Have you ever envied stair-climbing athletes who can climb to the top floor of a skyscraper in one workout session? They have killer bodies, toned leg muscles, and exceptional endurance to climb all the way to the top! These stair climber athletes have trained in stadiums and on commercial stair steppers at the gym. You too can shed the weight and get toned legs via a personal stair stepper that fits your lifestyle!
The stair climber machine has been very popular for decades due to its intense cardio workout that simultaneously works your major leg muscles. Stair stepper machines complement dynamic workouts since they activate your muscles for higher intensity activity later on. Dynamic exercises offer a slew of benefits like improved immune function and activation of secondary muscles. Secondary muscles are often forgotten in exercises which work one muscle group at a time. Stair steppers can also help to improve balance, coordination, flexibility, and step length. Click here to read how stair climbers are used for intense rehabilitation in stroke patients whose coordination can be severely disabled.
There are so many brands and types of stair stepper machines out there, but which is the right choice? In this article, you will learn about the best stair climber brands, different stair stepper features, how to prioritize your needs with an at-home stair climber machine, as well as how to pick a good-quality stair stepper that will complement your home and lifestyle for years to come.
Why should I invest in a stair climber for my home?
You may be wondering if investing in a stair climber is worth it. There is such a wide array of at-home exercise equipment available for purchase like treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes, so what makes a stair stepper so essential for a good workout? Are there really differences in the workouts on a stair climber versus an elliptical, for example?
Unlike an elliptical or stationary bike, stair climber machines use your gluteal muscles and lack rotational momentum, forcing you to keep pushing the pedals up and down as you become fatigued during the workout. This ensures a constant calorie burn and kicks up the workout’s intensity exponentially. Ever find yourself on an elliptical, mindlessly scrolling through your phone, only to look up and see that you’ve become so distracted that you’ve dropped your speed? Have you ever gone super fast on an elliptical and realized that the machine’s rotational momentum is really the main component of your speed and you’re barely using your legs? That won’t happen on a stair climber, because the force you put into the stepper is the workout you get out of it! That’s why exercise equipment like a stair stepper can push you more to continue with your higher intensity workout!
Aside from the convenience of not having to climb the stairs of a local football stadium or not having to run up and down your staircase at home two hundred times, a good quality stair stepper can challenge you and grow with you as your cardio endurance improves and your muscles get more toned. That’s the goal, right? Workouts on an at-home stair climber are the best way to reach your weight loss and toning goals. What better way to overcome your obstacles to losing weight than to face it head on in an uphill climb on your personal stair stepper?
Keep in mind, however, that with ownership comes more responsibility with maintenance and cleaning. Check out our “Tips” section below for more information about how to properly care for your stair climber machine.
Types of Stair Steppers: How to Know Which is Right for You
Understanding the personalized stair stepper benefits is easy. The hardest part: Choosing the best stair climber that is right for you. As with most exercise equipment, different stair climber machines offer different exercise benefits at various price points and can have significant space requirements. As you shop around for stair climbers, think about your needs, your current fitness level, the various stair climber benefits you prefer, and your fitness goals for the future.
Here is a breakdown of popular personal stair climbers and our tips on how to choose the best stair climber for you:
Best Stair Stepper for Avid Stair Climbing Professionals and Athletes
MaxiClimber Vertical Climber by Maxi Climber
This stair stepper was the #1 best seller on Amazon.com. It received an average of four out of five stars with nearly 2500 customer reviews. This stair climber machine offers a full body workout and would be optimal for avid stair climbing professionals, elite athletes, and those training to make substantial gains in their arms, abs, and legs.
Highlights:
- Mobile handlebars provide a full body workout to burn calories while toning the muscles in your arms, abs, and legs
- Sliding foot pedals provide a low impact workout
- Lightweight for transport and storage (33 lbs)
- Dimensions: 57in x 10in x 6in
- Price: $179.99 + FREE Shipping + Includes a bonus fitness app upon purchase
Who Makes It:
Maxi Climber prides themselves on building effective, fat-blasting equipment that is affordable for consumers who strive for full body fitness. Most of their products are lightweight, easy to store, and come partially or fully assembled so that consumers can start using the equipment right away to reach their goals. This is a US-based company located in Georgia. Are you a bride trying to lose weight for the wedding? Maxi Climber hosts the “Maxi Climber Bride Challenge” for soon-to-be brides who compete to lose weight while using their fitness equipment. The winning bride wins a free wedding dress!
The Bottom Line:
If you are an avid stair climbing professional, elite athlete, or someone who wants full body workouts to maximize the fat burn and muscle toning efforts, this stair stepper is a great option for you. It is relatively affordable and great for someone who has other fitness equipment and expenses. With its small horizontal footprint, it can be placed in a corner and folded away when not in use. Keep in mind, however, this is a tall piece of equipment, so make sure you have ample vertical space for when you are both on and off the stair stepper.
Best Mini Stair Stepper for Small Spaces
Twist Stepper Step Machine No. 059 with Handle Bar by Sunny Health & Fitness
This mini stair climber was ranked as an “Amazon’s Choice” product for highly rated, well-priced products that are readily available for purchase. This is perhaps the most well-rounded stair climber on the list for its small footprint, safety features, affordable price, and multi-muscle toning features.
Highlights:
- Includes an adjustable handlebar for stability and safety
- Allows for a twisting action to enhance the calorie burn and toning during the workout
- Basic and straightforward data display for step count, time, and calories
- Total product weight is 22 lbs. Dimensions: 18in x 19in x 9in
- Price: $66.99 + FREE Shipping
Who Makes It:
Sunny Health & Fitness is a relatively new company based out of Los Angeles, California. They utilize a wide variety of manufacturers all over the world, which helps them keep product pricing affordable for most consumers. They carry various exercise products like treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, stair climbers, and rowers for various fitness needs and regimens.
The Bottom Line:
This stair stepper is best suited for people who want to implement the benefits of stair climbing into their fitness routine but who have minimal space to do so. This stair stepper is also a great option for beginner stair climbers with its adjustable handlebar. This machine’s light weight also allows for easy stowing when not in use.
Best Portable Stair Stepper
Adjustable Twist Stepper by Sunny Health & Fitness
This stair climber was ranked as another “Amazon Choice” product from the same company. Sunny Health & Fitness developed this easy to use, portable stair stepper for anyone who wants to bring their fitness equipment with them on the go. This stair stepper is compact, lightweight, effective, and comes in fun colors like pink for the trendy fitness fanatic.
Highlights:
- Allows for a twisting action to enhance the calorie burn and toning during the workout
- Contains adjustable resistance settings and step height for added muscle toning and workout intensity
- Does not have a handlebar, making it completely portable for a suitcase or very small spaces
- Total product weight is 14.5 lbs. Dimensions: 15in x 16in x 13in
- Price: $49.99 + FREE Shipping
Who Makes It:
Sunny Health & Fitness reappears on this list for affordable pricing and providing customers with a wide variety of machines and products to fit the needs of consumers. When tasked with creating a stair stepper that is portable for travel and easy to use, Sunny Healthy & Fitness rose to the occasion with this stair climber.
The Bottom Line:
This is the best portable treadmill on the list and is one of several products that earns the Amazon Choice rating from the same manufacturer. With its small footprint and compact shape, you do not have to neglect your fitness routine while traveling. Simply add this stair stepper to your travel checklist and pack it easily in your suitcase (checked bag or carry on)! One thing to keep in mind: This exercise machine does not have stability handlebars for safety. Athletes and individuals with good coordination and balance would be best suited for this machine. Those with injuries of the ankles, knees, or hips, instability, and the elderly, should consider investing in a machine that has more safety features.
Best Non-Mechanical Stair Stepper Platform
Original Aerobic Platform by The Step
This product stands out from the rest of the stair climbers on this list since it is the only non-mechanical stair climber. This stair stepper platform could be a great addition to your home fitness routine since it is compact, relatively inexpensive, versatile, and does not have the maintenance, upkeep, and potential mechanical issues of the other exercise machines. This product is included in this list because it offers similar cardio and muscle toning results without all the mechanics. The Original Aerobic Platform was ranked as Amazon’s #1 best seller for step platforms.
Highlights:
- Manufactured in the United States and made of durable, recyclable materials
- Adjustable risers for various intensity and workout difficulty as your fitness skills improve
- Platformis grooved and risers have non-skidfeet for safety and stability when in use
- Able to engage in various exercises like forwardstepping, backward stepping, sidestepping, as well as core strengthening and arm toning
- Price: $29.99 for the platform and 2 risers ($36.39 platform and for 4 risers) + FREE Shipping
Who Makes It:
The Step specializes in everything stair stepper and step platforms from equipment to add-ons like storage racks. They also sell a variety of weighted products like dumbbells, disk-shaped weights, bars, collars, and clamps so that you can feel comfortable adding resistance training to your current step routine.
The Bottom Line:
If you are a beginner to exercise with room to grow in your home gym, this stair climber platform may be the best option for you. This exercise platform can help you build stability in your legs and core and allows for room to grow as your fitness abilities improve. This stair climber is also great for adding variety to your step workout since you can modify the height and directionof your steps (forward, back, side steps), and you have the freedomto move your arms while stepping since there are no handle bars in your way. This is a tried and true product that has been in the fitness world for years. Consider adding this versatile stair stepper to your step routine.
For a great full body workout on a step platform, check out this workout video here.
Best Elliptical Stair Stepper
In-Motion Elliptical Trainer by Stamina
This stair climber was rated as the #1 best seller on Amazon.com for elliptical training machines. This elliptical stair stepper combination offers a multi-faceted workout that differs from the other stair climbers in this list. This elliptical stair climber is low-impact and can be used while sitting or standing, making it a great option for an elite athlete who wants to reduce shock on the joints or for someone who must be seated to exercise like the elderly or those with knee and hip injuries.
Highlights:
- Portable and quiet mechanics which is great for home or office
- Adjustable stride, direction (forward or reverse), and step height based on fitness level and desired intensity
- Several color choices to match your home, office, or personal style
- Total product weight is 24 lbs. Dimensions: 24.5in x 17in x 11.4in
- Price: $83.93-89.15 (dependent on color) + FREE Shipping
Who Makes It:
Stamina is a boutique studio exercise supplier that was founded in 1987 and had the vision to create innovative, affordable equipment for their customers. Since their beginning, Stamina has created unique exercise machines that offer complex workouts for the user. Some of their most well known machines include their “AeroPilates” line, gliders, rowers, striders, outdoor fitness equipment, and “Wirk” office exercise machines.
The Bottom Line:
This compact and versatile elliptical stair stepper machine is great for a wide variety of people, needs, and settings. The low-impact, smooth gliding motion of this machine makes it a great option for the elderly and those with compromised joints. This is also the only machine on the list that can be used while sitting or standing, so you can take this to the office and pedal away all day long! With adjustable stride direction, step height and resistance, this product can grow with you as your fitness level increases and your muscles become more toned.
The Keys to Picking the Best Stair Climber for You: Your Checklist Before You Buy
Now that you’re familiar with the best stair climbers on the market, you can now make an educated purchase in a product that will be suitable for you years to come. Here’s a checklist of the most important factors in finding the perfect stair climber for you:
- Your Budget: Budget is often the most important factor when choosing exercise equipment for a home gym. Consumers want to balance cost and convenience to make the investment worth it. As identified in this article, most stair climbers cost between $30 and $180. Other stair climbers have been found to exceed this range, however, as you can see, more expensive stair climbers do not necessarily mean better ratings from customers and better-selling products. The person who wants to get fit can find high-quality and effective stair climbers between $30 and $200.
- Your Fitness Goals: Stair steppers are often mistaken for single-exercise machines that lack versatility. As discussed in the article, however, some stair climbers offer more than one type of workout by coupling cardio training with toning exercises. If you are looking for exercise equipment that does primarily cardio training, the stair climbers with handlebars may be the best option to leverage your step speed and step height. If you are looking for both cardio and muscle toning capabilities, stair climbers without handlebars will force you to engage your core and arm muscles for balance. Those who want full body workouts and versatility in their workouts should consider the non-mechanical stair climber platform in this article. These platforms give you full range of motion and freedom to change your workouts every day. Regardless of your fitness goals, remember to consult your doctor before starting any workout routine, including those on your home fitness equipment. Your doctor may be able to help you create fitness goals and prioritize your needs in an at-home stair climber.
- Space and Footprint: While stair climbers tend to be smaller than other types of fitness equipment, some stair climbers can be tall! Make sure to measure the area you have available in your home for a stair stepper before buying one. Don’t invest in a stair climber that is not suitable for your home, because that will lead to problems during delivery, installation, and everyday living. The best stair climber for you should complement your home, office, travel needs, and your lifestyle.
- What Will Encourage You: Just like almost everything in life, another important key is to understand which stair climber will encourage you to actually start exercising and keep up with it in the future. If you feel you need a stair climber that can travel with you while at the office or on vacation, choose a portable stair climber that can be easily stowed under your desk or in your suitcase. The first step to developing an exercise routine is having the proper equipment on hand!
Tips for How to Care for Your New Stair Climber
- Caution: Some of the machines in this list today do not have stability handlebars. To avoid damage and injury to yourself, make sure that you set your stair stepper in an open area with at least 2 feet clearance around all sides of the machine. This will ensure your safety as well as prevent damage to furniture as you engage the moving parts of the stair stepper.
- With exercise equipment ownership comes your responsibility to clean and maintain the machine. Stair climbers require cleaning for both aesthetics and prolonged product life, so it is important to clean the surface from dirt and surface spots. Here is a list of products you can use to clean your stair climber:
- Gym equipment wipes (found in commercial gym equipment stores)
- Disinfecting surface wipes or aerosol spray (i.e. Lysol)
- Fitness equipment polish (i.e. Spintech)
- Make your own equipment cleaner by combining 1 cup white vinegar, ½ cup baking soda, and 2 cups hot water into a spray bottle. Spray this mixture onto the treadmill and wipe dry with a clean towel.
- Here is a tip to save yourself some work: Always wear clean gym shoes when working out on your stair climber. These machines tend to have surface grooves and ridges for stability, and cleaning out dirt from street shoes sounds like a pain!
- Always consult the user manual or call the customer service line for questions regarding the maintenance of your machine. Doing so will ensure your equipment will operate at its best for years to come.
The Bottom Line on Selecting and Purchasing a Home Stair Climber
Everyone can benefit from a personal stair climber to lose weight, increase cardio endurance, and tone leg, arm, and abdominal muscles. Once you find the perfect stair climber for you, you will find that it can motivate you to overcome your fitness goals one step at a time.
Now that you’ve read this article, the easy part is finding the best stair climber for you. The hardest part: Knowing your particular needs. Use the checklist above to guide you. By following this checklist and choosing your perfect stair climber, you will be able to workout how you want, when you want, and where you want!
Which stair stepper are you most interested in? The portable machines? The step platform? What about the elliptical stair stepper combo? Let us know in the comments below.