Side by Side Comparison of: Stamina

The Stepper is a good way to exercise. It is very sturdy, easy to put together, fold neatly away. It is so small that it fits even in the smallest space. I use it every day, several times. Every time I walk by it I step on it and exercise. You can adjust the tension as you get more fit. Unless you have a staircase where you live and have to run up and down a lot, this tool is perfect and brings up your heart rate, works your leg muscles, hips and butt. It has a small price tag for the kind of workout you can enjoy.

Good machine! I wish I was tougher, The "pebbled" design on the pedals is a little hard on your feet and the contact knobs on the bottom of the pedals are noisy but I fixed that by pulling some of my old socks over the pedals and now it's fine!

This stepper is a little flimsy, but it's because I'm used to working out hard and heavy. For the convenience of home use and the time it saves me to travel to a public gym that has a monthly gym membership fee, saving me from fighting the crowd in a crowded parking lot, it's worth it. I used it the day after it arrived and I was out of breath and worked up a sweat in a matter of minutes. Does the trick. It's perfect

I've only had this for a month but so far so good. A few thoughts...

1 - Stability... I read a few comments about it's stability before I bought it and was a little concerned that it was going to be cheaply built. However, once I put it together and tried it out I found that the machine itself is very solid. I was actually impressed by that. It's just that the base is narrow so it does rock a little on carpet. No big deal.

2 - Speed adjustment... Be aware to adjust the speed you have to stop and get off to do that. Not a deal breaker for me considering the price. One reviewer mentioned that as you workout the pistons warm up and it gets faster. It's true and may be a good thing. I like to start at a slower pace and then speed up as I warm up. This let's you do that without having to get off of it to adjust the speed. I don't think they designed or marketed it to do that but it just works out.

3 - Height... I'm 6' tall and it's definitely short for someone my height. I'd say it's ideal for someone around 5' 6". However, I just rest my palms on the top of the handles and it's fine. An idea might be to mount a tennis ball on top of each handle to make them more comfortable?

So for $100 I'm getting a good workout on a solidly built machine. When I get tired of it (which we all will) or if I have company coming over I can fold it down and put somewhere out of the way until I'm ready to work out again. One of the better bangs for the buck I've got in long time.

I was caught first by the price, then the reviews which were mostly positive. Price was a few dollars less than anyone else. Doctor suggested stairs of some sort because I have poor circulation (I'm 64). Amazingly I've been using it since Christmas and can already feel the difference. I'm on the lightest setting and only five minutes four times a day.

I found it well made, easy to set up and use. The electronics is a little flaky but I watch a clock anyway. It's compact enough to keep unfolded, and keeping it unfolded is a nag (a good thing). On one last note I ordered this at Christmas time so I can't say enough about Amazon's shipping and customer service considering the time of year.

Very fine machine, works well and smoothly. It has a very small foot print.

Love it. Easy to set up. Makes a little noise but still love it.

Thought I was ordering the elliptical version of this product, but it is still a good machine. It's compact, I get to great workout, and I work up a sweat. The elastic bands that come with it are kind of useless for me, I just can't seem to use them right. And it started to squeak after a couple of weeks. So I oiled the bearings and now it is good.

The Stamina InStide Pro Electronic Stepper is a good product, please understand however that you get what you pay for. This is a very inexpensive product; the cost is only $60. For this amount of money your expectations shouldn't be high. I would not expect the electronic part of this machine to work for very long, because it wont. This is a good piece of exercise equipment for the winter months for the folks that want to stay indoors. It takes up very little room which is also convenient. Please be advised if you weigh over 200 lbs don't waste your time ordering this machine either, the machine is designed to handle more than 180 lbs in my opinion. I also would suggest ordering an extra cable that rides on the pulley when ordering this machine. It only costs about $8 and will eventually break if you use this on a daily basis.

I've been using this for a couple months now, so decided it was time for a review.So far, I have found it to be a worthwhile purchase. I consider myself to be somewhat in shape, but I can really feel the burn in my legs after a while, and definitely gets my heart pumping as well.Many people complain about a squeak, but I have not noticed any squeaking worth complaining about. The noisiest thing about it to me is the sound of the oil in the shocks after it gets hot, but still, not loud enough to be offensive.Someone else mentioned the angle of the steps is severe in the up position. I do have to agree with that, but I found a short piece of 2X4 under the front base does wonders to make the angle more comfortable.My biggest complaint is there seems to be a small amount of play somewhere in the system, so when you switch directions, there is a momentary lack of resistance. Not a mayor thing, just slightly annoying sometimes, other times I don't even notice it.I have not watched the DVD, so no comment on that, but I have used the bands for resistance training, but not while using the stepper, so I am happy they were included as well. Also, I prefer to use the stepper while standing next to a wall to help with balance. I find fighting for your balance while using it can be somewhat distracting to your workout.Overall, I find it to be a worthwhile purchase and recommend it.

This stepper is a great little machine. It was very easy to assemble - I didn't even look at the directions. The battery for the monitor was included, so I was good to go right out of the box. Included are the stepper, the monitor, 2 "light" resistance bands, 2 "medium" resistance bands (light and medium are pretty subjective terms), attachable handles, and attachable... um... foot thingies. Additionally, I was elated to find it comes with a workout DVD. I must have missed that on the product description. So, some bad news: it squeaks. I have gone over the length and breadth of it with a can of 3-in-1 oil, and it still squawks intermittently. It's diminished over a few workouts, so I hope it will stop eventually. In the meantime, I keep lube-ing it up before a workout. The resistance bands, while adjustable, are still a bit too long for my 5'3". I also think they are a little weak, but that might be because I can't get enough resistance based on the length. Regarding the monitor: I think that one needs to know things like heart rate, age, and resting pulse before it's possible to accurately calculate one's expended calories. So while the monitor is nifty and a nice guide, I don't trust it. When I tried the DVD, I was dismayed that it's only a 10 minute workout. I was just getting into it and it was time for the cool down. However, I found the instructor only merely annoying and very supportive. If you are just starting out on a fitness program (and weigh under the max. recommended weight of 220 LBS.) this could be great for you; otherwise, I would watch it once for some basic ideas (like plie, squats and stretches), then go to it with the tunes cranked. I have not yet tried the resistance bands workout which follows the 10 min. cardio, but I like the bands and use them for crunches, etc. They add more than strength training: they add stability. Keeping the cords taut might help some people with balance issues feel more secure. I have not had any trouble with the stepper sliding around, but it's not a bad idea to place it on a yoga mat, just in case. In retrospect, it might sound like I don't really like the machine. I do! This little guy slides under the couch or bed, and the bands are easily detachable for other forms of exercise. I get a great workout while watching a movie or the news. I live in a small place on a tiny island, where winters are long and bitterly cold. This stepper is a small and inexpensive alternative to a giant elliptical trainer, and I wish I had bought it sooner... especially since it kind of validates all the TV-on-DVD I watch lately. My brain might be rotting, but my bottom is gonna be fabulous! UPDATE: The squeaking has subsided, and I continue to use this machine regularly. I purchased a heart rate monitor, and was surprised to see that the calorimeter on the machine was pretty close to the one on my wrist, which is calibrated to my weight, age, etc. One thing I did notice is that I HAVE to add upper arm stuff (weights or the bands) to get my heart rate up into a cardio zone. Remember that you can't adjust the difficulty on the machine, and it gets easy after while. It's a good idea then to keep going along with something in your hands to really get your heart pumping. The bands are great now that I've tied some knots in them. I still love this thing. It was a great purchase.

Love this thing---perfect for when I need to work out but don't have the time to go all the way to the gym. It folds up easily so I can store it in the corner of my living room and set up in front of the tv when I'm ready for a workout. It does get a little squeaky after about 20 minutes or so and I really wish it had a spot for a water bottle---but it is a great product for the price!

very nice product. easy to put together although the instructions seems to be off a bit.
The only issue I have is as you are stepping, the steps hits atop of the foot bar as you ride it. So I hear clunk clunk with each step. I just try to avoid allowing the steps to hit while stepping up and down.

I weigh 188 and find that about the limit. It sinks based on weight and setting and if you're much heavier, it will sink too fast, even on the slowest setting. The wife is about 130 and runs the adj in the middle.
So! Perfect for 100-170. 190s pushing it.

I did A LOT of research before buying this machine. I wanted an exercise machine that would be compact enough in our small home without compromising stride length or breaking the budget - in case it turned into a coat rack. I originally wanted an elliptical because we have bad knees, but no "compact" elliptical was reviewed well by tall people like us, and reviews for this machine specifically mentioned it was fine with bad knees.

It arrived very quickly, and the box was in fine condition. I'm not sure how hard it was to assemble - my boyfriend put it together while I made dinner - but since I didn't hear much swearing and complaining, it seemed easy enough. His only complaint was that the knob on the front is called a bolt or screw in the directions and the improper description confused him. I think the hardest part was getting the rubber grips to slide onto the bars - he couldn't get it so I sprayed a little Pam on the inside and they slid right on.

I've only used it for a week, but I really like it. Like other reviewers have mentioned - I'm dying within 15 minutes at mid to three-quarters strength and after a workout my legs feel like jelly. The machine isn't unsteady or wobbly, which seems to be a major issue with most compact exercise equipment. I guess it is a little noisy, but not enough to distract from TV or holding a book. My only complaints are that the "wheels" don't work at all, so moving it is a little tough though not impossible, the calorie counter seems wrong(but I use weight watchers to calculate the calorie/point burn anyway). Overall I'm VERY happy, definitely worth the price!

I just received this stepper today; nothing was broken and it seems fairly sturdy. Only time will tell how well it holds up. I'll give it 4 stars in hopes it lasts nearly a year, which I think would be a good deal for the price.

About the step counter missing steps: the sensor on the axle-end of the left step bar is positioned so that you almost have to bottom-out the step bar to register a count. The magnet on the left step bar is mounted with 2 very small Phillips-head screws. I removed the screw closer to the foot pad end and rotated the magnet downward toward the floor about 30 degrees (trial and error). (You'll need a very small screwdriver for this.) This repositioning was enough to get the counter to work every time without having to nearly bottom-out the left step bar.

I also put a dot of glue on the edge of the now-screwless end of the magnet, where it touches the step bar, to help stabilize it. A small piece of tape would also work; in fact, you probably wouldn't need to do this at all; with only the one remaining mounting screw, the rotated magnet held its position in normal use.

The step tracker doesn't continue after a short break. Battery has to be removed to restart it.

The fly wheel that comes with it can be cumbersome.

Gets very squeaky

The digital reader was broken when it arrived.

Hard to maneuver

This product is ideal if you don't have much space. It can deliver a good workout and most anyone will find somewhere to store it afterwards. I use it every morning and would be very satisfied except for having to keep buying replacement cables. The mechanism relies on a steel cable which, in my case, lasts about 3 weeks and I am on my fourth. The cables cost about $10 to replace including shipping and take around 20 minutes to install. I have to say that I'm looking for a similar but more reliable product at this point.Maybe someone who uses this machine less frequently might have better results. BTW, at around 180 pounds I am well within the recommended weight requirements (250) for this product.

The resistance slider does not appear to work properly. Feels all the same. The rubber tubes were impossible to get on even with "hand soap" as directed. Impossible to get on and she have come on preassembled like everything else. The unit is super heavy and difficult to take out and put back away but it suits its purpose just not for the price.

My wife is currently pregnant with our 2nd baby. She uses it daily and it has improved her energy levels. Overall, it's not that difficult to assemble and is a good small size for a living room. However, the only issue I have is with the foam covers. They make it very difficult to put the foam covers on the handle bars. It took me an hour to get both on and I even got blisters!

Not the best thing and after 10 minutes the shocks heat up and the resistance is gone. You need to let it cool down for a couple hours before someone else uses it or you use it more. Cheap-o though and nicely adjustable.

I had an older version of this model - this newer one is much better constructed and easier to put together. One hint is that a "little" liquid soap is NOT enough to get the grips on the handle bars. Be generous with the soap or they won't go on. The major difference other then quality of construction is the angle of the step pedals. The older models were flat to the floor and did not cause me any back (lower/hip)issues. The newer model has steps more suitable for an eliptical device with a pronounced downward slope. This pitches you forward toward the bars and puts the lower back, specifically the hips, under more stress then reasonable and has resulted in several trips to the chiropractor to get reset. I am looking for a way to change the slope as the older model did not do this. Other then that issue, this is a better model. Oh, and the older model made it easier to adjust the point where a step is counted, much more difficult with the newer model. I just count them myself now.

I bought this stepper in hopes that it would be sturdier and last longer than other mini-steppers that I had purchased before. I guess it's true what they say, you get what you pay for. After only a few uses, this stepper started squeking really bad and after working out for more than 20 minutes, it starts to lose a lot of performance. Basically, this is the same issues I dealt with with every other mini-stepper I have tried that costs less than $100. Since it is bulkier than other mini-steppers, not sure that I'd purchase this product again. I like the smaller steppers better since the don't take up much room.

Stppped working after three weeks.

After a few weeks, it started squeaking pretty loud. I'm 5'9, 150lbs so I don't think it's too much weight. I tried greasing it but I can't stand the noise any more.

Although it seemed promising out of the box, and it worked well enough for one session, it failed after 2 sessions (40 minutes each). The right treadle main bearing seized up, rendering the unit completely inoperable. I weigh 170 lbs.

i bought this to work out my thighs and calves but it mostly just works out the thighs. I thought this would workout the major muscles in the legs but it really doesnt. This might be good with a combo of the device and the straps but you gotta do different things and moves to workout other regions of the legs and bodies. Too much work. This was not a quick workout. other than that, it was easy to assemble and the monitor does work.

I have hip nerve problem, and this made it hurt 10 times more than ever, I returned it straight away! Someone else may have different results!

I used to work out about 20-25 minutes each day on this machine. With my 186 lbs, it burns ~250-300 calories in that time. Resistance bands help in burning more calories. One can do the exercises while watching TV, so is great. However, within a week, the pedals started squeaking. I tried greasing with dry lubricant, then with regular grease, but the noise wouldn't go. The noise seemed to originate from the hydraulic tube first, then from multiple points. Returned this item in 15-20 days of use.

It is not exactly what I thought it would be. Now I see why it was so inexpensive.

The shocks are not durable. The first one I ordered more that 4 months ago the bottom of the left shock torn apart in 3 months. The second unit I received, right away the left shock is weak 15 min. into the exercise it is just getting weaker and weaker. If you are a seriously workout person, I do not recommend it.

My review is subjective of course but this stepper does not seem to provide a challenging workout. I got it for low-impact purposes since I had back surgery. None-the-less I was looking for a challenging work out. The range of motion is pretty short (5'11 male). Also, after 3 minutes of use the right piston squeaked pretty loudly every step and I also got this machine to be quiet so I can workout while the kids slept. It may be good for others but for an average fit male or someone wanting a quiet workout this may not be for you.

The vertical square tube was bent, not a little ding but bent. The threads connecting the cylinder to the pedals were stripped(installed at factory). The first time it was used they ripped out. I tapped the sleeve for a larger bolt. We are using it but it is very cheaply made.

I bought this stepper in July after months of searching...I thought it was a good price and the right size for my living room. I worked out regularly on it for about a month and then the computer (meter) started acting funny. It would reset itself randomly so that I could not keep track of how long I'd been on, calories burned, etc. I emailed the manufacturer and they sent me a new meter immediately. It worked for a few weeks then died, too. I emailed them again and received two new meters which were even worse--did not even function for a day! I emailed the company again over 2 weeks ago and have not heard how they are going to help?? I love the machine itself, the tension is great, the angle is great (my feet do not go to sleep), but without the computer working, I can't judge what kind of workout I've had because I can't get any data. Very frustrating!

I prefer to leave no stars. Very difficult to use. I bought this item to gradually build my up my strength. Caused more harm than good.

Would have given a 5 star, but I don't have a DVD player and there is no video on YouTube to download to iPad to know how to use it without hurting myself.

Within the first two minutes of using the product one of the hooks for the blue resistance tubes broke and the resistance tube snapped hitting me in the face. Hook is not not sturdy at all.

I really thought that this was an excellent little machine when I first got it. I used it for 30-45 minutes, five days per week for about eight months. Then the shocks went out and it stopped working. I can't seem to find replacement shocks anywhere and I am really disappointed about having to throw away all of that plastic and metal just because of the shocks. It is very frustrating.

I bought this a year ago in spite of warnings in some reviews that it squeaked a lot. Heck, I thought, I'm good with machines, if something squeaks a lot, you oil it.Well I've loved the workout, but I've thoroughly oiled every moving part I can reach at least a dozen times. Sometimes that stops the squeak for a few days, but usually it doesn't happen at all. I wrote the manufacturer's help eddress, no response. Out it goes.

After using this item for one month - standing and stepping on it almost every day - the metal post holding the pulley punched a hole out the back right through the steel frame. This is poorly designed to put all the weight and pressure on a single point. When I contacted customer support they said the machine was meant to be used 20 minutes three times a week. They said they would replace the machine. A week later I received a package in the mail - they only sent the steel cable. Their customer support said they would look into it for me. But two weeks later I still haven't heard one word. I'm trying to get a refund now.

The shocks didn't work. There wasn't much difference from the hardest to the softest level.

I purchased this item back in October but it was sitting in the box until December because of travels. The box arrived torn. When I opened it, it was missing screws to hold the step counter bracket. I picked the replacement from the hardware store. However, the pivot point for one of the steppers is broken. I tried to glue it back on but it just came off again. Of course, since it is December, I can't get a replacement now.

Don't buy this. I used it infrequently over the first few months... in hope of it not breaking. Still broke after the first three months. Now takes up space in my garage.

Junk!!

This is like a toy and I was sasting my money. Even a cheap treadmill would be much better than this. I wouldn't recommend this product to everyone.

I bought this thinking that I would be able to control the "tightness" of the stepper but even though it is advertised as being able to be changed all it does is change the length of the step, it doesn't make it any easier. I walk the treadmill a lot and I can't do this so don't be fooled. I wasted my money.