Stairmasters Are Out, Arc Trainers Are In
I’m sitting on the cryo machine at the gym. I just did 40 minutes of intensive (and totally epic) strengthening cardio. The cold runs down my back, made even colder by the sweat I’m drenched in.
Just a few months ago, I wrote about my stairmaster era. I summed it up as Gua Sha for the body. It’s safe to say I thought I had found my thing. It would have never occurred to me that simulating Fushimi Inari wouldn’t be enough to keep me from seeking workout thrills somewhere else. As if Kyoto temples and endless stairs could keep me from finding… the Arc.
Not de Triomphe.
Not of the Covenant—though bless me with a good gospel playlist on Spotify and it’s somewhat akin to that.
Nope. This is the Arc Trainer.
It’s been weeks now—working up a triple sweat at the beginning or end of my workouts with this totally exotic machine. The women’s section at the gym just got a whole new facelift, and these machines are the new filler and cat-eye Botox of my workouts.
At first, it felt very similar to Elle Woods working out in her dorm room—kind of iconic. But then the other settings kicked in: Glide, Stride, Climb. That’s when it hit me—this machine wasn’t just cardio. It was contour. Each setting felt like a different sculpt. Glide to warm up. Stride to lock in. Climb to lift and burn.
It’s low-impact, but don’t be fooled—it works everything. Legs, core, arms. The sweat is real. The results are even better. And here’s where it gets really good:
Calories:
OK, let’s talk calories. I think the main reason I ever started the stairmaster was because it burned more calories per hour and was less harsh on the muscles. Trust me, I love a good sprint, but it does take my calves a couple of extra days to recover from the cramps.
This machine? It left me with virtually no soreness. I could go way longer without losing my breath. And guess what—it burned like 3x the calories in half the time. As much as I love the mental challenge of the stairmaster, this feels like fun, and it’s so much more rewarding when you see those calorie numbers shoot up in a fraction of the time.
There’s something so satisfying about a good sweat. You know the kind—when sweat starts to bead down your cleavage and you’ve got that rosy glow… or that downright crazy person look. Nothing says “I had a good workout” like being drenched at the end.
Cardio—like a sprint without the impact.
You know that high you get after a really good sprint? The Arc Trainer somehow gives you all of that—without the impact that usually wrecks your joints. You can push your heart rate up, break a solid sweat, and still walk out of the gym without feeling like your knees or calves are going to wipe you out of the game. Speed, resistance, incline—it’s all adjustable. You can literally sprint, glide, and climb all in one seamless motion. It’s basically cardio... but make it sexy.
Strength training—without the bulky weights.
I’ve graduated from my gym rat era. I no longer take pride in how heavy I can lift or how long I can stay at the gym. I’ve had my fair share of injuries and sciatica to make me seriously re-evaluate my health choices. And not to mention—the bulk. I am so beyond the bulk.
These days, I want a body that’s soft but fit, strong but curvy—a pilates-lean kind of body with curves in all the right places. And this machine seems to blend exactly that: strength and resistance training, disguised as cardio.
It’s a full-body workout that tones without tearing you apart. Sculpted arms, toned legs, a tighter core, and a plump booty—without picking up seventy-pound barbells. It's like getting the best of both worlds.
Toning—you can feel the resistance.
This workout isn’t mindless movement. From the first few strides, you can feel it—your muscles engaging, your body responding. There’s a burn that builds with each motion, like your glutes, thighs, arms, and core are all working together.
I can go longer without feeling out of breath, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s just balanced. The smooth resistance of the Arc Trainer climbs while it challenges and sculpts while it strides. It really feels like more than just cardio—it’s a full-body experience. You leave feeling lighter, but stronger.
We all have our specific gym days. Whether you’re a scheduled girly like “On Wednesdays we wear booty” or more of a go-with-my-body-flow kind of gal, the Arc Trainer really feels like it fits everything into one workout.
It’s like doing squats, legs, kickbacks, arm extensions—and if you put a little extra love into it, it can even be a perfect ab workout. Whether you choose to start your workouts with 15 to 20 minutes and then go into a power pump, or spend your entire session on this sacred arc of the... Trainer, I assure you—this machine is worth your workout.
Once you’ve found your groove—and trust me, you will—it’s impossible not to start experimenting. The Arc begs for a little drama. A little flair. A little you. It’s not just about going through the motions; it’s about making the workout feel like yours.
So if you’re feeling bold (and you should be), here are a few of my favorite ways to turn a good session into a great one:
Little Things That Make a Big Burn:
Standing mountain climbers: Do 20/20+ by placing your hands on the water bottle or phone rest—it’s like standing mountain climbers. Keep good posture, engage that core, and if you’re in the women’s section... stick that booty out.
Grab some light weights at the beginning of your workout:
Triceps + biceps—like a hot girl walk, but make it hot girl strides.
Overhead pulldowns—single or both arms—time them to each stride.
Play with speeds and intensities for different zones and a better burn.
Play your absolute favorite jams (yes, I said it). Pre-pick a playlist that lights you on fire.
And last but not least—don’t be afraid to look funny. Just go for it. People are already self-conscious at the gym—give them a reason not to be. Be the fool in the room. Work up a sweat. Listen to your favorite songs. Heck—sing along with them. (I do.)
One of my favorite parts of today’s workout—and probably the cherry on top of this whole article—was that after an intense and very sweaty session, a girl actually stopped me to ask what perfume I was wearing. Total surprise, because I thought I smelled like sweat. But she stopped me to ask what perfume I had on. It was Delina by Parfums de Marly.
So yes—I’ve done the stairmaster era, flirted with free weights, and lived to tell the tale of gym injuries and bulk regret. But this? This is my soft era. Strong, sculpted, low-impact, full-body bliss—with enough room to glow, gospel, and groove.
If you’ve been craving a new workout or just a new way to feel like you again in the gym—try the Arc. Add the music, add the movement, and don’t forget the perfume. You never know who might stop you mid-sweat to ask what you’re wearing. (Delina by Parfums de Marly, obviously.)
See you on the Arc. xx
What’s your favorite Workout?
What’s your go-to workout machine—or your current obsession at the gym? Bonus points if you’ve got a favorite workout brand to match your sweat. Drop your fave below and let’s trade hot tips (and hotter playlists).
xx,
Sarah Elle, Editor-in-Chief
