There are few exercise equipment(s) that return as much for the investment than a stepper. The challenge the steppers offer for one’s ability to balance, cadence, and strength endurance offers an important part of the progression that every exercise related endeavour should have, and be safe across majority of population groups.
An exercise program on a stepper can be commenced from starting point on a portable stepper that may be from a sitting position, and or with a stepper with handle bars that can accommodate different foot positions for increasing or lessening torque on different joints of the lower extremities, apart from joint or movement rehabilitation, a stepper can also be a great tool to gauge heart rate when used together with a heart rate monitor.
Selecting the right equipment is important here. Firstly, there is the portable stepper equipped with a damper under each step, no handlebars, and can be used whilst sitting on a chair. It has limited application and mostly suited for basic rehabilitation. Although possible to use this type of stepper in a standing position, one must be agile and have confidence and sure-footedness. It is best to start with wall support in the beginning. I caution against any use of such a stepper in a standing position by holding on to elastic rubber bands as is often advertised, this can result in injury and offers very slight benefit and is not without serious risk of a fall injury.
Second type of stepper, which isn’t a true stepper and is best, avoided, but is nevertheless often grouped into the same category as a stepper, is the Vertical Climber. This type of equipment is designed to “mimic” a mountain climbing action; there is however limited range of motion and the fixed articulation offered by this equipment designed to visually present an “all joints” involved imagery does not improve upon what is offered by the stepper.
Moreover, this type of equipment is also marketed and constructed towards portability so that it can be folded for easy storage, and thus has a very small footprint, this brings about another drawback; making it an unstable equipment with many folding joints that would limit a full expression of force feedback and increased risk of injury.
The best type of stepper is one that is stable, has handlebars and can accommodate various physical sizes. One of the best steppers that I have used to great success is the Life Fitness Lifestep 9500 hrt. It has 20 resistance levels, plus different foot positions that one can practice. It is equipped with large steps, and being as a heavy weighed equipment, it offers good force feedback, and would inspire confidence for one to use it hands free.