Spartan Sports Ski Stepper

I ordered the Spartan Stepper, oh, I guess 2 and half months ago or so. When it arrived, the box looked like giants had used it to play rugby, but I was relieved when the contents were only a little the worse for wear.

That said, I love what this thing does on the most basic level: it provides a thorough workout in a small space. I can control the intensity of my workout. The thing is sturdy and I can control the amount of side-to-side stepping as opposed to up-and-down stepping. In its little plastic and metal heart, this is an exercise machine, and bless that little heart for giving its best.

It creaks, yes, but you kind of get used to it. My on-board computer clunked out after a couple of weeks, but I never really used it anyway. I can monitor my progress with a clock and a quick pulse check.

While I use the stepper, I do basic triceps extensions, biceps curls, and chest presses with light weights. Leaning up on your toes while stepping works your butt more; leaning back helps the quads.

So...no frills. A little creaky. The computer broke. But what my body's telling me in response to this is well worth the low price--I was only a little out of shape, and I THOUGHT I looked fine, but now my butt looks awesome, my waist has nipped in, my calves are quite shapely, and my arms don't to that jiggly thing. And while my blood pressure was never high, it dropped considerably to a super-healthy range. My doctor even asked what I'd been doing.

Not too bad for 20 minutes a day on a relatively cheap (but quite serviceable) stepper and a couple of light weights!

I'd buy it again. I would even argue that it doesn't need that silly on-board computer.

I bought this Spartan ski stepper to use in a tiny apartment where it is difficult to do any type of exercise and in an area where walking outside is dangerous. It has done the job very well. The resistance can be controlled by the speed of the weight shift, and the height of the step has three manual adjustments. I have used it on both linoleum and carpet and it stays in place without a rug or mat underneath. It is silent, so no noise problems. It is small enough to slide under the table when not being used, so no storage problems.

I am a senior citizen, and this unit has helped me with balance and strength training for my legs, which tend to weaken from so much sitting in such a small space, with very little leaving the house. I used it in a doorway for support for the first few weeks but now no longer need that help. I placed towels on the footplates and use it barefoot to strengthen my ankles, which has worked very well. A nice bonus was that it has helped keep my back straight as it needs to be that way for proper balance, another interest area for seniors.

The first unit arrived with a damaged display because the packing box is very flimsy with no cushioning, but the company sent a replacement immediately. The unit itself is sturdy enough to stand up to whatever happens to it and the functionality is not affected by the display. Definitely would stand up to a hulk training on it, but responsive enough for a 98-pound senior.

Overall, it is serving me very well and doing an excellent job. I really like using it with nice music on my headphones, sort of like a dance.