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Research has shown us that the stair climbing is a great low impact cardiovascular workout such as walking but with a higher calorie burn. The motion of stair climbing is achieved using a step machine.
Stepper machines are not quite as popular as the treadmills and the ellipticals. Yet, these machines are slowly but surely cementing their foothold in the fitness industry.
There is a slew of options in this segment ranging from mini steppers to 3 in 1 machines. Each machine has its own pros and cons. The compactness of the mini stepper allows for easy storage and is ideal for a beginner or a casual trainer. A fully equipped stair climber offers much more variety in workouts and should entice serious fitness enthusiasts. However, will all these choices, choosing the right step machine could turn out to become a daunting task.
Here is a list of ten best step machines in 2017 that should make your hunt for the ideal stepper a whole lot easier.
#10 Panaseima PM-303
Panaseima PM-303 is a standard step machine with a twister and a dumbbell attachment for a full body workout.
Maximum user weight: 100 kg.
The PM-303 user hydraulic cylinders for the stepper movement. The movement is smooth and induces minimal strain on joints and bones. However, there are no details on the adjustable resistance. The absence of the adjustable resistance removes choice and customizability to the user. The slip-resistant pedals hold the feet in place and offer reasonable levels of stability during the workouts.
The foldable twister on the other side allows for toning of thighs and the lower back. The dumbbell set completes the full body workout by toning the upper body. The LCD monitor on the handlebars offer basic information about the workouts such as the time, calories, and the step count.
The durable steel frame should last a couple of years with low to moderate usage. The three in one ability of the machine presents a good argument to buy it for a home gym.
#9 Lifeline Stepper with Twister & Dumbbells
This stepper machine from Lifeline integrates the stepper with a twister and a dumbbell set to aid the user for a full body workout.
Maximum weight: 100 kgs.
This stepper offers movement using hydraulic cylinders, which facilitate a smooth motion reducing the stress on the knees and the joints. An adjustable power system offers added customizability in the workout sessions. The wide pedals should accommodate people with large feet. Moreover, the slip-resistant pedals should offer enhanced stability even during those long workout sessions. Adjustable step height is a bonus.
Along with the stepper, we see a foldable twister on the other side. The twister is ideal for toning the waist and the dumbbells on the machine offer toning the upper body. The LCD display on the handlebars offers minimal information about the workouts. It can only track all the basic information such as count, calories, and time.
The sturdy construction is highly durable and should last years with low to moderate usage. The foldable design of the stepper machine allows for easy storage during long periods of inactivity, which is a huge plus in our books.
#8 Vevor Exercise Climber
The exercise climber from Vevor is a slightly different machine as it simulates the effect of a stair climb, which is not seen on a lot of the models.
Maximum user weight: 330 lbs.
The high weight capacity makes this piece of equipment suitable for almost everyone out there. The LCD monitor on the machine offers basic tracking such as time, calories, etc.
The machine has a very low operating noise, making it ideal for home use even for long periods of time. Moreover, the frame has a very smooth movement, allowing for a much lower stress on the joints of the body.
The durability of the machine should not of a concern, either. The sturdy frame of the exercise climber should last the test of time. In addition, the foldable design allows for easy storage during periods of inactivity.
However, one cannot change the resistance offered by the machine. The extra level of adjustability is absent in this model.
Overall, this is a great exercise climber for beginners and casual trainers. It retails for around INR 12,000 on Amazon.
#7 iLIVING ILG-903
The mini twister stepper from iLIVING is a great machine for toning your legs, thighs, and the lower back muscles.
Maximum user weight: 220 lbs.
The motion of the stepper machine is achieved using a hydraulic cylinder that offers a smooth cycle. It ensures that there is a minimal strain on the bones and the joints of the body. The machine has a twist action that aids if muscle toning of the lower back region as well.
The handlebars and the non-slip foot pedals offer good levels of stability during the workout sessions. The handlebars and the steppers are both adjustable, giving the user a good choice of customizability. The interactive LCD monitor on the machine tracks all the basic metrics of the workout.
The heavy-duty steel construction offers tremendous levels of durability and the machine should survive the test of time with moderate use in a home gym. The small platform ensures that the machine slides in comfortably into any corner of the home.
Overall, this machine is a good buy for both beginner and novice trainers who are looking for a stepper with a handlebar for added support.
#6 Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands
The mini stepper from Sunny Health & Fitness is a compact machine with a set of resistance bands that aid in bridging the gap of not having a pair of dumbbells for a complete workout.
Maximum user weight: 220 lbs
The portable machine has a built-in adjustable hydraulic resistance system that provides smooth stepping motion. Unlike its big brother, there is no twister motion available.
The design of the stepper allows for a stair stepping action for better toning of thighs and coupled with the resistance bands, this is a perfect little stepper for all the basic needs of a trainer. The mini stepper also comes with an LCD screen that tracks all the basic metrics during the workouts.
Large slip-resistant foot plates are quite comfortable and should house people with big feet as well. The heavy-duty steel construction has high durability and provides years of reliable use. The small machine is very easy to transport and store during periods of inactivity and when the space in the home is limited.
The sturdy stepper is ideal for home use for either a beginner or a casual trainer.
#5 SereneLife Mini Stepper SLXS6
The mini stepper from SereneLife is an elliptical stepper trainer aimed at fat-burning and body sculpting.
Maximum user weight: 220 lbs.
The operation is largely smooth and hassle-free and thereby, reducing the stress on the knees and the joints. The simple “step-on” operation ensures that one could meet their respective fitness goals from virtually any room in the house. The unique twist “wing-style” offers a complete workout toning the whole lower body.
The comfortable large foot pedals are very convenient for almost all the body types. The LCD display on the machine runs on a pair of AA batteries and tracks the basic metrics of the workout such as calories, speed, and time of the workout.
The steel construction of the machine offers great durability and should last ages in the home. The compactness of the mini stepper from SereneLife assists in transport and storage during periods of inactivity.
However, the model is pricier than the competition. With the absence of adjustable resistance system, it also offers limited customizability for the price.
#4 Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper
The Twister Stepper from Sunny Health & Fitness is a quality product that provides efficient low-impact cardio workout specifically targeting the muscles of the lower body.
Maximum user weight: 250 lbs.
The adjustable resistance offered by the stepper adds that extra level of customizability to the workout. The mechanism is quite simple and one can change the resistance with the help of a large dial on the machine. The step machine also offers a twister mechanism that allows for better body toning of thighs and obliques.
There is even an LCD console on the machine that offers minimal information about the current workout such as total count, time, calories, and rep count. The oversized slip-free pedals are quite comfortable and hold the feet firmly in place during workout sessions.
The compact dimensions of the stepper allow for easy transport and storage during periods of inactivity, which is a huge plus for any home gym. Moreover, the durable construction of the machine should make it last the test of time with low to moderate activity.
However, there have been a few complaints about the noise levels of the machine. If that is not a problem, this should be a very good buy for both beginner and experienced trainers alike.
#3 Soozier Aerobic Waist Twister/Stepper Fitness Machine w/ Dumbbells
Soozier Aerobic Waist Twister/Stepper Fitness Machine w/ Dumbbells is a great machine with a host of capabilities making it an ideal home gym partner.
Maximum user weight: 220 lbs.
The 3 in 1 twist machine is very versatile and allows for full body toning through its stepping, twisting, and dumbbell workout options.
The large stepping pads are very comfortable and offer a great fit even for people with large feet. The resistance offered using the hydraulic cylinders allows for a smooth motion and thereby, reducing the strain on the joints. It also has a set of resistance bands to aid you in upper body workouts. This can be coupled with the dumbbells for an enhanced body toning.
The handle offers good support for an improved full body workout. A twister desk sits on the opposite side of the stepper, which is ideal for abs and oblique toning. Moreover, there is an added layer of customizability, thanks to the adjustable step height and width.
The LCD display on the machine offers all the basic information about the workouts. There’s no option to connect this to any smart device for added insights, though.
The durable steel construction should last for the test of time. However, with the added features and a lack of foldable design, this model falls short of being a storage-friendly machine.
#2 Viva Fitness Aspen Stair Mill 4000
The Stair Mill 4000 is a good choice for people looking for a higher calorie burn within a short amount of time.
Maximum user weight: 222 lbs.
Stair mill climbing is considered a better alternative to the standard step-up and step-down exercise as it has a very low impact on the knees and the other joints of the body. Along with the low-impact, this machine also offers a higher calorie burn.
The machine has an adjustable pace for various fitness levels. This adds an added level of customizability to the equipment. The machine functions without a motor and the motion are achieved using an electromagnetic system.
The console on the machine tracks all the basic data of the workout such as the time, steps per minute, etc. A contact heart rate monitor allows for accurate heartbeat tracking.
Although the machine is designed for commercial use, it is a great choice for a home gym for serious fitness enthusiasts. However, Viva Fitness Aspen Stair Mill 4000 falls on the expensive side and cost over INR 3 lakh on Amazon.
#1 Bowflex TreadClimber TC20
The TreadClimber is Bowflex’s most advanced incline trainer. This is much more than a simple step machine, it is an amalgamation of three machines into one: a treadmill, a stair climber, an elliptical trainer.
Maximum user weight: 300 lbs.
The TC20 has an advanced Goal Oriented Coach technology that allows the user to set personalized training goals adding an extra level of adjustability and customizability to the users. Moreover, the machine includes a heart rate monitor for better tracking.
The higher weight capacity of the machine is great and should be a non-issue to almost everyone out there. The ergonomic and sturdy construction allows for high durability of the machine.
However, this machine offers too less on the infotainment side. There are few preset workouts and it does not offer any other connected infotainment solutions for a more immersive experience.
The Treadclimber TC20 is a great option for a serious fitness enthusiast. The ability to use the machine for more than a single exercise is a huge plus. However, with its high price, it may only have a few takers. It retails for just over 1 lakh on Amazon.
