The Sole SC200 Gives You An Elliptical and Stepper in One

The SC200 Stepper is the first hybrid machine offered by Sole Fitness, one of the most popular brands in home fitness.  

With an elliptical and a stepping machine combined, you get the best of both worlds to enhance your workout results.

Let's jump into our expert reviews of this new compact trainer to see if it's worth buying for your home gym...

Sole SC200 Stepper - What You Get

The SC200 features a 7.5" white backlit LCD display showing all of the important workout stats such as distance, calories, time and resistance level.  

A number of touch buttons allow you to make changes on the go.

Let's take a look at the important specs...

• Low impact workout
• 10 Workout Programs
• Polar Chest Strap and Wireless Heart Rate
• MP3 jack + speakers
• 330 lb. user weight capacity
• Dimensions/Weight: 60"H x 56"L x 18"W - 330 pounds
  
• Eddy current brake system
• 7.5" LCD Console
• Warranty – Lifetime frame, 3 yrs parts and electronics, 1 yrs labor

The Word on the Street

UPDATE: As of our latest review the SC200 has been discontinued. Check out our Sole elliptical reviews to find a comparable model.

The Sole SC200 has received good reviews so far from experts in the industry, as it offers the intensity of a stepper with the low impact of an elliptical, giving you the best of both worlds.  

As such it is much different than the typical Sole elliptical, and targets different muscle groups.

Sole has always focused on design and function over features, and the SC200 has managed to deliver a stepper that is easy on the joints.  So you can really get a solid calorie burning workout in without worrying about having any discomfort afterwards.

You get 20 different resistance levels to choose from, and you can monitor your heart rate via the contact grips or with a wireless chest strap for more accuracy.  The latter is great for the heart rate based workout programs.

The articulating, custom-designed foot pedals are another hallmark of the Sole brand, reducing stress and providing a more natural, comfortable feel.

Another plus that many users have noted in their reviews is the small footprint, which makes this elliptical/stepper hybrid ideal for smaller spaces.  At only 56" long, it's over 25% shorter than the typical elliptical machine.

As of this writing, the SC200 did not have the Bluetooth capability for workout tracking, but we're sure it's on its way as all of the other elliptical models currently have that capability.

How do the Sole Steppers Compare to the Regular Ellipticals?

There are two main differences between the steppers and the ellipticals.

The most noticeable one is the size of the machine, as we mentioned above.  The SC200 takes up much less room than a traditional elliptical, so it's great for those who have limited space in their home gyms.

The second major difference is the fact that it's two machines in one.  It's an elliptical and a step machine combined into one, so it's even better for the lower body and arguably a more intense cardio workout.

The best part is you still get the nice display, smooth feel and even the incline capability, as well as workout tracking...so there's nothing that you're sacrificing with the smaller size.

So choosing between the two is a matter of deciding what kind of workout you are looking for...a regular elliptical routine or more of a stepper motion for more leg muscle targeting.

Note that there is also an up-level Sole SC300 Stepper, an upgraded version of the SC200 with more features and capabilities.

Sole SC200 Stepper Review - Bottom Line

If the idea of a stepper/elliptical combo appeals to you, then the SC200 is about as good as it gets for workout effectiveness and ergonomic design.  

At about $899 on sale, it's a great value for what you are getting.

The recent Bluetooth addition allows you to track your workouts through the Sole app and other popular fitness apps.  That way you can monitor your progress and really take your results to the next level.

Consider the up-level SC300 model also, and take a look at the traditional elliptical lineup from Sole as well to see how the machines compare.