Top-Rated Stair Stepper Machines to Help You Step Into Shape

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A stair stepper is a stationary exercise machine that is easier on your joints but still provides a solid cardio workout and builds multiple muscles in your legs and tush. If you're looking to get lean and toned, stair steppers can be a good method to get functional movement training into your workout routines. “Functional movement training offers so many benefits, from improved posture, gait, and stability to increased muscle memory, increased bone density, and working multiple muscle groups at once,” says Sergio Pedemonte, a certified personal trainer and owner of Your House Fitness.

Plus, “stairmasters and steppers allow you to get some resistance while doing your cardio,” says DJ Zmachinski, assistant personal training manager at Life Time. “It’s like doing hundreds of bodyweight step-ups on small steps.”

The uphill aspect of the stepper, though, makes it more challenging than a treadmill, while cutting out the jarring, repetitive impact of running. “This is great for folks recovering from injuries or with pre-existing joint pain, especially in their knees or hips,” says Pedemonte. “You can go fast or slow — most people usually like to go slower for a longer duration,” adds Zmachinski. “I usually recommend starting at 5 minutes and then adding a minute or two each week.”

Like a tread, it can be monotonous, but that doesn’t mean you can phone your workout in. “Make sure you use good posture and don’t hunch over or load all your weight on the machine,” says Zmachinski.

What to Consider

Like a lot of home gym equipment, stair steppers run the gamut from budget options to luxury models. What you’ll need from a machine will depend on if you’re looking for a high-intensity workout or something to help you get more active easily throughout your day. Here are a few factors to consider before making a buying decision.

Footprint

If you're looking for a stair stepper to help you burn a few more calories throughout the day, consider a model that can fit under your desk or can easily fold up out of sight. These products aren't built for strenuous exercise, but can easily be pulled out on your lunch break.

Resistance

The more luxury options on our list will offer more resistance levels. If you know multiple people at different fitness levels will be using the machine, or if you want your fitness equipment to challenge you as you get stronger, look for an option with multiple resistance levels.

2-in-1 Features

Some stair steppers can also act as an elliptical machine, giving you two machines in one. Many of our budget picks also have the option for some arm resistance, so you can get more of a full-body workout.

How We Chose

With so many people melting into their couches these days, we scoured the internet for the best stair steppers to help you easily incorporate more movement into your life. From testing these machines at our local gyms and working directly with brands to learn about their latest offerings, to checking out Amazon buyer reviews and other product roundups, we assessed over 20 products to come up with the top stair steppers we’d not only recommend, but purchase for our own homes.

Pro HIIT H14 Vertical Trainer

In terms of overall value, we think this stair-stepper from ProForm is the best option for those who want to get their cardio fix at home. That's because your feet travel on a 10-inch vertical while simultaneously moving on a 5-inch horizontal elliptical path. This effectively replicates stair-climbing and triggers your calves, hammies, and quads. If you're holding onto the handlebars, you'll also get an arm workout and build biceps and triceps.

The climber offers 26 resistance levels and, with an iFIT membership, a virtual trainer — from one of the thousands of on-demand workouts — can adjust the resistance for you as you sweat, so all you have to do is focus on that next step.

More: The Best Sport Watches for Every Fitness Level

Mini Stair Stepper Machine With Resistance Bands

Tight on space? This mini stepper — which clocks in under 15 pounds — easily stashes in a closet or under the bed when not in use. The machine is built with two resistance hydraulic cylinders that provide a smooth stepping motion, and the option to adjust the step motion height for either short bursts or long steps.

Get even more out of this stepper using the removable resistance bands. While the steps work your lower body, you can tone your chest, back, shoulders, abs, and obliques with low-impact exercises. The small LCD monitor between the steps will track your steps per minute, steps during the workout, and the time and calories burned.

2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer

Get two for the (very reasonable) price of one with this combo stepper/elliptical. It combines the stepping movement with curve-crank technology that makes the oval path of your steps as smooth as on a flywheel-powered indoor cycling machine.

A built-in LCD console (next to a padded smartphone holder) displays your distance, time, speed, RPM, calories burned, and heart rate (based on sensors in the handholds). Using the knob on the main stem of the machine, you can easily switch between eight levels of preset resistance — no matter how hard you challenge yourself, you’ll be getting a low-impact, heart rate-boosting workout.

M3 Max Trainer

This Bowflex machine combines everything you love about an elliptical and a stair stepper machine into one product. It may seem basic in function, but it's top of the line when it comes to performance.

While this exercise machine doesn't have a full screen, you'll still be able to track all necessary information. The Max Trainer's burn rate display shows calories burned and gives you activity targets to hit, too. You'll stay motivated to continue hitting different target zones and resistance levels.

In just 14 minutes on this machine, you'll experience all the cardio benefits typically achieved from internal training.

Vertical Climber

Stepping is a lower body workout; climbing is a total-body workout. As you scale the moving rungs of this vertical climber, using your own body weight as resistance, you'll engage all your major muscle groups (without adding any unnecessary impact to your joints) and send your heart rate soaring.

It's a great option for small spaces, with its small footprint and ability to fold up post-workout (it weighs less than 35 pounds, so don't stress about hauling it back to your closet).

Twist Stair Stepper Machine with Handlebar

Most steppers keep you moving solely in a linear motion — forward and backward. This one adds a slight twisting motion as the hydraulic drive system powers your steps, which helps better target the glutes, inner and outer thighs, obliques, and other stabilizer muscles.

That twisting rod can also be adjusted between to accommodate users of different heights. It also has a digital monitor to help you track steps, time, and calories burned.

SpaceMate Folding Stair Stepper

This lightweight stepper was designed to be as unobtrusive as possible: It folds in half for easy storage in a closet or under a bed, and, at just 45 pounds with built-in rollers, can be easily moved around when you’re ready to work out.

The SpaceMate stepper may be slight in build, but it still delivers the same total-body, cardiovascular benefits as bulkier machines. Two hydraulic cylinders keep your steps smooth, and wide, textured pedals prevent any chance of slipping. Keep track of your steps per minute, total steps, workout time, and calories burned on the electronic monitor.

The Stairway GTL Treadmill Stepper

We tested the Stairway at our local gym. We found that the Jacobs Ladder was much more durable than the more affordable StairMaster SM3 StepMill.

It has a rotating staircase, and the speed of the stairs is controlled by tension of a waist belt you wear while using it. The higher you go and more steps you take, the faster the stairs come. If you slow down, the flow of the stairs will, too. This provides a safer machine that will let its users always feel like they are in control.

You'll need at least an 8.5-foot ceiling for this monster. It features a computer and integrated display that shows the number of stairs climbed, your rate (steps per minute), elapsed time, and calories burned. It can also detect your heart rate via a wireless strap.

Adjustable Mini Stair Stepper

Reimagine your office space with this compact machine, which is less than 20 inches wide and 10 inches high. Instead of just standing in front of your computer, start stepping while typing — or just stash it under your desk to use during breaks between Zoom meetings.

The hydraulic cylinder that powers the machine is quiet enough that no one will hear it while you’re on calls, and the large, nonslip pedals keep you surefooted even when you’re focusing on something on your screen. If you’re not multitasking, attach the included resistance bands for a total-body workout.

Carbon HIIT H7 Cross-Trainer Elliptical

In terms of overall value, we think this stair-stepper from ProForm is the best option for those who want to get their cardio fix at home. That's because your feet travel on a 10-inch vertical while simultaneously moving on a 5-inch horizontal elliptical path. This effectively replicates stair-climbing and triggers your calves, hammies, and quads. If you're holding onto the handlebars, you'll also get an arm workout and build biceps and triceps.

The climber offers 24 resistance levels and, with an iFIT subscription, a virtual trainer — from one of the thousands of on-demand workouts — can adjust the resistance for you as you sweat, so all you have to do is focus on that next step.

More: The Best Sport Watches for Every Fitness Level

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