If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best recumbent stepper for low impact exercise, then we recommend the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer as the best one.
Stepping machines are great if you want to strengthen the leg muscles you use to climb stairs.
These muscles include the glutes, hip flexors, hamstrings, and calf muscles.
These machines can sometimes be confused with ellipticals, but they have a more limited range of motion and don’t work out as many muscles as the elliptical does.
A stepper is a machine you get for a very specific, targeted type of leg workout.
It’s also a great choice for beginners or people with mobility issues because it allows you to sort of ease your way into working out.
If it’s a recumbent stepper (most are), that makes it even better.
This guide will give you the information you need to know about choosing the best recumbent stepper for your needs.
Here are the top recumbent steppers we’ll be reviewing:
- HCI Fitness PhysioStep HXT Recumbent Trainer
- HCI Fitness PhysioStep LXT Recumbent Linear Stepper
- HCI Fitness PhysioStep Pro Recumbent Stepper
- Teeter FreeStep LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer
- Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The Best Recumbent Stepper: The Basics
Saying that a stepper is the best is relative.
It depends on your specific needs.
This section isn’t going to give you a definitive definition of “the best”.
Instead, it will give you criteria you should use to determine which stepper is the best recumbent stepper for your situation.
What Does Recumbent Mean?
To start, let’s define recumbent for those of you who may not know what that means.
Recumbent refers to the seating arrangement of the machine. These machines have seats that sit slightly lower and a little further back than upright machines.
This allows the user to have their legs and feet stretched out in front of them while exercising. The purpose is to take pressure off the legs and joints.
The seats will have a back to them and the bottom parts are wider than upright machines. This gives you added support and comfort as you use the machine for an extended amount of time.
There may also be an additional set of handlebars on either side of the seat, so you don’t have to stretch to reach the main handlebars. This takes pressure off your back.
As you may have deduced from the information here, recumbent machines are suitable for people who need to take it easy on their joints while exercising.
It could be due to an injury, mobility issues, age, obesity, or other conditions.
Athletes or people at a high fitness level may find recumbent machines to be too easy.
Keep in mind that recumbent machines aren’t about easiness – it’s about accommodation.
These machines usually have a way to increase resistance for a challenging workout.
Comfort and Adjustability
To be accommodating, a recumbent stepper needs to be highly adjustable.
Not only will this ensure that you can get the perfect positioning for your body type, but it will allow multiple users the comfort and convenience of using one machine.
This is great for families who use the same equipment.
The seat, handlebars, foot plates, and console are all parts on a stepper that could be adjustable. All steppers will have a 2-way adjustable seat at a minimum.
This means it can be moved up or down to accommodate different heights. The seat may be a 4-way seat that moves forward and backward to accommodate multiple arm lengths.
Some machines have handlebars that can adjust to different lengths or that can be moved closer to the user.
Many machines may have more than one set of handlebars instead of adjustable handlebars.
Adjustable footplates and consoles are rarer, but there are a few models out there that have this.
Size, Weight, and Weight Capacity
A recumbent stepper can be thought of as mid-sized when compared to other exercise machines.
While they aren’t gigantic machines that will take up half of your room. High-quality ones are generally very heavy – somewhere in the range of 100 to 300 pounds.
This is not a machine you’ll be moving around a lot.
If you come across a stepper that weighs less than 100 pounds, this may be suitable if you’re going to have to set it up alone.
However, these machines are lightweight because they’re made of cheaper or lower-quality material.
You can still find a decent one in this range, but just remember you’ll get what you pay for. In this case, you’ll get what you pay for in weight.
It’s important that you make sure the machine you choose can support the weight of the heaviest user.
Otherwise you’re risking a malfunction of your investment.
This can void the warranty. The good news is that most recumbent steppers can accommodate a high amount of user weight so in most cases, you’ll easily find something suitable as far as weight capacity is concerned.
The Best Recumbent Stepper: Top Five Picks
HCI Fitness PhysioStep HXT Recumbent Trainer
The HCI Fitness PhysioStep HXT Recumbent Trainer is slightly different from the others in the list because it’s a semi-elliptical trainer.
It has a slight elliptical-like movement that will work a few additional leg muscles without too much stress.
This trainer is one of the highest quality trainers you’ll come across on the market. If it weren’t for the exuberant price tag and excessive weight, I’d name it as the best recumbent stepper on the list.
Health Care International (HCI) designed this machine as a commercial-grade machine so it’s going to last forever. In fact, it has a lifetime warranty on the frame.
It has a 2-way adjusting seat that’s extra wide (18 inches) and heavily cushioned. The main handlebars can adjust for length and can also pivot to the perfect angle.
There is an additional set of handlebars on each side of the seat that has heart rate monitors.
With a user-friendly, back-lit console and 16 resistance levels, this is a great trainer for everyone. It measures 52″L x 25″W x 51″H and weighs 165 pounds.
It can support users up to 330 pounds.
Pros
- Solid, high-quality construction.
- Has a high user weight capacity.
- Has 17 preset programs.
Cons
- It’s extremely expensive.
- No media shelf or bottle holder.
HCI Fitness PhysioStep LXT Recumbent Linear Stepper
Comfort and adjustability are high with the HCI Fitness PhysioStep LXT Recumbent Linear Stepper due to the commercial purposes.
It has an oversized 20″ wide orthopedic seat that is ergonomically designed. The seat is a 2-way adjusting seat, but it also reclines to get you at the perfect angle.
The seat swivels 360 degrees to make it easy to sit down in and it has a seat belt to prevent falls.
Even the display on this one is adjustable. It’s on a telescopic pole and it also swivels so you can bring it closer to you and set it at an angle that works best for your eyesight.
The console is large, bright, and big. This is one stepper you won’t be disappointed with.
This stepper measures 60″L x 30″W x 40″H and measures 210 pounds. It can hold users up to 400 pounds.
Pros
- Swivel seat lets you enter from the left or right.
- 32 resistance levels and 20 programs.
- Lifetime warranty on the frame.
- Display is color coded.
Cons
- Extremely expensive – commercial prices.
- The media holder is in a location where your media will cover the screen.
HCI Fitness PhysioStep Pro Recumbent Stepper
Here is another stepper from HCI. The HCI Fitness PhysioStep Pro Recumbent Stepper is their latest one and it’s a totally different design than the LXT and the HXT. It still has the same commercial-grade quality as the LXT.
This is one of the most advanced steppers on the market. You can isolate movement to the left or right side if you only want to work one side at the time.
You can also use the machine as a rowing machine or a leg press machine due to the sliding motion of the chair.
It has the extra wide orthopedic seat and telescopic handles. The console is the same one from the LXT.
The stepper measures 65″ L X 24″ W X 44″ H and weighs 275 pounds. It supports users up to 500 pounds.
Pros
- Has the highest user weight capacity of all steppers on the list.
- It’s a 3-in-1 exercise machine.
- It has a lifetime warranty on the frame.
- Seat can be removed so people in wheelchairs can use it also.
Cons
- It’s ridiculously heavy and will likely require two people to set it up and move it around.
- It’s extremely expensive for a home exercise machine.
Teeter FreeStep LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The Teeter FreeStep LT1 Recumbent Cross Trainer is a more practical stepper for a home gym. It’s lighter, more compact, more affordable, and still has a high-quality build.
The seat is thoroughly cushioned. It’s a 2-way adjustable seat that reclines for perfect positioning.
Pair that with telescopic handles and you have an amazingly comfortable stepper to work out on.
One added benefit of this machine is that it operates very quietly so you can hear your television or smart device easily.
The console is basic – it essentially displays the numbers for time, distance, speed, and calorie-burn. It does have a media holder for your smart devices.
The FreeStep LT1 measures 54″L x 38″W x 52.5″H and weighs 110 pounds. It can support users up to 300 pounds.
Pros
- It’s not too heavy so it can easily be set up by one person.
- The curved design of the legs give it added stability.
- The design of the handlebars helps you to get a good upper body workout.
Cons
- The media holder is far from the user, especially since it’s so small.
- The bottle holder has an open design so it’s easy to knock it down.
Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer is the upgraded version of the last trainer. They have the same build and quality, but this one has premium features.
Due to the premium features, quality, and affordability, this stepper has earned the title of overall best recumbent stepper.
The upgrades include UltraGlide™ Bearings which provide an almost frictionless operation. Not only does it make the operation silent, but it means less wear and tear so the machine will last even longer.
A ComfortSelect™ Seat gives you extra cushioning and extra space.
SoftStep™ Pedals are made with a high-grade rubber coating that gives extra traction while you’re working out.
Even the handlebars were upgraded. They have a SureGrip™ rubberized coating that improves grip and is sweat resistant.
The machine measures 54″L x 38″W x 52.5″H and weighs 110 pounds. It can support users up to 300 pounds.
Pros
- The weight allows for set up by one person.
- Premium features allow for more comfortable use.
- It doesn’t cost too much extra from the LT1 if you really want the premium features.
Cons
- Bottle holder still has the open design on this model.
- The media holder hasn’t been improved on this model.
> > Check out our full review of the Teeter Freestep Lt3 here < <
Final Thoughts on the Best Recumbent Stepper
Recumbent steppers are generally designed for comfort, flexibility, and accessibility, so it’s not hard to find the best one.
However, they do tend to be a bit expensive compared to other exercise machines, so you might be tempted to allow your budget to make most of the decision.
However, if you can afford the more expensive machines, it would be a good decision to go with it because you most likely won’t have to replace it any time soon, if ever.
Fortunately, the best recumbent stepper on this list is affordable and easy to handle.
The Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer has everything you need in a great home recumbent stepper so there is no need to break the bank if you don’t want to.
It’s a high-quality machine that’s suitable for everyone.
Whether you decide to go with a FreeStep trainer or one of the HCI trainers, you’ll be getting a great machine for all of your stepping needs.
