The Merach Stair Stepper Can’t Match the TikTok Hype - MERACH Stair Stepper for Home Gym Exercise, New Version Vertical Climber Machine for Full-Body Workout, Compact Folding

Out of the box, the Merach Stair Stepper requires more assembly than I've come to expect from fitness equipment in this price range. While it's nothing beyond IKEA furniture complexity, you'll be wrestling with multiple parts for a good twenty minutes.

Here's how it works: The device itself is a vertical climber that simulates stair climbing through a sliding rail system. Your feet rest on platforms that move up and down opposite to each other, while handlebars provide upper body support. The marketing promises "adjustable resistance," but this is where the first red flag appears: there's no resistance mechanism beyond your own bodyweight. (More on what that means below.) The only adjustment you can make is the height of the handlebars and the angle of the foot platforms.

Despite coming from Merach—a TikTok Shop brand that's growing more familiar, but hasn't built significant trust in the fitness equipment space—the build quality is surprisingly solid.

Imagine a manual stair climber: That's it—that's the Merach Stair Stepper. The motion requires you to control both the upward push and downward descent, engaging different muscle groups than you'd expect. Because there's no mechanical resistance, you're essentially doing bodyweight exercises in a vertical plane, which means the difficulty is entirely dependent on how fast and forcefully you move.

I tested the stepper by doing a climbing motion for about thirty minutes total (as I rewatch 30 Rock, of course). I climbed at a steady, moderate pace for five minutes at a time, then did one minute of intense effort, and one minute of rest, repeating until my episode was over. The device operates quietly, which meant I could easily hear the TV and not worry about bothering my neighbors (essential for an apartment-dweller like me).

Almost immediately, it becomes apparent that stride length is a limiting factor. At 5'6", I found the range of motion fine but not generous. Anyone taller would likely feel cramped. The stepping motion also demands significant core stability. While this provides an unexpected ab workout, it also makes the device feel less stable and secure than purpose-built cardio equipment you'd find at the gym.

Here's where we need to address the elephant in the room: the bold claims circulating on TikTok about dramatic body transformations. Muscle building requires progressive overload: gradually increasing resistance, weight, or intensity over time. The Merach Stair Stepper offers no progression mechanisms. You're limited to your own bodyweight resistance, and while you can increase your pace or duration, you can't meaningfully increase the resistance itself.

This fundamental limitation means the device functions primarily as a cardio tool rather than a strength-building machine. While consistent cardio certainly has health benefits, it won't dramatically reshape your physique in the ways the viral videos often claim. The physics of muscle growth simply don't support the "transform your body" promises that make these devices so appealing on social media.

Armed with the knowledge that this machine is more suited for modest anti-sedentary goals (as opposed to something that will give you a new giant butt), here are more factors to weigh before clicking purchase:

The stair stepper's foldable design initially seems like a win for apartment living, and the vertical storage orientation is a huge plus for floor space. However, the reality is a little more cumbersome than advertised. To fold the unit, you need to partially disassemble it by removing a few adjustment knobs and loosening bolts. When you want to use it again, you'll spend several minutes reassembling and retightening everything.

It's safe to say this assembly-storage cycle will quickly becomes tedious for anyone who wants to use the device regularly. It's not too big an issue, but perhaps the semi-permanent setup works best if you have dedicated space to leave it assembled.

At a list of price of $149.99 (currently $115), the Merach Stair Stepper is at an awkward middle ground in the home fitness market. For basic cardio needs, mini steppers are more portable and fit easily under furniture, typically costing around $50 and offering similar cardiovascular benefits without the assembly headaches or storage compromises. On the higher end, walking pads generally cost much less than full-size treadmills and can even fit under a standing desk, with quality models available around $300. These offer adjustable speed, more natural movement patterns, and genuine convenience for apartment dwellers.

The Merach Stair Stepper falls somewhere between these options, offering more complexity than a simple stepper without the versatility and progression capabilities that would justify the premium price.

The Merach Stair Stepper represents everything right and wrong with TikTok fitness culture. On one hand, it's encouraging to see social media driving interest in home fitness and making exercise more accessible to everyone—including people without the room for a home gym setup. On the other hand, the misleading marketing claims reflects the problematic side of viral fitness trends. "Adjustable resistance" that simply doesn't exist, transformation promises that ignore basic exercise science, and a $149.99 price tag for what amounts to a basic bodyweight exercise device all point to a product riding hype rather than delivering genuine value.

If you're drawn to this device because of you've seen it on social media, take a step back and consider your actual fitness goals. For light cardio and core engagement in a small space, it certainly works. But for anyone seeking serious fitness results or good value for money, there are better options available. A quality mini stepper will give you similar benefits for half the price, while a walking pad offers superior versatility and progression potential for a bit more investment.