When the outside temperature is brutal, getting your steps in can be tough. On days when you can’t bear to leave the AC, this on-sale mini rocking step machine could help maintain your fitness goals, from the comfort of your couch. Whether you use it sitting down to keep your legs moving or to fortify your balance standing up, reviewers say it’s building strength and making exercise more fun. According to our price trackers, this compact machine recently retailed for close to $140, making this deal close to 60% off.
Rather than a traditional, vertical staircase stepper, this lateral machine moves side to side, with a rocking motion through your legs, to build balance.
While walking pads and stair steppers have boomed in popularity, this balance stepper helps you achieve cardio and movement from home, but with an emphasis on building balance. The side-to-side motion targets your hips, thighs, glutes and core, helping you improve balance by maintaining your motor coordination, core strength and even weight distribution through your body.
Made with lightweight but durable steel, in all black or in white and pink, this compact stepper can easily stow out of sight, whether in a closet or under a desk, and at 12 pounds, you can take it just about anywhere. It holds up to 330 pounds and features an LCD screen that shows workout time, steps moved and calories burned.
The stepper can be used while sitting down or standing, and comes with two resistance bands for extra stability when you use the machine standing up and balancing. Shopper Lily says the machine “works great for a simple cardio that can get your heart rate up or mellow workout,” that “works the legs well.”
Because your feet stay parallel to the ground as you move, the brand says the device puts less pressure on joints, making it a low-impact exercise.
Per the American Sport And Fitness Association, “low-impact exercise” means movements that don’t have forceful landings or cause “shock absorption” in your joints — like running and jumping do. Generally, these movements include having one foot on the ground at all times, making them a great option for older folks and people with mobility limitations, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Reviewer H. W. Craig calls it a “challenging” device, that’s still “pretty gentle on my joints. Not quite as easy as an elliptical, but way better than a treadmill.”
“Well, WOW! You get a workout standing or sitting while using this device,” a reviewer in their 60s wrote. “…I used it for a little while standing on it and rocking, then sat in a chair and used it some more. I could feel the work out this morning when I woke up!”
Shopper ML adds that the rocker is “much easier on the knees than other steppers I’ve used. It’s sturdy and well balanced. It does move a little when using it, but attaching and holding onto the resistance bands helps it stay in place.”
Shopper Darcy, a 67-year-old who has had “a desk job for decades,” calls the machine a “life changer” for strength building at home.
“Not much of an exercise person. My ankles are weak. Starting to have my ankles roll sometimes,” they wrote. “This amazing little rocker already has me sore (lol). All the way from my toes to my waist. And when im brave enough, I’ll add the bungee cords for my upper body.”
Others compliment how fun the machine is to use, making exercise more enjoyable.
“It’s easy to use and encourages me to exercise every day,” another wrote, calling the pink and white machine “cute and fun.” They continue: “I know it’s not the most ‘intense’ workout but I’m just looking for a way to make myself move a bit more than usual.”
“A bit early to say, but this is the coolest thing ever,” one reviewer said, calling it “the only unique” stepper currently on the market. “I got this as a present and it’s SOOO fun that I can barely stop wanting to get on it.”
Reviewers love this rocking step machine for helping them move and build balance from the comfort of their homes. Read more 5-star reviews and grab one for you on sale.
“I have finally found a piece of exercise equipment I can stick with and I can feel the muscles and body parts I need the help with working. Its small enough to store without a problem. Their customer service is also the easiest and best I have ever contacted in my life with the quickest response and remedy. They go above and beyond. Impressed all around.” — kimberly Maniatis
“So far, I love it! It’s easy to use and encourages me to exercise every day. I know it’s not the most ‘intense’ workout but I’m just looking for a way to make myself move a bit more than usual. The pink and white color is also super cute, which, in my house is super important 🙂↕️🌸 After about a week, my stepper started squeaking with each step and I couldn’t figure out why. Reached out to Merach through Amazon, and they just sent me a replacement – this one doesn’t squeak, and I really hope it stays this way past the one week mark!” — Suppi
“Well, WOW! You get a work out standing or sitting while using this device. I’m a new user and started on it last night. I used it for a little while standing on it and rocking then sat in a chair and used it some more. I could feel the work out this morning when I woke up! I’m a 61 year-old female with weight to lose and I need to work on my balance. I stand in a doorway to use at this point, but I expect my balance to improve! There is no rug/mat and it ‘walks’ away when I sit in chair to use. I’ll be getting a mat of some sort to fix that.” — Laura L.
“I wasn’t sure if it the stepper was going to give me the workout I wanted…boy, was I wrong!! It will work your legs core and back without the resistance bands, and improves balance. I am 54 and have exercise induced asthma and this stepper is helping improve my cardiopulmonary system. Worth the money I paid for it!!” — Teri
“Feel the burn pretty quickly. Works right out of the box which is fantastic. Very easy to store which is huge for me in a small place. Took me a minute to get going due to balance but that makes me feel this will help tons with my balance on top of my other goals.” — Rinoxy
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