There are many fitness tools now readily available for consumers who are looking to elevate their fitness routine in the pursuit of leading a more active and healthy lifestyle.
One of the most versatile of these tools is the step exercise platform. As well as being beneficial for fitness classes, step exercise platforms are regularly used in strength training and core workouts too making them ideal for at home use as well as gym spaces.
Keep reading to learn more about which step exercise platforms are best for workouts.
Table of Contents
Global market value of fitness equipment
The best step exercise platforms
Conclusion
Global market value of fitness equipment
As more consumers start to take an interest in their overall health, fitness equipment such as step exercise platforms and balance boards are growing in demand. Health has become a major concern in both the younger and older generations and consumers who have a larger disposable income are either joining gyms where fitness equipment is readily available or purchasing equipment to use at home in their free time. Step exercise platforms in particular are heavily used in gyms where fitness classes take place.
By 2022 the global market value for fitness equipment had reached over USD 16 billion. That number is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 5.3% between 2023 and 2030. In the past consumers who didn’t live in large urban areas found it difficult to gain access to fitness equipment at home but with the growth of ecommerce platforms all types of equipment are more accessible which is also contributing towards the overall growth of the fitness industry.
The best step exercise platforms
Step exercise platforms have advanced significantly over the past decade as more consumers take part in gym classes and use exercise steps for their individual workouts. While all exercise steps are designed in a similar way there are certain features that will set them apart from others.
According to Google Ads, “step exercise platform” has an average monthly search volume of 3600 searches. The most searches come in February at 5400 searches and in the past 6 months, between April and October 2023, searches remain steady at 3600 searches each month.
When looking at the different types of step exercise platforms consumers are searching for, Google Ads shows that “mini stepper” is the most searched for at 49500 monthly searches followed by “aerobics step” at 40500 searches, “workout stepper bench” at 1900 searches, “adjustable aerobic stepper” at 390 searches, and “circuit step” at 210 searches. Keep reading to learn more about the key features of each type of step exercise platform.
Mini stepper
The mini stepper is a popular fitness tool designed with portability in mind. Unlike larger exercise steps that can be bulky and difficult to store in compact spaces, the mini stepper takes up minimal space and if there are multiple steppers being used they can easily be stacked on top of one another securely. Their compact size makes them ideal for the gym but also for home use and for transportation to and from work.
The mini stepper is ideal for low impact workouts and exercises that don’t require too much space for the feet. Some mini steppers will also come with resistance bands that can be attached to them for enhanced workout routines. For consumers who want to add a more challenging component to their workout the mini stepper is available with additional platforms to add under the main step for higher elevation.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, there was a 22% decrease in searches for “mini stepper”, with 49500 and 40500 searches respectively. The most searches come in February at 74000 searches.
Aerobics step
Aerobics steps are a staple addition to any gym and are regularly used in fitness classes as well as by gym goers who have their own strength and core routines. They are ideal tools to use in circuit classes where a mixture of cardio and strength training is done too. Aerobics steps need to be made of a sturdy material to support various body weights and have a non-slip surface on top for safety reasons. The stepping should also be wide enough to comfortably support different foot positions.
This versatile fitness tool will have the option of changing the height through the use of removable blocks underneath so that the user can customize their workout to suit their own fitness level. Aerobics steps that are able to be stacked are the most popular for space saving reasons.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, searches for “aerobics step” remain steady at 40500 searches each month. It was most searched for in February with 49500 searches.
Workout stepper bench
One of the most popular types of step exercise platforms is the workout stepper bench. This modern adaptation of the classic aerobics step integrates a back rest into the design which enables gym goers to also use it as a bench for weight lifting. The back rest is easy to set up and pops directly out of the main step platform with a secure locking mechanism that allows the back rest to sit on various angles depending on the exercise that’s being performed.
As with all step exercise platforms it’s important that the workout stepper bench can be adjusted in terms of height as well. The adjustable risers on either side of the bench make it more versatile for people of different heights and they also make it easy to stack on top of one another when they’re not in use.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, searches for “workout stepper bench” remain steady at 1900 searches each month. It was most searched for in February with 2400 searches.
Adjustable aerobic stepper
The adjustable aerobic stepper differs slightly from the classic aerobics step but still serves the same purpose during a workout routine. This type of step exercise platform features a wide stepping platform, non-slip surface area, is easy to store after use, and is sturdy enough to hold different body weights.
What is different, however, is how the height is adjusted. With older versions of aerobics steps the height is changed using blocks but with the adjustable aerobic stepper the built-in risers on both sides of the main platform means that the height can be adjusted in a quick and effective way without taking up too much time from the workout. This is a very popular option for gym classes when rapid height adjustments are needed.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, there was a 23% decrease in searches for “adjustable aerobic stepper”, with 480 and 390 searches respectively. The most searches come in March and April at 480 searches.
Circuit step
Circuit classes are very popular in gyms and in many instances step exercise platforms are incorporated into the workout routine. Space can be limited though and it can be difficult to fit multiple steps into a small workout area, which is why the circuit step is a popular alternative to regular single person aerobics steps.
The circuit step is longer by design and is meant to accommodate more than one person. For this reason it’s important that it’s made of a very sturdy material and that even at its maximum height it can securely hold two people at once. The circuit step isn’t one of the most popular types of step exercise platforms available but it’s a good option for large group classes.
Google Ads shows that over a 6 month period, between April and October 2023, there was a 19% decrease in searches for “circuit step”, with 210 and 170 searches respectively. The most searches come in March and April at 480 searches.
Conclusion
Choosing which step exercise platforms are best isn’t an easy task. While they’re all designed with fitness routines in mind some offer more features than others and can be a more versatile option for the gym or at home workouts. What’s important to note for all of these step exercise platforms though is that they need to be built with durability in mind, they should be able to hold various body weights without breaking, and they should come with easy height adjustments. As the fitness industry continues to grow, step exercise platforms are expected to grow alongside it with more people taking up an interest in their overall health and physical appearance.
