Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper 40-0069

I am writing this review after I have been using it 30 min every morning for 3 weeks or so after purchase. As some reviews noted, it is true that the rate/speed of steps becomes faster as the shock/dumper… warms up. This, however, is actually an attractive point for me as I like to start slow at the beginning. This stepper comes with a battery operated monitor that indicates the number of strokes (one stroke = two steps), time, rate of strokes, and calories (which is likely inaccurate, though). The resistance is adjustable, and in my case the rate of strokes starts around 15 per minute and maintained around 25-26 per minute. A few minutes of steps usually warm up the shock/dumber and my body as well. In 10 minutes or so I start sweating, and in 15 min sweat starts running. Setting up was really easy - just unfold it. This can be stored folded, but is small enough to keep it in a closet unfolded. Build seems solid. With this almost unbeatable price, I really enjoy using this equipment. Highly recommended.

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This stepper is only good for beginners. I'm a strenuous runner and do about 3 races a month--particularly 5k's at a 6 minute/mile pace, and I do the stairmaster at the gym on level 20. With that being… said, I am in very good shape and expect all my workouts to give me a good sweat. I bought this product because I already have a bike, treadmill and an elliptical and wanted to add a simple stepper to the mix, but this product is WEAK. My 3.5 year old can do the stepper at the highest resistance and still not be tired after 10 minutes. If the resistance would increase about 10 times then it would be a decent product, but it's way too easy for me. I could do 50 jumping jacks and get a better workout than this. But like my first sentence said, if you are a beginner then it's for you.

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I bought this stepper in July after months of searching...I thought it was a good price and the right size for my living room. I worked out regularly on it for about a month and then the computer (meter)… started acting funny. It would reset itself randomly so that I could not keep track of how long I'd been on, calories burned, etc. I emailed the manufacturer and they sent me a new meter immediately. It worked for a few weeks then died, too. I emailed them again and received two new meters which were even worse--did not even function for a day! I emailed the company again over 2 weeks ago and have not heard how they are going to help?? I love the machine itself, the tension is great, the angle is great (my feet do not go to sleep), but without the computer working, I can't judge what kind of workout I've had because I can't get any data. Very frustrating!

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I bought this product in September, thinking it would be a good buy. It was the worst purchase of my life. I was forewarned that this machine would break down sooner rather than later, but I thought for… $100 it was a well calculated risk. Nobody told me this product would last only 2 months. In those 2 months, I must have used it less than 15 times in total, each workout lasting 15-20 minutes tops (I weight 160 lbs). One could make the argument that since the warranty was for 3 months, I was covered. But in a series of emails to Stamina Products, I was treated very rudely and curtly. The long and short of it is that they were only willing to provide replacement "parts". The problem with this is that the machine did not come in parts. It came readily assembled. The manual does not tell you how to assemble or dis-assemble the machine -- because the machine is already assembled. So when the right step broke, yes I could order a replacement right step, but I was offered absolutely no help on how to replace the right step on my own. Moreover, if I damaged the machine while attempting to install the replacement, my warranty would become void. All this was made plain to Stamina Products. They got even ruder and more unreasonable, and after a while, they stopped replying even as I explained in great detail how their solution could not help me.

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Thank-you, Amazon, for distributing a compact stepper that carries an awesome ratio of quality to cost. It is easy to set up, and has adjustment settings that should satisfy a wide range of users. It's… cool to know that you can email or phone the manufacturer directly for any needed replacement parts. Ordered it online from Canada on a Sunday and it arrived 3 days later on Wednesday - scary fast! THANKS AMAZON!!!

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