Mini stepper recommendations ?

[anne_h]

I'm looking for a mini-stepper for passive use during TV watching, not for heavy cardio or conditioning.

I want something small, simple, relatively inexpensive (<$100), but durable and quiet.

I found lots of online lists and the amazon.com reviews, but I'm wondering if anyone here has a product they recommend personally.

Thanks!

Anne

 

[jess719]

You mean like the little trampoline? If so, don't get the one with the red fabric from Kohl's. We got one at Christmas time and the bouncy part has stretched! It's only me and the kids that used it, and I'm not exceptionally large.

 

[TC1987]

I don't think there is a whole lot of difference between them if you are looking at $50 - $80 range. The weak point on any is going to the the big plastic pulley that the cable gets pulled back and forth on. I had a stepper from WalMart or KMart first, and that pulley got chewed up and then the cable would always jump off track. The one I have now, I bought from Sears. I can't remember exactly what is different about it compared to the WalMart one, but there was some difference that made me think "Good. They changed it so it's not so weak." LOL The ones with the resistance bands are all a little awkward to balance on because there is no handle with which to steady yourself.

I also had one that was a twist-step. I bought it at a thrift store to use at my temporary residence in another town. It was missing the electronic display box but worked otherwise. It was just kind of felt weird, so I left it for the next tenant when I moved. It was heavier built than the Sears and WalMart ones I owned, though.

Go to Sears, KMart, sports stores, WalMart ,etc. if you can and look at the displays to see how they are made, and try the machine if possible.

ETA: Okay, mine from Sears says Body Tone, and it has no pulley. Instead of the d****** pulley and cable, there is a metal crossbar and metal rods. There are Body Tone steppers on ebay that you can look at for comparison. Kmart's web site shows all pulley models, I think. The Weider on Sears might be made without a pulley. But my advice, in general, is avoid the pulley + cable type.

If you want to pay a bit more, look at the Kettler. I don't see any pulley on it. But I have no local store that would carry that brand, so I am just going by Internet pics. It looks more heavy-built, like that twist-stepper I used to have. I don't know what brand it was. There were no labels on it.