Stair Steppers
If you are considering investing in exercise equipment 
for your home or familiarising yourself with the equipment available at your gym, a stair stepper is a good machine for burning calories and working lower body muscle groups. The simulated stair climbing motion puts less pressure on feet, knees and hips than treadmills and is excellent cardio exercise.
Types of Stair Steppers
There are a few types of stair steppers. Full size are the ones you see at your gym, and can cost anywhere from £1,500 to £4,000. If you want a stair stepper and are on a budget, a mini stepper will allow you to do the exercise without spending a great deal of money. They are convenient for small spaces as they take up little room and can be stored easily. Folding stair steppers are a combination of the two: they fold relatively flat, but are nearly full size in height.
Another important difference to be aware of is electronic vs. manual. Most full size stair steppers are electronic, which means that a motor controls the movement of the steps and lessens the impact on knees and hips. These are the ones you will likely see at gyms and health clubs. Manual stair steppers are less expensive, since air pressure pistons rather than a motor regulate the stepping motion. Mini and folding steppers are manual.
Which One Should I Buy?
If you are buying a full size stair stepper, do plenty of research first. Read reviews and most importantly, test out as many as you can. All machines are different, even if they have the same functions--you need to make sure that the one you are buying feels stable and comfortable, and is a piece of equipment you will enjoy using on a regular basis. What may seem like a minor factor at first, such as the noise the machine makes, may become irritating once you use it regularly, so try to be as thorough as you can before your purchase. Mini and folding steppers are less costly purchases, but you still want to find one that you will use often. Make sure that it feels sturdy and that the foot pedals are big enough for your feet. Even mini steppers have computer displays and extra resistance attachments for upper body exercises, so investigate your options.
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