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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
86 of 86 found the following review helpful:
 You'll like it if you can live with the bads Jul 31, 2004
By P. Hsu
Pro:
1. Gives great workout; 20 minute session on this with moderate to fast pace will give you an intense, sweating, calories burning exercise.
2. Small, easy to store away.
3. good value, relatively inexpensive.
Con:
1. You need something to support your hand positions for optimum workout posture; I use a chair with high back.
2. The 2 shocks will get VERY hot (see the warning labels on the shocks); after an intense workout, I can even smell the scent of hot metal (not joking).
3. Gets creaky and slightly noisy, but tolerable.
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33 of 33 found the following review helpful:
 Creaky but good Jul 28, 2005
By E. A Solinas
"ea_solinas"
A lot of workout equipment is advertised as being easily movable or stored. But most of it isn't -- sure, you can fold it up, but then it's bulky, heavy, awkward, and just a little too big for the underside of your bed. I personally have gotten smacked in the eye/stomach/foot with handles and pedals way, way too often.
Which is why the Stamina mini-stepper was such a find for me, especially since I had a similar machine several years ago (which I eventually wore out). This one can be tucked under your arm or folded up to the size of a large shoebox, so it's a bonus for people who have small living areas. Or who just want to be able to hide their equipment. (That's me)
Despite the small size, it also provides an excellent workout -- even twenty minutes will provide a good workout for people in average shape. It works the entire lower body's muscles, adding strength and burning quite a few calories. It's also an excellent cardiovascular workout as well; the first time is the most difficult, and it gets easier from then on.
The downsides? Well, the pistons get hot after awhile, and after a few uses it develops a loud squeak. Fortunately, the heat isn't a problem, and the squeak can be oiled away. The most substantial problem is that the pedals tilt forward, and so you'll need some form of support in front of the stepper, or you will fall on your face. Try a chair.
Whether for portability or the small size, the Stamina mini-stepper is an excellent workout machines. Good workouts, small size, easy portability. Bad squeaking.
22 of 22 found the following review helpful:
Great for the price! Feb 19, 2005
By D. J Nelson
"cordria"
**UPDATE (June 2005)** The WD-40 solution offered by other reviewers does, in fact, work! I had to douse it quite a few times and then work the WD-40 into the wheel, and a little onto the hydraulic levers. My stepper has stopped the annoying squeeking! But keep the TV on - it keeps you moving. Try MTV or VH1, you end up stepping to the music. :-) **UPDATE (June 2005)**
This is a great little machine. I'm averagely in shape, and a thirty-minute workout with this thing made my legs ache. Very, very nice. I didn't have a problem with the lack of easy-hard settings, I have found that changing my steps-per-minute changes the workout level terrifically.
As others have said, there is an annoying little squeak that has developed in the machine, and I haven't been able to cure it with WD40 or anything. But turn the TV or music up a little and the problem is easily drowned out.
This is great for a dorm (which I live in) or an apartment - it's small and easy to store and doesn't bug the people living on the floor beneith you if you work out early in the morning.
One problem I have with mine, which I haven't heard from anyone else and so it may just be a glitch, is that the electronic step/time counter never turns off on mine. To save batteries I have to remove the battery after every work out - annoying, but it is pretty easy to do.
If you are looking for a cheap stepping machine, this one is it! It's kinda heavy, thus the large shipping charge ($12). But it's worth it. This works great.
19 of 19 found the following review helpful:
Great Product! Dec 18, 2003
By Starla Slade
The Stamina In Stride electronic mini stepper is a great product! It's easy to use and shows results fast. I used to work in a department store and was running up and down stairs all day. It really helped keep me in shape. Now that I have a desk job, I found that the mini stepper really does simulate that exercise I was getting before. This is definitely a product I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a great lower body workout.
14 of 14 found the following review helpful:
 Great exercise machine for limited spaces Feb 10, 2005
By Linda
For anyone with an apartment or small home it would be very hard to beat this low-cost stepper for an excellent workout. It is well made and well constructed, and can be hidden behind the couch -- or placed in a closet -- when not is use. You could even take one to work for an in-cubicle exercise regimen when the weather is too hot or too cold for a walk. (There is a squeaking sound during operation, which I cured by simply WD4'ing the point where the steal cable is attached to its bolts). The only small negative about this stepper is the slight odor of hydraulic fluid emanating from the dampers during a vigorous workout. For those who are offended by such a smell, a small fan blowing against the stepper itself will keep this trivial odor away from your nose. Also, the lack of a tension adjustment in this type of device should not pose a problem for the average person (at first the tension feels quite strong, but after a few minutes the hydraulic dampers move in and out easier as the fluid begins to heat up). WARNING (YMMV): If your knees begin to hurt excessively while using (or after using) this product, you MAY not be a good candidate for this type of exercise device, as the stepper may be placing too much strain on your knee joints.
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