Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This little machine has finally motivated me off my ass and into exercise! Short version: Buy it and don't give up! You won't regret it. It's sturdy and does the job. Long version: I am a 54 year old fat, sedentary gamer with a congenital heart defect. My blood sugar and blood pressure were so high at my last doctor's visit, that I had to make some drastic changes. Along with a better diet (no salt or sugar, much less potatoes and bread), I knew I would have to start exercising. I bought this stair stepper mostly because it seemed sturdy, was rated for more than my weight, and was in my price range. The first week or so, it felt impossible. Like others have said, the tension is set high, and there is no way to adjust it. Don't panic! It gets better. At first, I could only do two minutes at a time, then five mins. Now, one month later, I just finished a 35 minute session! The tension loosened up a bit, and I got better, too. Here is what helped me. I parked it next to our TV and put together a Youtube exercise playlist. I chose songs with good rhythms and fun videos to keep me motivated (tip: Paula Abdul's "Straight up" is still excellent!). It is MUCH easier to step to dance music than to plod through while watching a movie. For better cardio, you'll want to take shorter steps. Again, this is where the music comes in handy to keep you on rhythm. Shorter steps have lighter tension, too. Since I've been able to do longer workouts, I've noticed my weight coming off easier. I've been losing about a pound every 3-4 days. The best part is that I was able to lower my blood pressure from 170/95 to 138/88. It's not perfect, but it's a drastic improvement, and I didn't have to go on meds. The machine gets about an hour of use each day, and so far it works beautifully and hasn't developed any loud noises. If you are looking for a reliable exercise machine that won't take up much space and doesn't cost a ton of money, this one is an excellent choice!