How often do you do step workouts?

[Vintage VFer]

I did a step workout the other day and realized that I rarely do step workouts anymore. Some of them bother my knees. I used to do step fairly regularly.

When I was a new VFer I tried some of Cathe's step workouts and had the worst time following them. And, that is back when she actually used to cue. It doesn't help that I have mild dyslexia.

My favorite step video is Kathy Smith's Better Bun s & Thighs. She cues well, the pace is reasonable and it seems like just the right length. I should pull that one off the shelf again. I also like Tim Culwell. I like The FIRM Cardio Step Mix although the cueing is hit-or-miss.

How often do you do step workouts? And how much has that changed over the years?

[laurajhawk]

Every seven years, I try one to verify that I still hate them with the fire of a thousand suns. This behavior has held steady for about 21 years (before that I'd never done one).

I did one last year, so I'm clear for a while.

[kat999]

Most workouts that use steps in an aerobic way have dancey moves that are needlessly complex. I prefer to use a step as a weight tool--like the tall box in various FIRM workouts (either to sit on for seated upper body or doing step ups for lower body) or using a traditional aerobic step for Jari Love's lying chest, pecs, and triceps work. I also have a video I don't mind that came with my aerobic step that's actually mostly Pilates based.

A million years ago, I took a class branded as step aerobics class in college, but it was taught by a professional ballet dancer, and he turned it into more of a barre/ballet/Pilates class. Much better. Frenetic step aerobics with complicated moves and dangerous step up/down that get boring once you master the combination are just dreadful. Steps can be great tools for strength and balance, and that's how I prefer them to be used.

[Karen Beckwith]

Originally Posted by laurajhawk

Every seven years, I try one to verify that I still hate them with the fire of a thousand suns. This behavior has held steady for about 21 years (before that I'd never done one).

I did one last year, so I'm clear for a while.

Ha! That's funny, Laura!

I used to do step workouts all the time. Loved 'em! But I have to admit I haven't done one in quite a while. I guess I feel like I can get the cardio with just floor aerobics without dragging out the step.

[desderata]

At least once a week. I like Cathe’s Low Impact Challenge, some of her really old ones, KCM Stepboxing, Kathy Smith’s Power Step, Gin Miller’s Intense Moves, Firm’s Cardio Step Mix. I love step for cardio. I have to lower it to 6” now and avoid twisty, torquey movements to keep my knees happy, but I still love to step.

[bubbles76]

Unless I'm in the middle of a specific rotation, I do step aerobics once a week. I would go for twice, but my knees can't take it. It's my favorite form of cardio

[noodles]

Lol Laura that's hilarious! I hold the same hatred for step that you do unless it's purely athletic with absolutely NO dancey coordinated moves whatsoever which would basically be a workout using a step 😄
Jamie

[sbh]

I use to teach step classes. After I quit teaching, I did many step dvds. I had to give it up for many years because my low back just could not handle it anymore. I recently started doing one step workout each week and so far my back is ok. I like to do easy step workouts and add in my own variations.

[frogribbit]

I recently got back into doing them and re-discovered the reason I stopped in the first place. My plantar fasciitis flairs up if I do it too much So now it's once a week.

I think I started doing step again because I'm sick of all of the HIIT workouts. What happened to just good aerobics?? I don't want to do jumping jacks & burpees all of the time.

[owltx]

Originally Posted by bubbles76

Unless I'm in the middle of a specific rotation, I do step aerobics once a week. I would go for twice, but my knees can't take it. It's my favorite form of cardio

This.

I *adore* step aerobics for cardio; fun, usually good music, engaging, not just drills. But it is once a week for me these days. I love Seasun, Cathe, Amy Bento, Christi, Rob Glick. Doing an old step workout I have done so many times is like seeing an old friend again.