- Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Power Stepper with Resistance Bands for Cardio

I recently got this stepper and love it. It comes mostly put together with only a few things to attach. After taking it out of the box, it took less than 5 minutes to assemble. Pretty much anyone can put it together. It gives a great workout without a lot of effort. The resistance bands can add to the workout, but aren't even necessary. I've been using them about half the time. This stepper really works your legs and butt, and I like the twisting motion. I have no complaints so far. It's fairly compact, so it's easy to store. It is a little heavy though. I am a small woman, only 5'2, and I find it a little heavy to move around. It's not super heavy, but I can see how it may be too heavy for someone with any time of injury. Again, it's compact, so if you need to leave it out, it doesn't take up much room. I wanted something small that I can keep in our bedroom so I don't have to run downstairs to our finished basement every time I want to workout. We keep our treadmill and workout stuff in the basement. With this stepper, I am able to work out in our bedroom while watching TV at night. It's perfect. When I'm done, I can just move it out of the way. I've had mini steppers in the past. The first one I had was great, but the second one I had didn't work right. The cable would always slip off and there was no way to resolve the issue. I was hesitant about buying a new stepper after not using one for a few years. There are a lot of different brands on the market with varying prices. This one had good reviews, so I took a chance. I am so happy that I did. It is exactly what I need to help me keep up with a regular exercise program and to help get me toned. I am a mother of a 2-year-old, so I don't have much time to workout. I have to fit it in here and there. This will be a nice way for me to fit in a 10-15 minute workout here and there throughout the day without having to go out of my way to do it. I recommend this to anyone looking for a decent workout without having to pay the big bucks to get it.

My wife recommended this stepper to many of our friends and relatives and Sunny Health has sold 5 steppers because of her. You're welcome Sunny Health and Fitness. Features: - Good build quality - Small footprint - Affordable price - Step/calories counter - Resistance bands for arm exercises. - "Twist" movement. Observations: - The resistance of the stepper seems to be a little low but after a 20 minutes, you still get a good workout. - The axis of the steps are not horizontal but at an angle. This gives a longer stride for each step than if the axis was horizontal. Not as long as the big machines, of course. - Quiet. You can use this while watching TV. I'm sure many will agree that not thinking about the exercise is the best way to exercise -- at home, at least. - Small. This means you can do your exercises in the living room instead of your bedroom. Many people put their big machines in their bedroom because it can be an eye sore and you may agree that having to retire to the bedroom to exercise takes away some motivation. Conclusions: For me, the key to consistent exercising is to find something you're willing to do. Having to hide away to your bedroom, having your head bobbing up and down (a la treadmills), and not being able to hear the TV while doing your exercises are all things that eventually make one dread having to do their exercises. The reason my wife is able to convince others to buy the Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper is that it does not intrude into your everyday routines so it is easy to keep up with. With that kind of consistency, you're sure to see some results. NOTE: After the first week, the stepper had a bad squeaking sound. It seemed to be that a piece of metal got in the way of the air outlet for the piston, making it whistle. During a rigorous step session, I managed dislodge the obstruction and the unit has been quiet since. If you're having the same problem, you can try "running up the stairs" for a while. I can't say that this will work for everyone, but hopefully, Sunny Health can either fix their manufacturing process or help to replace those who had the same problem.

I bought this thing when I realized the least active point in my day was when I sat down to play video games or watch movies. This is a large amount of dead time for me, and I wanted to make it more active to aid my weight-loss goals. This machine arrived quickly and I was a little surprised by its dimensions. It was a bit larger than I imagined it, but not so much so that it would impede its purpose. I can still store this under my coffee table and drape a towel over it. Now, I've heard the weight limit on this thing to be between 220 and 250 pounds according to some other reviews. I'm not sure where they got this information because the Sunny Health & Fitness websites own description of their product has no weight limit listed. This is not to say that there ISN'T a limit, just that the sources of information may be unreliable or simply guesses. I weigh 214 and I use this thing about 5 days a week for between 30 and 60 mins. Like everyone else has said, you get what you put into it. If you just kind of do it, it'll feel like more of a waste of time than anything else. But if you move quickly, incorporate your arms (with or without the resistance bands), and try different positions (squatting instead of standing, leaning forward or backward, trying it facing the opposite direction) you can get an effective workout. One thing that I've recently started to do with the bands is to do some upper body workouts like bicep curls, triceps extensions, bent over rows, and shoulder raises all while stepping. Word of wisdom though: if you are using the calorie counter on the computer, take it with a grain of salt. You'll know if you're working harder or less hard than the calories on the machine. It takes about 7 steps (left and then right = 1) to burn a calorie according to the computer. So use your best judgement. Being as heavy as I am, and I am probably towards the top of the limit if the proposed limits by other reviewers are true, this machine makes some noise. I put some white lithium grease on the pistons to ease it up, but I think the squeaking is coming from elsewhere. The pistons do get hot if you work with some speed, and I even got a "hot metal" smell once from going all out for thirty minutes. This is just something to be aware of. I love this machine, and if it weren't for the squeaking and the inaccurate computers (which is really just good at keeping time and counting of all the steps done) calorie count and the lack of resistance after you get moving, it would be a 5 star machine. This really is a 4.5 star machine as the negative aspects can be overlooked/ignored. EDIT on 5/9/13: This machine is squeaking quite a bit. I put lubrication on as many moving parts as I have access to, but it still continues. Also, the counter and calorie computer display has gone out. I'm waiting for a reply from Sunny to see if they will replace it for me. For these reasons, I had to remove the "4.5 out of 5" original title. EDIT on 5/26/13: Sunny responded the next day to my inquiry about a new computer. They just asked me to confirm my purchase (copy and paste the order invoice) and give them my address. Then they sent out a new computer free of charge and with free shipping. Great customer service. The new computer arrived about four business days later and has worked every day since.

I've been itching to get a stair stepper for a long time, but hesitant to spend the money because after doing some research I realized these smaller machines can get quite pricey. I pored over reviews for weeks, looking at different types of machines, before I settled on this one mainly because of the high number of positive reviews and the price. I will definitely update my review if I run into problems or no longer become satisfied with this product. So far, I LOVE this thing! It's small and light enough to move around easily, but it still very sturdy (I weigh 150 pounds). I wondered if balance would be an issue with this machine, but it's not at all---and I'm a shut-in who is currently taking pain medication, woo! It's overall height is about 9 inches with the pedals evened out, so it's easy to stow it under something to get it out of the way. I try to use this as often as possible during the day if even for just a short time, and it gives me a satisfying workout. Personally, I feel like walking isn't enough of a workout, but running is too high-impact, which is why I like stair machines. Another reviewer mentioned the short stride of the machine; it is true that the stepping is not a "big" movement, meaning you don't have to stretch your legs far to reach the pinnacle either way. I would say it's the equivalent of stepping up small stairs, i.e. 6 inches or so high. This doesn't bother me at all, in fact, I feel like I experience more of a burn with this smaller range of motion. Also the stepping motion has a slight "twist"; as another reviewer mentioned it's almost like a skating motion. I love this, it really gives my thighs a good workout! If I use this machine for longer than 20 minutes I really start to feel the intensity and sweat a bit. It is possible to step quickly and really push yourself, so I think you can get a decent higher-impact workout out of this stepper. I'm very happy with this machine so far! I was looking for something affordable and easy to stow away (I hate the look of equipment and our house is small) that gives me the opportunity for a decently challenging workout, and this has delivered on all three counts.

I love this little stepper as far as ease of use goes, portability and honestly I got a great workout from it. If you stick to the 15 minute rule, you'll be fine, but I'd totally zone out well into two hours on a good day... ...and I had a lot of good days on this stepper. I was rehabbing my knee from a running injury and it was ideal, but the amount of exercise I put on any of my equipment is considerable and the other night one of the bolts was cleanly cut through and the machine literally blew apart mid-stride as I was winding up my workout. That bolt held the right side of the pulley cable and without a secure cable you've pretty much got a useless little stand of plastic and metal. Totally on me, as I said earlier, I average a good couple of hours of exercise daily without fail. But a word to the wise, the machine does get very hot and if you overdo it, it's possible to break this thing. I'm trying to figure out how to loosen the bolt because I figure I can just buy a replacement bolt and get it back in the game but the screw is wedged pretty solid and there's not really a lot room to work with using a wrench, so I'll have to give that some thought. I'm shopping around for another climber stepper that might be a little more rugged. It's only been a day but I miss that part of my morning routine already. The exercise bike isn't nearly as much fun. So again, if you buy it, don't go all beast mode on it, maybe (if you must break that rule) keep under an hour... ...way under.

Very convenient and a good workout!! I have been really pleased with this stepper. I had to start a daily cardio program for a health condition so I needed a piece of equipment I could use at home. I knew if I had the convenience of having something at home then I would be more apt to perform it daily. The other factors in my consideration were something that could be portable and doesn't take up much space. This way I could use it in the family room or bedroom while I watched TV or in the office while I worked on my laptop (I like a distraction so it doesn't seem so much like work). This is the perfect piece of equipment for me. It gives me a good cardio workout with increased heart rate while toning my legs at the same time. You would be surprised at how such a small piece of equipment could get your heart rate up so quickly. You are also able to change the resistance easily using the black turn knob in front. This changes the resistance in how hard you have to push down on the stepper. The stepper has a slight rotation in the stepping that could possibly bother some, but I have no problems with this. This stepper also comes with bands for exercising your upper extremities but I have not used those yet. The bands attach to the front of the stepper then you are able to work your arms simultaneously while working the stepper. I like to work on my core strengthening during this time so I simply work the stepper without holding onto anything with my arms. I focus on tightening my abdominal and back muscles to stand tall and engage my core and legs. I am very, very pleased with this stepper. It does a lot for a small, inexpensive piece of equipment that you can virtually place anywhere. I normally keep it in my bedroom and slide it under the bed when not in use. My 25 year old daughter loved it too, so guess what she received for her birthday? She was very happy :)

I am so glad I purchased this! I was a bit worried about the squeaking people seemed to have occasionally mentioned. Some have said WD-40 works perfectly, so I'll be using that if the time comes. I'd like to add that the booklet it comes with also mentions that it should be greased up about once a month. So to any of you who are experiencing squeaking, or are afraid of it, there's an easy fix! Now onto the review! Assembly: This was super easy to put together. The only thing you have to do is lift a pedal from the edge closest to you, then attach the cord onto the pulley beneath it. Then screw in the tension knob. The tracker comes with a battery, so put that in, then you slide the tracker onto the thin stick piece in-between the two pedals. The rubber bands clip-and-screw onto loops above the pedals. It took less than 2 minutes to put together! Workout: It definitely gets your heart racing after just a minute of stepping. The machine resembles walking up the stairs, rather than running like a full-size elliptical simulates. The machine gives a great cardio workout without damaging your joints. I normally like to run 3 miles every other day, but this will be replacing that since I want to spare my knees and hips. The resistance bands add to arm training as well, and I really like that. The lowest tension setting is probably enough for most people to get a solid workout. As you're standing on it, you have to push your feet down, but not too hard. Once you get momentum going, it'll feel like you're running up some stairs. I'm 108 pounds, so maybe it's just because I don't add a lot of weight onto the pedals, but I personally really like having to push my legs down to get it to move. This isn't like an exercise bike with the lowest tension where sometimes the pedals move before you do! It's not hard, though. I don't want to discourage anyone from buying this. If you've been on any sort of elliptical, you'll probably know what I mean. But at the same time, I don't think this would work if you're sitting down. (Side-note) I can work out for an hour and experience no problem. If you got the booklet that says 15 minutes, the actual company says to ignore that, and do your workout for as long as you'd like. Size: It's bigger than I thought, but it's not a problem to store away. It's short enough to store under beds and maybe some couches, and definitely small enough to put in a closet. And if you must, you can always stack things on top of it if you're low on space. Overall, I really like this product. I'm glad I purchased it. I will definitely purchase another one if I have to at some point! UPDATE: I have thousands of steps on this thing already, and no squeak! I generally workout for an hour, sometimes one and a half, so ignore the 15 minute disclaimer from the booklet. I'm a tiny person anyway, but I was so surprised when I lost a half-inch in my waist and a full inch in my thighs! This thing is probably my greatest purchase in a long time. It's so easy on my joints and I'm very grateful for that. Just a little tip though, it takes a minute for it to warm up. It might seem a bit stiff at first, but it's loosened in less than a song's length! BUY THIS.

I had a lateral thigh trainer several years ago which broke after a couple of years of use. For the next year or two, I've been looking for a decent replacement but I just could not find one at a good price. When I found this little stepper, read its description and saw its price, I was sold right away. I've had this for a few months now and I would say that it gets used about 2 times a week, one hour each on average. Overall, I am highly satisfied with it though there is a few things this little machine can improve upon. Pros: 1. Small size - it fits in the corner of my livingroom and I can work out on it without getting in the way of anything or taking up a lot of space. This is even more compact than the lateral thigh trainer. 2. GREAT Workout! This is a fantastic workout. Between 5-10 minutes in, I am already sweating and by the 45 minute mark, I am drenched in sweat. The little computer thingie that tracks steps and such is accurate, but I never believe calorie track numbers in any machine that doesn't ask to input weight (which this one doesn't). Regardless, based on how much I sweat on this thing, I'd say that I burn quite a bit of calories. 3. The resistance band is a nice addition. The resistance is not too strong and not too weak, so it's good for multiple reps and toning. I usually do biceps and shoulders. Triceps would be tricky. 4. Variable resistance. There is a knob in the middle that allows me to increase the resistance. I have it set up for little to no resistance since the workout is great without, but it's a good option to have. 5. Solid base. It may not look like it, but the base of this machine is solid - it does not wobble or rock during the workout. 6. Value. I think this machine is priced well and fairly for what it offers. Cons: The reason why this machine did not get a 5 stars is as follows. 1. Stepping distance. The stepping distance/height is on the short side, I'd say shorter than your typical stair steps. If it had an extra inch, it might have been better. 2. Noise. About a week into using, the machine started making squeaky noise. Have WD-40 handy. 3. Potential knee issues? Any stepper has the potential tp cause some knee pain and this one isn't an exception. I have experienced minor knee soreness once or twice after vigorous workout, but nothing major and soreness subsided shortly. Just be careful and listen to your body during any exercise. Overall, I am highly satisfied with this machine and hope that it will last a long time!

Absolutely delighted with this stepper! Took me a while to decide which brand and model to pick. At the end went with this one even though its not cheap but no regrets at all! 10/10.

I love this machine! I can't believe how sturdy and well built it is when it was so cheap! I have a lot of feet and back issues so finding a method of exercise that doesn't cause me a lot of pain is very difficult but I've finally found one! This is such a good work out too, I can only go for a few minutes before getting completely puffed with jelly legs! I highly recommend! It was also super easy to build and is nice and compact, easy to tuck away in the corner.

It’s hard to find space saving exercise equipment that hold over 300lbs. Well this does the trick! It takes no more room then a laundry hamper and it build for a bigger man or women.

Just received the stepper and tried it. It looks very well and resistant. The pedals are big so will be suitable to use for anyone! They are sliding well and easily. This is a bit different from classic stepper as pedals are moving like skii, so still up and down, but sliding towards the sides as well. Was easy and quick to assemble, the battery for the display was included in the package which is great! There is a lever included to regulate the height of the step so you can upgrade the work out. Happy about this purchase!

Producto de buenos materiales, buena resistencia. Yo trabajo todos los días ya sea sentado o parado, me puse una alerta para cada 30 minutos hacer una pausa y hacer 3 minutos de ejercicio con el aparato y complemento con 20 lagartijas. En esos pocos minutos siento que mi cuerpo se reactiva y hasta entro en "calor". Me ha ayudado principalmente para combatir el sedentarismo que causa mi trabajo.