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Stair Steppers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 13 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Amazon.com
As of March 2011
Step Machines
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMost of the user reviews at Amazon.com are for mini steppers, but many of these attract a decent number of ratings and comments. Most mini steppers get mixed to poor ratings, with the exception of the Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper. This stair stepper doesn't get as many ratings as some other models, but nearly 30 reviews combine to give it a 4.5-star rating.
2. Walmart.com
As of March 2011
Steppers & Rowers
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWalmart.com has a good selection of stair stepper reviews, although the site focuses mainly on budget mini steppers. Reviews are pretty brief, but several budget stair steppers earn high overall ratings, including the Gold's Gym Mini Stepper with Resistance Tubes and the Pivot Multi-Directional Stepper. Among larger stair steppers, the Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper gets the best reviews.
3. Buzzillions.com
As of March 2011
Stairmaster Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBuzzillions.com is a clearinghouse for consumer reviews on every kind of product under the sun, including fitness equipment. It also provides a central place to locate reviews of stair steppers left by customers on Mercantila.com, Stepper-Superstore.com and Brookstone.com. A number of mini stair steppers earn relatively high ratings from a substantial number of reviewers, including the Phoenix Mini Stepper. Most of the reviews are quite brief; the reviews at Amazon.com are usually more detailed.
4. The Wall Street Journal
Oct. 8, 2004
Step Right Up
by Conor Dougherty
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe Wall Street Journal rates five mini steppers, including the now-discontinued Brookstone Fold-A-Way Cardio Stepper (deemed best overall) and the Mabis DMI Mini Stepper, which is named the best value. Testers say that once they get into the rhythm, these mini steppers feel surprisingly stable even without handles. The Brookstone's digital display stopped working after the first try, though editors still ultimately rate it best.
5. American Council on Exercise (ACE)
As of March 2011
Fitness Product Reviews: Equipment
by Editors of the American Council on Exercise
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe American Council on Exercise is a good source for reviews of exercise equipment, especially low-cost and infomercial items. Each product is tested and rated on a 5-point scale. The site doesn't review many stair steppers, but editors do conduct a hands-on test of the Mini Twist Stepper with Resistance Tubing, giving it a poor 2-star rating. They also caution that the downward tilt of the mini stepper can lead to hip and knee issues over time.
6. ConsumerReports.org
Feb. 2009
Get Fit? Get Real
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis article reviews exercise equipment seen in television infomercials, including the Bowflex TreadClimber TC5000 and Tony Little's Rock 'n Roll Stepper. As we have come to expect from ConsumerReports.org, the tests are rigorous and thorough. However, they do not highlight any of these infomercial products as a Best Buy and do not provide comparisons between models.
7. Overstock.com
As of March 2011
Core & Training
by Contributors to Overstock.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentOverstock.com has a good selection of mini steppers, which are small stair steppers that come with resistance bands or lightweight handles. Two products from Sunny Health & Fitness get high marks, including the Twist Stepper and Twist Stepper with Handle Bar. Some of the reviews here are reprinted at Buzzillions.com.
8. Fitness-Equipment-Source
As of March 2011
NordicTrack FreeStrider 35 S Review
by Fred Waters
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentFred Waters is the editor of Fitness-Equipment-Source.com, a site devoted to reviews of the latest fitness equipment. Waters is a former executive with Smooth Fitness, and his industry contacts give him an inside look at the latest equipment. Waters provides an extensive overview of the NordicTrack FreeStrider 35 S, a hybrid between an elliptical machine and a stair stepper.
9. TreadmillDoctor.com
As of March 2011
Bowflex Treadmill Reviews
by Editors of TreadmillDoctor.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTreadmillDoctor.com is an excellent source for reviews of treadmills, and since the Bowflex TreadClimber models are somewhere between a treadmill and a stepper, they are included here. Editors say these models are complicated mechanically, which means they are more likely to break. Instead, editors recommend going with a treadmill and using a high incline.
10. Los Angeles Times
Nov. 10, 2003
There's a Strong Case for Using Stair-Steppers
by Roy M. Wallack
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentRoy Wallack briefly reviews three stair steppers for the Los Angeles Times, including the StairMaster FreeClimber 4200PT, the Schwinn 305p and the NordicTrack MTN 740 Stepper. Unfortunately, all of these stair steppers have been discontinued.
11. NordicTrack.com
As of March 2011
Steppers
by Contributors to NordicTrack.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe NordicTrack.com website allows customers to review and rate their products, including three stair steppers. Unfortunately, there are only a few consumer reviews for each model, but they are quite detailed and balanced. We're always skeptical of reviews posted on a manufacturer's website, but there are a fair number of negative comments here, which bolsters their credibility.
12. ConsumerGuide.com
As of March 2011
tair Steppers Reviews and Prices
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerGuide.com reviews three Bowflex TreadClimber models. The editors do not designate any of the stair steppers as a Best Buy and are actually rather negative about them all. The site's editors deem each of the TreadClimber models "average." The write-ups are detailed, and editors do note pros and cons, but they don't compare models. It's also not clear if this site conducts much hands-on testing.
13. Bestcovery.com
Dec. 28, 2009
Best Stair Climber Overall
by Jeff Wilson
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe review site Bestcovery.com says the Stairmaster SC916 is the best stair stepper overall. A short review is provided, but it is based on features rather than a hands-on evaluation. Since the product hasn't been tested, it's difficult to say why this particular stair stepper is the best choice.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

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