10 Best Walking On Stepmill Alternatives for Home & Gym

The Walking On Stepmill is done standing with a machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Potty Squat With Support, the Arms Apart Circular Toe Touch and the Jump Squat.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Walking On Stepmill

Walking On StepmillPlay demonstration
Primary muscle
Glutes
Equipment
Machine
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Glutes, Calves

How to perform Walking On Stepmill
  1. Adjust the stepmill machine to a comfortable level.
  2. Step onto the machine and place your hands on the handrails for support.
  3. Start walking by placing one foot on a step and then the other, alternating between legs.
  4. Maintain an upright posture and engage your core muscles.
  5. Continue walking for the desired duration or distance.
  6. Gradually increase the intensity or speed as you become more comfortable with the exercise.
  7. Remember to cool down and stretch after completing the exercise.
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Ranked Walking On Stepmill Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Walking On Stepmill on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Plank

    1. Plank

    55% match
    • Abs
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the abs rather than the glutes.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Get into a prone position on the floor, supporting your weight on your toes and your forearms. Your arms are bent and directly below the shoulder.
    2. Keep your body straight at all times, and hold this position as long as possible. To increase difficulty, an arm or leg can be raised.

    Sets and reps: Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, 3 sets.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: abs, not glutes
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: lying face down, not standing
  2. Best match
    Potty Squat With SupportPlay demonstration

    2. Potty Squat With Support

    50% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

    Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the glutes with bodyweight alone.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing slightly outward.
    2. Hold onto a stable support, such as a chair or wall, for balance.
    3. Lower your body down into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
    4. Keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement.
    5. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
  3. Arms Apart Circular Toe TouchPlay demonstration

    3. Arms Apart Circular Toe Touch

    50% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms extended to the sides.
    2. Keeping your legs straight, bend forward at the waist and reach down towards your toes with your right hand.
    3. As you reach down, simultaneously lift your left leg straight up behind you, maintaining balance.
    4. Return to the starting position and repeat the movement with your left hand reaching towards your toes and your right leg lifting up behind you.
    5. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
  4. Jump SquatPlay demonstration

    4. Jump Squat

    50% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
    3. Jump explosively off the ground, extending your hips, knees, and ankles.
    4. While in mid-air, quickly bring your arms forward for balance.
    5. Land softly on the balls of your feet and immediately go into the next repetition.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walking On Stepmill
  5. Lunge With JumpPlay demonstration

    5. Lunge With Jump

    46% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Take a step forward with your right foot, lowering your body into a lunge position.
    3. Push off with your right foot and jump into the air, switching the position of your feet mid-air.
    4. Land softly with your left foot forward and immediately lower your body into a lunge position.
    5. Continue alternating between lunges and jumps for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walking On Stepmill
  6. Hands Clasped Circular Toe TouchPlay demonstration

    6. Hands Clasped Circular Toe Touch

    45% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands clasped together in front of your chest.
    2. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
    3. Lower your hands towards your toes in a circular motion, reaching as far as you can without straining.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Hold for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat 2 or 3 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
  7. Basic Toe TouchPlay demonstration

    7. Basic Toe Touch

    44% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms by your sides.
    2. Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your knees slightly bent.
    3. Reach down towards your toes with your hands, keeping your legs as straight as possible.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Hold for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat 2 or 3 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
  8. Hands Reversed Clasped Circular Toe TouchPlay demonstration

    8. Hands Reversed Clasped Circular Toe Touch

    44% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended to the sides.
    2. Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your knees slightly bent.
    3. Reach down with your hands and clasp them together behind your legs.
    4. Slowly raise your hands up and over your head in a circular motion, keeping your legs straight.
    5. Continue the circular motion until your hands touch your toes.
    6. Reverse the motion and bring your hands back down to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Hold for 30 to 60 seconds and repeat 2 or 3 times.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
  9. Monster WalkPlay demonstration

    9. Monster Walk

    44% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place a resistance band around your ankles.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly bend your knees.
    3. Take a step to the side with your right foot, maintaining tension on the resistance band.
    4. Follow with your left foot, stepping to the side to return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walking On Stepmill
  10. Bodyweight Drop Jump SquatPlay demonstration

    10. Bodyweight Drop Jump Squat

    44% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
    3. Jump up explosively, extending your hips, knees, and ankles.
    4. While in mid-air, quickly bring your feet together.
    5. Land softly on the balls of your feet and immediately drop back into a squat position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cardio machine
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Walking On Stepmill
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Walking On Stepmill

Walking On Stepmill FAQ

What muscles does Walking On Stepmill work?

Walking on a stepmill primarily targets the gluteus maximus through repetitive hip extension while the gluteus medius stabilizes the pelvis. The quads, hamstrings, and calves assist during the step and push phases, making it a compound, cardio-focused movement.

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Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology