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The STEPR+ gives the stair climber the digital fitness treatment. Read this STEPR+ review to learn more about our experience with the touchscreen display, the training content, and more.
Updated: January 16, 2024
There’s nothing I love more than a truly innovative fitness product that isn’t gimmicky. I didn’t know how badly I wanted a stair climber until I met the STEPR+. As a brand, STEPR is super cool, and I am very interested to see how their features and products evolve. STEPR is a new brand, and it’s clear to me that they have a few essential features to add to this stair climber in future software updates, but for now, I am reviewing it as it is. For now, check out what I think so far in this review of the STEPR+. It’s a super unique home fitness machine with a giant touchscreen, excellent safety features, and smart performance features.
STEPR is a new brand, so I’m impressed by how thoughtful the STEPR+’s design seems to be. I think there will be refinements in the future, but for now, the STEPR+ is extremely impressive. I can totally see this being the next big fitness trend. STEPR put a lot of work into creating their pilot product.
The STEPR+ has a really nice aesthetic. Its metal frame is covered by a black powder coating and the plastic components are nicely made. The reflective branding along the machine is pretty cool, too. It gives the STEPR+ a nice flare.
Despite its relatively compact footprint, the STEPR+ feels very stable. There are four feet attached to a U-shaped stabilizer. The transport wheels are located on the bend of the stabilizer. The top of the frame is outfitted with multiple anchor points for resistance bands. I never would have thought of this feature for a stair climber. It definitely speaks to the STEPR+ stability that you can use it as an anchor point in this manner.
The STEPR+ has metal handrails along the sides. These are comfortable to use to support yourself on and off the machine. The STEPR+ also has plastic handlebars with a soft non-slip coating. They have button controls (more on this later) and are a really convenient place to rest your hands. However, I really like holding onto the metal railing, because it is cold to the touch, which feels nice once you have worked up a sweat. Together, these options give you plenty of places to support yourself while training.
STEPR+ uses stadium stairs. Don’t think of running bleachers, think of the actual stairs in between the bleachers. These steps are shorter than other stair climbers. They are about 5 inches tall, which makes them easier than other stair climber designs. Whether you like these steps or not might depend on how much of a challenge you are looking for.
The steps are 8.6” deep. Most users are not going to fit their whole shoe onto the step. I wear a women’s size 8, and either my heel or toe hangs over the edge. I had no problem with this compact design at all. If you are new to stair climbing and wear a larger shoe size, it may take some time to get the movement down so you don’t hit the stairs while training.
The STEPR+ takes up a small amount of floor space for a stair climber. It is more compact than many of the treadmills I have tested. Though it is a tall machine, it should fit in most rooms with at least 8-foot ceilings.
Two transport handles come with the STEPR+ to assist in moving it around. The STEPR+ has two castor wheels that you will need to tilt it onto to roll it around. This stair climber was designed to be wheeled through standard doorways, so you can transport it more easily. I don’t want to downplay its size, but STEPR has done just about everything possible to make this machine more compact and movable.
There are 25 speeds. For reference, these levels range from 24 to 137 steps per minute. That’s not quite up to a running speed. Most runners hit at least 160 steps per minute, while 180 is ideal. Still, it is very challenging. Most users will need to adopt a hopping gait to keep up with the fastest levels. I think this speed range is appropriate for the three steps that the STEPR+ has. If it went any faster, I would want a fourth step for increased safety.
The STEPR+ has a lot of features and a lot more to come. As I mentioned, there are some features that the STEPR+ should update to have but does not currently have. Honestly, what it offers now is fantastic. The fact that the company plans on releasing more features is super exciting. I’ll go more in-depth on the features I have been able to test, because that is what my current rating of the machine reflects, but I will also include a section for the features the STEPR+ should have in the coming months.
The STEPR+ console has everything you need, while still looking quite streamlined. The screen is the most noticeable feature on this machine, but there are a few other controls located off of the screen. These are the buttons I mentioned on the handlebars. The left set of controls starts, pauses, and stops the machine and activity you are in. The right set of controls increases and decreases the speed. I kept my hands on these handlebars quite often, so it was very convenient to use these controls while training. If you are following along with the trainer, they frequently tell you to increase or decrease the speed during interval workouts, so it's handy to have the buttons right within reach.
There are also buttons on the right side of the screen. These are for the volume. At first, it was tricky to adjust the volume when I had the screen facing right toward me. However, the buttons are pretty large and have raised plus and minus symbols, so you get a feel for them quickly.
While there are no physical quick adjust buttons for the speed levels on the STEPR+, I didn’t feel like I needed them. You can adjust levels faster on the screen, and that worked just fine for me. I didn’t feel like I was missing any other buttons.
Onto the giant screen that the STEPR+ has. It is 27 inches! I have conflicting feelings about this screen. It is easy to reach and navigate due to its proximity and size, but I also felt like I was going a little cross-eyed trying to look at this screen at such a close distance. I’m 5’4”, so I am looking dead on at this screen when I am on the STEPR+. If you are a taller exerciser, you will like the size more, because your face isn’t quite as close to the screen.
The screen has 1080p HD resolution. The quality isn’t as crisp or clear as other exercise equipment on the market, but it didn’t impact my training experience. The screen isn’t the easiest to swipe once your hands are sweaty, but otherwise, it works fine.
The large screen size comes in handy when you are using the training classes that take you off of the STEPR+. The screen tilts and pivots 360 degrees, so you can view the class from any angle. I liked how easily I could view the screen even when I was down on the floor performing exercises.
The STEPR+ has speakers on the front and the back of the screen. The front-facing speakers are just far enough from each other that you kind of get a stereo audio effect. It’s very subtle, and if you are taller than me, you won’t notice it at all.
Instead of using the speakers, you can plug in headphones with an aux cable if you want. There is a port on the right side of the machine. At the time of this review, the STEPR+ does not offer Bluetooth audio, but there seem to be plans to update to that feature this year.
The STEPR+ is dodging the missteps of other brands that did not prioritize user safety. Regardless of these great features, I recommend keeping children and pets away from this machine, particularly while it is in use. The STEPR+ has an infrared sensor at the bottom of the machine that will stop the stair climber should you step down off the machine or if anything moves under it. The STEPR+ will also pause if you leave the steps without breaking the infrared sensor’s path.
Two emergency stop buttons on the STEPR+ bring the machine to a smooth stop if they are triggered. The first button is at the top of the machine, and the second is located on the right side of the machine on the upright. These buttons twist to unlock. Then, you can press any button to restart your workout. I am really happy with these features, but users should be careful about anything being placed between the steps. STEPR+ has done a great job, but caution and responsible use are required.
The STEPR+ has a few storage options. There’s a textured phone holder at the top of the frame, just beneath the screen. There’s also a large water bottle holder. My half-gallon water bottle almost fits! There are two narrow storage compartments to either side. These could also hold a phone. I didn’t like using them for small objects like keys, because you can’t easily get them out. The compartments are too narrow. I would prefer to have one compartment the size of both compartments put together.
The STEPR+ has a USB-C charging port on the right side of the screen. It works. Most chargers should be able to reach your phone on the holder.
There are four anchor points on each of the uprights. There are also three anchor points on the console post. These anchor points are designed for resistance bands. There are STEPR classes designed to use these anchor points. If you don’t already own resistance bands, STEPR offers an accessory pack with all the must-have accessories for following along. The pack also includes a weight vest, a heart rate monitor, and looped resistance bands. A stair climber alone does not provide a full-body workout, but STEPR has found an effective way to address this issue.
There are a few features that STEPR might release that have us excited about future updates. First, the addition of Bluetooth audio would improve the training experience. Not everyone wants to play the classes over the speakers and risk disturbing others in their household. Also, the STEPR+ is quite loud, so if this bothers you, using headphones will help you drown out some of the noise.
The automatic speed adjustments are another feature that we would love to test out. I don’t mind making adjustments for myself. In a way, the manual adjustment feels safer and customizable. Yet, the automatic adjustment would make it much easier to watch the entertainment options.
Lastly, we are also looking forward to updates with new content options. STEPR is set to release hybrid workouts that take you from the mat to the steps. For entertainment, more streaming apps are promised. We can’t wait to see what’s next. Even more unannounced features are hinted at for 2024!
I could not wait to try this product out. I review a lot of established brands that have very familiar features, so I am always excited to see a newcomer to the space. STEPR is one of those brands that successfully innovated a new experience. My training experience on the STEPR+ did not let down my expectations.
This machine serves a wide variety of exercisers. The easy levels are light enough that new exercisers should be able to keep up just fine. However, beginners should note that there is a bit of a learning curve. It can take time and practice to time your steps correctly with the machine. Thus, you may find yourself looking down rather than at the screen initially. I was able to overcome this issue in just a couple of workouts, but other users may take longer.
The STEPR+ trains your quads and glutes intensely. So if you want to recover from sitting at work all day, work on your knee and hip joints, have aesthetic goals, or want a unique way to increase your heart rate, the STEPR+ is a great option.
As for me, I am an avid trail runner and hiker, so the STEPR+ was perhaps a little easier for me given the amount of elevation gain I run per week. Yet, it falls right in line with my training goals and gives me an alternative to increasing my running mileage and driving to the trails to improve my uphill runs and hikes. If you are similar to me, the STEPR+ is a great way to supplement the rest of your training.
Lastly, the STEPR+ makes a fun digital fitness platform very practical for users who have goals of improving their daily living. Stair climbing is a common and difficult challenge for a lot of people. The STEPR+ turns what could be a dreaded obstacle for some exercisers into a fun and engaging activity. And the fun comes from the training and entertainment content!
STEPR does not require a subscription to access their content at this time. That’s a pretty bold move for a digital fitness platform, and it wins my support. The STEPR+ is a pricey machine, but given its quality and the amount of free features you get, it’s pretty awesome. STEPR’s classes are not quite as refined as you will find on other premium subscription-based platforms, but that’s okay. Their goal is to keep it free, if possible, so I can’t fault them for it. The trainers do a great job of leading the workouts.
Classes on the STEPR+ combine speed changes and unique moves to keep your workout engaging. Some of the move variations include stepping sideways, crouching down, and skipping a step. Skipping a step is a little tricky since there are only three steps. There’s no room to mess up. You might just have to practice these moves a bit to get them down if you are new to them.
STEPR also offers classes off of the steps. There are classes for both strength and mobility. The resistance band anchor points on the frame and the pivoting/tilting screen are put to good use in these classes. Again, these classes are free, which is generous of STEPR.
If you are sharing STEPR+ with your friends or family, you can create unique profiles for up to 5 users. STEPR+ tracks your metrics and milestones. It also allows you to favorite classes and set weekly goals, so make sure you create a new profile if you don’t want credit for a workout you didn’t perform.
Guided classes aren’t for everyone, and you might want to switch things up occasionally. The STEPR+ has scenic routes, target training, and manual training.
In addition to trainer-led classes, there are also a few entertainment options. As of writing this review, the STEPR+ has Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify. More entertainment options like Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+ are to come. You can view the entertainment options while training manually or in a class. You may need your own account or subscription to access these apps. Fortunately, there is a good chance many of you will already have one!
STEPR swept onto the scene with the most innovative stair climber to date. At the time of this review, they offer training and entertainment content for free with your purchase of the machine. Their digital fitness platform is just what you need with its trainer-guided sessions for on and off the STEPR+. The stadium steps are not quite as challenging as taller steps and make the STEPR+ more accessible to a wide range of users. Whether you are a trail runner or hiker, a fitness newbie or a seasoned exercise enthusiast, the STEPR+ is an intriguing product that delivers a killer workout.
