Whether it's powered by hydraulic pistons or cables and chains, a stair-stepper should be reasonably quiet. Hydraulic piston models tend to be noisier. Heart-rate monitor . Look for a variety of programs, including hill, heart rate and custom workouts. Independent pedals .
Most reviewers prefer independent foot pedals, which users move up and down.
Dependent pedals automatically move in opposition to each other. One expert aptly sums up the difference, saying dependent pedals make you feel like the machine is doing all the work. Like the Diamondback and StairMaster models, this stepper has a cable-driven system for quieter operation and better brake control. However, we did not include this model in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers because it doesn't rate as well among reviewers as the lower-priced Diamondback. However, Cybex bought out Tectrix in 1998, and a search of the Cybex Web site shows no Tectrix products.