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As someone who has completed six marathons and maintains a regular running schedule, I approached the Merach mini stepper with healthy skepticism. The device has exploded across social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where creators claim it’s a game-changer for leg strength, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness. After seeing countless videos promising dramatic transformations, I decided to give it a fair 90-day trial.
My goal wasn’t to replace my primary training routine, but to evaluate the stepper’s utility as an anti-sedentary tool—which is what I label it in my initial review—and determine whether consistent use could perhaps provide meaningful benefits. Having spent years understanding firsthand how the body adapts to training, I wanted to see if this compact device could actually deliver on any its viral promises.
90 days of stepping to nowhere
The Merach mini stepper is a straightforward piece of equipment: two foot pedals connected by hydraulic resistance cylinders, with adjustable tension and a simple step counter. Assembly takes fewer than 15 minutes, and the device feels sturdy despite its lightweight construction.
To get started, this mini stepper has two main modes: stepping up-and-down or twisting side-to-side. When the lever is down, as shown in the photo below, you’re set to twist. This twisting motion feels less like a stair climber, and more like you’re trying to ski. I know I feel it more in my glutes to keep myself stable during this movement.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
When the lever is up as shown here, you can step up and down. This feels more like climbing stairs, and is definitely the choice for a more familiar motion.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
I also clipped on my resistance bands to engage my arms. Aside from this bicep action, there’s no resistance mechanism beyond your own bodyweight for the stepping itself. This means the difficulty—and potential for gains—is entirely dependent on how fast and forcefully you move. I really gave this stepper a fair shot with my attempts at intensity, but there’s simply a lower ceiling on gains compared to something like the stair climber at your gym.
I established a consistent routine: 20-30 minutes of stepping daily, typically while working at my desk or watching television. The stepping motion definitely activates the lower body muscles continuously and elevates heart rate modestly. According to my Garmin watch, I even got up to 140 bpm at times, indicating a moderately intense workout. (My watch is Forerunner 165 Music, which I’m actively testing for a review coming soon.)
Ultimately, the mini stepper’s promise of a “low impact” workout is accurate, but perhaps too accurate. My legs never felt particularly challenged. Here’s a before/after photo of my calves in particular.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
I know how much lighting can influence before/after images, so aimed for the same spot and same time of day, even wearing the same socks. The first photo was taken on May 16 and the second on July 16, 2025. In between these dates I did have to retire my ol’ Brooks Ghost 16s last month, but I’m loving the Saucony Endorphin 5 Speeds on the right. As you can see, my muscles look pretty identical after 90 days of mini-stepping.
The reality check: At least I got my steps in?
Social media content around the mini stepper often includes dramatic before-and-after claims, promises of rapid leg transformation, and suggestions that 15-20 minutes daily will revolutionize your fitness. After three months of consistent use, these claims don’t align with reality.
My number one complaint is the lack of resistance. While the stepping motion activated the calves, quadriceps, and glutes, this type of device is pretty insufficient to promote true gains or muscle development. The movement pattern is essentially a repetitive calf raise. It’s not nothing, but after 90 days, I was bored out of my mind. Unlike running, which offers changing scenery and the possibility of running into that cute dog walker, or cycling, which provides the illusion of going somewhere, the mini stepper offers only the repetitive motion of stepping up and down.
Personally, I think my body had figured out the stepper’s limited demands and responded with the physiological equivalent of a shrug. For fellow marathon runners and experienced athletes, the stepper offers minimal training benefit. However, for sedentary individuals seeking to increase daily movement, it no doubt provides a practical, low-barrier solution.
What I learned
Here’s what the Amazon reviews don’t tell you: The Merach mini stepper works as best it can, and that’s the problem. It provides a low-impact, moderate-intensity cardio workout that’s safe, accessible, and completely unremarkable. For someone recovering from injury or just starting their fitness journey, it’s probably perfect. For anyone hoping to transform their legs into sculpted masterpieces, you’re better off investing in a set of dumbbells.
If I were to recommend the mini stepper, I’d focus on the fact that my 90-day journey offered me a practical alternative to prolonged sitting. The device’s quiet operation makes it suitable for use during work or while watching movies, which I think addresses one of the primary barriers to consistent exercise: finding the damn time. Plus, the stepper’s compact size and portability are genuine advantages. It stores easily, requires no electricity, and can be used in small spaces.
The stepper never challenged me enough to create meaningful change. It never pushed me into that uncomfortable zone where adaptation and improvement happen. After 90 days of faithful stepping, my legs feel identical to how they felt on day one. But that’s not necessarily the machine’s fault. It’s mine, for expecting a $44.99 piece of equipment to deliver what requires dedication, progressive overload, and probably a gym membership.
The Merach mini stepper is a perfectly adequate piece of equipment that does exactly what it claims to do. It’s just not revolutionary, transformative, or particularly exciting. If you’re looking for a low-commitment way to add some movement to your day while binge-watching Netflix, the stepper delivers. If you’re hoping to transform your legs, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
