Full-Size Stair Steppers

Are there any good stair steppers under $1,000?

Unfortunately, there are few options available if you want something between a $100 mini stepper and a $4,000 club-quality stair stepper. There are very few models in this price range, and most don't attract enough reviews to make any call about their quality and durability. Although you can find some older refurbished models in this price range, it just goes to show that fitness manufacturers are rapidly abandoning stair steppers in favor of the more popular elliptical trainers and treadmills.

Some manufacturers that used to offer mid-range models, including Kettler, NordicTrack and Life Fitness, no longer offer any full-size stair steppers at all. Even StairMaster, one of the famous brands in this category, now only offers one pedal-based stair stepper, and it costs well over $3,000.

Club-quality stair steppers

Due to the decline in popularity of stair steppers, most manufacturers have stopped making commercial-quality models for home use. The few club-quality steppers available are not widely reviewed by consumers or fitness experts.

StairMaster, the brand that started the stair stepper craze, has seriously cut back on its stepper line. The StairMaster SC916 StairClimber (*Est. $4,300) is now the only pedal-based stair stepper available under the StairMaster brand. The SC916 works at speeds ranging from 26 to 174 steps per minute and has 10 preset workout programs. It is TV-ready, and users have the option to install the 15-inch NV916 LCD television in the console. Other features include a 300-pound weight capacity, integrated fitness tests and a hand-grip heart-rate monitor. The StairMaster SC916 stair stepper is cordless, and a battery charger is included. It comes with a lengthy multi-year warranty: 15 years for the frame, three years for mechanical parts, and one year for labor and wear items.

Commercial-quality stair steppers don't attract many reviews, but we did find a short review of the StairMaster SC916 StairClimberat Bestcovery.com. This review site says the StairMaster SC916 is the best stair stepper overall, largely because of its ergonomic design and comfortable workout. The writer also appreciates the included workout programs and adjustable speed, which helps accommodate users at different fitness levels. However, it doesn't appear that the StairMaster was actually tested in this review.

The few user reviews available at Amazon.com are mixed. Two users give the StairMaster SC916 StairClimbera perfect 5-star rating, saying the stair stepper works just as well as the models at the gym. "It's the same as the gym StairMasters -- built to last," says one reviewer. The machine is also relatively compact for a stair stepper. However, one owner reports a six- to 12-week wait for a replacement part.

Fitness professionals prefer stair steppers that allow your feet to remain parallel to the floor at all times. The SC916 StairClimber has leveling foot pedals, so your weight is never pushed forward and your center of gravity is always over your heels. Less expensive machines do not have leveling pedals, so keep that in mind when you are evaluating steppers.

Stair steppers with rotating staircases, often called stepmills, are another option for serious exercisers, although they are considerably more expensive than traditional steppers. Experts say that these stair steppers offer a more intense workout than the traditional models because the rotating stairs more accurately replicate the act of climbing actual stairs compared to the pedal-based steppers. Consumers rave about the intensity of the workout on these machines.

The StairMaster StepMill SM916 (*Est. $5,700) is a stair stepper that offers 8-inch revolving steps instead of pedals. The speed of the SM916 ranges from 24 to 162 steps per minute, and it comes with ergonomic handrails and a heart-rate monitor. This model also supports the optional NV916 LCD television. Like the StairMaster SC916 StairClimber, the StepMill has a 300-pound weight capacity and a 15-year frame warranty (mechanical parts are covered for three years; labor and wear items have a one-year warranty).

Be aware that you will need a minimum ceiling height of 10 feet and a 110-volt power outlet to use the StairMaster StepMill. Unfortunately, we found limited reviews of this model from fitness professionals or consumers. The three reviews that we did find on Amazon.com are very positive, with consumers raving about the quality of the workout provided by the StairMaster StepMill. "This is a top-notch cardio workout," says one reviewer. However, these reviews are from people who use the StepMill at a gym, not at home. All three say the price is prohibitive. A few users at Buzzillions.com are pleased with the StepMill's quality and durability, but they caution that the 400-pound machine is a real pain to move.

First Degree Fitness makes a slightly less expensive version with the Aspen StepMill (*Est. $3,600). Unlike the StairMaster StepMill, the First Degree Fitness Aspen StepMill doesn't have an electric motor -- instead, you move the staircase with your own legs and energy. This stair stepper also includes a contact heart-rate monitor and built-in wheels for easy movement. It requires an 8-foot ceiling and weighs 222 pounds. First Degree Fitness offers a five-year frame warranty for the Aspen StepMill, in addition to two years of coverage for the non-wearing components and one year for other parts. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any reviews for this stair stepper.