Why Are Step Ups Good for You?

Step-ups hit all the major muscle groups in your lower body. The quads bear the brunt of the action but the move works your glutes, hamstrings and calves too. That means that as well as improving your stair-climbing game, step-ups will improve your strength and resilience for sports like running and cycling.

What do step-ups do for your body?

A step-up targets the quadriceps, here, and hamstrings, here, as well as the gluteal muscles in the buttocks. This is a good general lower body conditioning exercise.

Are Step-ups better than squats?

To target the hip extensors, a step-up may be more effective than a squat. A step-up, however, will not target your knee extensors on the front of your thigh as effectively as a squat. One of the most common complaints during a squat is knee pain.