Full-Size Stair Steppers

Stair steppers for under $1,000

Unfortunately, there are few options if you want something between a $100 mini stepper and a $3,000 club-quality stair stepper. There are only a few models in this price range, including the Kettler Power Stepper 7876-900 (*Est. $670). This hydraulic stepper has 12 adjustable resistance levels, and the console features data on time, speed, total steps, calories burned and pulse rate. Unfortunately, the reviews on this model are sparse, and there is little data available to make an informed decision on this machine. The only consumer reviews of this product, from two owners at Buzzillions.com, mention that the Power Stepper is easy to set up, but one owner says that the model he received had a shorter range of motion and a different color than the model that was advertised.

The NordicTrack MTN 740 Stepper (*Est. $650) has the appearance of a club-style stepper, with a heavy base, eye-level control console and heart-rate monitor. It boasts several features that may be attractive to frequent exercisers, including built-in fans, 10 levels of adjustable resistance, iFit compatibility (which lets you follow workouts downloaded from the Internet or loaded onto memory cards) and a choice of workout programs. The MTN 740 Stepper receives mixed reviews from ConsumerGuide.com, which finds that it provides a good workout, but with a somewhat flimsy frame. They are also unimpressed with the short warranty. Roy Wallack reviews the NordicTrack MTN 740 Stepper for the Los Angeles Times and finds that it has a great array of features for the price. He also notes that the machine feels very solid for a relatively inexpensive stair stepper. However, Wallack also notes that the heart monitor seemed to be malfunctioning on the model he tested.

Club-style stair steppers

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

StairMaster, the Nautilus brand that started the stair stepper craze, has seriously cut back on its stepper line. The StairMaster Stairclimber SC916 (*Est. $3,450) 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. The Stairclimber SC916 is TV-ready, and users have the option to install a 15-inch LCD television in the console. This stair stepper is cordless, and the battery charger is included. Unfortunately, this model is too new to have acquired reviews from experts or consumers. Still, previous StairMaster steppers have been well-reviewed. Nautilus offers a three-year parts and 15-year frame warranty on the SC916.

Fitness professionals prefer stair steppers that allow your feet to remain parallel to the floor at all times. The Stairclimber SC916 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 (similar to climbing an escalator the wrong way) are another option for serious exercisers, although they are considerably more expensive than traditional steppers. Experts say that these 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. $5,300) is a stair stepper from Nautilus that offers 8-inch revolving steps instead of pedals, which may provide a more intense workout than traditional pedal-based steppers. The speed of the SM916 ranges from 24 to 162 steps per minute, and it offers ergonomic handrails and a heart rate monitor. This model is also TV-ready, so you have the option of installing a 15-inch LCD television in the console -- at extra cost, of course. Be aware that you will need a minimum ceiling height of 10 feet and a 110-volt power outlet. Unfortunately, we found limited reviews of this model from fitness professionals or consumers. The two reviews that we did find on Buzzillions.com are very positive, with consumers raving about the quality of the workout provided by the StairMaster StepMill.

If you prefer the rotating-stair steppers, you may also want to look at the Wave Fitness Step Right Up SRU1 (*Est. $3,000), manufactured by First Degree Fitness. Like the StairMaster StepMill SM916, the Step Right Up stepper offers rotating stairs instead of pedals, but with one important difference. The Step Right Up does not provide an electronic motor, so the stairs are rotated manually by the user's energy and body weight. The speeds on this model range from 30 to 120 steps per minute and it comes with a two-year limited warranty for home use. Most rotating stair steppers are large, but the Step Right Up SRU1 only requires 8-foot ceilings. This model does receive an Editor's Choice designation from the online retailer Stepper-Superstore.com, but there is no explanation given for why it was chosen.