I'll be the first to admit that I don't get as much exercise as I used to, especially in the winter months. In the Summer I am happy to spend time outdoors in the garden doing physically demanding jobs but when it is cold ouside I do tend to be quite content sitting in front of the fire.

Cardiovascular exercise is also known as areobic exercise and is any sustained, rhythmic activity that involves large muscle groups. It makes the heart and lungs work harder as the body's need for oxygen is increased. Previous generations used to get lots of cardiovascular exercise in the days before we used cars to get everywhere and had a vast range of power gadgets around the home and workplace to do most of the physical things for us. We have to some extent become lazy and unused to physical exercise so many people are now seeking ways to get more exercise - I am no exception.

• Increased energy levels
• Reduced stress and improved mental health (due to the release of endorphins in the brain)
• Increased heart and lung efficiency
• Reduced blood pressure and resting heart rate which in turn reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack.

So, having convinced myself that I needed to do something about getting some more exercise to benefit my general health and wellbeing, I needed to find a way to do it. I considered jogging but in the winter in the rural area where I live it is quite dangerous along the narrow country lanes so I discounted that in much the same way as I did cycling for the same reasons. I do not like swimming so that really only left either joining a gym or exercising at home.

So I looked around for something to meet my needs - it needed to be compact and easy to store, not too expensive, easy to use, not too noisy and effective.

Whilst shopping in Tesco one Saturday morning I spotted the One Body Side Swing Mini Stepper. It looked like it might fit the bill - it was relatively small and not too heavy, it cost just under £35 and was very straightforward to use and remembering my days in the gym I did recall I had been quite happy on their step machines and that is important because if you don't like a piece of kit you will not use it regularly.

I unpacked it from its box and quickly glanced at the instructions. Basically there was nothing much to do to prepare it for use. Just twist the knob between the foot pedals to the right amount of resistance to suit you and then place each foot on a foot pedal and you are ready to go. Put your weight on each foot in turn and you are away with your first exercise routine. I also discovered an added bonus - leave the box on its side for just a few minutes and it becomes a great hiding place for the cat (why is it cats love empty boxes so much?)

The manufacturers suggest that you start with 12 minutes exercise and then gradually increase it from there. Given that you can adjust the degree of resistance you should be able to adjust this equipment to suit your indivdual needs and level of fitness. It might not be the most exciting piece of exercise equipment around but it does do the job quite well and, in the couple of months I have had it, I have noticed increasing levels of fitness and a firming up of hips and thighs.

Yes I would - but only as part of a wider system of exercise. The One Body Side Swing Mini Stepper on its own will not give you total fitness as it does nothing for the upper body. It will help you to achieve a cardio vascular work out and it will exercise your lower body but it isn't a complete exercise machine. However the fact that it is small and compact and almost silent in use means (certainly in my case) that it is more likely to be used than put in another room and ignored. However if you live near some great outdoor space where you have easy access to exercising facilities them perhaps it is not for you?