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When I first received the Merach Mini Stepper, I had visions of yet another bulky piece of exercise equipment taking over my already cramped Brooklyn apartment. You know the drill—another “compact” fitness gadget that somehow still manages to become the uninvited focal point of your living room, judging you silently from the corner.
As I wrote in my initial review of the Mini Stepper, I think this device is best viewed as an “anti-sedentary tool,” rather than legitimate exercise equipment—perfect for those modest fitness goals or anyone trying to sneak in gentle movement throughout the day. But here's the real question: Does it actually disappear into your living space without becoming an eyesore? At 14.57″L x 13.39″W x 7.28″H and weighing 14.3 pounds, it's certainly portable enough to move around.
After living with this little guy for several weeks, I put it to the ultimate small-apartment test: finding hiding spots that actually work. If you're going to grab one of these devices but aren't sure whether it'll integrate into your space, maybe this will help.
Successful hiding spots for the Merach Mini Stepper
After some trial and error (more on the errors below), I found five sweet spots where my little stepper device fits well.
Between my living room furniture
My mini stepper, my roommate's ornate chair.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
The living room turned out to be my go-to home for this guy. The Mini Stepper slides perfectly into that awkward gap between furniture that usually just collects dust bunnies. It's easily accessible when I want to get some steps in while educating myself on some classic movies. When I'm done, it's out of the way. The narrow profile means it doesn't interfere with foot traffic, and I can pull it out one-handed when the mood strikes.
Under the bed (Storage bed edition)
Behold all my crap.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
My bed lifts up for storage, so this might not work for everyone. But if you have a platform bed or decent clearance, the Mini Stepper slides underneath surprisingly well. The 7.28-inch height means it fits under most standard bed frames with room to spare. It's completely out of sight and easily retrievable when needed.
Under my desk
Full disclosure, I did move my trash can out of the way for this photo.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
This is where the Mini Stepper really shines as an office-adjacent tool. It fits perfectly under my desk, and if I had a standing desk, I could actually use it while working—though I wouldn't recommend trying to type anything important while stepping. The compact footprint means it doesn't interfere with my desk chair's movement, and it's right there when I need a break from sitting.
Where the Mini Stepper couldn't hide
A few of the hiding spots in my apartment were promising, but not quite up to the task of storing my Mini Stepper.
Next to my roommate's PS4
You can see the Mini Stepper juts out way too far here.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
I had high hopes for this one, but the Mini Stepper is just slightly too wide and tall for most entertainment center cubbies. It looked awkward and blocked access to gaming systems and cable boxes. Unless you have an unusually spacious media console, skip this spot entirely.
What do you think so far?
Next to my roommate's shoes
This just doesn't look right.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
The idea seemed logical—it's foot-related equipment, after all. But the Mini Stepper's bulk was too much for my modest my shoe rack. It also looked a little ridiculous, like I was trying to exercise my footwear.
The mysterious gap next to my refrigerator
My white whale…
Credit: Meredith Dietz
Known as “the crevasse,” this gap between the refrigerator and kitchen wall is my white whale. This maddening sliver of space seems designed for storing something useful. That something is not the Merach Mini Stepper. It's about two inches too wide to fit—so close, yet so far.
The verdict on hiding your Mini Stepper
The Merach Mini Stepper does live up to its space-saving promises. It's genuinely easy to move around and tuck away.
So, yes, for the $50 price point, it delivers on portability and storage convenience. Just remember what you're getting: a tool for gentle, anti-sedentary movement rather than serious exercise equipment. If your fitness goals are modest and you primarily want something to counteract extended sitting, the Mini Stepper's hide-and-seek capabilities might justify the investment.
For anyone with more substantial fitness ambitions, that $50 might be better saved toward adjustable dumbbells, quality resistance bands, or a month's gym membership. But if you're committed to the mini stepper life, at least you know it won't completely take over your small apartment.
