The 7 Best Mini Steppers in 2023 – Reviews and Guide
In an office all day and longing for some movement during working hours or breaks? We put together an extensive mini stepper machine review with the best mini steppers in 2023 on the market. Mini stepper results have been shown proven to be unique and fast.
The best mini stepper exercise machine can provide a good workout without taking too much floor space in your home. A small portable stepper won’t break your bank account while offering unique cardio and strength workouts.
Mini stepper workout has become more popular in recent years because many people have realized the mini stepper weight loss and heart health improvement benefits. We searched and found the best stepper machines for home with durable frame construction to help you easier find the mini steppers for exercising.
Some models of mini stepper exercise equipment that we mentioned in this mini stepper reviews can be used while sitting to allow you to burn calories while working at the desk or watching TV.
Stay in shape and healthy using the Sunny Health and Fitness mini stepper with resistance bands, Gold’s Gym Mini stepper, and a few other best mini steppers with resistance bands in this review.
Editor’s Budget Pick For May 2023
Every month we search and analyze the market to find the best stepper machine for home, gym, and office. We also update this stepper buying guide on a weekly basis if needed. Because our team at Your Exercise Bike wants to make sure our readers get the best value and best-rated mini-steppers.
For this month we picked the Women and Men’s Health mini stepper. The Women’s Health stepper has arms resistance bands, comfortable pedals, Bluetooth for workout tracking, and a 12-inch adjustable step height.
Best Mini Steppers Compared
| Stepper | Verdict | Resistance | Display | Capacity | Cord | Step | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiser Commercial mini Stairmaster | Editor's Choice | Adjustable | No | 400 Lbs | Without Resistance Cord | High | 5 Years |
| Besvil Indoor Stair Stepper | Great value for money | Fixed | No | 220 Lbs | With Resistance Cord | High | N/A |
| EFITMENT Mini Fitness Step Stair Stepper Machine | Good Value | Fixed | Yes | 220 Lbs | With Resistance Cord | High | N/A |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper | Good Value | Fixed | Yes | 250 Lbs | With Resistance Cord | Low | 3 Months |
| SportsRoyal Mini Twister Stepper Machine | Good Value | Fixed | Yes | 300 Lbs | With Resistance Cord | High | 1 Year |
| Sunny Mini Twister Stepper with Handle Bar | Good Value | Fixed | Yes | 220 Lbs | Without Resistance Cord | Medium | 3 Months |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with resistance band | Good Value | Fixed | Yes | 220 Lbs | With Resistance Cord | Medium | 3 Months |
Quick Overview of The Best Mini Steppers:
Xiser Commercial Mini Stepper Machine Review
The most stable due to its length, the most durable due to its quality and materials (Aircraft Aluminum), the most versatile, smooth and exceptionally quiet due to the hydraulic cylinder and silicone fluid. It is the Xiser mini stepper machine, the one and only anaerobic mini stepper machine in the market that regardless of your height, weight or athletic level it will never let you down.
This little stepper machine is not coming in many welded pieces like most mini steppers you find in the market: it’s not welded, it’s aircraft aluminum which means you won’t be able to break it even if you try to. The Xisermini stepper is fully made in the USA and one of the few exercise equipment that actually gets imported to Japan. The weight of this mini stepper is under 15 lbs, which is easy to move around and store it.
You don’t have to worry about multiple people using this tough mini exercise stepper machine because it’s a commercial product, the 5 years warranty is exceptional for private use and not something you see in other stepper machines. It can be used for both 50 minutes period or for one-minute burst training, what it’s originally designed for. In a matter of 30-60 seconds, the burst training on this stepper can raise the heart rate and make you run out of oxygen as nothing else can.
The resistance on Xiser mini stepper is adjustable by a screwdriver (the tool is included). You can adjust it to three different levels, from slow to medium and fast. It doesn’t have a resistance band to hold on to so you need to engage your core for balance and it’s a good thing because not only you will get the heart rate up, burn many calories, tone your muscles, you will also improve your balance and gain confidence.
Although, if you are a beginner, you might have a little problem with the balance using this top home mini stepper, it’s an easy fix. You can simply put the exercise stepper close to a wall or something that you can hold on to. And before you realize you won’t be needing anything to lean on or hold for balance.
Due to the exceptional stability of Xiser mini stepper machine, you can work out your upper body with dumbbells while using the stepper. You can also watch the DVD (included) for a long-range of exercises and mini stepper workouts.
If you want to use it at work, don’t hesitate as it makes zero noise, it has two tall hydraulic cylinders that ensure a high degree of heat tolerance which is what makes the Xiser stepper machine super quiet during the exercise. Using the Xiser you can gain all the mini stepper benefits when watching your favorite show or news and it won’t bother the neighbor or the rest of the family in the house.
Note: It’s more expensive than most of the steppers in the market but I can assure, you will be able to break 10 cheap steppers before you can break a Xiser. This mini stepper machine is not featured with digital display to track the number of your steps or calories, but thanks to technology, you can even get values of walking from your living room to the toilet.
Through a fitness watch and Fit-bit HR, you can track the correct values of your workout. Use this machine with a rubber mat underneath so it won’t scratch your surface. Overall it’s one of the best stepper machines for home and office.
- Our Least Favorite Features:
It doesn’t have the digital display to track your workout data
Xiser Commercial Mini StairMaster lacks in cord - Our Most Favorite Features:
On Xiser stepper the range of step is high which is another great feature of this mini stepper. Deeper stepping motion helps to exercise with more intensity and burn more calories, it also gives you a more real feeling of climbing stairs and hill.
It supports up to 400 lb user weight
Xiser portable mini stepper machine doesn’t overheat
5 Years of warranty is unique and proves the high-quality
Due to its biomechanically correct design, it’s the most stable mini stepper in the market.
It has aircraft aluminum which makes it strong and light.
Quiet and smooth operation
Adjustable resistance
Good for HIT and cardio workout
Easy to carry light mini stepper machine
Commercial quality
Foldable design for convenient storage and portability - Xiser Commercial Mini Stepper Machine – Specs:
21 Inches Length
13 Inches Wide
14 Inches Height, unfolded
5 Inches Height, folded
Xiser mini stepper machine weight: 14 Lbs
Max duration of use: Unlimited
Max user weight: 400
Resistance: Adjustable
Cylinder system: Hydraulic
Operation: Smooth and quiet
Resistance bands: Not available on this mini stepper machine
Digital Display: Not available on this mini stepper machine
Warranty: 5 Years
Step range: High
Besvil Indoor Exercise Stair Stepper Machine
If you are looking for a multi-task stepper exercise machine with a lightweight frame and 220-lb weight capacity, this Besvil stair stepper model is good for low-intensity aerobic workouts. I know it’s advertised to support up to 330 Lb but when I opened the instruction guide, it was clearly written 220-lb max user weight support.
So, if you are above 220-lb, I suggest you get the Xiser but avoid the other mini steppers I reviewed here as they don’t have the quality to stand heavyweight, even if their description says 350-user weight support.
At 17.7″ L x 26″ H x and 13.8″ W, it’s not as compact as a few other mini steppers and it weighs 25 lbs so it’s not as easy to move inside the house from one room to another as let’s say, the Sunny and Efitment mini steppers.
Featured in many best mini stepper reviews, the Besvil stepper was upgraded with more durable parts and structure in 2023. This small stepper helps you to tone your lower body while its resistance cords can give you an upper-body workout.
Besvil mini stair stepper machine has a mini LCD screen that keeps a count of the steps, calories burned, and time. The compact stepper machine does come with fixed resistance but adjustable step height. There is around 10″ step height so the muscles work pretty well compared to those with shorter steps. Its quality cylinders are also smooth and quiet aerobic workouts.
What is really unique about this best portable stair stepper is the combination of stepping and abs workouts. No other mini stepper that I tried allowed me to do both workouts. Besvil has three soft rolls with a foam cushioned seat.
You can set on the saddle and lean on the rolling foams backward and then use the machine as an ab rocket and improve your core muscles. The whole concept is great but I did wish the seat had some indentation so I wouldn’t slide forward when doing abs. Anyway, you don’t need to use the core exercise part if you don’t want to. You can just forlde the seat and the rollers and simply enjoy the stepping workout.
The actual motion of the steps is straight up and down and it’s not lateral or twisting like Sunny Health and Fitness steppers are but overall it is a low-impact motion, which protects your joints. Altogether, this small stair stepper has 3 modes of exercise including abs, legs, and arms muscle groups.
A few other features that put this portable stair stepper in our mini stepper review are the resistant bands, extended pedals, and upgraded resistance rods. Although there is an anti-slip texture on the pedals, they are pretty hard compared to Sportsroyal pedals.
It would have been great if they added a layer of cushion on the pedals to make them more comfortable and decrease the overall compact. Also, the size of the pedals is a little smaller in length 11″ than those on the Sunny mini stepper which I reviewed down below.
Thanks to the rubber stoppers on the frame, the movement is quiet and smooth and it doesn’t slide on regular floors but if your floor is slippery, I suggest using a stepper mat which will avoid sliding and protects your floor from scratches. It doesn’t take up room so it can be used as an office stepper as well as living room cardio compact stair stepper. All in all, it is the best portable stepper under $150.
- Our Least Favorite Features:
Pedals are smaller and their surface are hard without protective edges;
The seat is not as grippy as one would want;
Low weight capacity of 220 lb;
Resistance/tension is not adjustable;
No transportation handle; - Our Most Favorite Features:
Adjustable roller resistance for abs workout
3 Exercise modes with rollers and seat
Adjustable pedal height
Digital display and easy carry handle
Very smooth and quite regardless of the duration of use
Long step height for deeper steps and intense workout - Beouzo Small Stair Stepper – Specs:
17.7 Inches Length
13.8 Inches Wide
26 Inches Height
Stepper machine weight: 25 Lbs
Max user weight: 220
Resistance: Fixed
Stepping height: Adjustable
Cylinder system: Hydraulic
Max duration of use at a time: Unlimited
Resistance bands: Included
Digital Display: Yes, (you can track total steps, time, and calories burnt)
EFITMENT Mini Fitness Stepper Machine
If you have searched the market for the best mini-steppers recently, there is a big chance you came across this stair stepper because it is featured in several best mini stair stepper reviews.
Efitment fitness stepper is budget, yet one of the best mini steppers in the entire market. You can buy a stepper machine for a few dollars cheaper but spending the extra $10 will actually save your time and maintenance expenses. The Efitment is known for making sturdy good quality budget exercise equipment and this stepper machine further confirms what everyone says about budget Efitment fitness equipment.
Efitment Fitness Step Stair Stepper is built for home use with consistent non-adjustable resistance. This stepper machine is equivalent to pro athlete level workouts and features two excellent hydraulic cylinders that provide the workout for all levels of athletes. Oversize non-slip footplates with inner guards keep you safe and stable on the machine.
Ergonomically designed construction that offers various exercising positions on the stepper machine. Heavy-duty solid, steel frame with the 220-lb user weight capacity. Unlike some other companies that write 250-lb while they can actually support 150-lb user weight, the Efitment mini stepper is capable of holding 220-pound user weight.
Another great feature is the well-designed dimensions, 16.5″L 15.5″W that makes it exceptionally stable. Efitnement mini stepper allows you to train for fat loss strength or endurance with a peaceful mind and confidence, you don’t have to worry about the hydraulic cylinders getting overheated and the resistance getting less. The monitor is good resolution and shows unique data of your workout, calories burnt, step count, and time to.
Note: Efitment Stepper machine includes comfortable wide anti-slip pedals provide safety during the workout. The Goplus mini stepper machine features the steps but not the twist-action. You can’t adjust the resistance but it allows you to change the height of the step. There are two models of these mini steppers, one stepper with the resistance band and without it.
- Our Least Favorite Features:
The resistance is not adjustable.
Warranty is not available. - Our Most Favorite Features:
Sleek, ergonomic and solid construction design
Durable Solid cylinders and frame
Excellent user reviews
Digital display
Affordable mini stepper
Oversized non-slip footrests
Very smooth and quite regardless of the duration of use
Long step height for deeper steps and intense workout - Efitment Stepper Machine – Specs:
17.5 Inches Length
15.5 Inches Wide
9.5 Inches Height
Efitment stepper machine weight: 15.5 Lbs
Max user weight: 220
Resistance: Fixed
Cylinder system: Hydraulic
Max duration of use at a time: 20 Minutes
Resistance bands: Available
Digital Display: Yes, (you can track total steps, time, calories burnt)
Warranty: N/A (You can buy the warranty that Amazon offers)
Step range: High
Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Twister Stepper
7 used from $86.38
Sunny mini stepper twister is not a high-end gym-quality or advanced athletic equipment but it’s a good budget mini stepper machine for beginners and intermediate level athletes who like to do 10-15 minutes workout at the time.
Especially if you are working in an office and need something to get you moving and your heart rate up during that 2-minute break. Sunny health exercise stepper is an affordable and adjustable mini stepper for home and office use.
Sunny Health mini stepper is stable and has oversized slip-resistant footplates to keep you firm and safe. Unlike normal mini stepper machines with only up and down motion, Sunny Health & Fitness stepper has a twisting motion to ensure your buttocks, thighs, and obliques get fit as well.
The resistance is fixed and can’t be adjustable but the height of the step is adjustable. So, you can kick off easy and adjust it to more intense levels. This particular model of Sunny Health and Fitness twister stepper also has an adjustable resistance cord to enable you to work out your upper body as well, the cord.
Sunny Health & Fitness mini stepper machine comes with a basic LCD display to let you track your workout progress: you can see step count, time, total count, scan and the calories burnt.
The Sunny Health and Fitness mini twister stepper machine is compact, easy to move and store after use. The assembly can take up to 3 minutes, it’s durable for short periods of use, it has adjustable resistance and cord, and it’s inexpensive. Overall this mini stepper with band is a good value for the money.
- Our Least Favorite Features:
The 90-day warranty is too short
Cylinders overheat after 15 minutes of continues use
Fixed resistance system
The stepper starts making noise after a while
The vertical length of the step is short - Our Most Favorite Features:
Step height is adjustable
The footplates are slip-resistance
Resistance cords and stability
Digital display and affordable price stepper machine - Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Twister Stepper Machine – Specs:
19 Inches Length
16 Inches Wide
8 Inches Height, unfolded
Height unfolded- N/A
Sunny Health & Fitness mini twister stepper machine weight: 20 Lbs
Max user weight: 250
Resistance: Fixed
Cylinder system: Hydraulic
Max duration of use: 15 minutes at a time
Operation: Smooth and quiet for a short period of use
Resistance bands: Yes, included
Digital Display: Yes, included
Warranty: 90 Days
Step range: Low
Sportsroyals Mini Twister Stepper Machine
4 used from $140.15
Sportsroyals is one of the best and high-quality mini stepper machines in the US market. It has an excellent design which makes it stable, compact, lightweight, easy to move around, use in the office and store it in the closet.
The twist-action helps target the glutes, tone your thighs and work your abs. Sportsroyals mini steppers for exercise also helps burn more calories more than just an up and down motion. The movement of Sportsroyals mini stepper machine is different from the traditional mini steppers and the Sunny Health & Fitness twister stepper: it’s a low-impact twister and doesn’t twist the exerciser too much to cause joint or muscle pain.
Sportsroyals mini stepper exercise equipment has over-sized non-slip resistant footplates to keep the exerciser firm and safe on the machine. Large size footplates allow you to widen and change the position of your feet to work on different muscle groups and enjoy the mini stepper benefits.
The LCD display shows total count, burnt calories, time and step count. This machine is constructed with sturdy steel frame and durable hydraulic pistons. You can work out anywhere from 1-40 minutes at a time on Sportsroyals Exercise Mini Twist Stepper Machine and it wouldn’t over-heat like Sunny steppers. The only drawback I can find in this twist stepper is the non-adjustable resistance.
Note: This specific model doesn’t have handlebars but this brand has two other models that have handlebars. One has fixed/static handlebars while the other one has moving handlebars so you can do full body workout. Although this model of Sportsroyals Exercise Mini Stepper Machine is the cheapest among the three steppers from this brand, it does come with resistant bands to work out your arms, shoulders, and back while using. Plus, for upper body workout, you can always use dumbbells, of course if you have a good balance and after you get used exercising on a mini stepper.
- Our Least Favorite Features
Resistance tension is not adjustable;
No transportation handle; - Our Most Favorite Features:
It’s a light and compact mini stepper machine
This stepper has a durable frame
The hydraulic cylinders are well built and won’t over-heat under 20 minutes
Resistance bands for a more effective cardio workout
The warranty terms are good with 30 day full refund money back policy - FP1 Twister Stepper Machine – Specs:
18.5 Inches Length
17.3 Inches Wide
15.7 Inches Height
Mini twist stepper machine weight: 22 Lbs
Max user weight: 300 Lbs
Resistance: Non-adjustable
Cylinder system: Hydraulic
Resistance bands: Available on this mini stepper machine
Digital Display: Yes, included
Warranty: 1-Year
Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper With Handle
9 used from $74.96
This twist stepper by Sunny Health and Fitness is great for beginners and intermediate-level athletes below 200 Lbs. The max user weight is supposed to be 250 lbs however the consumers have a different view on that.
The handlebar is a great feature for first-timers and those who lack in balance can easily adjust the handlebars to fit their height. Note that the handlebars of this mini exercise stepper are stationary and don’t twist. The Sunny Health and Fitness mini stepper with handles offer a tight grip for increased stability and steadiness. The footplates move up and down which helps you work both on your legs and lower abs.
However, if you have knee or ankle problems, this model of Sunny Twister Stepper with Handle Bar may not be for you because the twist-action brings pressure to the lower body joints.
It has oversized and non-slip grippy footplates to keep you firm and safe on the machine. Sunny health mini stepper features wide, non-slip pedals to reduce injury risk during workout sessions. You can adjust the height of your stride for deeper steps and a more intense workout.
The LCD display is located up in front of you, so compared to other mini steppers with LCD on the feet level, this machine is really easy to track the values of your workout (calories burnt, step counts, total steps, time and scan/ when it’s on scan, it goes through all the options and give you a total number, it also shows the total number of the steps you have done from the first day of using the machine). The LCD works with AAA batteries and they are included with this mini stepper machine.
Note: The tension range is limited for pros and you can’t get the heart rate up for an extended period. The operation is very quiet and smooth as long as the user is not in the overweight category. If you are a pro or intermediate and are planning to do a heavy workout, the Sunny twist Mini stepper machine with handlebars is not for you. You also can’t use rope or dumbbells when exercising on this Sunny Twist Stepper with Handles.
- Our Least Favorite Features:
Little resistance range, especially when it’s used for beyond 25 minutes
Fixed resistance system - Our Most Favorite Features:
It’s a Mini stepper machine with handlebars for better balance
The steppe heights are adjustable - Sunny Mini Stepper Machine With Handles- Specs:
19 Inches Length
17 Inches Wide
43 Inches Height, handlebars included
Sunny Health & Fitness twist stepper machine weight: 25 Lbs
Max duration of use at a time: Up to one hour at a time
Max user weight: 220
Resistance: Not-adjustable
Cylinder system: Hydraulic
Operation: Smooth and quiet
Resistance bands: Not available on this mini stepper machine
Digital Display: Yes, included
Warranty: 90 days
Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper Machine With Band
13 used from $51.97
Number 6 on this list of the best mini steppers review is another Sunny Healthy and Fitness mini stepper machine. For less than $50, you get a good budget mini stepper machine that can be used both in the office and at home. The Sunny mini stepper also comes with a multi-function display to allow you to track the mini stepper workout results.
The only difference between this Sunny mini stepper machine and Sunny Twist stepper is the TWIST. This machine is only up and down while the twist does up and down and side to side.
The mini stepper is a great choice if you’re looking for the best mini stepper for home. While this Sunny mini stepper is compact and helps to save floor space, it allows you to enjoy the benefits of a cardio workout. The up and down movement doesn’t work out your buttocks, thighs, and obliques as much as the twist motion does.
The resistance of this mini stepper can’t be adjusted but the height of the steps can be adjusted. This mini stepper machine with bands like the rest of the Sunny steppers we talked about is not for heavy long workout periods. It has oversized non-slip resistant pedals for better stability of the user.
Overall it’s one of the affordable best mini steppers with resistance bands. This compact stepper is easy to move and store after use, the assembly can take up to 5 minutes, it’s durable for short periods of use, it has an adjustable cord, and it’s inexpensive.
- Our Least Favorite Features:
It overheats and loses tension after 20 minutes of heavy workout
It’s not durable for pro and overweight users - Our Most Favorite Features:
It has a good range of step to work out harder and burn more calories.
It’s very compact and light which makes it easy to move around or store.
The rope/resistance cord is adjustable, you can shorten the rope for your height - Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Stepper Machine – Specs:
16 Inches Length
12.5 Inches Wide
8 Inches Height
Mini stepper machine weight: 14.5 Lbs
Max duration of use at a time: 25 minutes
Max user weight: 220
Resistance: Not Adjustable
Cylinder system: Hydraulic
Operation: Smooth and quiet
Resistance bands: Yes, included, adjustable
Digital Display: Yes, included
Warranty: 90-days
Benefits Of Mini Steppers:
Low Impact Exercise
It has a super low impact compared to what it mimics (climbing up the stairs or hill). You will always be standing with your feet attached to the machine, you don’t need to lift your feet up to climb the next step or climb the hill.
Convenient
You don’t have to get out of your comfort zone looking for hills or steps to climb because you can do it in the house so you save time and money. Mini steppers are more affordable compared to some other cardiovascular exercise machines.
Storage Features
It needs only need 2 square feet to help you burn calories and lose weight. It’s easy to store and move around in the house, especially if you don’t have much space.
Total body workout
You have the option to work on both upper and lower body at the same time. It strengthens the legs and works glutes, hamstrings, and calves better than upright and mini bikes. Mini steppers can tone your muscles, improves your immune system, heart, and lung health. Using a mini stepper machine you can mimic running or walk up the stairs without bothering anyone nor getting out of the house.
Cardiovascular exercise
The mini stepper machine offers cardiovascular exercise, meaning it burns more calories in a shorter time than normal weightlifting training and at the same time, it has way less impact on your joints and muscles. You can take a mini stepper to your office and get a good workout on your breaks.
Mini Stepper HIIT
Using the mini stepper is one of the best ways to do HIIT, High-Intensity Training to get the heart rate up within seconds. It helps you gain better balance and confidence. That said, not all mini stepper are ideal for hiit workouts. The one that did great HIIT for me was the Xiser, the other mini steppers have too much resistance/force to do proper intervals.
Aerobic and Anaerobic Workout
It can be used as a great combination to your aerobic workout. (If you do half an hour of the elliptical and upright bike, you can add 1 minute of anaerobic exercise with mini stepper machine).
Mini Steppers Machine Features to Consider
Mini stepper machine stability
It’s important because of your comfort and, more importantly, your safety matter. Regardless of your weight and size, if the little mini stair stepper rocks and you fall off, you will be doing more harm than good.
On most mini stepper machines you won’t find handles to hold for stability so make sure to buy a stable product. What you need to look for is the width and length of the mini stepper machine. Wider and longer mini stair climber are more stable. A broken bone or head injury can cost you way more than a good quality mini stepper machine.
Quality and warranty
No one wants to waste their money on a chunk of junk that breaks or start squeaking after 90 days (when the warranty runs out). What is more important is your safety. While you are on this little chunk of steel, if it breaks, you can lose balance and fall off, definitely something you want to avoid. To avoid regretting your choice buy a mini stepper fitness from a good brand with a better reputation and longer warranty
Mini stepper with adjustable tension
There are some mini steppers with adjustable steps but that’s not something important because soon you will realize, all you want is a natural position on the machine. It’s not like the elliptical machine, where changing stride changes the workout and you work on different muscles. So, don’t worry about the adjustability of the steps.
However, resistance adjustability is important as you can change your workout from aerobic to anaerobic by changing resistance. If you are on an easy level, you can do 1-minute sprint workout also known as anaerobic. If are you on a harder level, you can do 20 minutes aerobic. Therefore, choose the mini stepper with adjustable tension.
Materials used in the frame
Steel and plastic or aircraft aluminum are the three main materials used to make the body of the compact stepper machines. The strongest is aircraft aluminum. The durability of the cylinders is very important for a quiet and smooth ride. Most low-quality cylinders can’t handle more than 10 minutes of exercise and they get overheated, which leads to squeaking and dysfunction.
Mini stepper size and weight
Lighter machines are easier to move around and store them after use. When you decide to buy a mini exercise bike, mini stepper or any other type of machine, it’s important to think about the dimensions of the product. If you are going to use the stepper machine both under a desk and in the open, then you need to consider a shorter height.
Quiet and smooth operation
Most cheap Mini stepper exercisers feature the small version of the basic cylinders often used on the top of the entrance doors of shops. It’s good for the shop doors because they open and close slowly so they don’t overheat, even though you can still notice when they close the door sometimes it jerks right before closing. If your stepper machine features a cheap cylinder, when it overheats, it becomes jerky which makes it not to be smooth and it starts making noise.
Mini stepper machine with the resistance cord
It’s a very useful feature when you want to work out your upper body to do biceps, shoulder and many other moves that you can learn from the videos online. The cord/band also helps to have better balance. However, if your preferred mini stepper machine is lacking in resistance cord, you can use small dumbbells for your upper body.
Mini stepper with digital display
I love to keep track of my workout values, it keeps me motivated and at the same time, I like to know approximately how much calories I burnt. If you also want to keep track of your step counts, time and mini stepper calories burned, look for a stepper with digital display. However, if you prefer to buy a mini stepper machine that doesn’t have a digital display, you can use a fitness watch and a fit-bit HR to monitor all the important data of your workout.
Hydraulic cylinders
The durability of the pistons is the most important part of the mini stepper. A heavy-duty cylinder lets you stay on the mini stepper machine unlimited or for a long period of time. The low-quality cylinders will overheat after 10-20 minutes of stepping and causing the machine to become noisy and lose resistance.
Why use a mini stepper machine?
- Poor circulation in your legs which can cause swelling in your ankles
- Weaken your bones, legs, and glutes
- Shorten your life
- Weight gain
- Loss of brainpower
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Muscle degeneration
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Hip problems
- Digestion problem
- Depression and anxiety
- Heart disease due to the low blood flow
- Diabetes risk
- Cancer risk
What Mini Steppers Can do?
Can you do anaerobic and aerobic with a mini stepper machine?
YES, you can do both by simply changing your stance on the machine. If you stand tall and straight, you can do 20 minutes of steps (aerobic) and if you bend your knees and use only your lower body, you can do 50 seconds of HIT (anaerobic). For a more calorie-burning activity, you should consider buying exercise bikes.
What are anaerobic and aerobic exercises?
- Anaerobic exercise is a short burst of physical activity, such as running your max speed for 10 to 60 seconds, where oxygen demand surpasses oxygen supply and you start breathing very fast. Keep in mind anaerobic shouldn’t replace your routine exercise, it’s only good when it’s combined with your strength routines and cardiovascular exercise.
- Aerobic known also as cardio is any exercise that you do for more than a few minutes (15 minutes plus), you start slow and continue to high intensity. You can always add anaerobic exercises to your aerobic exercise as long as you don’t have heart or breathing problems.
Types of mini stepper machines
Basic Mini Steppers
They are compact and built for people with less free space. These mini steppers require a bit of balance as they don’t have cords or handles to hold on to. That being said, all fitness levels can use these mini-steppers. If you don’t have a good balance, you can start the mini stepper workout standing next to a wall until your balance is improved. Just like their traditional ancestors, they mimic climbing the stairs. Their size, weight, portability, and price are what sets them apart and makes them special.
Mini steppers with resistance band & handlebar
These mini stepper machines with resistance bands or handlebars can mimic climbing up the stairs. Featuring handlebars and resistance cords are more convenient for those with lack of balance. Another reason you might want to consider a mini stepper with the resistance band is that they provide both upper and lower body workout.
Stepper elliptical machines
It’s mainly for the lower body, unlike its ancestors that come with moving handles for the lower and upper body. Mini under-desk elliptical machines are designed to be used standing and also while sitting on a chair. They are a good fit for under-desk use because the pedals go more forward instead of upward (unlike under desk mini bikes) and it’s not an up-and-down pedal, it has more of a circular motion.
Final Verdict on Mini Steppers
Many fitness experts and health professionals agree that desk stepper machines provide one of the best workouts at home. Doing cardiovascular workouts on a stepper will allow you to target the majority of your muscle groups, especially your lower body muscle including your glutes and calves with a semi-challenging workout. While some of the best mini steppers can cost as little as $50, they are capable of bringing a remarkable change to your fitness level if you use consistently and mix them with other types of exercises like rowing, walking, or cycling.