This is our review of the Best Elliptical Stepper Combo in .
If you have a dedicated room at home for your personal gym, setting up different pieces of training equipment can be easy. But if that’s not the case, then a hybrid training machine is a sound investment. This not only helps you save floor space but is also comparatively easy on the budget.
One of the best combo machines is an elliptical stepper combo, which gives you the benefits of an elliptical and a stepper. It offers a full-body workout from mild to intense without putting your joints under stress.
To help you select the best elliptical stepper combo, we have put together 6 amazing hybrid machines. Each of these has been included after much research, and they individually have their own highlights.
The one that we consider the best among our top 6 is the ProForm Pro HIIT H14. We love it because it is among the few ellipticals with a whopping 10″ vertical stride. This is guaranteed to activate and target different groups of lower body muscles and burn more calories. It gives you the experience of HIIT workouts while simultaneously keeping the pressure off your joints. It is space-saving, quiet, and has an impressive 14″ HD smart console to chalk out your workout experience.
However, we know that many other factors need to be considered before zeroing in on the machine perfect for you. Here are our other top picks to help you choose the one to buy.
Best Elliptical Stepper Combo (Overall) | ProForm Pro HIIT H14 |
Best Elliptical Stepper Combo (Budget) | Sunny Cardio Climber SF-E3919 |
Best Elliptical Stepper Combo (Workout experience) | NordicTrack Freestride Trainer FS14i |
Best Elliptical Stepper Combo (Compact) | YOSUDA Pro Cardio Climber |
Best Elliptical Stepper Combo (Connected) | Bowflex Max trainer M9 |
Best Treadmill Elliptical Combo | Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 |
Read this entire article to know which is the best elliptical stepper combo for you. We have also included the frequently asked questions and a detailed buying guide to help you make an informed decision.
Top 6 Elliptical Stepper Combo Trainers for 2023
The elliptical trainers listed below can help you achieve your fitness goals. However, if you have any particular medical condition(s), we strongly advise you to seek a qualified physician’s advice before buying.
ProForm Pro HIIT H14 – Best Elliptical Stepper Combo (Overall)
Hybrid Mechanism: Elliptical and stepper
Resistance: 26 levels
Maximum User Weight Capacity: 325 lbs
Warranty: 10 years for frame, 2 years for parts, 1 year for labor
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is the best overall elliptical stepper combo we have come across. It scores not just in its training capabilities but also for its best-in-class technology.
It is among the few ellipticals that offer a 10” vertical stepping stride and 5” horizontal elliptical path. This effectively translates into more efficient core and lower body workouts with a higher calorie burn and muscle activation.
Another bonus is the presence of both fixed and movable handlebars. The movable handlebars help to train your upper body muscles. So, you are training harder in a set amount of time, giving you the experience of true HIIT (high-intensity interval training).
HIIT is a training technique that helps you tone and build muscles, lose weight, and burn calories faster. The beauty of HIIT on this elliptical is that it still keeps the workout low-impact. This is because your feet never leave the oversized, cushioned pedal, preventing undue stress on the ankles and knees.
The ProForm Pro HIIT H14 is also one of the most silent exercise machines. It has a heavy-duty 30 lbs flywheel and Silent Magnetic Resistance technology. This means you can shift between the 26 digital resistance levels smoothly and enjoy a quiet workout.
This hybrid stepper machine comes with a trial subscription to the iFit app. The app lets you virtually run through different cities and terrains and connects you with studio classes. It monitors your workouts and intelligently designs and suggests future workouts for you.
Another essential feature of this elliptical is its design. It is compact and takes up half an average elliptical’s floor space. This makes it ideal for home use, and tiny apartments.
Besides its fantastic training features, it has a high-definition, intuitive 14″ touchscreen display to help keep you committed to your workouts. It displays your workout metrics and programs, and you can control the resistance, audio, and cooling fan from the console.
Other value-added features include a cooling fan, water bottle holder, and front-mounted transport wheels.
Why do we love it | What you need to consider |
10” stepper stride for HIIT workout experience | Has no Power On/Off button |
Virtually soundless | Occasionally poor customer support |
14″ HD touchscreen display | |
Compact footprint |
Summary of customer reviews
Customers love the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 for its sturdy structure and challenging workout routines. The machine is space-saving and easily portable as well. However, some users were unhappy with their tech support and overall customer service.
Sunny Cardio Climber SF-E3919 – Best Budget Elliptical Stepper Combo
Hybrid Mechanism: Elliptical and stepper
Resistance: 8 levels
Maximum User Weight Capacity: 260 lbs
Warranty: 3 years for structural frame, 180 days for other parts and components
Hybrid ellipticals tend to be high on budget. This is typical because they combine the functions of 2, sometimes 3 types of machines. The Sunny Cardio Climber SF-E3919 is a wonderful exception. This is your best bet if you are looking for a hybrid that checks the budget box.
It has a 9″ vertical and 5″ horizontal stride to train your core and lower body muscles well. The oversized footplates are textured to give you a non-slip grip while you work out.
To make workouts more challenging, the hybrid elliptical has 8 magnetic resistance levels that can be changed with the help of a dial. This gives you uninterrupted training so you can effortlessly transition your workout from easy to challenging.
Pulse sensors on the stationary handlebars help track your heart rate. We only wish they were located on the moveable handlebars so that heart rate monitoring could happen while training the upper body as well.
The display is basic and function-oriented. All of your performance metrics can be seen here, and it has a clock and calendar as well.
While the elliptical stepper combo does not have Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity, it does have a device holder to prop your smartphone or tablet. Other value-added features include a water-bottle holder and transport wheels to move the machine easily.
Why do we love it | What you need to consider |
Budget-friendly trainer | No Bluetooth / WiFi connectivity |
Limited warranty |
Summary of customer reviews
Most users find the Sunny Cardio Climber SF-E3919 bang on the budget and features. It is easy to assemble and quiet in operation. However, Some customers were unhappy with the sturdiness of the machine.
NordicTrack Freestride Trainer FS14i – Best Elliptical Stepper Combo (Workout Experience)
Hybrid Mechanism: Elliptical and stepper
Resistance: 26 levels
Maximum User Weight Capacity: 375 lbs
Warranty: 10 years for frame, 2 years for parts, 1 year for labor
Workout goals can differ for people, ranging from muscle building to core strengthening or weight loss. Whatever your target may be, the most crucial aspect is compliance. Quite a few people default on their workouts and boredom is the foremost reason for this.
The NordicTrack Freestride Trainer FS14i can eliminate this. Loaded with great workout specs, connectivity, and an HD display, this elliptical stepper combo can keep you engaged and invested in your training.
Its impressive 32″ auto-adjustable stride makes it an ideal fit for tall people. And the 20 lbs flywheel ensures smooth and quiet operation even for heavy-weighted users.
It has 26 resistance levels and a 10% incline and decline range. So you can curate your workouts to be easy, moderately demanding, or challenging, all with the touch of a button. Further, you can create up to 5 user profiles whose data is stored and tracked separately. This is an excellent feature if you have multiple users at home, as you can avoid confusion and overlapping of metrics.
It also comes with a unique SmartAdjust machine learning technology. This means the machine can intuitively chalk out your next workout program based on previous metrics. It can set challenges and goals to ensure you stay on track with your targets.
A 30-day trial of the iFIT app is included with the machine. Through this app, you can choose routes from all over the world to run on virtually. You can also connect with a wider community of expert trainers and get a taste of workout programs organized by them.
A great value addition is the 14″ HD display. It is pleasing to the eyes and keeps track of your metrics and training specs in real time.
This is one of the few machines that gives you an interactive, interesting, and intuitive training experience, seldom seen in exercise equipment.
Why do we love it | What you need to consider |
SmartAdjust technology that automatically creates workouts for you | Expensive |
32” auto-adjustable stride perfect for users of different heights | Large footprint when in use |
Seamless resistance and incline transition |
Summary of customer reviews
Most customers love the NordicTrack Freestride Trainer FS14i for its boredom-free workout programs and smooth operation. However, some reviewers have complained about their customer support.
YOSUDA Pro Cardio Climber – Best Compact Elliptical Stepper Combo
Hybrid Mechanism: Elliptical, stepper and treadmill
Resistance: 16 levels
Maximum User Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
If you live in a small apartment or shared space and want to get on the fitness track, the YOSUDA Pro Cardio Climber could be perfect for you.
Its 38x21x62″ dimensions make it among the most compact and space-saving hybrids today. And it is lightweight and weighs just under 95 lbs, making it easy to move. Additionally, it offers the benefits of 3 machines in 1 – an elliptical, a stepper, and a treadmill.
Despite its tight structure, it has a strong build. It is equipped with heavy-duty stabilizers to keep the machine from vibrating or losing balance while you workout.
The 18 lbs flywheel works to give you a soundless training experience. Textured foot pedals give you added grip and ensure low impact on joints.
Because this elliptical stepper treadmill combo combines an 11″ vertical climb, 5″ horizontal stride, and 15″ stride length, it gives you an overall 45-degree climbing motion effect. This helps to increase cardiovascular stamina and keeps your entire body invested and engaged in burning calories.
It also has 16 magnetic resistance levels to increase your workout’s intensity and challenge your fitness. And the moving handlebars help activate and tone the upper body muscles.
The display is serviceable and shows all of your workout metrics so that you can keep track of the training session.
It also comes with a device holder and water bottle holder. However, being a budget machine, it does not contain other value-added features such as Bluetooth connectivity, a cooling fan, or USB charging port.
Why do we love it | What you need to consider |
Compact and lightweight | Stationary handlebars are short; tall users may have to hunch forward |
Climbing motion allows for muscle engagement | Unclear assembly instructions |
Limited Warranty |
Summary of customer reviews
Customers love the compact design and small footprint of the YOSUDA Pro Cardio Climber. They found the training mechanism effective with a good capacity for working up a sweat. However, a few users complained that the machine felt wobbly and noisy after a few weeks of use.
Bowflex Max trainer M9 – Best Connected Elliptical Stepper Combo
Hybrid Mechanism: Elliptical and stepper
Resistance: 20 levels
Maximum User Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Warranty: 3 years for frame and parts, 1 year for electronics, 90 days for labor
Working out at home has its advantages. But it can be a wee bit isolating as well. Home workouts usually mean you train alone or with the people you live with. Some people train best under pressure, either with a trainer or when watching a fellow fitness enthusiast working out next to them. You can usually experience this when you join a community fitness center. However, with the Max trainer M9, you can get the best of both, home and gym.
This hybrid elliptical comes with a one-year membership to the JRNY app. JRNY is a popular source through which you can access trainer-led sessions and real-time coaching. It helps you connect with fitness experts to give you the feeling of a professionally created fitness plan. It also curates personalized workout programs for you by analyzing your previous training sessions and stats.
The 10″ HD touchscreen display lets you virtually explore and train on different global routes through the JRNY app. It also lets you stream movies, shows, and music through various OTT apps. Do note that you need to have existing subscriptions to your preferred OTT platforms to make use of this feature.
You can also access all your workout metrics and track your progress in real-time through the console.
It has 20 resistance levels that can be changed using a steel dial located below the console. This, combined with oversized, textured pedals, gives you the HIIT experience while the workout remains low on impact for joints.
Additionally, heart rate sensors are present on the ergonomically placed handlebars. You also get a Bluetooth Heart Rate armband for advanced tracking and accuracy.
Bluetooth connectivity for your smartphone and tablet and Bluetooth-enabled speakers round off the features of this hybrid elliptical.
Why do we love it | What you need to consider |
Connectivity-oriented hybrid via Bluetooth and WiFi | Limited warranty |
One year JRNY membership for Expert-led programs and workouts |
Summary of customer reviews
Many users love the expert-led videos and how highly they can stay engaged in their workouts while using the Bowflex Max trainer M9. They are happy with the tech-heavy features and heart rate armband as well. However, some users noticed that the console would reboot after some time while working out.
PS: Amazon is selling the Bowflex Max Trainer M8. This model has slight variations as compared to the Max Trainer M9.
Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 – Best Treadmill Elliptical Combo
Hybrid Mechanism: Elliptical and treadmill
Resistance: 12 levels
Maximum User Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Warranty: 3 years for parts, 90 days for labor
The Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 is technically a 3-in-1. It has the features of an elliptical, stepper, and treadmill. However, because its unique design is created keeping predominantly walkers in mind, it veers its functionality more towards a treadmill.
With a speed range of 0.5 to 4.5 miles per hour, it is an excellent piece of equipment for walking workouts. This helps improve cardiovascular stamina and induces a slow-burn quality that remains long after the workout is over.
Since this hybrid elliptical focuses more on fitness through walking, it is a fantastic choice for people with joint issues or undergoing physical rehabilitation.
The elliptical treadmill combo offers 12 levels of resistance that allow you to customize your training session from easy to challenging, depending on your need.
The handlebars have heart rate sensors that send information to the backlit display console. Through the display, you can also choose among the 5 workout programs the hybrid offers – Just Walk, Time Goal, Distance Goal, Calorie Goal, and Interval.
The console is also integrated with the TreadClimber App, which can sync via Bluetooth with popular fitness apps such as Google Fit, Apple Health, and My Fitness Pal.
Other value-added features include a tablet holder shelf, water-bottle holder, and transport wheels.
Why do we love it | What you need to consider |
Ideal for walking workouts because of a predominant treadmill feel | Has only 5 workout programs |
Perfect for those who are undergoing physical rehab | Expensive |
Bluetooth-enabled | Low warranty coverage |
Summary of customer reviews
Customers like that the Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 amps up their heart rate steadily and eases them into their workout. They especially liked the slow burn they experienced. However, a few users have put forward concerns about the machine’s stability. The hybrid was reported to become wobbly within a few minutes of a workout.
PS: This hybrid machine has been discontinued, so you can check out some of the other Bowflex products, which will give you a great workout.
Why are hybrid machines preferred?
While an elliptical, treadmill, and stepper each have their advantages, a hybrid machine can combine the benefits of any 2 or all 3 of them. Below are the main advantages of using these combo equipments:
Able to target multiple muscle groups
A hybrid elliptical gives you a full-body workout and can help burn more calories in a set amount of time. It can focus on multiple muscle groups of the core and lower body. Also, the upper body gets trained if it comes with moveable handlebars.
Increases flexibility and agility
With a hybrid, you can seamlessly transition between an elliptical and a stepper. This helps to activate different muscles and make them more flexible and agile. Also, stronger muscles make their respective joints supple and more stable.
Avoids boredom
We know how much a monotonous workout routine can interfere with fitness compliance. A hybrid allows you to switch between two or three types of exercisers. This means you can try a different kind of workout every time and not get bored.
Saves Space
A hybrid is a union of at least 2 pieces of fitness equipment. This means you can save on floor space by investing in one machine instead of two. A hybrid is especially a great idea for apartments or homes with small rooms.
What are the disadvantages of a hybrid machine?
There are some aspects that you need to factor in before buying a hybrid machine, such as:
Slightly high learning curve
It may take some time to get used to working out on a hybrid because of its fusion make. Transitioning from one form of exercise to another requires a learning curve.
We advise you to start slowly, get used to one form of working out, and then transition to the other form. You can increase the intensity or resistance once you have good control over the equipment.
Could be expensive
You would typically find a higher price tag on a hybrid elliptical because it accommodates different mechanisms in one machine. However, it is, of course, less expensive than buying two different training machines.
May not get full range of motion
Because the flywheel and pedals in a hybrid are essentially “shared” by two different exercise types, you may not get the complete range of motion or versatility of each. For e.g. you may not get a big stride while using the elliptical component.
What to look for in a hybrid stepper machine: Buying Guide
Here are some essential points you need to consider before choosing a suitable hybrid:
Build Quality
A hybrid elliptical needs to sustain the workout capabilities of at least 2 machines. To do this, the frame needs to be strong and the overall build of the hybrid needs to be well-balanced and sturdy.
Buy a hybrid with a steel frame and preferably with industry-grade stabilizers.
Resistance and Incline
Choose a hybrid combo machine with multiple resistance levels so you can switch between easy, moderate, and challenging workout programs. This also helps target different muscle groups so that you can work equally on the entire body.
Some hybrids even offer an incline range to elevate the difficulty of workout. Having this is always a plus, but can add to the budget.
We have created an in-depth review guide for ellipticals with incline, which you can check.
Weight Capacity
Another thing to consider before buying any machine is its max user weight capacity. Always buy an elliptical stepper combo whose maximum weight capacity is more than the weight of the heaviest user. This would ensure the machine remains stable and does not keel over while working out.
If you are a household of tall and heavy users, you can also consider getting an elliptical with 20-inch stride to ensure a comfortable workout.
Budget
Fixing a budget is always a good idea. It helps you to drill down to a select few machines, and then making a choice becomes easier.
Warranty
More warranty coverage means more assurance for you for a longer time. Buy a hybrid with good warranty coverage, especially for the frame, since that is the most crucial aspect of an exercise machine.
Conclusion
A hybrid elliptical is a wonderful way of receiving the benefits of 2 or 3 types of exercises. It is also comparatively economical and saves space.
Among our top 6, the best elliptical stepper combo is the ProForm Pro HIIT H14. Space-saving, sturdy, and with a 10″ vertical stride, it gives among the best workout experience possible. Add a 14″ HD display and HIIT- training capabilities, and you have a winner on your hands.
FAQs
Is a stepper better than a treadmill?
This entirely depends on your fitness goals. A stepper is a better option if your goal is strengthening the muscles of your lower body and core. A treadmill is better suited for those who want to improve cardiovascular stamina.
You can check out our detailed review of apartment treadmills before you make your final decision.
Does the stair stepper count as Cardio?
Yes, it does. A stair stepper can improve cardiovascular fitness through its low-impact routine. Moreover, you can always adjust the speed and resistance as your endurance improves.
Disclaimer: The information mentioned in the article above is for educational and informational purposes only. It shouldn’t be considered health or medical advice. Please consult a doctor or a qualified health professional if you have any medical/health conditions questions.