Keiser M7i Wheelchair Stepper

Keiser began by designing a machine compact and portable enough that it could be manoeuvred into retirement home hallways and living areas so that residents using wheelchairs or scooters would be able to roll up and exercise. Many people with lower mobility want to stay active, and keep their body fit, but it can be difficult with traditional fitness equipment to find a machine that will work for them. Keiser’s commitment to inclusivity—always designing products with the user in mind—set them on the path to creating the M7i, which is now a full-blown rehab machine. Users are able to pedal, or step, with resistance generated from Keiser’s magnetic technology, and get the feeling of ascending real stairs. The 20cm stroke matches closely the height of actual stairs, so is a great way to get a realistic rehab experience. The digital magnetic resistance is smooth yet powerful, ensuring a low-impact workout in terms of strain. As well as the stepper feature, the M7i has arm handles for an upper-body workout, so you can get a full-body exercise session.

The M7i comes with a simple, stripped-back workout console which displays real-time workout statistics. Its interface isn’t complicated with buttons or less important stats, just one screen with the vital metrics included. Without the need for buttons, the console has less chance of wear and tear. Large lettering and a high contrast makes the console very easy to read, and it displays stats such as calories burned, steps climbed, heart rate, and elapsed time.

The stepper can be connected to one of the many workout apps and services it’s compatible with. The free Keiser M Series App will help motivate you with real-time workout data, with more extensive metrics and colourful, easy-to-understand visualisations. Guided sessions which range in duration, difficulty, and format allow you to target the right kind of workout for your needs. You’ll also be able to track your progress over time, and you can even sync the M Series App to Apple Health and Strava.

Also included as standard are foot stability straps and leg stabilisers, which help to keep the user’s feet safe and secure in place in the pedals. As well as this, there’s also wrist stability straps which achieve the same function with the upper body trainer, keeping the hands fixed to the handles. The wrist straps also mean those with difficulty gripping will be able to push and pull the machine using their palms.