The 7 Best Aerobic Steppers [2024 Reviews]

A great alternative for a cardio machine, we look at this year's top aerobic steppers

Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.

Aerobic steppers are one of the most simple, straightforward pieces of exercise equipment. Basically, they are a step which can normally be adjusted in height.

You step up and off of them at a pace that suits you best, burning calories and toning your body in the process.

If you don’t have the space or budget for a fully-fledged cardio machine and the weather isn’t nice enough to head outdoors, aerobic steppers are a great alternative!

We know you’re eager to get started so let’s jump right in!

Best Aerobic Step Platforms

The Step Original Aerobic PlatformReebok Aerobic Step PlatformMaxKare Steppers Exercise Platform
editorschoice
Size:43”L x 16”W x 8”H40"L x 15"W x 9.8"H40"L x 15"W x 9.8"H
Weight Limit:350 pounds242 pounds550 pounds
Adjustable:YesYesYes
Other:Non-slip, cushion topClick & Lock feetAnti-slip Design

For more of my fitness gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Women’s Workout guide links: Exercise Mats, Battle Ropes, Slam Balls.

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Aerobic Steppers For 2024

  1. The Step Original Aerobic Platform
  2. Reebok Aerobic Step Workout Platform
  3. MaxKare Steppers Adjustable Exercise Platform
  4. BalanceFrom Adjustable Aerobic Stepper
  5. Tone Fitness Aerobic Step Exercise Platform
  6. KLB Sport Adjustable Workout Aerobic Stepper
  7. ZENY Aerobic Step Platform

Our reviews to the top rated aerobic steppers with our comparison table and buyers guide will help you choose the right aerobic steppers for you.


Aerobic Stepper Reviews

The Step Original Aerobic Platform

The Step Original Aerobic Platform at a Glance:

  • Size: 43” L x 16” W x 8” H
  • Weight Limit: 350 pounds
  • Adjustable: Yes
  • Other: Non-slip, cushion top

Often considered to be one of the best aerobic step platform selections, the The Step Original Aerobic Platform for Total Body Fitness is high-quality in every way.

Coming in either a sleek Grey or sporty Teal, they look just as great as they perform. If you’ve never used one before, they’re also super easy to adjust and perfect for all experience levels.

The US-made product is comprised of some of the toughest materials out there: high-density, recyclable polyethylene.

This means that no matter how rough you are with it and how intense your workouts are, it will be able to support you. In fact, it’s able to withstand up to 350 pounds!

On the top of the platform, you’ll find a premium non-slip, comfort cushion top. This top will make sure that you get a nice adhesiveness while stepping so you don’t go slipping and sliding everywhere. It features just the right amount of cushion.

To keep it secure on the ground as well, you have 4 non-skid feet on each riser. These feet make sure it won’t damage your flooring either, so you can use it without worry.

To make it more difficult, you can quickly adjust the platform height from 4” to 6” to 8” simply by using the included risers.


Reebok Original Aerobic Step

Reebok RSP-16150 Aerobic Step Workout Platform at a Glance:

  • Size: 40″ (L) x 15.2″ (W) x 9.8″ (H)
  • Weight Limit: 242 pounds
  • Adjustable: Yes
  • Other: Click & Lock feet, trendy appearance

If you want the best aerobic stepper in terms of looks, then we encourage you to check out the Reebok RSP-16150 home Gym Aerobic Step Workout Platform.

We all know Reebok as one of the leading brands in sportswear but they also make some trendy, high-performing exercise equipment.

Coming in either Black/Gray and Red or White/Blue, they offer a kind of retro look with modern-day aesthetics.

This adjustable model at its shortest is 5.9 inches tall, though you can increase the height to 7.87 inches, or 9.8 inches.

This is very easy to do, thanks to their unique click-and-lock feet adjustment. This means you don’t have to deal with the possibility of losing or tripping over loose platforms. It’s just all in one, compact design.

The unique “bubble” texture surface on the top offers some of the best grip we’ve experienced, so you can work out with complete confidence. The bottom of the rubber feet are also non-slip for safety and efficiency.

If you are a trainer or just want more than one, they’re also stackable for easy storage! They’re also quick to clean as they are resistant to sweat.

So, if you’d like to use it outdoors you can just wipe it off when you’re finished!


MaxKare Steppers Adjustable Exercise Platform at a Glance:

  • Size: 40″ L x 15″ W x 9.8″ H
  • Weight Limit: 550 pounds
  • Adjustable: Yes
  • Other: Anti-slip Design

If you’re on the hunt for the best stepper platform for heavier weights, you can’t get better than the MaxKare Aerobic Step Platform Steppers.

With a weight capacity of an impressive 550 pounds, it can support just about any athlete out there. As it weighs a mere 19 pounds, it offers just the right amount of sturdiness without being difficult to move around.

Coming in 3 different colors, you can choose from either Orange, Grey, or Black/Red. All of them are relatively basic in looks, so don’t expect something too flashy.

Where it lacks in looks, it makes up for in performance, though. As you have the ability to adjust the platform height, you can quickly increase or decrease the difficulty level.

Coming with 4 risers, you can alter it anywhere from 2 to 8 inches, which is one of the largest amounts of variability we’ve seen! This means you can use it well for cardio, yoga, core workouts, and much more.

We really appreciated the larger platform, which is nice if you have bigger feet or simply want the extra space of freedom to move around.

The anti-slip design consists of a grooved EVA material so you can step with complete confidence and safety.


BalanceFrom Adjustable Aerobic Stepper at a Glance:

  • Size: 31″ x 11″
  • Weight Limit: n/a
  • Adjustable: Yes
  • Other: Sleek/compact design, durable ABS composition

Quite possibly the best adjustable aerobic stepper for the price, the BalanceFrom Adjustable Aerobic Stepper Platform Trainer is versatile and easy to use.

The unique, well-organized nature of the model includes raisers, though they fit into the rest of the model kind of like a puzzle.

You get 3 included, so you can choose from 4 inches, 6, or 8 inches regarding height.

The round edges make sure if you accidentally bump your shin on the corner or something, you won’t get injured.

Anti-slip rubber feet are at the bottom of the platforms, ensuring it stays properly in its place and doesn’t damage your flooring.

Made of a strong ABS material, it’s pretty lightweight and easy to carry, though still sturdy enough for consistent use. Assembly is also pretty easy though you are covered for 2 years with their support team if you do have any questions.

Lastly, on the top lies the textured, non-slip surface. It’s very rough so you won’t lose your footing, and shock-absorbing to help minimize stress on the joints.

The only “con” for us was that the design was pretty plain. Other than that though, we enjoyed the overall durability and feel underfoot.


Tone Fitness Aerobic Step Exercise Platform at a Glance:

  • Size: 26″ L X 11″ W X 5.9″ H
  • Weight Limit: n/a
  • Adjustable: Yes
  • Other: Lightweight, different colorways

Without a doubt, the Tone Fitness Aerobic Step is the best aerobic step board if you’re on a tight budget. No, it’s not the most complex model out there, but it gets the job done well.

We can almost guarantee that you won’t find another of this quality at this low of price. You get 3 color options here: Blue, Yellow (which is honestly more neon green), and Black/Gray.

To be frank, the model is really plain in terms of appearance but you most likely aren’t buying it for its good looks anyway, right?

When it comes to portability, however, it’s one of the best. Weighing in at just over 5 pounds, it’s hands-down the easiest aerobic stepper to carry around.

To adjust the height, you have 2 different levels with non-skid feet to make sure it stays in place and doesn’t damage the floors underneath.

The top surface incorporates a kind of crisscross pattern to keep steady footing and enhance confidence while using it.

Due to this and its overall versatility, we like this stepper for beginners and intermediate users. It may not be as tough to accommodate very intense steppers, however.


KLB Sport Adjustable Workout Aerobic Stepper at a Glance:

  • Size: 12.2″ W x 5″ H x 31.5″ L
  • Weight Limit: 550 pounds
  • Adjustable: Yes
  • Other: Large weight capacity, lightweight

As we move closer toward the end of our list, we bring you the KLB Sport 31” Adjustable Workout Aerobic Stepper.

This is our “best bang for your buck” product, offering high performance and quality at an affordable price.

It’s not the cheapest, though it is still one of the most budget-friendly so if you’re trying to save some cash this would be a nice selection.

As far as appearance goes, the KLB stepper only comes in one colorway, though with the orange, black, and grey pattern it looks neutral and sporty.

Made of plastic, it’s very durable and tough enough to withstand even the most grueling of workouts.

Its 550-pound weight capacity speaks to said durability yet weighs a mere 4.5 pounds! You get the ideal balance of toughness with portability here!

The safe, shock-absorbing, non-slip, non-stick surface is probably our favorite out of the bunch. We noticed a reduced amount of fatigue in the lower body for the days after we used it, which spoke to how well it absorbed impact.

To make it more challenging on yourself, you can increase the 4” height to either 6 or 8 inches! This is easy to do with the additional heights which are easy to stack underneath.


ZENY Aerobic Step Platform

ZENY 43″ Aerobic Step Platform at a Glance:

  • Size: 42.7” L x 16” W x 4” H
  • Weight Limit: 330 pounds
  • Adjustable: Yes
  • Other: Shock-absorbing surface, tough construction

Last but not least is the ZENY 43” Aerobic Step Platform. The adjustable design can be used either at 4 inches, 6 inches, or 8 to make your aerobic or strength-training workouts more challenging.

With this kind of versatility, you can expect to keep achieving your goals while avoiding the risk of plateauing. The first time you step onto this one, you’ll notice the high level of quality from every material and surface.

Made with ABS and reinforced by various plates and bars, it’s easily one of the toughest on the market today.

Supporting up to 330 pounds, it’s definitely more than strong enough for the vast majority of users.

Moving on to the non-slip stepping surface, it almost has a feeling of rubber. It’s incredibly grippy yet not so much that you stick to it, if that makes sense.

You will still feel light on your feet and precise – just with a solid amount of stability involved.

Risers are easy to add or subtract, so for varied workouts this is a solid option. They each come with anti-skid pads on the bottom to make for a secure exercise environment wherever you use it.


Aerobic Step Platform Comparison Table

Aerobic SteppersDimensionsWeight LimitAdjustableOtherRating
The Step Original Aerobic Platform43” x 16” x 8”350 lbsYesNon-slip, cushion top4.8 / 5.0
Reebok Aerobic Step Platform40" x 15" x 9.8"242 lbsYesClick & Lock feet4.8 / 5.0
MaxKare Steppers Exercise Platform40" x 15" x 9.8"550 lbsYesAnti-slip Design4.5 / 5.0
BalanceFrom Aerobic Stepper31" x 11"n/aYesSleek/compact design, durable ABS4.6 / 5.0
Tone Fitness Exercise Platform26″ X 11″ X 5.9″n/aYesLight Weight4.5 / 5.0
KLB Sport Aerobic Stepper12.2" x 5" x 31.5"550 lbsYesLarge weight capacity4.6 / 5.0
ZENY Aerobic Step Platform42.7'' x 16'' x 4''330 lbsYesShock-absorbing surface4.8 / 5.0

How to Choose the Best Aerobic Step – Buying Guide

best aerobic step platforms
MaxKare Aerobic Step Platform Steppers

Now that you’ve read through all of the best aerobic steppers, have you decided which model is just right for your exercise needs?

If you aren’t quite there yet or are on-the-fence about a couple, there’s no need to be concerned. We understand it can be difficult to choose just one when there are so many awesome choices out there!

That’s why we’ve decided to go ahead and write up the user-friendly buying guide, below. The guide will take you through each feature to consider to offer a deeper understanding of what you need and what you should step clear of.

Materials

When it comes to materials with an aerobic stepper, manufacturers will almost always use some kind of plastic.

The main difference here is in the quality of the plastic and any strengthening technology like advanced injection molding technology from ZENY. To get an idea of how durable a model is, you can simply go off of the weight capacity.

Weight capacity varies enormously on aerobic steppers, with the low end being around 230 pounds and the high end being 550. Even if you don’t need the extra “accomodation”, you may still choose to go with the model that supports low weight as it will likely last you longer as well.

Keep in mind that while almost every brand will use plastic as the main component, some will also add in extra bars made of fiberglass or metal to push toughness to a new level.

Surface

The surface of the aerobic step board is very important, as this is the portion that meets your feet. It should ideally be shock-absorbing and non-slip.

Manufacturers will go about this in different ways. The less expensive, more simple options will typically have a kind of crisscross pattern on the top to help create more grip, though may not offer as much shock absorption.

More expensive models tend to do a little better with this, offering a bit more cushiness to absorb impact. This will, in the short-term reduce the amount of fatigue felt by working out. Long-term, it’s going to be easier on your joints – particularly your ankles, knees, and hips.

As far as grip goes, it is very secure yet non-sticky so you can stay light on your feet and perform technical moves if you’d like.

Adjustability

best exercise steppers
Reebok Original Aerobic Step

Every single one of the steppers on our guide are adjustable. After all, if a stepper can’t be adjusted you’re going to extremely limited in abilities and will probably get bored pretty quickly. The biggest difference between the models are the ways that you can adjust it.

Some use completely individual risers, which work fine but can get lost if you don’t always put them back when you’re done. Others have more sleek, clickable methods of doing so which we prefer.

This way you don’t have the hassle of putting the risers on or taking them off, then making sure you move them out of the way so you don’t trip on them.

That’s not to say that risers are “bad” – just that there are other options that you may like more.

As far as specific heights go, almost every model starts at 4 inches and lets you go up to 6 or 8 inches.

Size

We already covered height which is important in terms of difficulty. However, we also need to look at the length and width of these platforms.

As you can imagine, wider and longer steppers will allow you a bit more wiggle room. You’re not likely going to be stepping in the exact same spot each time so it’ll be easier on you to have some more space.

If you have bigger feet or plan on getting really technical with your steps and movements, then larger really will be better for your goals.

Non-Slip Bottom

Just as the traction of the stepper’s surface is important, it’s equally crucial that the bottom is, too. You want the feet to be non-slip so it stays put – even during particularly intense workouts. Not only that, but this material will help protect your flooring!

If you’re using it on tile, hardwood, etc. and practically jumping on top of your step board, you can imagine the potential damage that could ensue it the model is lacking this.

Price

How much are you willing to pay for one of the best aerobic step platforms? We highly recommend figuring this out before you do anything else. No matter what your budget is, we’re confident we have at least one model on our guide that will fit into it.

However, you should keep in mind that when it comes to this particular piece of workout equipment, you really get what you pay for.

If you’re just a beginner and aren’t too harsh on your equipment, then you’ll probably do just fine with a low-tier item that still performs well. If you’re a more advanced athlete who likes partaking in more intense cross training or the like, then we recommend investing a bit more into your board.

Warranty

Warranties vary just as much as price does here. However, if you can, try to score yourself a model with at least a 90-day warranty.

This will cover any dissatisfaction and gives you enough time to see if you really like it or it performs adequately. Think of it as the brand’s way of attesting to how long they expect their product to last without any issues.

FAQs About Aerobic Steppers

Q: Is Step Aerobics A HIIT?

A: It definitely is if you want it to be! You can adjust the intensity depending at the speed you step for. However, it is an excellent form of high intensity interval training and cardio in general.

Q: Are aerobic steppers effective?

A: Very much so! They may look simple – and they are in practice – but they can burn quite a bit of calories, get your heart rate up, improve your overall physical fitness, and so much more. If you are looking for a new way to get your cardio in, then we can’t recommend aerobic steppers enough. Not to mention, you don’t need a lot of space to use them and can practically use them in any corner of the house.

Q: What size aerobic stepper do I need?

A: That will depend heavily on your physical fitness level and goals, currently. If you’re a newbie, then we suggest you start out with 4 inches which is typically the lowest height level of any stepper. This will help you become familiar with the motion of using it and allow you to gain confidence and speed. Once you’re okay with that, then you can move up to the next height and the next as you get faster.

Q: Is a stepper good for exercising?

A: Definitely! A stepper is awesome to have for a variety of reasons. You can use it to perform ab/core exercises, use it to do different types of lunges and squats and other strength training exercises. Not only that, but you can obviously get in a solid cardio workout by using it in its traditional stepper form.

Q: Is Step Aerobics good for toning?

A: Absolutely. To tone up, you must first lose body fat and strengthen the muscles. You can do both by using a stepper!

Tips For Choosing Aerobic Steppers

#1: Make sure if you don’t have a lot of space, you select a compact stepper.

Make sure that it will realistically work with the amount of available space you have to use it, accounting for the space you’ll be stepping on the ground. If you’ll be using more than one, ensure that the models are stackable for easy storage.

#2: Get something to absorb shock well.

It may be an afterthought, but trust us when we say that this has a big influence on how fatigued you’ll be during and after working out on it. The more shock you feel, the harder it will be on your joints and body, in general.

#3: Pick something that suits your style, too!

With so many different options out there, try to get an aerobic stepper that fits into your personal tastes and preferences!

Aerobic Stepper Routines

Beginner Step Aerobics Fitness Cardio | 30 Min | JENNY FORD

Summary

Now that you know just about everything you could ever need to regarding the best stepper platforms, have you figured out which one you’ll be using in the near future? We hope that our guide was able to detail a bit further what you need to look for.

No matter which one of the steppers on our guide you select, you can rest easy knowing that all of them are some of the best on the market today so whichever one you select will be great.

However, what’s most important is that you are able to pick the model which best fits you and your goals! We hope our guide was able to help you do just that. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you again soon!

How We Researched

To come up with the top aerobic steppers, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Sears along with our own personal experience.

The authors consulted sources such as online magazines for research and reviews unbiased information.

By using Fakespot.com we tried to eliminate fake reviews and use only genuine ones.

With so many options available, the authors narrowed down the selections by using products they felt were the best value for the money.

The staff authors have a wide and varied background as fitness trainers, yoga instructors and runners. The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

In order to narrow down the options, we used personal experiences plus recommendations from other trainers and instructors.

Sources


Notice:

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Shayanne Weeks

Shayanne is a freelance writer and personal trainer based in LA, California. Describing herself as a nomad, she has lived in Boise, Idaho and Seattle, Washington as well as Guadalajara, Mexico. As an extremely active person, she loves to train people, teach yoga, and ski. She enjoys sharing her love for teaching others through her “how to” fitness guides and workout equipment reviews. Shayanne is addicted to surfing and yoga and practices both everyday.
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