Stair Stepper Review

Stair steppers vs. treadmills and elliptical machines

Experts say that sales of stair steppers for home use have plummeted with the growing popularity of elliptical trainers as the go-to machine for an intense but fast workout. Treadmills and elliptical trainers are far more popular than stair steppers, which is evidenced by the fact that most fitness manufacturers have dramatically slashed their stair stepper lineup (if they haven't eliminated it altogether).

Stair steppers provide a cardio workout by allowing you to push independent foot pedals up and down or to climb a rotating staircase. With most models, the user can adjust resistance and speed. Many fitness professionals say that elliptical trainers have taken over the stair-stepper market because the motion and incline of elliptical machines provides a more varied aerobic workout and limits the impact on your joints. However, there are still reasons to consider stair steppers, since they provide a low-impact aerobic workout with great benefit to the lower-body muscles.

Since stair steppers are declining in popularity, many fitness companies are offering hybrid models that combine the best features of a stair stepper with those of a treadmill or elliptical trainer. These machines have the potential to offer a more intense and varied workout than a stair stepper or elliptical trainer alone. The machines in the Bowflex TreadClimber series have a small treadmill belt on each step (called a treadle), so you can walk forward on an incline as you step. NordicTrack makes the FreeStrider, a machine that combines the striding motion of an elliptical trainer with a stair stepper. Reviewers say these hybrid machines can sometimes be more challenging to use than traditional stair steppers.

Since there are so few models available, many people make do with mini steppers, which normally cost less than $100. These small, portable stair steppers are designed for the casual exerciser, since they typically do not include handles or adjustable resistance levels. Although mini steppers won't give you the same workout as a $3,000 commercial-quality stair stepper, many users are satisfied with the workout they provide. However, we also saw many durability complaints for mini steppers, including reports of flimsy construction and broken components.

Since there aren't many stair steppers on the market, the coverage of these products in professional reviews is also slim. ConsumerReports.org, which offers excellent testing on treadmills and ellipticals, only tests a few mini steppers in an older report on infomercial products. The Wall Street Journal conducted a useful group test back in 2004, but many of its recommended stair steppers are now discontinued. As a result, user reviews at sites like Amazon.com, Buzzillions.com and Walmart.com are the best sources for stair stepper reviews. Unfortunately, most of the reviews at these sites are for the inexpensive mini steppers.

If you are seeking guidance on which home fitness machine would best meet your needs, see our other ConsumerSearch reports on treadmills, elliptical trainers and exercise bikes. Many people use StairMaster and stair stepper interchangeably, but keep in mind that StairMaster is a brand name -- much like Xerox and Kleenex.