This Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands Black review covers everything you may want to know about the NO. 012S model, which is also known as the Sunny Health Fitness Mini Stepper Stair Stepper Exercise Equipment with Resistance Bands.
We will also discuss how it compares to the advanced model, SF-S0978, an Amazon’s Choice pick.
Despite the benefits exercise machines offer, they are not always space-efficient.
Sure, some fold to store, but repeatedly folding and reassembling them can be tedious.
Furthermore, big machines like treadmills and stationary bikes can be pretty expensive.
And while they provide excellent cardio and lower body workouts, most don’t target the upper body.
Enter the budget-friendly Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands, an Amazon #1 Best Seller in its field.
While light with a small profile, it is sturdy and durable. Its adjustable step height enables you to increase or decrease the workout intensity. An onboard fitness monitor lets you track your workout stats, making it easy to set new goals.
Besides providing access to cardio training, adjustable-length fitness bands are included, allowing you to resistance train as you step if desired.
Keep reading this Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper Stair Stepper Exercise Equipment with Resistance Bands review to find out more.
Table of Contents
Who does it suit?
The Sunny Health Fitness Mini Stepper Stair Stepper Exercise Equipment with Resistance Bands best suits beginner to intermediate-level users weighing 220 pounds or less who want a compact and inexpensive fitness aid that enables them to do low-impact cardio and muscle toning workouts.
If you have balance issues, locate the unit near a wall or table to steady yourself as you step and skip using the fitness bands until your balance improves with regular use.
How long should I use a mini stepper?
According to the manufacturer, you will see and feel results doing just 10-15 minutes daily, three times a week.
Longer, more frequent sessions will hasten your progress.
How do you use a Sunny Health & Fitness Mini stepper?
Using your Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands is easy.
Before you start, locate the device on a flat surface and adjust the step height and length of the fitness bands to your liking.
To mount the device, step onto the lowest footplate with one foot, then place your other foot on the other one.
Next, push down on the highest footplate, gently releasing your weight from the lower footplate so it lifts.
For the best result and to reduce the risk of injury, stand straight with your chest up, shoulders down, and core muscles engaged.
Continue the above movements for the duration of the session.
Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands Specs
Dimensions – The Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper NO. 012S measures 16″ (L) x 12.5″ (W) x 13.5″ (H)
Footplate dimensions – The footplates measure 11″ (L) x 5″ (W)
Weight – It weighs 15.2 lbs
User weight – The maximum user weight for this model is 220 pounds
User height – People of any height can use the machine, provided their ceiling is high enough
Batteries – 1 x LR44, 1.5V battery is included for the monitor
Color – It is black and gray
Original NO. 012S Vs the Advanced SF-S0978 Model
At 16.3″ (L) x 12.8″ (W) x 13.6′ (H), the dimensions of the two models differ slightly.
The Advanced version is 1 lb heavier than the original.
Additionally, the base of the Advanced model features a stabilizing ring for extra stability.
Overview
Construction and Finish –
The sturdy alloy steel frame of the Sunny Health Fitness Mini Stepper Stair Stepper Exercise Equipment with Resistance Bands is 
powder-coated to prevent corrosion, scratches, and chips.
Drive –
The machine operates through a hydraulic drive, with workouts being user-driven.
The more effort you exert, the more effective your workouts will be.
Smoothness, Stability, and Noise Level –
A hydraulic drive system ensures a smooth, fluid pedal motion.
A stabilizing ring on the base provides secure sessions without unwanted movement or the fear of the device tipping over.
Workouts are very quiet. You will hear a whooshing sound, but it is not loud enough to disturb anyone nearby.
Resistance –
The Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands offers adjustable resistance.
You can change the step height by turning a knob to increase or decrease the resistance level for more challenging or easier workouts.
Console –
To begin your workout, jump aboard and start stepping or press MODE until the arrow points to SCAN.
SCAN lets you see a continuously updated overview of your workout metrics on the LCD console. These include your total Step count, REPS per minute, Time, Speed, and Calories burned, each displayed for a few seconds before moving to the next.
This will give you a complete overview of your session, making it easy to track your progress and set new fitness goals.
You can also use the MODE button to select a single metric if that’s all you want to view.
To activate this feature, continue pressing the button until the green arrow points to the statistic you want to set.
Pressing MODE for 3 seconds or temporarily removing the battery will reset your stats to zero.
After approximately 4.5 seconds of inactivity is detected, the console will shut down to help preserve the battery.
Footplates –
Large, non-slip footplates provide a secure footing.
Turning the height adjustment knob clockwise will raise them while turning it counter-clockwise will lower them.
Accessories –
Two fitness bands, similar to bungees, with slip-resistant, foam-padded handles are included. 
According to the manufacturer, when attached to the unit’s frame, you can use them to tone and strengthen 20 different muscles.
These include your biceps, triceps, shoulders, chest, and back as you step.
You can also do floor exercises with them to work your inner and outer thighs, abs, and obliques.
Assembly –
Assembling the device is quick and easy, taking just a couple of minutes. Instructions are supplied, but even without referencing them, it’s a straightforward process.
First, turn the height adjustment knob clockwise as far as it will go.
Next, unscrew the band’s nut to open it, attach it to the hook in front of the pedal, and re-screw the nut to secure it. Do this with both bands, connecting one to the right pedal and the other to the left.
You can then start using the machine.
Lengthening and shortening the bands is intuitive. The longer the bands, the less intense your workout will be; the shorter they are, the more challenging it will be.
Warranty –
The warranty covers 1-year for the frame and 180 days for other parts and components.
Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands Black Infomercial
Pros
- The Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper Stair Stepper Exercise Equipment with Resistance Bands is highly affordable.
- Workouts are low-impact, so they should suit people with painful joints.
- Having adjustable resistance, it is suitable for people of any fitness level
It is light, compact, and portable, making it ideal for small spaces and convenient to travel with, so you don’t have to skip workouts.
- The unit is stable, and the stepping motion is smooth
- Along with toning and strengthening your upper body as you step, using the bands will also improve your balance and coordination over time.
- A monitor tracks useful workout metrics, enabling you to track your sessions and set fitness goals.
- The assembly process is super fast and easy.
Cons
- It’s recommended to use the device for no longer than 15 minutes at a stretch to avoid it overheating; however, many users claim to do far longer workouts without a problem.
- The step range is pretty short, so workouts won’t challenge experienced exercisers.
- Some buyers have stated that their mini stepper squeaks during use, so they’ve sprayed it with WD40 to overcome this.
Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands Black is an affordable fitness aid offering low-impact cardio
and lower-body muscle toning workouts.
Great for beginners or individuals with joint problems looking for a lightweight option that only takes up a little space in their home gym, the resistance bands add an extra challenge if you want it but are easily removable if you don’t need the added difficulty.
This device offers comfortable, smooth, stable, quiet workouts.
Its pedal height adjusts, enabling you to vary the training intensity, while an integrated console shows workout metrics to help you assess your progress and plan new fitness goals.
While not as powerful as a full-sized stepper, the mini stepper has many benefits that make it a worthwhile purchase if you don’t have the space or money for a larger model.
Click this link to read an article on the benefits and limitations of mini step machines.
Not quite what you have in mind? Check out my review of the Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper, which has similar functions and features to the model reviewed here, with a more significant focus on the obliques, hips, and thighs.
If you’re looking for an exceptionally robust model with a very generous user weight limit and don’t mind paying more, check out my review of the Xiser Commercial Portable Stepper. Or, if you’re in a hurry, click here to see the Xiser stepper on Amazon.
