TRACK YOUR FITNESS LCD monitor measures the steps time total and calories making your exercise more reasonable and effective
TOTAL BODY Equipped with removable training bands this high-quality stepper tightens over 20 different core muscles and using low-impact aerobic exercise to help tone your chest back and shoulders
HYDRAULIC DRIVE SYSTEM Built with a hydraulic drive system this workout machine provides a smooth stepping motion
HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT Height adjustment knob adjusts the step motion height for either short bursts or long steps
WIDE NON-SLIP PEDALS Large textured foot plates ensure a solid non-slip footing Height range will decrease with each counter-clockwise turn
10 reviews for Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands : Step Machines : Sports & Outdoors
Rated 5 out of 5
disgruntled upon occasion –
I was rather skeptical about this thing. Always looking for space-conscious workout options for my basement gym. But I’m pretty much a bars, bells, and plates kinda guy. So I was dubious about the efficacy of this stepper. Despite my initial impression that it would be better suited being in an older lady’s sunroom for afternoon cardio sessions, I’ve really come to enjoy it. I jacked the tension up as far as I possibly could without breaking the mechanism and it’s like walking up the side of a mountain. (And I do a lot of hiking, so I should know.) After about 10-15 minutes/500-750 steps I can feel a substantial response in most of my leg muscle groups. Surprisingly it doesn’t seem to affect my glutes very much, but that may be due to my gait or height. But the heads of the quads, the entire hamstrings, and the double balls of the calves really get a surprisingly intense workout in a short period of time. Again, I have it set to the most intense tension possible. Price was good. Build is solid. The LCD display options are pretty swell as well. For a weightliftin’ dude like myself, the included optional resistance bands are fairly useless. Just not enough resistance to matter to my musculature. However, I taped them together and attached them to a pillar. The two combined together generate a bit of effort for me, about equivalent to a 20lb kettlebell. So yeah, kinda useless for my purposes. But anyway, get this thing and get steppin’. Set that tension high and stomp it out yo.
Rated 5 out of 5
Karen Hall –
A few years ago I started working from home, and while that’s awesome, it also caused me to spend a ridiculous amount of time sitting at my desk, as there’s no reason to get up to go to the copier, or consult with a co-worker, etc. I can’t always go for a 15 or 20 minute walk several times a day, so I wanted something I could do indoors, and something I could do frequently throughout the day during quick work breaks, to counteract all that sitting. Anything I could think of to do on my own (with no equipment) didn’t seem like enough. But I have a tiny apartment and really didn’t have room for much in the way of equipment. I knew if it was something that could be folded up to fit in a closet or under the bed, well, it’d probably stay there. I needed something that could sit right in the middle of the living room in plain sight, without being ‘in my way.’This was it, and it’s perfect. I get up from my desk every hour to hour and a half or so and do 5 minutes on this stepper. Five minutes isn’t a lot to some people, but I’m out of shape so it’s a pretty good workout for me (the way I have the tension set), and it gives me moving breaks all day long to break up all that sitting. Of course it could be used for longer sessions, but the point for my purpose wasn’t to do a 30 minute cardio workout just on this, but instead to have some way to easily take 5 to 7 breaks during the day and really get my muscles moving and my heart pumping for a few minutes, to counteract all that sitting. This definitely does that.The stepper came almost completely assembled, you just have to tighten a pulley cable with a knob, and the instructions explain it easily. The resistance bands with handles are adjustable for your height and/or how much resistance you want them to have. They are also optional, you can do the stepper with or without them. I actually usually don’t use them.I have some discomfort in my right knee, and was worried this would be a problem with the type of movement on this machine. Using the stepper while standing completely upright does cause some pain in my knee (tho I may have the tension a little high, too). Sometimes I wear a knee brace, which does help – but I also discovered another trick I like. I put the stepper in front of a sturdy table and lean forward with my hands on the table, sort of the same position you’d be in if you were riding a bike. When I use it that way I have no knee discomfort, and as a bonus, I can do more steps in the same amount of time, because it’s a little bit easier.So overall, I love it, it works great, I’ve had no problems with it at all. It’s very sturdy and feels well built, but it’s not too heavy to move around if you need to reposition it. I’d recommend it for anyone, but especially if space is a concern, and even if you’re out of shape and can’t do much exercise at one time (like a full 30 minute hard core cardio workout) – because with this, you can do just what you can, all throughout the day, and build up.
Rated 5 out of 5
Anna –
I’ve had this stepper for nearly 4 months now, and I love it. I have had no problems with malfunctions, aside from some squeaking that WD-40 fixes right up. It’s easy to use, and easy to store away when not in use.I’m in the process of losing 100+ lbs, I’m down 80 so far. When I first got the stepper, I was only able to use it for 10 minutes before I felt like I was going to die. In a good way. I worked my way up to an hour and a half, and it’s a great way to burn calories and get a sweat on. I now use it just about every day as a warm up before the rest of my workout. I was worried about it eventually not being an adequate work out as I became more fit, but I don’t see that happening any time soon.I expect to use this stepper until the day it dies, and I’ll probably buy a new one when it does. I already feel I got my money’s worth from it. I recommended it to a friend who wants to lose weight, and she loves it, too.Update 4/27/2018:I’ve lost my hundred pounds, and I still love this stepper.
Rated 5 out of 5
MD –
So, getting older in life, and still have a very sedentary desk job and the effects are starting to show on my health. Not good! So, a bit of research has told me that getting active in any form adds up over the day, and, while I started clocking myself to get up and move around throughout the day, I wanted to do more than just do a few stretches. Began looking online for options, and found this gem!I now have it in my office, and, I also purchased a Garmin Vivofit 4, to keep track of my steps and activity throughout my days, to get a sense of how much I’m doing, or not doing, and when I need to be more active to reach my goals. This handy stair stepper is exactly what I wanted — something small that easily fits in my office space, that is rigorous enough to get my heart pumping, but not so extreme that I need to take a shower afterwards or swap out my work attire for gym clothes.This is most basic — two pedals, and a cord that goes around a tension wheel, just stand on it, and start stepping. Also has two light resistance fitness bands, so you can work out your arms in any way you choose. I was so out of shape that I had to back off the tension entirely, and just stepping while using the bands, for half a minute got me breathing hard! Sad, I know! It does have a little computer on it that keeps track of things, but, since it is rather limited and is down on the floor with the stepper, and not really so practical, I just use my fitness tracker to show my progress during use.Happy to say I have started dieting as well, plus using my Bowflex at home for something other than a clothes rack, and, with this device at work, I’ve already lost a few pounds in just a few weeks, so life is going in a better direction! And, already have ratcheted up the tension setting, from when I started, so I’m getting in slightly better shape already, after just a few weeks. Small gains, but good gains.With the amount of time I work, and the amount of work I need to get through, I really needed something I could fit into my existing life, and that’s what I love about this. I don’t have the time or funds to go get a gym membership or suddenly take up running or biking or something, so I needed a machine that I could integrate into my current schedule, and this is it!My Vivofit 4 has an activity alarm, so, when I’ve been at the desk too long, my wrist device beeps at me, and I get up, get on my stepper, and start stepping, doing my first half with the resistance bands, and then the next half without, since I’m still too out of shape to do justice to this device, but I take it as a good sign that it gets my heart pumping and my legs get a good burn. In other words, it is an effective little workout machine. When I’ve been active long enough, my Vivofit beeps again, telling me I’ve been a good boy and burned some calories, and I see my step count for the day has risen, and so I can go back to work again.While my sad state of fitness was shocking, in how quickly I was winded, the good news is that, a few weeks into use, my times on it are getting longer, so it is definitely building endurance, and, while I am not managing to also take a needed walk around my neighborhood every day after work, I find that, when I do, my uphill stints are already becoming easier. So, in other words, I’m seeing progress!To me, many fitness endeavors fail because they are not maintained — often because the goal just does not fit into reality. This stepper, however, is easy to use, easy to remember to use, stares at me every day, gives me a sense of progress and is making me feel better, so it is a fitness tool that works for me, which means I will use it. The best fitness regime on earth is useless, after all, if we are not doing it. I needed something I could use, every day, starting small and working forward. I’ve even scaled back my Bowflex goals to, again, be realistic in what I will do, rather than make great plans about what I wind up not doing, so this has helped me to just get on a better track, overall, in terms of my health.This seems well built, and I have no reason to think it won’t last. And, at fifty bucks, even if it broke down in a year, I’d buy another. Very affordable versus the cost of poor health!If, like me, it’s hard to work a grand fitness scheme into your life, or you’re just getting started on a fitness plan, I think this is an ideal tool. I look forward to the day when I can step for much longer periods than a few minutes at a time, but the great thing is that, over the course of a day, this is helping me build some real health betterment into my life.The most recent studies are showing that periodic fitness adds up to being as effective as dedicated periods of exercise, so this really is a terrific answer for me. Life is not interrupted, and my health is being addressed, which has given me a routine I like, and that I can maintain. Plus, with seeing real progress in losing weight, no, it’s not an overnight sensation, but, again, over time, I am getting healthier, and a few pounds every few weeks adds up over time, to the goal of getting off these extra twenty pounds that are loading me down and impacting my health.For me, this is literally a life saver!Very thankful for this purchase. Highly recommend!
Rated 5 out of 5
Joy –
I was looking for a replacement for a mini stepper that I used to have that wore out over time. I found this one that is affordable and durable. I have only used it for about a week but I am already loving it. I keep it under my desk to use while sitting back in the chair. This is good for a stretch of my thighs and helps when I am sitting at the desk for hours at a time. I work from home so then when I have the time to do more than just stretches I pull the stepper out and use it while watching a TV show. I love the resistance bands and that I can work out my arms at the same time as my legs. It has adjustable tension. Simply turn the knob that is underneath it until it has the tension that you want. I did think that it was broken when I first took it out of the box because the tension pulley was loose. Then I realized that it was only because I had not tightened the tension yet. Once I tightened it the pulley stayed tight like it is supposed to. So if the pulley doesn’t look right when you first take it out of the box try tightening the tension knob. I like that this is able to be stored underneath my desk so that it is out of the way.
Rated 5 out of 5
LoveFactually author –
I cannot believe what a good deal this thing is. For very little money, I’ve now been able to reach my 10k steps every day, no matter how dark and rainy it is outdoors (which it is, a LOT, in the Pacific Northwest)–for years. Features I love:–compact–slides out of the way easily when not in use–solid, but still light enough to move around–durable: I’ve now been walking on this thing for two-and-a-half years–adjustable: tension and resistance controlled by a knob–simple: not a lot of engineering here; anyone can adjust this as needed–convenient: watch fave shows while getting in steps–cannot be used as clothes hanger, as is too low to the ground–therefore actually gets used as intendedIt is the perfect exercise equipment.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sunny Health Fitness Customer Care –
This moves better than I expected. The range of motion is perfect for me at 5’3” and approximately 145 lbs. Yes, if you lean back or place your feet only on the back edge of the steps, it will lift up like it’s going to tip back, but with feet placed properly, I have not had any problems with that happening! It is definitely a workout when used for a few to several minutes depending on your initial level of fitness. I use it to supplement on days I can’t get out of the house to walk/jog, so I haven’t been using it daily (also because I’m just lazy, lol!) It appears to be very solid/heavy and should last a long time and I think overall it’s a great deal for the price- of course it’s not comparable to a full size step machine but it’s literally a fraction of the cost!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jennifer S. –
I bought this because I’m a total fatty and quite broke. Of course I wanted the thousand dollar elliptical, but my bank account disagreed. I got this little gem and it’s nice for quick morning and evening workouts. It gets your heart rate up quickly, which I hear is good to burn those cals. It offers a nice little step workout aaaaand and has the bands for arms – double whammy. I’m pleased with the purchase. Now lemme go and get to it so at least I can be skinny and broke. Cheers!
Rated 5 out of 5
Sunny Health and Fitness Customer Care –
So I bought ministepper on advice from my older and wiser sister who swears by it, little did I know it would cause such a commotion in my work space.First, when I started using ministepper people were like… dude… wtf that’s lame, and I was like whatever naysayer…. my toned legs and butt aren’t gonna be lame. Fast forward a few weeks and now everyone wants one cause it’s THAT AWESOMELook, it’s 43 bucks so don’t expect a $200 dollar stepper. It’s quiet and good for an office. I figure if I get 2-3 months use out of it, totally worth it. Anyway I’m ordering another one for my house cause I’m addicted to it and like whatever… it’s easy to use and better than sitting around not burning calories. Ministepper is love and ministepper is life. It’s not a full stair stepper, but for the price it’s BOMB!!! Everyone should have one and use it. I don’t use the arm straps cause they are lame. It’s rather weights… but whatever.To all the one stars, my gloriously toned legs and butt I earned using mini stepper say hello. <3
Rated 5 out of 5
Erin H –
This stepper is exactly what I wanted–a small machine with simple mechanics at a value price. It fits under my bed for easy storage and weighs about 15 pounds, so it’s easy to move around. It has a simple counter that keeps track of your steps (and has a few other modes, like calories, etc. but nothing too in depth). It came preassembled, and the only assembly you have to do is make sure the pulley line is on the wheel underneath the machine, then tighten the tension knob to the desired resistance (which is easy to adjust anytime you want to change it) and attaching the arm resistance bands to the frame.In reference to some common questions/complaints I’ve seen, here is an FYI about the this machine.1. It is a STEPPER, not an elliptical–meaning you step up and down, not glide back and forth.2. It does require you to maintain your own balance while using it (unlike an elliptical). It is actually better for your muscle tone and core muscles to keep your own balance while exercising. However, if you have a medical issue that impairs your balance, this might not be a good machine for you.3. You MUST use it standing up. Because you put your full weight on the pedals to pump them up and down, this machine would not work for someone sitting at a desk or in a chair.4. The arm resistance bands are optional and do not effect the function of the stepper pedals. They are mounted to the frame of the machine and the length is adjustable. They are simple rubber type stretchy resistance bands, similar to bungee cords.5. The step counter has been accurate for me, but I consider the other modes (calories, etc.) to be estimates. If you need more in depth exercise tracking, I would suggest a personal device (Fitbit, etc.) or looking for another machine at a higher price point to include the bells and whistles.6. There is no way to adjust the incline of the pedals, or increase the step height (how far up and down the pedals go) beyond the 8″ or so in the machines range of motion. Again, if this is important, you should probably look at a higher price point. Personally I find the incline and step height works well for me.7. The machine seems durable to me, and I use it about 5x a week, for 20-30 minutes. If you work out much more than that, you may want to invest in a more expensive, bigger machine.8. The weight limit for the machine is 220 lb, per the instruction manual.9. The instruction manual is well written and clear instructions are given for assembly and maintenance. Instructions are given for parts to oil if the machine begins to squeak.10. The machine is very quiet. You do hear air pushing from the cylinders as you step up and down, but it’s not loud. I use the machine while my baby naps with no problem.11. The pedals are 11 1/4″ long from inside the toe guard to the edge of the pedal. I wear women’s size 9 and have plenty of room.12. Despite its simple design, this machine does give you quite a work out (similar to climbing stairs). It’s definitely cardiovascular exercise, and you definitely feel it in your calves, thighs and gluts. Maintaining balance also gives my core muscles a work out, and you can use the arm bands too if you want. Like any exercise, it depends on the amount of effort you put in.I would highly recommend this stepper for anyone like myself, who wants an affordable machine with a small footprint to get some easy exercise at home. I’m a 30-something mother with small children, so going to the gym isn’t convenient for me. I’m not a fitness guru, my goals are to get more cardio and shed a few pounds. For around $50, you can’t beat the price for the amount of exercise you can get from this little stepper.
disgruntled upon occasion –
I was rather skeptical about this thing. Always looking for space-conscious workout options for my basement gym. But I’m pretty much a bars, bells, and plates kinda guy. So I was dubious about the efficacy of this stepper. Despite my initial impression that it would be better suited being in an older lady’s sunroom for afternoon cardio sessions, I’ve really come to enjoy it. I jacked the tension up as far as I possibly could without breaking the mechanism and it’s like walking up the side of a mountain. (And I do a lot of hiking, so I should know.) After about 10-15 minutes/500-750 steps I can feel a substantial response in most of my leg muscle groups. Surprisingly it doesn’t seem to affect my glutes very much, but that may be due to my gait or height. But the heads of the quads, the entire hamstrings, and the double balls of the calves really get a surprisingly intense workout in a short period of time. Again, I have it set to the most intense tension possible. Price was good. Build is solid. The LCD display options are pretty swell as well. For a weightliftin’ dude like myself, the included optional resistance bands are fairly useless. Just not enough resistance to matter to my musculature. However, I taped them together and attached them to a pillar. The two combined together generate a bit of effort for me, about equivalent to a 20lb kettlebell. So yeah, kinda useless for my purposes. But anyway, get this thing and get steppin’. Set that tension high and stomp it out yo.
Karen Hall –
A few years ago I started working from home, and while that’s awesome, it also caused me to spend a ridiculous amount of time sitting at my desk, as there’s no reason to get up to go to the copier, or consult with a co-worker, etc. I can’t always go for a 15 or 20 minute walk several times a day, so I wanted something I could do indoors, and something I could do frequently throughout the day during quick work breaks, to counteract all that sitting. Anything I could think of to do on my own (with no equipment) didn’t seem like enough. But I have a tiny apartment and really didn’t have room for much in the way of equipment. I knew if it was something that could be folded up to fit in a closet or under the bed, well, it’d probably stay there. I needed something that could sit right in the middle of the living room in plain sight, without being ‘in my way.’This was it, and it’s perfect. I get up from my desk every hour to hour and a half or so and do 5 minutes on this stepper. Five minutes isn’t a lot to some people, but I’m out of shape so it’s a pretty good workout for me (the way I have the tension set), and it gives me moving breaks all day long to break up all that sitting. Of course it could be used for longer sessions, but the point for my purpose wasn’t to do a 30 minute cardio workout just on this, but instead to have some way to easily take 5 to 7 breaks during the day and really get my muscles moving and my heart pumping for a few minutes, to counteract all that sitting. This definitely does that.The stepper came almost completely assembled, you just have to tighten a pulley cable with a knob, and the instructions explain it easily. The resistance bands with handles are adjustable for your height and/or how much resistance you want them to have. They are also optional, you can do the stepper with or without them. I actually usually don’t use them.I have some discomfort in my right knee, and was worried this would be a problem with the type of movement on this machine. Using the stepper while standing completely upright does cause some pain in my knee (tho I may have the tension a little high, too). Sometimes I wear a knee brace, which does help – but I also discovered another trick I like. I put the stepper in front of a sturdy table and lean forward with my hands on the table, sort of the same position you’d be in if you were riding a bike. When I use it that way I have no knee discomfort, and as a bonus, I can do more steps in the same amount of time, because it’s a little bit easier.So overall, I love it, it works great, I’ve had no problems with it at all. It’s very sturdy and feels well built, but it’s not too heavy to move around if you need to reposition it. I’d recommend it for anyone, but especially if space is a concern, and even if you’re out of shape and can’t do much exercise at one time (like a full 30 minute hard core cardio workout) – because with this, you can do just what you can, all throughout the day, and build up.
Anna –
I’ve had this stepper for nearly 4 months now, and I love it. I have had no problems with malfunctions, aside from some squeaking that WD-40 fixes right up. It’s easy to use, and easy to store away when not in use.I’m in the process of losing 100+ lbs, I’m down 80 so far. When I first got the stepper, I was only able to use it for 10 minutes before I felt like I was going to die. In a good way. I worked my way up to an hour and a half, and it’s a great way to burn calories and get a sweat on. I now use it just about every day as a warm up before the rest of my workout. I was worried about it eventually not being an adequate work out as I became more fit, but I don’t see that happening any time soon.I expect to use this stepper until the day it dies, and I’ll probably buy a new one when it does. I already feel I got my money’s worth from it. I recommended it to a friend who wants to lose weight, and she loves it, too.Update 4/27/2018:I’ve lost my hundred pounds, and I still love this stepper.
MD –
So, getting older in life, and still have a very sedentary desk job and the effects are starting to show on my health. Not good! So, a bit of research has told me that getting active in any form adds up over the day, and, while I started clocking myself to get up and move around throughout the day, I wanted to do more than just do a few stretches. Began looking online for options, and found this gem!I now have it in my office, and, I also purchased a Garmin Vivofit 4, to keep track of my steps and activity throughout my days, to get a sense of how much I’m doing, or not doing, and when I need to be more active to reach my goals. This handy stair stepper is exactly what I wanted — something small that easily fits in my office space, that is rigorous enough to get my heart pumping, but not so extreme that I need to take a shower afterwards or swap out my work attire for gym clothes.This is most basic — two pedals, and a cord that goes around a tension wheel, just stand on it, and start stepping. Also has two light resistance fitness bands, so you can work out your arms in any way you choose. I was so out of shape that I had to back off the tension entirely, and just stepping while using the bands, for half a minute got me breathing hard! Sad, I know! It does have a little computer on it that keeps track of things, but, since it is rather limited and is down on the floor with the stepper, and not really so practical, I just use my fitness tracker to show my progress during use.Happy to say I have started dieting as well, plus using my Bowflex at home for something other than a clothes rack, and, with this device at work, I’ve already lost a few pounds in just a few weeks, so life is going in a better direction! And, already have ratcheted up the tension setting, from when I started, so I’m getting in slightly better shape already, after just a few weeks. Small gains, but good gains.With the amount of time I work, and the amount of work I need to get through, I really needed something I could fit into my existing life, and that’s what I love about this. I don’t have the time or funds to go get a gym membership or suddenly take up running or biking or something, so I needed a machine that I could integrate into my current schedule, and this is it!My Vivofit 4 has an activity alarm, so, when I’ve been at the desk too long, my wrist device beeps at me, and I get up, get on my stepper, and start stepping, doing my first half with the resistance bands, and then the next half without, since I’m still too out of shape to do justice to this device, but I take it as a good sign that it gets my heart pumping and my legs get a good burn. In other words, it is an effective little workout machine. When I’ve been active long enough, my Vivofit beeps again, telling me I’ve been a good boy and burned some calories, and I see my step count for the day has risen, and so I can go back to work again.While my sad state of fitness was shocking, in how quickly I was winded, the good news is that, a few weeks into use, my times on it are getting longer, so it is definitely building endurance, and, while I am not managing to also take a needed walk around my neighborhood every day after work, I find that, when I do, my uphill stints are already becoming easier. So, in other words, I’m seeing progress!To me, many fitness endeavors fail because they are not maintained — often because the goal just does not fit into reality. This stepper, however, is easy to use, easy to remember to use, stares at me every day, gives me a sense of progress and is making me feel better, so it is a fitness tool that works for me, which means I will use it. The best fitness regime on earth is useless, after all, if we are not doing it. I needed something I could use, every day, starting small and working forward. I’ve even scaled back my Bowflex goals to, again, be realistic in what I will do, rather than make great plans about what I wind up not doing, so this has helped me to just get on a better track, overall, in terms of my health.This seems well built, and I have no reason to think it won’t last. And, at fifty bucks, even if it broke down in a year, I’d buy another. Very affordable versus the cost of poor health!If, like me, it’s hard to work a grand fitness scheme into your life, or you’re just getting started on a fitness plan, I think this is an ideal tool. I look forward to the day when I can step for much longer periods than a few minutes at a time, but the great thing is that, over the course of a day, this is helping me build some real health betterment into my life.The most recent studies are showing that periodic fitness adds up to being as effective as dedicated periods of exercise, so this really is a terrific answer for me. Life is not interrupted, and my health is being addressed, which has given me a routine I like, and that I can maintain. Plus, with seeing real progress in losing weight, no, it’s not an overnight sensation, but, again, over time, I am getting healthier, and a few pounds every few weeks adds up over time, to the goal of getting off these extra twenty pounds that are loading me down and impacting my health.For me, this is literally a life saver!Very thankful for this purchase. Highly recommend!
Joy –
I was looking for a replacement for a mini stepper that I used to have that wore out over time. I found this one that is affordable and durable. I have only used it for about a week but I am already loving it. I keep it under my desk to use while sitting back in the chair. This is good for a stretch of my thighs and helps when I am sitting at the desk for hours at a time. I work from home so then when I have the time to do more than just stretches I pull the stepper out and use it while watching a TV show. I love the resistance bands and that I can work out my arms at the same time as my legs. It has adjustable tension. Simply turn the knob that is underneath it until it has the tension that you want. I did think that it was broken when I first took it out of the box because the tension pulley was loose. Then I realized that it was only because I had not tightened the tension yet. Once I tightened it the pulley stayed tight like it is supposed to. So if the pulley doesn’t look right when you first take it out of the box try tightening the tension knob. I like that this is able to be stored underneath my desk so that it is out of the way.
LoveFactually author –
I cannot believe what a good deal this thing is. For very little money, I’ve now been able to reach my 10k steps every day, no matter how dark and rainy it is outdoors (which it is, a LOT, in the Pacific Northwest)–for years. Features I love:–compact–slides out of the way easily when not in use–solid, but still light enough to move around–durable: I’ve now been walking on this thing for two-and-a-half years–adjustable: tension and resistance controlled by a knob–simple: not a lot of engineering here; anyone can adjust this as needed–convenient: watch fave shows while getting in steps–cannot be used as clothes hanger, as is too low to the ground–therefore actually gets used as intendedIt is the perfect exercise equipment.
Sunny Health Fitness Customer Care –
This moves better than I expected. The range of motion is perfect for me at 5’3” and approximately 145 lbs. Yes, if you lean back or place your feet only on the back edge of the steps, it will lift up like it’s going to tip back, but with feet placed properly, I have not had any problems with that happening! It is definitely a workout when used for a few to several minutes depending on your initial level of fitness. I use it to supplement on days I can’t get out of the house to walk/jog, so I haven’t been using it daily (also because I’m just lazy, lol!) It appears to be very solid/heavy and should last a long time and I think overall it’s a great deal for the price- of course it’s not comparable to a full size step machine but it’s literally a fraction of the cost!
Jennifer S. –
I bought this because I’m a total fatty and quite broke. Of course I wanted the thousand dollar elliptical, but my bank account disagreed. I got this little gem and it’s nice for quick morning and evening workouts. It gets your heart rate up quickly, which I hear is good to burn those cals. It offers a nice little step workout aaaaand and has the bands for arms – double whammy. I’m pleased with the purchase. Now lemme go and get to it so at least I can be skinny and broke. Cheers!
Sunny Health and Fitness Customer Care –
So I bought ministepper on advice from my older and wiser sister who swears by it, little did I know it would cause such a commotion in my work space.First, when I started using ministepper people were like… dude… wtf that’s lame, and I was like whatever naysayer…. my toned legs and butt aren’t gonna be lame. Fast forward a few weeks and now everyone wants one cause it’s THAT AWESOMELook, it’s 43 bucks so don’t expect a $200 dollar stepper. It’s quiet and good for an office. I figure if I get 2-3 months use out of it, totally worth it. Anyway I’m ordering another one for my house cause I’m addicted to it and like whatever… it’s easy to use and better than sitting around not burning calories. Ministepper is love and ministepper is life. It’s not a full stair stepper, but for the price it’s BOMB!!! Everyone should have one and use it. I don’t use the arm straps cause they are lame. It’s rather weights… but whatever.To all the one stars, my gloriously toned legs and butt I earned using mini stepper say hello. <3
Erin H –
This stepper is exactly what I wanted–a small machine with simple mechanics at a value price. It fits under my bed for easy storage and weighs about 15 pounds, so it’s easy to move around. It has a simple counter that keeps track of your steps (and has a few other modes, like calories, etc. but nothing too in depth). It came preassembled, and the only assembly you have to do is make sure the pulley line is on the wheel underneath the machine, then tighten the tension knob to the desired resistance (which is easy to adjust anytime you want to change it) and attaching the arm resistance bands to the frame.In reference to some common questions/complaints I’ve seen, here is an FYI about the this machine.1. It is a STEPPER, not an elliptical–meaning you step up and down, not glide back and forth.2. It does require you to maintain your own balance while using it (unlike an elliptical). It is actually better for your muscle tone and core muscles to keep your own balance while exercising. However, if you have a medical issue that impairs your balance, this might not be a good machine for you.3. You MUST use it standing up. Because you put your full weight on the pedals to pump them up and down, this machine would not work for someone sitting at a desk or in a chair.4. The arm resistance bands are optional and do not effect the function of the stepper pedals. They are mounted to the frame of the machine and the length is adjustable. They are simple rubber type stretchy resistance bands, similar to bungee cords.5. The step counter has been accurate for me, but I consider the other modes (calories, etc.) to be estimates. If you need more in depth exercise tracking, I would suggest a personal device (Fitbit, etc.) or looking for another machine at a higher price point to include the bells and whistles.6. There is no way to adjust the incline of the pedals, or increase the step height (how far up and down the pedals go) beyond the 8″ or so in the machines range of motion. Again, if this is important, you should probably look at a higher price point. Personally I find the incline and step height works well for me.7. The machine seems durable to me, and I use it about 5x a week, for 20-30 minutes. If you work out much more than that, you may want to invest in a more expensive, bigger machine.8. The weight limit for the machine is 220 lb, per the instruction manual.9. The instruction manual is well written and clear instructions are given for assembly and maintenance. Instructions are given for parts to oil if the machine begins to squeak.10. The machine is very quiet. You do hear air pushing from the cylinders as you step up and down, but it’s not loud. I use the machine while my baby naps with no problem.11. The pedals are 11 1/4″ long from inside the toe guard to the edge of the pedal. I wear women’s size 9 and have plenty of room.12. Despite its simple design, this machine does give you quite a work out (similar to climbing stairs). It’s definitely cardiovascular exercise, and you definitely feel it in your calves, thighs and gluts. Maintaining balance also gives my core muscles a work out, and you can use the arm bands too if you want. Like any exercise, it depends on the amount of effort you put in.I would highly recommend this stepper for anyone like myself, who wants an affordable machine with a small footprint to get some easy exercise at home. I’m a 30-something mother with small children, so going to the gym isn’t convenient for me. I’m not a fitness guru, my goals are to get more cardio and shed a few pounds. For around $50, you can’t beat the price for the amount of exercise you can get from this little stepper.