Step v. Walking

[Sara1000]

I've been doing a lot of brisk walking this year, including steep hills. This has been virtually my only form of cardio besides the occasional Hiit workout.

This morning I did Cathe's Athletic Step but modified everything to low impact as I am still protective of my right knee. I had forgotten how much a low impact step workout, even done with no risers as I did this morning, gets my HR up. Too bad this style or cardio is no longer very popular.

Who here still does step and what are your favorite ones?

[bubbles76]

I still do step and I love it . My favorites are as follows:

• Amy Bento ASC2
• Petra Kolber The Last Step
• Cathe Party Rockin' Step
• Christi Taylor Step Heaven
• Christi Taylor Totally Cool Step

There are many others I haven't tried yet, and some that didn't make the list, but the ones that are true standouts are on that list. I hope I never have to give up step. It's my favorite form of indoor cardio.

[mabyrd1]

I love step and it is A LOT of my cardio because it is sooo fun!! My favorites are usually Cathe and Christi.

Cathe
Rockin Step Party 2
Rythmic step
Cardio Classics (3 different older steps)
Power Max


Christ
Totally Cool step 1 and 2
Stepsential

Jeannie

[Paula N]

I probably do step about four times a week or so. It is my main form of cardio.

I agree with Bubbles list, although I personally could not get the hang of Amy Bento. Step Heaven is just about a perfect step workout, in my opinion. Both the Party Rockin' Steps are great.

I also love:

• Kari Anderson Body Tech
• Marcus Irwin Topless Blocks
• Seasun Zieger Rock Steady Step
• Kristen Kagen Step This Way
• Patrick Goudeau Step My Way
• Rob Glick Amazing Step Styles
• anything by Rebecca Small

Actually, I should just stop here. I could probably add another twenty, but I think these are classics.

[Lucky Star]

Sara I find it interesting you brought this topic up, because I recently pulled out all my step videos and am slowly getting used to them again. Never liked step much - because for me it's HARD! - but it gets me sweating and my heart racing like fast walking just can't.

My step videos are super easy, no-choreography-required ones. Still tough to me, lol.

[Sara1000]

it gets me sweating and my heart racing like fast walking just can't.

These were my thoughts exactly, Gina. Which ones are you doing?

I also wish I would have asked at the beginning - how many risers do you use?

[Lucky Star]

I am a wuss. I use *no* risers. The long step bench I have is the defunct Super Step which is 5 inches without any risers:


When that feels too high (if a workouts moves too fast for instance), then I go down to my shorter Home Step without risers, which is 4 inches.

My step videos on DVD:
Kathy Smith: Step Workout
Kathy Smith: Great Buns and Thighs
Debra Mazda: Let's Get Stepping
Gin Miller: Reebok Step - The Video
Cathe: Basic Step
Cathe: Body Fusion
Cher: A New Attitude
Gilad: Step Aerobics
Gilad: Step and Tone
Kelly Coffey-Meyer: Cardio Blast
Kathy Kaehler: Workout Class

On VHS:
Donna Richardson: Step & Awesome Abs
Weight Watchers: Step and Sculpt
Keli Roberts: Ultimate Step
Keli Roberts: Total Body Circuit Training
Jane Fonda: Step Aerobic & Adominal Workout

I am old school, all the way.

[Emily B]

I really miss doing step workouts because that was my first fitness love! I lost my nice full size step bench in my move a couple of years ago, and I just haven't had the budget to replace it. I love Christi Taylor's step workouts - the more complex the choreography the better! Maybe one day I'll get another bench!

[PennyK]

My favorite is Susan Powter Moving on VHS.

[bubbles76]

Before I got hurt, I was using two sets of risers on each side. I had to go down to no risers for a number of years. I've only recently gone up to one set of risers. I probably won't go any higher, for fear of aggravating my hip. I do use two sets of risers on Cathe's LIS series, as it's quite low impact, but anything with impact it's one set or no risers.