I’ve been overdoing it at the gym lately. Well, not at the gym, per se, but actually on the stairmaster.
I’m obsessed with the machine, as it provides such an intense workout (I’m pouring sweat after just 15 mins) and it allows me to Netflix binge without guilt.
The downside to all of this intense cardio, though, is not the toll on my body …but rather the damage to my wrists.
To prevent myself from hunching over, I invert my wrists while I walk on the machine …basically turning them semi-backwards… and what was originally just uncomfortable is now a pretty severe pain.
My wrists are perpetually swollen, and I have a dull-ache that persists 24/7 from both wrists. I’m hoping I haven’t caused any permanent damage, and that a good icing tonight will undue any harm I’ve caused from repeated use.
The bad part? The aching wrists aren’t stopping me from going on the machine again and, inevitably, inverting my wrists as I find my groove on the machine. Can anyone recommend a wrist brace or, better yet, a position I can hold that won’t cause so much pain and spraining to my wrists?
As always, bon appetit, my friends!
~ Tori
The Memoirs of a Yo-Yo Dieter 
During an exhausting workout, it’s tempting to grab the rails of the Stairmaster and hold on for dear life. However, consistent clutching of these rails can cause “Stairmaster wrist,” or tendinitis, which is a painful inflammation of tendons caused by overuse. Rest your hands lightly on the rails if you need support, and don’t hold on tightly. This has the added benefit of increasing the effectiveness of your workout.
Read more : http://www.ehow.com/about_5068274_problems-stairmasters.html