Many people don't actually like to exercise. If you are one of them, you're not alone. There are lots of ways to exercise in front of your television or with a book in hand, though, so don't give up on being active. One of the simplest tools for this market is the exercise stepper.

Generally, exercise steppers are plastic stool-like objects that may or may not be able to be adjusted height-wise. Their purpose is just to serve as a surface for you to step up on, and they are typically just the right size for you to do so. But if you don't want to buy a stepper, the bottom stair of a staircase can be almost as effective, although you won't be able to change the height.

Steppers are great for toning your buns and thighs, so if this is your goal, it's a great workout idea. The basic step exercise is obvious-- while facing the step, step up onto it with one foot, then the other, then step off the same way. Watch your posture during all step exercises.

A simple variation of the basic step is the one-legged step. In this exercise, you step up like you would in a regular step-up, but instead of placing the second foot beside the first, you simply stop in the one-legged standing position, and then step back down onto your free leg. Remember to alternate legs.

A knee raise step up is somewhat like a one-legged step up, but once you raise your free leg off the ground, instead of just coming to a standing position on one foot, you raise the knee of the free leg until your upper thigh is parallel to the ground. Then you lower your free leg past a standing position and step back down onto the floor.

A stair step will not work for performing a step-over-- you'll need a stepper. To do this exercise, stand next to your stepper and step sideways onto the platform with one foot. Follow with the other, then step down one foot at a time on the opposite side of the stepper. This exercise makes the muscles work in slightly different ways, so it is good for variety.

A raised step box calf exercise will help tone your calves on your exercise stepper. Position yourself beside the stepper and place one foot on the surface, toes pointing slightly out. Then raise your heel off the stepper while leaving the toe in place, and slowly lower it back down. Repeat.

Choosing how long and how hard to work on the stepper depends on your fitness level and what you want from it. 10 minutes of moderately-paced stepping is great for a warm up or cool down, while sixty seconds is a good length of time for incorporating stepping into your circuit training. If you need more of a challenge, pick up some hand weights while you step.