What type of stair machine should you go for if you are in the market for one? The best steppers reviewed below will help you decide. Read through the buying guide followed by a breakdown of the most popular ones on the market today.
A good stepper will not only help improve your cardiovascular fitness, but also keep your heart in good condition and help you shed a few pounds while walking or doing light exercise. We'll take a look at three of the best-selling walking machines that you can buy today.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny Health & Fitness Stair Stepper Exercise Equipment Step Machine | Best Overall |  |
| Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer | Budget Pick |  |
| StairMaster 10G Gauntlet 10 Series Stepmill | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Sunny Health & Fitness Stair Stepper Exercise Equipment Step Machine
Pros:
- Similar design to the leading step machines on the market, but a great value
- 10 pound, solid steel frame
- This stepper has a low center of gravity, which makes storage in small spaces easier
Cons:
- The foot pedals are not adjustable, so if they are too small, you could end up hitting your legs against the frame while stepping.
This stepper is very sturdy, which is rare for a budget step machine. It has a foot bar that can hold 300 pounds, which is more than any other machine on our list. The big difference between this machine and others we considered is the price, which is much lower than comparable machines.
However, it is important to note that the foot pedals are not adjustable, so if they are too small, you could end up hitting your legs against the frame while stepping.
2. Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer
Pros:
- High weight capacity.
- Advanced features including an LCD screen.
- variable resistances
- Adjustable stride (from 20” to 28”)
- Durable design
- Suitable for beginners and advanced users.
- Soft foam handles for comfort.
Con:
Pedals may be too narrow for some.
This is one of the best elliptical steppers for home, most notably for its features. It is a 2-in-1 elliptical that can also function as a cross trainer. It is thus one of the top stepper machine for home use and it is also great for cross training. It has various features including an LCD window display, an adjustable back rest, and adjustable stride from 20” up to 28”. As a result, it can accommodate users with different height and weight.
3. Bowflex Max Trainer Series
Pros:
- Very quiet step machine
- Lightweight and sleek look
- Smooth action and no-slip pedals
- Very stable pedestal base
- LCD console displays speed, time, distance, and calories burned
- Bowflex Max Adapt USB allows for future upgrades
- Resistance levels are accurate
- Good for cardio and toning both legs and arms
- Easy to assemble and store
- Great for those who have limited space
Cons:
- Less stable pedaling than competitors
- Heavy
- Pedals are wider than what you’d find in the gym
- Beginners may find the resistance a little strong
Cross-trainers are perfect for a sweaty, muscle-pushing workout for several reasons. First of all, they are compact, so they can fit in a lot of places where regular machines won’t go. Second, they are usually fairly lightweight, so moving the machine around doesn’t require a lot of work or a lot of effort.
And most of all, they multitask. You get to work on your abs, back, biceps, and legs all in one motion.
4. SteelFlex PST10 Stepper
Pros:
- Anchoring feet with 28 lbs.
- Overall weight with the unit is 38 lbs.
- Warranty is 3 years
- Strong steel structure
- Step motion is fluid
- Hand grips are comfortable to use.
- The stepping motion is fluid and comfortable.
- Works with a variety of doorways.
Cons:
- Total weight of the machine may be too much for some people.
- Hand grip bar isn’t comfortable.
- Not good for people just starting with a stepper.
- Adjusting to fit a variety of doorways is more challenging than other models.
When searching for a model to use while exercising, you don’t have to sacrifice safety or your desire to be comfortable in the process. This SteelFlex stepper is the perfect solutiion to your needs.
It was designed with an individualized functional stepping motion that includes a fluid rotation. This rotation provides a resistance to working muscles, which causes muscle growth and increased heart rate.
The SteelFlex is made of heavy, durable steel. It is built to last and it features fast, fluid adjustments that prepare you for a variety of exercises. It’s ideal for athletes looking to add some variety to their training.
5. ProForm Cardio HIIT Trainer
Pros:
- User-friendly design and easy to program
- Setup can be completed in around 1 minute
- Very sturdy & durable
- Justifying the money from the actual results
- Good value for money
- Multi-functional cardiovascular machine
Cons:
- Bluetooth breaks easily.
The ProForm Cardio HIIT Trainer is the perfect addition to any home gym. It allows you to get a total body workout in just one device. It is a stationary bike that incorporates many features in order to give you a good cardiovascular workout.
This stationary bike incorporates a balanced flywheel that makes the ride feel super smooth. This bike also gives a wide variety of adjustments of the handlebars so that anyone regardless of their size would be able to use it.
The console of the machine is very easy to use as well, with only a few buttons you can quickly move through the programs.
6. SOLE CC81 Cardio Climber
Pros:
- Solid construction, long-lasting
- Stepping motion is very smooth
- Climber and stepper combination
- Small footprint, collapsible for easy storage
- Versatile design for a wide variety of workouts
- Very affordable
The Sole CC81 comes in three variations. Their Climber versions are the best stepper machine for your home. It has a simple foldable design that allows you to easily store the stepper in a closet or corner. You can also use the stepper without a flywheel, just like a stationary exercise bike.
The SOLE CC81 has an ergonomic handlebar system that offers a head-to-toe full-body workout. You can do your chest press, step ups, squats, crunches, and even butterfly squats. The compact design and low impact design makes the exercise a low risk way of getting a full-on workout.
Plus, the SOLE is easily connectable to a variety of smartphones, allowing you to view your workout stats in real time. The SOLE CC81 has the most features and is the best rated stepper machine for your home.
7. Kettler Home Exercise/Fitness Equipment: Montana Stair Stepper
Pros:
- Strong solid build of steel and aluminum.
- Can withstand heavy users.
- Affordable for mid-range price range.
- Sixteen different resistance levels.
- Grip rails for safety.
Cons:
- One of the more bulky stair climbers you will find.
- Needs to be assembled.
- Does not fold in half for easy storage.
This stair climber is designed for home use. It is made of steel and aluminum and comes in a powder-coated grey. This makes it look great in any home setting. The steel and aluminum combination makes it very solid and stable even when you are using it on sixteen different resistance levels. This makes it safe for you to use even if you are quite a heavy person. The frame dimensions are 10 by 22 by 61 inches and when it is fully assembled it weighs about 55 pounds.
It comes with a grip rail feature so that you have a comfortable hold on the handlebars throughout your workout. This is designed to give you safety and security even when you are on the higher levels of resistance. The rail is positioned higher than on some of the other stair climbers but it still gives you a comfortable grip.
8. StairMaster 10G Gauntlet 10 Series Stepmill
Pros:
- Performs a variety of workouts in one machine
- Can be dubbed as the most versatile stepper machine
- Ideal for hardcore stepper athletes
- Has challenging presets and endurance courses
- Excellent for workout tracking
- Suitable for newbies to advanced stepper athletes
- Features different incline settings
Cons:
- Requires extensive assembly upon arrival
- Complicated to operate
- The onboard computer is not responsive
This exceptional stepper machine can be dubbed as the most versatile stepper machine. It offers a wide range of workout options and ideal for individuals who are keen on stepping. It has a large LCD display, which makes it easy for users to read the target readings.
Furthermore, the machine provides you with a wide range of workout options such as step counting and preset courses. It also features different incline settings. The machine is a perfect option for individuals who are shopping for the best fitness equipment for their home.
9. StairMaster SM3 StepMill
Pros:
- Incline function
- Small footprint
- High quality components
- Adjusts to your size
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Loud
- Expensive
This is one of the best deals for a gym step mill machine. The 37 pounds flywheel, the adjustable tension, and the various incline options make this a great workout for everyone who wants to feel the burn.
The SM3 is a stepmill, ideal for walkers, intermediate runners, and other athletes. It can be used either by itself or combined with workouts in other types of exercise equipment like free weights.
The exercise computer is very basic, but it does its job well and serves its purpose. It tracks time, distance, and calories.
10. StairMaster 8-Series Gauntlet
Pros:
- The computer tracks your speed and time.
- Easy to read computer console.
- You can manually enter your time and your distance to keep track of it.
- A nice piece of hardware combined with an excellent electronic interface
Cons:
- The straps on the handles always get in the way.
- The hand grips may not hold up over time.
- The stair climber is loud.
This stair climber is an excellent piece of exercise equipment to have in your home or office. It can help you get to blast your abs and also help you to get in shape and in a better mood.
It can improve your strength and endurance without burning calories. The machine can be used by beginners also and you can set this machine to different intensity levels and adjust it accordingly as per your requirements.
The LCD console has most of the standard features that you would want in a gym. It will tell you the time, distance, contact time and calories you’ve burnt through the whole exercise. It will also give you your pulse rate which is a good indication of your exercise performance.
11. Avari Programmable Stepper
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Easy assembly
- Great for lower and upper body workouts
- Large, sturdy foot pedals
- Heavy duty construction
- Smooth and quiet operation
- Best for stair stepping
This Avari stepper has a range of over 10 levels and each level represents about a 0.1 mile (or 0.2 kilometer) distance. It has a total of 10 levels which allows you to burn calories and improve muscle tone. It has a large, sturdy foot pedals that are 7.5 inches (19.0 cm) long and 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) wide.
In addition to its large size, it is stabilized by a metal bar that is between the foot pedals. Furthermore, its belt is covered with high quality fabric and it has metal reinforced rollers.
This sleek-looking stepper is easy to use and features a smooth operation. Additionally, the electronic display features a completion meter and a timer that can be set to a maximum of 99 minutes.
12. Jacobs Ladder The Stairway GTL Cardio Stair Stepper Climber
Pros:
- Moveable handlebars.
- Heart rate monitor chest strap included.
- Good extended use reviews.
- 20 levels of resistance
- Folding for easy storage
- Stable and can support up to 300 pounds
- Easy to adjust the steps
Cons:
- Adjusting the pedal height can be tricky.
- No built in cooling fan.
The Jacobs Ladder GTL Stair Stepper Climber is made from painted steel. It is very stable with an ultra padded seat, and angle adjustable handlebars. It also has twenty adjustable levels of resistance so you can work just the right amount of intensity.
The Jacobs Ladder features a touch screen for easy controls. This is a very nice feature! It also has a built in heart monitor so that you know exactly how hard you are pushing yourself as you sweat. It also has touch sensitive tempo buttons for instantaneous control and drive.
A nice feature about the Jacobs Ladder is that it folds for easy storage. It has an overall weight of 107 pounds. It has a mandatory 120 minute break in period, but after that it can be used for up to forty minutes per session. Just take a break for ten minutes or more and you can ride the Jacobs Ladder more often than that.
13. StairMaster 8-FreeClimber
Pros:
- Great for upper and lower body exercises.
- Can make use of any stairs around the house.
- Covered with an extra layer of rubber.
- Ergonomic design for comfortable exercising.
- LCD display
- Can measure 30-minute intervals and has a speed switch
An extremely affordable stepper is the Stamina InStride as it one of the best price-performance steppers in the market. It has a large foot plate for comfort and a non-skid base so that it can stay in place.
It can burn 11% more calories than the average stepper. Treadmills are cheaper, but the InStride is lighter than treadmills, making it a nice option if you do not want to incur the added costs of gas or electricity bills.
The step height is 2.5 inches. Overall, the Stamina InStride is a durable equipment that can be used as part of a program for general toning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which is the best stepper machine?
In my humble opinion, you need a stepper machine only if you are trying to lose some weight. This is the best kind of machine for that. Before you buy one, there are some things you need to know.
Most steppers work by generating foot peddle motion that is transferred to a plastic drum. The more steps you take, the more resistance it provides. Since the drum moves a fixed distance, the more resistance it offers, the harder it is to move.
Steppers are a great tool for getting in shape because they engage the leg muscles in a way that can burn a great deal of calories, burn fat, help develop muscles and, if you work at it, can also help develop a lot more endurance.
Is a stepper machine any good?
Stepping is a whole-body activity that can improve your overall fitness while strengthening your muscles and boosting your metabolism. Aside from burning calories and increasing your aerobic capacity, steppers are a good way to tone your whole body.
Steppers are also beneficial to your musculoskeletal system. Steppers are low-impact and can be very beneficial to people who suffer from lower-back issues, knee pain, ankle problems or heel pain. Improvements in balance, agility, and overall coordination are also seen with steppers, which is important to all of us regardless of age.
Is the stepper better than the treadmill?
Both are good to go for home workout.
It depends on what kind of training you want. If you want to lose weight fast, then steeper maybe your choice. But if you want more cardio training and endurance, maybe treadmills have more benefits this time. Why treadmills?
Some pros and cons of steppers:
- Stepper is quiet while treadmill makes noises
- Stepper is less bulky compare to treadmill
- Since the equipment is compact and tends to be small, they are convenient for home use and also affordable
Unfortunately, they are less in cardio training effect and can't make you lose weight fast.
Is a step machine good for weight loss?
There are many people who believe that, because stepping involves the lower body muscles, it is good for weight loss. In reality, stepping is a perfect workout for correcting and preventing weight gain.
If you are overweight, your metabolism is likely down. You might have more or less the same body weight now than you did 10 years ago, but after three weeks of stepping you will notice and improvement in your physical appearance. Stepping is an exercise that you can stick with.
It is also a great full-body exercise because you use both upper and lower body muscles to propel yourself forward. It is a great way to build strength and endurance in the legs, especially the gluts. Stepping increases coordination and balance, and it provides a great cardio workout.
Conclusion
Are you looking for a low cost stepper machine, but confused which is the best stepper for you? You are at the right place, today we have decided to come up with 13 top rated stepper machines in 2022.
We have taken into consideration a wading range of important factors including the budget, the type of fitness machine, the features, the number of workout programs, the dimension, the intensity and many more.
With the help of proper comparison, this guide will surely help you to get the best stepper machine for your home gym.
Read on to find the best stepper for you.