A lot of people tend to confuse manual stair steppers with elliptical trainers. Although they are home-based exercise equipment, they have distinct features. For instance, a manual stair stepper is primarily designed for lower body strength training and cardio. Elliptical trainers, on the other hand, tend to incorporate upper body training in the machine. Elliptical trainers are also relatively low impact. They will help you burn more calories and workout more without stressing your joints and muscles.