spent any considerable amount of time using stair climbers at the gym, then you have most likely exercised on a StairMaster climber before. As the largest manufacturer of commercial and home gym stair steppers nationwide, StairMaster is responsible for the design, production, development and marketing for industry leading stair stepping equipment. Spearheading the fitness equipment industry with exciting and ground breaking features, StairMaster continues to impress fitness experts across the globe with the premium products that StairMaster continues to introduce into the world of gym equipment.

Specializing in the production, marketing and sales of stair steppers for over three decades now, StairMaster remains the undisputed, heavyweight champion of gym quality and residential Stair Steppers. Examples of the excellent and meticulous manufacturing process that StairMaster religiously employs can be seen through their impressive line of stair steppers. The StairMaster 4200PT, StairMaster 4400PT/CL, the StairMaster 7000PT StepMill, SM 916 Step Mill and SC 916, are all examples of the unwavering dedication towards perfect craftsmanship that StairMaster follows. More altruist than capitalist, StairMaster is addicted toward bettering the fitness equipment industry through their ongoing production of structurally sound, bio-mechanically correct, stair climbers and StepMills. Aesthetically flamboyant and mechanically inferior exercise equipment is not an option for those who seek efficient and effective gym equipment because it will serve as nothing more than a waste of space. StairMaster stair climbers underline and highlight everything good about efficient and effective fitness equipment. Amongst the greatest exercise equipment in the gym sits the StairMaster 916 StepMill. Unlike stationary exercise bikes, treadmills and cross-training equipment (elliptical machines too), the SM 916 StepMill has an extraordinary feature that motivates its user more so than the treadmill, exercise bike or elliptical. Constantly rotating stairs create an environment in which the user of the 916 can’t cheat themselves. Escalator like rotating steps, make it impossible to rest and break while using the SM 916 Step Mill. Users are motivated to complete their workout on the SM 916 due to the fact that trying to slow down may result in falling off the stair-climber and interrupting the workout. While running on a treadmill, it is easy to slow down the speed to a snails pace without losing all momentum.

StairMaster is owned by their parent company Nautilus. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Vancouver, Nautilus is an industry leader for exercise apparel and fitness equipment. While developing, manufacturing and marketing fitness equipment under the Nautilus name, other ubiquitous fitness equipment brands produced by Nautilus include Schwinn Fitness, Bowflex and Treadclimber. Nautilus provides a wide range of exercise equipment ranging from premier, health club quality fitness equipment, to lightweight, budget fitness equipment for the home. Nautilus has received a lot of attention over the past several years due to their creation of the Bowflex Treadclimber. Bowflex SelectTeck Dumbbells have been a success for nautilus lately too. Schwinn Fitness we all know for their awesome Airdyne stationary bike. Well, recently Schwinn has been noticeable on the horizon once again with their steady production of popular spin bikes. Treadmills made by Schwinn Fitness have gained notoriety as well. The Schwinn 860 Treadmill and Schwinn 840 are both solid buys if you are looking for a lightweight treadmill for your home gym.