Life Fitness PowerMills vs Stair Steppers vs Summit Trainers

Life Fitness PowerMills vs Stair Steppers vs Summit Trainers


Climbing machines come in different forms. There are those that emulate climbing up actual stairs and those that operate in a rotating walkway.

Among the biggest fitness equipment brands manufacturing climbing machines, Life Fitness is one of those that offer a complete range. In this comparison review, we’ll dive into their PowerMills, Stair Steppers, and Summit Trainers.

What are Life Fitness PowerMills, Stair Steppers, and Summit Trainers?

PowerMills, Stair Steppers, and Summit Trainers are cardio workout equipment manufactured by renowned brand, Life Fitness. These three machine types come in a variety of models ideal for every use. Whether you’re setting up a home gym or a commercial fitness center, you’ll find a PowerMill, Stair Stepper, or Summit Trainer that will suit your needs.

The Life Fitness PowerMill replicates the motion of climbing steps. The Stair Stepper also performs the same motion but in a steeper, vertical angle. Finally, the Summit Trainer combines the motion of a stepper with an elliptical stride.

Intensity Level of Workout

The Summit Trainer offers the least intense workout among the three. Coming in second is the PowerMill, which provides a medium-impact workout. Stair Steppers offer the most intense exercise primarily because it’s a lot more difficult to climb vertically than to jog horizontally.

Muscle Engagement

The Life Fitness PowerMills, Stair Steppers, and Summit Trainers engage the same lower body muscles which include the quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and calves. The handles of the Summit Trainers engage the muscles of the arms too. However, while the Stair Stepper and Summit Trainer offer great leg muscle workouts, they don't quite match the quad and glute workout that you can get from a revolving PowerMill that mimics a staircase. In addition, among the three, the PowerMill provides a more intense engagement of core muscles.

Stress on Joints

The repetitive motion of stepping with a PowerMill puts a medium to low impact on the knees and ankles, especially if you are using the machine for longer times or at higher speeds. The Stair Stepper has a weaker impact on the joints, which means that you will only experience discomfort if you are working out with the wrong form or exercising excessively. As for the Summit Trainer, its smooth elliptical motion has a low impact on the joints for a comfortable workout.

Range of Motion

Life Fitness Stair Steppers have a pretty limited range of motion. All you can do is move up and down fixed steps. This may feel more repetitive than the PowerMill, which has a wider range of motions as you can freely move your whole body and perform drills on the steps. The Summit Trainer is more versatile because it allows you to choose your stride length and direction for a diverse workout.

Calorie Burn

If your workout goal is to burn calories, you can consider the Stair Stepper. Since the Stair Stepper offers the most intense workout, using the equipment will help in burning calories. The PowerMill is the second most intense and can help with burning calories but it feels a bit boring when you go through the motions. Finally, the Summit Trainer might not be great for your calorie burn goals since it’s the least intense.

Factors to Consider in Choosing Among Life Fitness PowerMills, Stair Steppers, and Summit Trainers


Aside from your fitness goals, it’s important to consider other factors such as price, space requirements, and maintenance, to name a few. Let’s examine each of these elements in detail.

Power Supply

It’s important to check how the exercise equipment will be powered to make preparations before you purchase it. With a PowerMill, you will need an electrical source for it to operate. The Stair Stepper, on the other hand, is self-powered, making it suitable for any location. Meanwhile, the Summit Trainer is primarily self-powered, although some models come with a plug-in option.

Noise Level

The Life Fitness Stair Stepper and Summit Trainer, like many elliptical exercise machines, are smooth and quiet. In contrast, the PowerMill produces more noise especially when running at a high speed.

Ceiling Height

All three machines require a certain headroom for you to be able to workout in proper form. The PowerMill adds another 33 to 36 inches to your height, which basically means that a room with the standard 8 feet ceiling height may not be enough for most people. As for the Stair Stepper, the ceiling height requirement is your height plus an extra 18 to 20 inches. Among the three, the Life Fitness Summit Trainer is shorter than the Powermill Climber, but higher than the Stair Stepper.

Space Consumption

PowerMills are much bigger than Stair Steppers, and their larger footprint means that you need more space in your home gym or fitness facility. The Summit Trainer is bulkier and takes up more square feet than the PowerMill but the latter is taller, requiring higher headroom.

Maintenance

All exercise machines require some level of maintenance, but the Life Fitness PowerMill requires more due to the number of its electronic components. This may need more repairs and maintenance than the Stair Steppers and Summit Trainers over time. The Summit Trainer requires occasional lubrication of the moving parts. However, with proper maintenance, you can prevent the need for frequent repairs.

Pros and Cons of Life Fitness PowerMills

Pros

  • Targets Your Entire Lower Body: The Power Mill works like a revolving staircase so when you exercise, your body goes through a full range of motion. It targets your lower half, including glutes, calves, hamstrings, and quads. After your session, you don’t need squats or other lower-body exercises.

  • Improves Balance at the Core: With each step on the Power Mill, you are working on your balance. Your core will benefit a lot from the balance it provides you.

  • Suitable for Cardio Workouts: This exercise equipment is ideal for your cardio workout. It can burn about 360 calories for a 150-pound person in about 45 minutes.

  • Easy to Customize: It does not have a single setting that you are stuck with. You can add resistance or increase the speed and instantly change the workout based on your goals or instructions from your trainer.

Cons

  • Stresses the Joints: It has a medium impact on your joints, especially your knees and ankles, and the process is more boring.

  • Has a Large Footprint: The exercise equipment is larger and requires more space in your home gym or fitness center.

Pros and Cons of Life Fitness Stair Steppers

Pros

  • Low-Impact Lower Body Workout: Stair Steppers provide a low-impact form of exercise, so they are easier on your body than treadmills. As you climb, it improves bone strength and strengthens your leg muscles. It also improves your balance and coordination.

  • Cardiovascular and Endurance Benefits: Using this exercise equipment enhances your cardiovascular health and helps you burn calories. It increases your heart rate and also keeps you moving at a steady pace, increasing your endurance.

  • Less Impact on the Joints: You don’t have to worry about putting a lot of stress on your joints when exercising with this equipment.

  • More Affordable: The Stair Steppers are more affordable exercise equipment than the Powermill, making it suitable for exercise buffs with a budget.

Cons

  • Limited Range of Motion: Compared to the Powermills, the Stair Stepper has a limited range of motion that might feel repetitive.

Pros and Cons of Life Fitness Summit Trainers

Pros

  • Full Body Workout: Apart from targeting your lower body and core muscles, the Summit Trainer offers a full body workout and cardiovascular training. It combines body climbing and cross-training, building up your arm muscles.

  • Low Impact: Individuals with joint issues or who want to reduce stress on the joints can benefit from the Summit Trainer because of its elliptical motion.

  • Smooth Motion: One highlight of the Summit Trainer is the smooth, fluid motion that makes the workout more enjoyable. It is the least intense option among the three.

  • Extensive Customization: The Summit Trainer models come with adjustable resistance levels and workout programs, making it easy for you to customize your workout based on your fitness level.

Cons

  • Large, Bulky Machine: Summit trainers need more floor space than most cardio machines because of their large footprint. They are slightly smaller than Powermills.

  • Complexity: The exercise machine is slightly more complex than simpler cardio machines, making it difficult for those who are new to this equipment.

Price Differences Among Life Fitness PowerMills, Stair Steppers, and Summit Trainers

There is an extensive difference among the prices of these three Life Fitness machines, so take note of your budget in selecting the best option for you.

The PowerMills range from $6,000 to $7,300; the Stair Stepper has an average price of $3,000 and the Summit Trainer costs between $3400 and $3800.

Comparison Table of Life Fitness Powermills Models


Life Fitness PowerMill Integrity Series Climber

Life Fitness Powermill w/ Integrity C Console

Life Fitness Discover SE 95PS Elevation Powermill

Life Fitness Discover SI Powermill

Life Fitness Discover 95P SE3 HD Powermill

Life Fitness Discover SE3 95PS Powermill

Life Fitness Discover ST Powermill

Price

$5,999

$6,099

$6,599

$6,299

$6,999

$6,699

$7,299

Resistance Levels

25

0-25

0-25

25

0-25

26

26

Heart Monitoring

Lifepulse, DSP, Polar, Telemetry

Contact heart rate


Lifepulse Digital Heart Rate, Polar Compatible

Polar, Telemetry and Bluetooth, Heartrate, Lifepulse, DSP

Lifepulse, digital contact heart rate, polar, telemetry-compatible heart-rate monitoring system


Max User Weight

400 lbs

4000lbs

400 lbs

400 lbs

400 lbs

400 lbs

400 lbs

Weight

473 lbs

473 lbs

473 lbs

473 lbs

473 lbs

473 lbs

473 lbs

Tech Features


Dual remote stop and speed controls, SureStep technology, dual braking system, bullhorn handlebar design, LED display, 4 available workouts, optional attachable TV,

Connect Bluetooth to compatible headphones and heart rate devices. Save workout results via a QR code.

SureStepSystem Technology, 10-inch LCD touch screen, 21 available workouts, 12-185 steps per minute

16” LCD touchscreen with readouts like speed, incline, heart rate, pace, elapsed time, time distance remaining, calories, 22 languages, includes games and apps, virtual courses, compatible with Apple Watch GymKit and Samsung Galaxy Watch.

Multiple workouts and interactive courses, LCD surface capacitive touch screen, 16-inch screen, Compatible with Android and iOS, wide on-slip two-tone stair pedals, integrated reading rack.

Touchscreen navigation, integrated TV, and display readouts include: speed, incline, heart rate, pace, elapsed time, calories, distance climbed and remaining, dual stop-assist, and auto-detect future

Console



16-inch LCD capacitive touch screen, 3.5mm stereo, USB charging, ethernet, and optional WiFi, Includes a TV, virtual courses, solitaires app

10-inch LCD surface capacitive touch screen, 3.5mm stereo, USB charging, ethernet and optional WiFi, attachable TV option, virtual courses, solitaire app

16-inch LCD capacitive touch screen, 3.5mm stereo, ethernet, and included WiFi, includes a TV, virtual courses, Bluetooth compatible, apps include TV, internet browser, Netflix, Hulu, Pandora Radio, YouTube, ESPN, BBC, Newsy, Economistt

16-inch LCD capacitive touch screen, 3.5mm stereo, ethernet, and included WiFi, includes a TV, virtual courses, Bluetooth compatible, apps include TV, internet browser, Netflix, Hulu, Pandora Radio, YouTube, ESPN, BBC, Newsy, Economistt


Comparison Table of Life Fitness Stair Stepper Models


Life Fitness 9500HR

Life Fitness 95Si

Life Fitness 95SE

Life Fitness Integrity CLSS

Price

$3,199

$3,099

$3,199

$3,199

Exercise Programs

23 programs with 5 zone-training options

26 workouts with 5 zone training + workouts

26 workouts, including 5 zone training + workouts

27 workouts, including 5 zone training options

Heart Rate Monitoring

Touch HR Grip & Polar Telemetry Interactive HR Control

Contact, Wireless Compatible

Contact, Wireless Compatible

Contact, Wireless Compatible

Power Source

Self-Powered

Self-Powered, Optional Plug-in Accessory

Self-Powered

Self-Powered, Optional Plug-in Accessory

Display Readouts

Elapsed Time, Total Floors Climbed, Floors per minute, Calories burned per hour, Watts, METS, Heart Rate


Heart Rate, Total Floors Climbed, Floors per Minute, Total Calories Burned, Calories per Hour, Watts, METS, Workout Profile, Time/Level, Elapsed Time


Heart Rate, Floors Climbed, Floors per Minute, Calories, Calories per Hour, Watts, METs, Level, Target Heart Rate, TV, Total Elapsed Time, Total Calories Burned, Total Floors Climbed


Resistance Level, Heart Rate, Elapsed Time, Distance, CaloriesBurned. Calories Per Hour, Watts, METS, Language Choices: 7, Floors Per Minute, Total FloorsClimbed, Work Out. Display: LED; Alphanumeric message center workout profile and lower level time/level display, with Numeric Keypad

Integrated Reading Rack

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Weight

165 lbs

170 lbs

170 lbs

165 lbs

Comparison Table of Life Fitness Summit Trainer Models


Life Fitness Integrity Series Summit Trainer

Life Fitness 95li Summit Trainer

Life Fitness 95le Summit Trainer

Price

$3,599

$3,399

$3,799

Workout Programs

Extreme cardio workout, 25 workout programs with 5 zone training. Includes goal-based and interval workouts

27 workout programs with 9 language choices

27 workout programs with 25 resistance levels

Heart Rate Monitoring

Lifepulse hand sensors and polar telemetry

Contact, wireless compatible

Lifepulse Digital Contact and Polar Compatible

Integrations

iPod integration, integrated reading rack, and accessory tray

Integrated reading rack, accessory tray, dual water bottle holder, integrated screen with display readouts like speed, resistance level, heart rate, etc.

Integrated reading rack and accessory tray, screen with display readout of speed, heart rate, distance, calories per hour, etc.

Design

Plug-in option and self-powered, ergonomic moving arm handles

Self-powered with optional plug-in, over-sized, non-slip pedals, moving arm design

Lift technology belt-drive & mono-roller system, user-defined linear incline fit training technology.

Conclusion

While the Life Fitness Powermill, Stair Stepper, and Summit Trainer are all suitable for lower body and cardio exercises, they are also different in intensity, price, and overall benefits. It’s important to consider your preferences, fitness goals, available space, and budget before choosing the exercise equipment suitable for you.