Step Up Your Fitness Facility: Why Stepmills Are The Hottest Piece of Gym Equipment

In this post:

• How to choose the right Stepmill
• Comparison chart of Stepmill models
• Ardent Fitness’ Stepmill recommendations

When it comes to fitness equipment, Stepmills are stealing the spotlight. These machines have gained a reputation as the toughest in the gym, catering to a wide range of fitness levels. Whether you're an elite athlete looking for a challenging workout or a beginner just starting out, Stepmills offer the perfect combination of weight-bearing exercise and low-impact cardio. At Ardent Fitness, we have a  selection of Stepmills available, and in this guide, we'll take a closer look at the history of these machines and our recommendations for bringing them into your gym.

A Brief Journey Through Time

Stepping machines have been around since the early 80s, when they first began making waves in the fitness industry. As a fun throwback, here is Oprah Winfrey rocking an original Stairmaster in 1989, and an early generation Stepmill also from the 80s. 

They were briefly eclipsed by spin bikes, treadmills and ellipticals in most gyms in the last few decades, but fast forward to today, and Stepmills are quickly becoming more popular than these pieces of fitness equipment, and can be found in fitness spaces from gyms to college fitness centers and even luxury apartments.

What are the Benefits of a Stepmill, and Why Are They Popular?

What's causing this shift in favor, you might ask? There are several compelling reasons, including improved cardiovascular health, comprehensive lower body workouts (especially targeting the glutes), user-friendly design, the combination of weight-bearing and low-impact exercises, enhanced bone density, and strengthened core muscles. Stepmills truly cater to both casual users and seasoned athletes. 

A small National Library of Medicine study showed that those who participated in a stair interval workout improved their Vo2 max (an indication of cardiorespiratory fitness) by 12 percent. Researchers concluded that stair climbing was a time-efficient way to improve fitness, including for beginners.

With the increasing popularity of Stepmills, many fitness facilities are looking to add them to their equipment lineup. The question is: which model should you invest in? A Stepper (like the one in the Oprah picture) is a simple up and down motion. The Stepmill, on the other hand, is like a never ending escalator the user has to climb. This version is what most gyms are moving towards today.

Choosing the Right Stepmill for Your Space

Members of your fitness facility are probably asking you to add Stepmills, or more of them as they always tend to be in use. If you're tight on space, fret not. We recommend replacing machines like Ellipticals, AMTs, Arcs, and traditional steppers with Stepmills as they take up roughly the same width and are usually shorter in length than most cross trainers. Swapping one for the other is an easy task, and we can help make this happen efficiently and seamlessly. Ardent Fitness simplifies the transition with trade-in options and hassle-free removal of old equipment. 

Stair climbing burns 23% more calories than running, 250% more than swimming, 63% more than bicycling and 400% more than walking at 2mph.

There are several reputable brands that manufacture Stepmills, including Stairmaster (the pioneer in Stepmills), True, Sports Art, Lifefitness, Matrix, and Precor. The challenge lies in finding the right fit for your specific fitness environment.

When adding a new piece of equipment, the goal is to have it appeal to the widest range of users. Having exciting, revolutionary machines in your gym attracts clients and sets your facility apart from the competition. For commercial facilities aiming to appeal to a wide audience, the  Stairmaster 10G steals the spotlight. Boasting a deep step, unparalleled speed range, farmers carry handles, and an exclusive Overdrive Mode, it’s the ultimate beast. And its robust build, weighing nearly 150lbs more than its closest rivals, ensures unmatched stability. All of this innovation is backed by an industry-leading full commercial warranty of five years on parts and labor.

But what if your establishment lacks the luxury of high 10ft. ceilings? Certain brands like Stairmaster and Matrix have ingeniously crafted models compatible with 8-foot ceilings to answer the demand for machines that fit in smaller spaces like multi family communities, hotels, corporate fitness centers and other places that don’t usually have high ceilings like a commercial gym. Stairmaster’s 4G has steps which measure 10"x18” with a height of 7". Matrix’s Lifestyle climber has steps which measure 9"x15’6" with a height of 5.6". Full commercial Stepmills that are seen in gyms all have steps that are at least 10” deep with heights of 7'6"- 8'. Both models have a variety of console options to include the latest in entertainment, solid warranties and similar speed ranges. With compact Stepmills, size does matter. The extra inches in the step dimensions of the  Stairmaster 4G make a huge difference in replicating the feel of the larger commercial models.

The remaining Stepmill brands and models fill the middle ground between the industry leading Stairmaster 10G and the smaller models made for lower ceiling heights.  

Middle-range models to consider include:

• Stairmaster 8GX: Notably heavy, offering a broad speed spectrum
• True Palisade: Combining vast step size with contemporary aesthetics 
• Sports Art G778: Green-conscious with its Eco Power technology 
• Precor 800: US-made with a sizable step but lower speed ceiling 
• Lifefitness Powermill: Unique for its 9-foot ceiling compatibility
• Matrix Performance and Endurance: Combining good step size with user-friendly controls

When choosing, consider factors like space, budget, and anticipated user profiles.  Get in touch with us to see our best pricing for Stepmills. Rough ranges for various models are:

• Light commercial/8ft ceiling models: $4,500 - $7,000 
• Full Commercial models: $6,000 - $10,000
• High-end models: $10,000 - $15,000+

Price variations depend on factors like location, features, and bulk buying. As with most purchases, the price per unit will drop with volume. We recommend discussing your budget and anticipated usage with our experts at Ardent Fitness to ultimately pick the Stepmill which is right for you. It is worth noting, if you have 10-foot ceilings, the best in class Stairmaster 10G ends up very close in price to mid-level commercial models. 

Comparing Leading Stepmill Models

While Stepmills have grown immensely popular, there are various models to consider when deciding what's best for your facility. To help make your choice clearer, we've created a comprehensive chart comparing leading models:

Each model comes with its unique features and advantages, but what they all have in common is their aim to deliver a top-tier stepping workout. Remember to consider ceiling height, step dimensions, speed range, weight, and warranty when deciding on the best fit for your facility.

It's essential to balance your budget with the features and functionality you require. Whether it's a top-of-the-line model or one that fits a smaller space, Ardent Fitness can help you make the most informed decision on Stepmill selection. 

Have questions, want to know about a model not mentioned here or just want to chat about which model is right for you? Reach out to me anytime at evan@ardentfitness.com or book some time with me to chat about your upcoming project.