Treadmill-style stairstep exercise machine

A stair-step exercise machine, comprising:

• a frame;
• first and second rotary members rotatably mounted on the frame, wherein the first rotary member is mounted above and forwardly of the second rotary member;
• an endless member engaged with the first and second rotary members;
• a plurality of steps, wherein each of the steps comprises a generally vertically-disposed riser panel and a generally-horizontally disposed treading panel, wherein a rearward edge portion of the treading panel is pivotally attached to an upper edge portion of the riser panel, and wherein each step is mounted to the endless member, with the lower edge portion of the riser panel and the forward edge portion of the treading panel being pivotally mounted to the endless member, thereby forming an endless chain of steps that follows a travel path around the first and second rotary members;
• and
• a resistance control unit attached to the frame and operatively associated with one of the first and second rotary members, the resistance control unit being configured to impart a selectable resistance to the rotation of the first or second rotary member, thereby providing resistance to the movement of the endless member;
• wherein the riser panel of each step is configured such that each step is between about 4 and 7.5 inches in height.