Following various strict training programmes has its benefits from time to time, but ultimately you need to get up and do the exercise yourself. Simple pieces of equipment such as this step can make a huge difference when it comes to making the extra little bit of effort, and there are a few products like it on the market.

This step is quite basic in appearance, roughly a metre long and deep enough to easily place your feet on with a small amount of space in front of and behind them when you're stood on it. The idea is to step on to and then off of the step at a predetermined pace and number of reps in order to do aerobic exercise, get your heart pumping and just do that little bit extra.

This step allows you to do this quite easily, as it has a number of stackable parts to the base that means you choose how high or low you want the step to be. The bases are very sturdy, stacking securely and with a gripping rubber like base to stop it from slipping on the floor. Some similar products move a bit if you increase the intensity of the exercise, whereas this one has yet to slip when I have been using it.

It feels as if there's a certain amount of give in it as well, making the steps less jarring while still providing enough support to make a sturdy step each time. The plastic polymer ensures this physical state and it makes it a reliable product to use. In terms of storage, the leg bases all come off, and the top will stand up straight against a wall if you like, or slots easily under the bed.

Overall, this is a quality product, and at around the £20 mark it may not be the cheapest but the reliability makes it worth the price. The reassurance the quality gives you is enough to justify this price for me, and with the quality of the product, I'm happy to have it. Recommended.