Would you like to experience the great cardiovascular and muscle building workout of climbing
stairs without going hoarse from saying "Excuse me", every few steps? You're in luck. With
steppers you can run up the stairs of the Empire State Building without leaving the comfort or
safety of your own home. All you have to provide is a little imagination and a willingness to
exercise.

Steppers let you use a familiar movement when exercising, no complicated ski glides or unusual
orbital patterns - just the everyday motion of climbing stairs. Steppers work out your lower
body. You balance on the handlebars, push down with one foot and repeat with the other.

Stepping Action and Pedals

Steppers can also be divided into independent and dependent varieties. The pedals in
dependent stair climbers are directly connected to each other. When you push down with
one foot, the other comes up. The dependent action tends to be easier to learn.

Independent steppers have pedals that are not related to each other. When you push up with
one foot, the other stays exactly where it was. You have to step down with the other foot to
make the pedal go down. This action is more natural than the dependent one and provides the
tougher workout. The Tunturi TriStepper 900 has independent action.

Whatever type you choose, make sure it has a smooth stepping motion. A comfortable stepping
speed is important too. Some beginners cannot keep up with even the slowest rate of a few
models. Adjustable tension is important as well. The lower levels build aerobic capacity while the
higher ones concentrate on building strength.