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Fold-A-Way™ Cardio Stepper image
 
(based on 30 ratings)
Model Number: 414284
Located in: Massage & Fitness, Fitness, Stair Steppers
This compact stairclimber was named "Best Overall" mini stair stepper by the Wall Street Journal. Here's a stairclimber that offers a full aerobic workout and a full range of functions to increase your strength and endurance. When you finish, the stairclimber simply folds up for easy storage in a closet or under a bed.

This aerobic gym stepper offers a great workout and easy to use, no-sweat features.

  • The multi-function computer on the stair stepper panel tracks heart rate and pace.
  • Stair steppers offer digital displays to count calories burned, training time and distance.
  • Unlike a gym stepper, this can keep track of your total steps for the week or all workouts combined.
  • Movable shaft on stair stepper frame adjusts for your exact height.
  • Stair stepper folds down for easy, quick storage.
  • Stairclimber monitor automatically shuts off after five minutes of non-use.

    Order a gym stepper that will get you in shape and keep your house looking good, too.
    Brookstone searches the market for the best in everything and these stair steppers are no exception. Even the Wall Street Journal rated our gym stepper "overall best." With your own stairclimber, think of all the time you can save driving not to the gym. Order your own in-home gym stepper today and stay fit for life.

    Check the “info” tab for more on stair steppers.

  • Product Reviews Summary
    Avg. Customer Rating:
     
    (based on 30 reviews)
    83% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

    Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

    Pros:
    Easy to use (15), Easy storage (13), Simple to use (12), Sturdy (11), Effective (11)
    Cons:
    Not effective (4)
    Best Uses:
    Daily use (11), Losing weight (10), Women (7), Strength training (6), Older people (5)
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality oriented (12), Value oriented (10), Rarely workout (7), Gym rat (5), Weekend warrior (3)
     
    Very good
    By AirwalkerVerified Reviewer from Seattle, WA on 7/19/2008
    Pros:
    Comfortable, Easy Storage, Easy To Setup, Easy To Use, Quiet Operation, Strengthens, Sturdy
    Best Uses:
    General Fitness, Low Impact Exercise, Weight Loss
    Describe Yourself:
    Rarely Workout
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Good for anyone who can establish a daily routine.
    I started with 50 steps then added 25 every other day, until I felt I had a good number, at this point 250 which I am staying with for a while.

     
    Great product and ery portable
    By Gregg Magic ManVerified Reviewer from Seattle, WA on 5/16/2008
    Pros:
    Comfortable, Easy Storage, Easy To Setup, Easy To Use, Strengthens
    Cons:
    Noisy Operation
    Best Uses:
    General Fitness, Heart Rate Training, Low Impact Exercise, Weight Loss
    Describe Yourself:
    Rarely Workout
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    This is great for a quick workout. I use this when the weather is bad to get some low impact exercise in. Perfect for stress reduction exercise.

     
    Highly recommend this sturdy stepper.
    By Debi DollVerified Reviewer from Long Island, New York on 3/28/2008
    Pros:
    Comfortable, Easy Storage, Easy To Setup, Easy To Use, Great cardio workout, Quiet Operation, Strengthens, Sturdy
    Describe Yourself:
    Gym Rat
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I've used this stepper for years, and actually bought a second for "back up", in case it's discontinued some day. It's the best home cardio system I've ever used.

     
    Fold away stepper
    By Gail the fitness instructorVerified Reviewer from Southeast Michigan on 2/11/2008
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use, Strengthens
    Cons:
    Needs to warm up
    Best Uses:
    Losing Weight, Strength Training
    Describe Yourself:
    Gym Rat
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I thoroughly enjoy my new fold away stepper. I prop it up in front of the television and spend the time working out instead of being a couch potato.

     
    Cardio Stepper
    By EllenVerified Reviewer from Boston, MA on 2/9/2008
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use, Sturdy
    Best Uses:
    Losing Weight
    Describe Yourself:
    Rarely Workout
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    So far, so good! It's easy to use, and very convenient! Now just have to get motivated to use it more often than I am (so far, only a few times since I set it up 2 weeks ago).

     
    Nice product
    By MomVerified Reviewer from Boca Raton, FL on 1/26/2008
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use, Strengthens, Tones
    Cons:
    A little noisy, A little wobbly
    Best Uses:
    Losing Weight, Strength Training
    Describe Yourself:
    Rarely Workout
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Very easy to use; very easy to put away. Saves a lot of time. I like the strengthening and aerobic workout.

     
    It's really great!
    By Kathryn the tax ladyVerified Reviewer from Spring, TX. on 1/25/2008
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use, Strengthens, Sturdy, Tones
    Best Uses:
    Losing Weight, Strength Training, Stretching
    Describe Yourself:
    Rarely Workout
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    We keep it at our office and can use it several times a day between clients. Perfect for a small space.

     
    Great little machine!
    By xDVerified Reviewer from New York, NY on 1/18/2008
    Pros:
    Easy To Use, Sturdy, Tones
    Best Uses:
    Strength Training
    Describe Yourself:
    Weekend Warrior
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I use this almost on a nightly basis now when I am watching TV. Small profile, yet is great at working my legs! Would recommend this product to anyone looking for something compact, while not compromising on quality.

     
    This product met expectations.
    By N/AVerified Reviewer from Herndon, VA on 1/14/2008
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use, Sturdy, Tones
    Best Uses:
    Losing Weight
    Describe Yourself:
    Gym Rat
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I use the Fold-A-Way Cardio Stepper 3 times a week for additional cardio workouts to supplement workouts at the gym on strengthening equipment. It's lightweight and easy to move in and out of storage (closet).

     
    Great Workout!
    By RebeccaVerified Reviewer from Charleston, SC on 1/12/2008
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use, Strengthens, Sturdy
    Cons:
    Diffucult to assemble
    Best Uses:
    Losing Weight
    Describe Yourself:
    Weekend Warrior
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Great aerobic workout when watching TV instead of being a couch potatoe!

     
    The whole family loves this stepper!
    By John the health nutVerified Reviewer from Carol Stream, IL on 1/4/2008
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use, It is small, Strengthens, Sturdy, Tones
    Best Uses:
    Strength Training
    Describe Yourself:
    Weekend Warrior
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    It is so small that we leave it out all the time. No one can pass by without jumping on and stepping away!

     
    Small and Compact
    By Lazy boyVerified Reviewer from San Jose CA on 12/29/2007
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use, Strengthens, Sturdy
    Cons:
    Tension setting not good
    Best Uses:
    Cardiovascular, Losing Weight
    Describe Yourself:
    Rarely Workout
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Small takes up very little space in the room. Seems to be sturdy build and stable to use. When you back off the tension the step peddles do not come up as high.

     
    compact exercise equipment
    By The steppin' foolVerified Reviewer from boston, ma on 12/19/2007
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use
    Cons:
    Boring
    Best Uses:
    Losing Weight, Strength Training
    Describe Yourself:
    Rarely Workout
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I put this together by myself and I'm not mechanically inclined.

     
    Good workout in a small space
    By Sara SVerified Purchaser from Staten Island, NY on 12/10/2007
    Pros:
    Easy to move, Easy To Use, Low impact, Strengthens, Sturdy, Tones
    Cons:
    Squeaky noises
    Best Uses:
    Endurance Balance, Losing Weight
    Describe Yourself:
    Gym Rat
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I bought this for winter exercise. I like to hike, but not in northeastern cold & snow. I also wanted something I could put in my living room, where I can watch the good TV, whilke exercising.

    Since a treadmill is not something I want in my living room, this was the next best thing. It feels sturdy (and I am not light) and has a relatively small footprint. I like the feel of resistance without impact, as I have had a serious back injury, It can be rolled on the front end with ease, if you need to move it. I also like the fact that the display is where it can be seen. Models lacking a support post have a display near your feet, which is useless.

    At first, it was squeaking very loudly. There is a solution to this. Turn it upside down and you will see a pulley & cable. This is the source of the noise. After lubricating it with white lithium grease, the squeak disappeared.

    So, on the whole, I like it and enjoy the workout it provides.

    [0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Cardio Stepper doesn't hold up
    By DancerDeanneVerified Reviewer from Los Angeles, CA on 11/22/2007
    Pros:
    Easy Storage, Easy To Use
    Cons:
    Flimsy, Not Effective
    Best Uses:
    Losing Weight
    Describe Yourself:
    Gym Rat
    Bottom Line:
    No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    The equipment is difficult to assemble. After two uses, the computer display quit working. One has to get off the equipment every few minutes to pull the pedals back up enough to be able to keep using it. Not a great piece of workout quipment.

    [1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

     
    For decoration only!!!
    By Phil from Brooklyn, NY on 11/5/2007
    Pros:
    Effective for a while
    Cons:
    Not sturdy enough
    Best Uses:
    Best used as a prop
    Bottom Line:
    No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    I used this product 2-3 times a week for an average of 30 minutes at a time as part of my plan to get back into shape. At first it worked great, providing a good amount of resistance and I liked the timer display. I saw, however, that the calorie counter/heart rate monitor was off. I have a personal heart rate monitor that I've used for over a year and it is a much more precise tool for the job.So, the electronics on this machine are not tuned correctly, at least on my unit.My girlfriend, weighing in at 108lbs, found that she couldn't use this machine because she herself was too light to be able to get up to pace in order to get a good workout. I didn't have this problem being 215lbs. My problem came when the pedals started to swivel for no reason (it seems the frame was not solid enough to support my weight or the intensity with which I was working out). I figured, since I only paid [$] for it I would just keep using it until it gave.Well, this evening it finally did, but not in the way I expected. There is a "steel" truss that enables the pedals to alternate. It snapped!!! Not at a point of connection, but in a random spot! The hydrolics let me down nice and easy so thankfully I didn't injure myself.All-in-all, I got about 3 or 4 months of use out of it so I don't feel to bad about the money I spent on it. I don't believe that I got a faulty unit, it worked just fine at first. Poor design and shotty manufacturing are responsible in my mind. This product is geared toward people who either work out regularly or are getting back into shape, it should be able to handle the workload.Best use for this product? A prop for someone who wants their friends and family to think they work out. It is very compact, the only positive thing about it. But I don't mean it in a sense that it easily stowes under a bed, just that it doesn't take up a lot of room on the floor.In the future, I will think twice before I buy something from [...]. Very disappointed in this product.

    [1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

     
    easily keep fit at home!
    By BBVerified Reviewer from Maryland on 10/28/2007
    Pros:
    Effective, Simple To Use
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented, Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    The product is easy to install. When I want to do some exercise but do not want to waste time driving to the gym, I always turn to the stepper. It works well, and moreover, I do lose weight after only 2 weeks. I really like it! The only problem is that it is somehow a little noisy, but I can bear that.

    [1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

     
    GREAT PRODUCT, STURDY AND VERY COMPACT!
    By NenaVerified Reviewer from Torrance, CA on 10/26/2007
    Pros:
    Compact, Effective, No Side Effects, Simple To Use, Sturdy
    Best Uses:
    Children, Daily Use, Men, Older People, Women
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented, Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I researched lots of other pieces of equipment (steppers) and found this one to be the safest and easiest to use. I especially love that you can easily fold it and hide it under a bed and yet it's so quick to just pull it out when you want to workout!

    [1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Great Workout @ Home!
    By ZVerified Reviewer from Mount Vernon, NY on 10/23/2007
    Pros:
    Effective, No Side Effects, Simple To Use
    Cons:
    Slight small steps
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use, Men, Older People, Women
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented, Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I use the product to exercise for 2 hours while watching a DVD movie. Things great about this machine is it is a space-saving device and gives me my daily dose of exercise. Things that aren't so great was when my visiting health buff bro came noted it steps are slightly not full range of motion. I like the cardio workout I get anyway.

     
    works well for me
    By MaurVerified Reviewer from Haworth,New Jersey on 10/23/2007
    Pros:
    Simple To Use, Very convienant
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use, Women
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I try to use stepper every day

     
    Great Product for Great Price
    By Husband&Wife TeamVerified Reviewer from Tuckahoe, NY on 10/23/2007
    Pros:
    Compact for storage, Effective, Simple To Use
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented, Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    We both use this product and find it very useful and easy to store in our basement. We had some trouble balancing the stairs upon setup but besides that it was easy to put together and start using immediatley.

    [1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Fold-A-Way Cardio Stepper is flawed
    By Dancer DianaVerified Reviewer from Pasadena, CA on 10/22/2007
    Cons:
    After second use, Computer display quit, Difficult to assemble, Foot pedals faulty, Not Effective
    Best Uses:
    Older People
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    This equipment is compact and looks discreet in the home. Unfortunately, it is difficult to assemble, the computer display quit working after the second use, and it's too difficult to send back. The foot pedals are flat on the ground after a few minutes' use, and one has to get off and pull them back up again to be able to use the equipment. Definitely far, far inferior to gym equipment and inadequate even for home use. It only worked once and was a complete waste of money.

    [1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Depends on what you want.
    By The Happy Stepper KlutzVerified Reviewer from Little Rock, AR on 10/22/2007
    Pros:
    Effective
    Cons:
    Not always easy to fold
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use
    Describe Yourself:
    Value and quality
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I wanted a stepper to lose weight because I have had much success from using one in the past but I didn't want one that took up a lot of space. My sister purchased a portable stepper that simply has the pedals to stand on, which I thought was a great idea until I tried to use it. Call me a klutz but I couldn't keep my balance on it. When I found this foldable stepper [...]I was extremely excited. It was the same as my sister's except it has handles and I didn't have to strain to see the screen. It's great[...] Here are the problems, though. It's heavy, it doesn't fold up small enough to slide under a normal bed, and you have to wait until the shocks cool after use or else you will get burned trying to fold it. Still, it fits the closet just fine or is small enough to leave out in a room without looking bad. Plus, it works great and I haven't had anything break on it.

    [1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

     
    Not a hard exercise!
    By The I've bought all the workout stuffVerified Reviewer from Kansas City,MO on 10/22/2007
    Pros:
    Great for a small room, It is light weight, Simple To Use
    Cons:
    Not Effective
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use, Its great for bad knees
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    I use this product everyday. It's quick but the steps are hard to get up and down, but it's not a work out at all. I would invest in something else

     
    Great product!
    By GLLVerified Reviewer from fort lee, NJ on 10/22/2007
    Pros:
    Effective, No Side Effects, Simple To Use
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use, Men, Older People, Women
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented, Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    wonderful piece of equipment - compact, easy, effective

     
    Great for recovery
    By Not ready to give up yet !Verified Reviewer from Indio , CA on 10/22/2007
    Pros:
    Effective, No Side Effects, Simple To Use
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use, Older People
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented, Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    Great for recovery , while not being able to walk
    well yet .

     
    This is a great step machine
    By DawgfanVerified Reviewer from IL on 8/19/2007
    Pros:
    Effective, Great Value, Simple To Use
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use, Women
    Describe Yourself:
    Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I really like this machine. It is the perfect size to set up in any room; I keep it out all the time.

     
    Great for small size.
    By DanOVerified Reviewer from San Jose, CA on 8/16/2007
    Pros:
    Effective, No Side Effects, Simple To Use
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented, Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    I love the small footprint of this stepper. It takes such little space, that I never even have to fold it up. I leave it in a corner set up all the time.

     
    If you need the basic basics
    By The FoxVerified Reviewer from Michigan on 8/16/2007
    Pros:
    Effective, Great for a small space, Simple To Use
    Cons:
    Not Effective, not strong enough
    Best Uses:
    Women
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented, Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    I bought this after reading the reviews. I really needed something small for my small apartment in the winter. It was real easy to put together, but the display was twisted a bit to the left and the bottom hinge to lower the unit up and down left a gap that when the stepper was being used, caused the unit to shake. I put a rolled towel in the gap and that stabilized the unit. I used it a couple of times but it wasn't really what I was looking for (I needed something a bit more sturdy, I put my machines through their paces) heavier use. I ended up giving it away.

    Great if you want very light use and something small, not good if you plan on heavy use.

     
    I cannot stop recommending this product
    By missvivVerified Reviewer from New York on 8/16/2007
    Pros:
    Effective, Simple To Use
    Best Uses:
    Daily Use, Women
    Describe Yourself:
    Quality Oriented, Value Oriented
    Bottom Line:
    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    After one month of use, my friends noticed a difference in the shape of my legs. They were trim and slender which I could never achieve by going to the gym

    Customer Reviews about the Fold-A-Way™ Cardio Stepper at Brookstone
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