Fitfluencers Are Loving Mini Steppers—Here's Why You Need One

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TikTok fitfluencers have tried to convince us that mini steppers are the newest way to get an easy workout in at home. And here’s the thing: They aren’t wrong. These small-but-mighty machines can help you hit your step count and get your heart pumping, all while you watch TV in your living room.

The best mini steppers are sturdy, so you can get in a vigorous workout, and come with some extra bells and whistles (like resistance settings or bands for your arms). To see which models stack up, we tested a few and asked fitness experts which ones they vouch for. Ready to get moving? Check out our faves below.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Niceday Stepper, $60
2. Runner-Up: Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper, $51
3. Best for Bigger Bodies: Nordic Lifting Mini Stepper, $85
4. Merach Mini Stepper, $70
5. Stamina InMotion E1000 Compact Strider, $130

Shop the best mini steppers

Your step count is about to skyrocket.

Best Overall: Niceday Stepper

Niceday’s stepper is the perfect introduction to this type of exercise machine. It has a sturdy base that’ll stay firmly planted on your floor, (plus, you can opt to buy it with a grippy mat for extra security). A knob at the bottom lets you adjust the height and resistance—the higher the pedals, the more tension you’ll feel.

Also nice: It comes with resistance bands that Tyler McDonald, a certified personal trainer and certified nutrition coach at the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), says you shouldn’t overlook. “[They] allow for a more comprehensive, total-body workout, engaging the upper body (arms, shoulders, back) while the lower body is active on the stepper,” he says.

One SELF tester says this model is great for her small apartment because she can easily store it under her bed. “I use it on days where I feel really sedentary and would’ve gone for a walk, but don’t feel like going outside,��” she says. “I like how the step tension is adjustable, and it tracks everything you’d want, like the number of steps and the time you spend on it.”

Runner-Up: Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper

We also recommend checking out this mini stepper: “Sunny Health & Fitness is a very popular and generally well-regarded brand in the home fitness space, offering solid value for money,” McDonald says. It also comes with those handy bands, to help target your upper body at the same time.

You can adjust the height of each stride by rotating the knob on the bottom of the stepper. And to make sure you’re getting the most out of your workout, you can follow along with a fitness trainer’s mini stepper routine on Sunny Health’s free companion app.

Best for Bigger Bodies: Nordic Lifting Mini Stepper

This stepper has one of the higher weight capacities (330 pounds) available, making it a better option for anyone in a bigger body. But that’s not the only reason it’s worth your consideration: It also comes with three sets of resistance bands, so you can find the perfect pair for upper body exercises.

It comes with a mat to stop you from slipping and sliding, plus a small wrench and a dropper bottle of oil that you can use to lube the machine up if it starts to get squeaky after a while.

More great options

But really, there’s more: These steppers and similar machines are also worth considering, according to the experts we spoke with.

Merach Mini Stepper

If you’re down to add one more element to your exercise routine, you might like this stepper—it has a twisting function to engage your core while you step. (We like that it’s optional: You can turn off the swivel effect using a latch on the machine.) Another bonus? It has the same weight capacity as our previous pick.

To help you keep track of your workouts, download the free Merach app.

Stamina InMotion E1000 Compact Strider

Heads up: This is technically a compact strider, not a mini stepper. But McDonald says it provides a similarly low-impact at-home workout. �“This type of machine often provides a more fluid movement compared to traditional up-and-down steppers, which can be even gentler on joints, especially knees and ankles,” he says. And unlike the mini steppers on this list, you can use it while sitting or standing.

How we chose the best mini steppers

Whether you’re splurging on a treadmill or dipping your toe into fitness equipment with one of these mini steppers, we want to make sure you feel confident and excited about whichever option you choose. So, to build a list of machines that deliver on their promises, we relied on SELF testers, fitness experts, and the (thousands of) Amazon reviews out there.

What are the benefits of mini steppers?

There are lots of reasons to love mini steppers: For one, they can give your body a great low-impact cardio workout, which means they won’t put too much pressure on your joints. While stepping on one, you’ll engage your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, Lindsey Bomgren, NASM-CPT, founder of online fitness platform Nourish Move Love, previously told SELF. Plus, your core is forced to put in some work to keep you balanced, since these machines don’t have handrails. Add in the resistance bands for your arms that most models come with, and you’ve got every body part involved.

A stepper is also lightweight and compact, so you can easily tuck it away until you’re ready to work out, then move it anywhere that’s convenient around your home. And most cost less than $100, making them a lot more affordable than other at-home exercise machines (saving space and money? Now that’s a win-win).

Related:

• The Best Fitness Trackers for However You Like to Move
• 5 Best Ellipticals for Low-Impact Cardio Workouts
• Yes, a Good Yoga Mat Makes a Difference—These Are Our Favorites

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