The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Seated Stepper is a combination exercise bike/stepper. It is also known as the XTERRA RSX1500 Recumbent Stepper.
Offering a total-body low-impact workout, it’s an excellent choice if you can’t decide whether to get a stepper or a recumbent bike, as you will essentially get both in one relatively compact, money-saving unit.
Noteworthy features of this model include a broad range of resistance level options and programs, a comfortable seat, a generous user weight limit, and an excellent warranty.
Keep reading this XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Recumbent Stepper review to learn its specs, key features, pros, cons, and more.
Table of Contents
Who does it suit?
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Seated Stepper suits those seeking a versatile fitness aid offering low-impact workouts.
Its dual-functionality makes it a great choice for anyone who doesn’t have the budget to buy two separate machines or the space to house them.
A wide variety of resistance levels and preset programs make it ideal for individuals wanting to vary their workouts. It’s also ideal for people of different fitness levels or goals to share
A walk-through frame and liftable handlebars enable easy access to and from the seat, making it an excellent choice for people with balance issues.
Its comfortable saddle will suit individuals who need to exercise seated, while its linear pedals could be helpful for people with arthritis or painful hips and knees.
NB: Anyone with joint problems or arthritis should check with their doctor before starting a new fitness program.
Or click here to visit XTERRA Fitness and see their full fitness product range.
About the Manufacturer
XTERRA Fitness is a leading fitness equipment brand that offers a wide range of exercise machines and accessories designed to help users achieve their fitness goals.
The company is known for producing high-quality, durable fitness equipment suitable for home and commercial use.
XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Seated Stepper Specs
Assembled dimensions – Assembled, the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 measures 52″ (L) x 30.25″ (W) x 49.5″ (H)
Clearance – For safe, unrestricted workouts, allow a free space of at least 2′ to the dies, front, and rear of the machine
Seat to floor distance – The seat is located 24″ above floor height
Handlebar to handlebar – The gap between the handlebars is approximately 29.5″
Weight – The machine weighs 132 lbs
Flywheel – its flywheel weighs 22 lbs
Step range – It has a 13″ step range
User weight – This model has a 300-pound weight capacity
User height – The manufacturer recommends it for individuals from 4′ 7″ to 6′ 2″, with users a few inches taller also leaving positive feedback
Color – It comes in black
Overview
Drive –
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Recumbent Stepper operates through a belt drive system, so you will never need to add lubrication. It has an internal bi-directional flywheel.
The machine is motorized, so it requires a power source. The socket is in the front base, which is something to consider when deciding where to situate the unit.
The electrical cord is approximately 6′ long.
Build & Finish –
This fitness aid has a robust steel frame with a durable painted finish that is corrosion, scratch, and chip-resistant.
Its seat rail is chrome, and the drive and resistance system covers are durable ABS.
Stability, Smoothness, and Noise level –
The weight of the XTERRA RSX1500 Seated Stepper and its rear base adjustable stabilizers make for very stable sessions with no rocking, tilting, or unwanted movement, even if used on slightly uneven floors.
The magnetic resistance and drive systems deliver a fluid, whisper-quiet, pedaling motion with minimal vibration no matter how hard or quickly you exercise.
Further adding to the smoothness is the 22 lb flywheel, which is quite weighty for a fitness aid in this price bracket.
Resistance –
This model has 24 eddy current resistance levels, giving you the power to make minor adjustment increases as your fitness grows.
The lower levels offer resistance suitable for beginners, Warm-Ups, and Cool-Downs. Levels 20 and up should suit most intermediate to advanced-level athletes.
Resistance changes are automatic when using the built-in programs. You can also manually change the resistance by pressing a console button.
The next part of this XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Recumbent Stepper review covers the programs.
Programs –
With 24 programs on offer, 13 being presets, the others are Heart Rate and User created. This variety lets you mix and customize your workouts and target different fitness aspects.
The programs include Rolling Hills, Fat Burn, Valley, Ramp, Steps, Plateau, Interval, Obstacle, Off-Road, Fasttrek, Climbing, and Hill.
The other programs are Watt Control and Target Heart Rate, and there are 4 preset Heart Rate options and 4 User Profiles available.
When using Watt Control, your resistance level will automatically change if you alter your speed, so your session is constant.
Target HR enables you to choose your desired target heart rate, with the computer changing the resistance when needed so that you stay in that zone.
The preset Heart Rate programs allow you to work at 55%, 65%, 75%, or 85% of your target zone.
The User Defined programs enable you to create four different programs and save them to access again later.
With the Manual program, you can jump aboard and pedal, customizing the resistance and incline levels on the fly if desired.
There are also Recovery and Body Fat functions.
The Recovery program provides details on your fitness.
The Body Fat function calculates your body fat percentage based on details you enter, including your gender, weight, height, and age.
You can change the parameters of most programs; however, you can’t alter both the Time and Distance of an individual program.
To change a value, select a program, then press Enter. The Time setting will flash, and you can then use the Up or Down key to add or deduct extra time, then press Enter to set it.
Continue to adjust the other parameters in this fashion, and when you have finished the customization, press the Start/Stop key to begin your workout.
Monitor –
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Seated Stepper has a backlit, easy-to-read blue and yellow text 5″ x 2.5″ (5.6″ diagonal) LCD screen. This shows multiple workout metrics simultaneously for a comprehensive overview of your 
sessions.
Pulse sensors in the stationary handlebar enable you to track your heart rate during workouts.
A Bluetooth-enabled HR monitor will not work with this model; however, the console’s HR receiver works with a 5kHz telemetric chest strap-style heart rate transmitter.
Seat –
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 has a large, ergonomic, contoured, well-padded recumbent seat that most buyers consider comfortable even for extended sessions.
The seat’s cover is soft but sturdy vinyl.
It adjusts fore and aft to accommodate people of different heights.
Adjustments are made by lifting a lever on the right-hand side beneath the seat, then sliding it along the rail. You can do this before or during your workout.
The mash seatback allows airflow to keep you cooler during long, hard sessions. Its position is fixed.
The durable frame is polypropylene,
Pedals –
Standard size, textured, slip-resistant self-balancing pedals have adjustable, ratcheting safety straps to securely hold your feet in place.
A linear motion feels natural and comfortable and helps prevent joint stress.
You can pedal backward as well as forwards.
Handlebars –
The RSX1500 Seated Stepper has two sets of handlebars.
A stationary set attached to the seat’s sides houses the pulse sensors. These fold up, enabling easy access to and from the seat.
The movable handlebars have length-adjustable arms offering multiple grip positions.
Adjustments can be made before or during workouts by sliding the handgrips along the arms, which have numbers to facilitate matching the settings on both.
Articulating grips have 360° rotation to target different muscles or find the most comfortable position.
Transport wheels –
Transportation wheels built into the front base enable the unit to be moved easily if required.
Accessories –
An AUX port at the bottom of the console can be used to connect a smartphone or tablet and play your favorite sounds through the sound system, which comprises two small speakers at the top of the console.
A device holder located between the display screen and the console is large enough to hold a smartphone, tablet, or another device.
This model does not have a USB charging port. There isn’t a water bottle holder, but it would be easy to attach one.
Assembly –
The machine arrives partially assembled. In the box, you will find the tools, hardware, and illustrated instructions for finishing the job.
All you will need do is attach the front and rear stabilizers, the arms, pedal bars, pedals, seat, seatback, rail, and adjustment lever.
You will then need to connect the console mast and insert some cables.
This takes most people upwards of two hours. Having a second person help will make for a more straightforward job.
Warranty –
This model comes with a lifetime warranty for the frame and brake, 3 years for parts, and 1-year for in-house labor.
The next sections of this XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Recumbent Stepper review look at its pros, followed by its cons.
XTERRA RSX1500 Seated Stepper Infomercial
Pros
- Being two machines in one, the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 represents excellent value for money
- It offers a total body workout
- This model suits people of most weights, heights, and fitness levels
- Being easy to access and exit, it suits people with balance issues
- Workouts are smooth, stable, and super-quiet
- Its 24 levels of magnetic resistance accommodate people of most fitness levels
- The 24 preset programs cater to a variety of fitness goals
- Pulse sensors allow you to track your heart rate
- A large, easy to read backlit LCD shows useful workout metrics, enabling you to track your progress and set new fitness goals
- Most reviewers have stated that the seat is comfortable
- The flexible seatback allows air to pass through for more pleasant workouts
- Weighted pedals’ with a 13″ linear motion reduce joint stress
- It comes with two sets of handlebars – one movable, the other stationery
- The adjustable, rotating handlebars that move with you offer comfort and enable you to vary your upper body workouts
- Transport wheels enable the unit to easily be moved
- The RSX1500 Seated Stepper has a sound system and an integrated device holder
- It comes with an excellent warranty
Cons
- The XTERRA RSX1500 Seated Stepper does not fold to store
- There isn’t an integrated water bottle holder
- The pedals are smaller than those of some similar fitness aids but safe to use, with a comfortable movement
Final Thoughts on the XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Seated Stepper
The XTERRA Fitness RSX1500 Seated Stepper has a lot going for it.
It’s suitable for people of most heights and weights and may also suit individuals with joint and stability issues.
It is user-friendly, and it offers comfortable, low-impact, stable, smooth, super-quiet workouts and more than enough programs and resistance levels to enable most people to improve their fitness now and well into the future. In fact, most people will never outgrow it.
It delivers excellent value and an outstanding warranty.
If you’re in the market for a robust and reliable machine that will enable you to burn calories, increase your heart health and stamina, and tone your muscles and would like to find out more, click on the link below to visit Amazon.
Not sure if it’s right for you? Click here to read reviews of other hybrid fitness equipment.
