Stair steppers, also commonly known as stair climbers, have declined in popularity in recent years (largely replaced by elliptical machines), which is reflected by the shrinking number of new machines released each year; still, for many people, the stair stepper remains the most challenging piece of exercise equipment. A stair stepper is designed to replicate the motion of walking up a flight of stairs and provides an extremely effective cardiovascular workout while also targeting the upper and lower leg muscles; to the out-of-shape or those who are new to a stair stepper routine, however, a quick workout can be an exhausting, arduous experience.