STORE FINDER
STEPR TREAD and STEPR Classic Reviewed by CrossFit Games Champion Jason Khalipa
Jason Khalipa has spent years training on all kinds of gym equipment. In two short reviews, he covers the STEPR TREAD and the STEPR Classic stair climber: what sets them apart, and what they do for his training.
STEPR TREAD review
STEPR CLASSIC review
In these Reviews:
- Who: Jason Khalipa, former CrossFit Games champion, BJJ black belt and Rogue athlete
- On the TREAD: The belt keeps running when he steps off, has Quickpace presets and he can move quickly from one speed to the next
- On the STEPR Classic: Longer cardio sessions with a ruck or weight vest, and leg stamina for hiking with family
- Built for: Runners, HYROX and CrossFit athletes, and serious home gyms
Who is Jason Khalipa?
Athletic Achievements
Business and Fitness Projects
Jason on the STEPR TREAD
Jason opens by giving the STEPR team a shout out for solving two problems he says he has seen in the fitness space for about 20 years.
Problem one: the belt that stops
When he was travelling or training at a regular gym, Jason would jump on a treadmill for an interval. Then he would get off to do push ups and thrusters. By the time he got back on, the belt had stopped automatically.
He says STEPR solved that. The belt keeps going while he is off the machine, so the interval stays moving.
Always follow the safety guidance in your owner's manual when stepping on or off a moving belt.
Problem two: slow speed changes
His second problem is waiting for the belt to speed up as you creep into an interval. Jason points to the preset marks on the console for your speed, plus a mode that goes quickly from one speed to the next.
That is Performance Mode, a feature on the TREAD range that changes speed faster than standard treadmill operation. It pairs with QuickPace™, which puts 22 pace buttons on the console in minutes per mile or minutes per kilometre.
What this fixes for intervals
| Interval frustration | Most treadmills | STEPR TREAD |
|---|---|---|
| Stepping off for a strength block | The belt stops and needs restarting | Per Jason, the belt keeps running |
| Jumping between paces | A slow ramp between speeds | Performance Mode changes speed faster |
| Finding your target pace | Scroll through miles per hour | 22 QuickPace™ pace buttons |
| Ongoing cost | Varies | No subscription needed |
Jason on the STEPR Classic
Jason calls the stair climber one of his favourite forms of cardio in the gym. In his video he is on the STEPR Classic.
He and his family like longer sessions. He grabs a ruck or a weight vest and goes for 20 to 30 minutes of solid cardio. He says it is a great way to build leg stamina, which helps when you go hiking with your family. Then you can zone out, lock in and get a great workout.
He also pitches it as an addition to what you already do. If your routine has a rower, a bike and a treadmill, the STEPR Classic is another option.
Here is what the machine offers:
- Original design. The Original STEPR, built for home stair climbing from beginner to advanced.
- Compact. A space saving footprint that fits through standard doorways and needs only a regular 8 foot ceiling.
- Step. A floating Stadium Step that fits almost any foot size.
- Console choice. Classic LED console, or the connected STEPR+ with a 27 inch HD touchscreen.
New to stair climbing? Try the 45-7-6 stair climber session, or compare the whole range in our range comparison.
Two treadmill sessions to try
Both sessions come from the problems Jason describes. Use paces that suit your own fitness.
Run and lift. Run one minute at a hard but controlled pace. Step off and do 10 push-ups. Repeat for eight rounds.
Pace ladder. Run two minutes at an easy pace, two minutes at a tempo pace, then one minute fast. Use your QuickPace™ buttons to move between them. Repeat four times.
Which STEPR suits your goal
| Your goal | Start with |
|---|---|
| Pace based running and intervals | TREAD PRO or TREAD XL |
| Longer, steady state vertical cardio at home | STEPR Classic |
| If you want efficiency, variety and scaleability | A STEPR Classic plus a TREAD |
Tread Range Comparison
| TREAD PRO | TREAD XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | Light commercial | Full commercial |
| Top speed | 13.7 mph (22 km/h) | 15.5 mph (25 km/h) |
| Running deck length | 63 inch | 63 inch |
| Running deck width | 22.8” | 24.4" |
| Incline | Up to 15% | Up to 15% |
Both TREADs connect over Bluetooth to Runna, Strava, Garmin, Zwift and Kinomap. Not sure which machine fits your space and goals? Take the FREE STEPR Matchmaking Quiz below. To see how the TREAD range was designed, read how pace based training redefines running.
Where to buy the TREAD
Shop the full STEPR range, including the TREAD PRO and TREAD XL, on our collections page.
STEPR is also stocked by Rogue Fitness, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Johnson Health, Scheels, Canadian Tire and our other retailer partners.
Want to see a machine in person? Our Store Finder shows where to find a STEPR near you.
More STEPR CLASSIC & TREAD videos
Built for Runners, By Runners. A full walkthrough of the TREAD.
STEPR CLASSIC VS STEPR PRO CLASSIC with Dan, Co-Founder of STEPR.
FAQ's
Who is Jason Khalipa? Jason Khalipa is a former CrossFit Games champion, a BJJ black belt and a Rogue athlete. He recorded video reviews of the STEPR TREAD treadmill and the STEPR Classic stair climber.
What did Jason Khalipa say about the STEPR TREAD? He named two favourites. The belt keeps running when he steps off between efforts, and the TREAD changes from one speed to another quickly, which suits interval training.
What did Jason Khalipa say about the STEPR Classic? He calls the stair climber one of his favourite forms of cardio. He uses it for 20 to 30 minute sessions with a ruck or weight vest, and says it builds leg stamina for hiking.
What is Performance Mode on the STEPR TREAD? Performance Mode lets the TREAD change speed faster than standard treadmill operation. It helps with interval and HIIT training, where you move between paces often. It is built into the TREAD PRO and TREAD XL.
Does a STEPR need a subscription? No. There is no membership or subscription required, US customers have financing options with Affirm, subject to approval, and the option to use HSA or FSA funds through Truemed.
Explore the Full STEPR Range | Find out about VPR Technology | FREE STEPR Matchmaking Quiz | Discover More STEPR Blogs and Helpful Tips | Invest in STEPR
[Or Click the Button Below to Shop Now]
STEPR Blog posts
Win a $3,300+ Home Gym Set Up With Any STEPR Purchase (48hrs left)
Win an $8,000 Sisu Sauna With Any STEPR Purchase This October Only
Any STEPR purchase this month enters you into the draw for a Sisu barrel sauna worth over $8,000. Here is who this giveaway is built for and how to train and recover with both.
Every Question You Have About the STEPR TREAD Answered
Back to School: How Parents Are Reclaiming Their Fitness With the School Run
The Equipment System Cameron Hanes and Joe Rogan Actually Workout With
Joe Rogan called it "the Echo Bike, but times two." Now Cameron Hanes is training with STEPR VPR™ in a hypoxic wellness studio. Here is what they are using and why the world's most relentless athletes keep choosing it.
Why STEPR Expanded our Range and Built on What Already Works
STEPR was built on a simple premise: the most effective training modalities already exist. The question was never "what to invent from scratch" it was "how do we bring genuine innovation to what already works". Here is why the range looks the way it does.
Home Cardio Machines: Why Value Beats Price Every Time
Why the Stair Climber Is the Hybrid Athlete's Secret Weapon
STEPR Community Surpasses 500 Million Steps: A Milestone Worth Celebrating
Why the UFL Chose STEPR to Train Its Professional Athletes
The 45-7-6 Stair Climber Workout: What the Science Says
