Portable Stair Stepper Review

By Cate Henry October 14, 2011 09:00 AM

Stamina InStride Twist Stepper

For the person who doesn’t have room for bulky exercise equipment, this portable stair stepper by Stamina is solid, delivers on what it promises and is affordable. I was looking for something to avert my couch potato ways and happened to be in Brookstone with a friend when I saw this and purchased it.

I was amazed at how easily it assembled (in like 3 minutes, seriously) and that it came with just enough information I would need in a workout machine - the electronic monitor tracks time, steps, reps per minute, and calories burned. I liked the twisting action too as it works more muscle zones than just a regular stepper. And though I haven’t adjusted it yet, you can change the stepping resistance. Not only does the stepping action tone thighs, buttocks and legs, but the arm resistant bands that snap on and off can also add more cardio oomph and give you an upper body workout for a toned back, arms, shoulders and torso.

On some portable steppers users have complained of backache, but having a bad back myself, I have experienced zero backache from this machine, even with the twisting action. You can rely on Stamina products as they have been in the fitness equipment biz for 24 years, and being that Brookstone carries, you know it’s good.