elliptical vs stair stepper?
 

right now i want to buy a cardio machine for home and i'm between an elliptical and a stair stepper. i wanted an elliptical because i tore a lot of ligamits in my knee a while back, but i want the kind with the heart rate monitor built into the moving handles, and i have yet to see one. i'm thinking about the stair stepper just because they seem a lot more common and i would think as bonus they would build my legs up a little. what do yall think?

Personally I would go with the elliptical because it is lower impact. No point in having a stair stepper if it is going to aggravate your knee. Go try one out to see if it bothers you... You will probably get your heart rate up higher and burn more calories on the elliptical. Thus more fat loss and better cardiovascular benefits. I haven't ever liked stair steppers...not sure why, but I haven't ever found them to be very useful for my goals.

stair steppers never really got my heart rate up...ellip sure does though.

Two completely different machines and your going to get both sides of the arguments. Both have their advantages and disadvantages so its whatever your most comfortable with. A lot of people with injuries love ellipticals because they limit the impact on their joints and if they have handles you can get a full body workout as compared to a stair stepper.

The elliptical will be easier on your ligaments/joints but I would suggest spending the extra money and getting a good brand such as Precor or some other commercial gym elliptical. With ellipticals I have found that you get what you pay for most of the time. Most of them have every feature you could possibly need including the heart rate handles and you can get incline versions as which can help mimick the stepper.

I prefer the elliptical...

steppers have never done anything but make my calves cramp.