Beginner or Slow Step Aerobic DVD
 

Hello everyone. I need advice as to picking out a slower beginner step aerobic DVDS. My coordination and ability to step is a bit slow, however back twenty years ago it seemed as the step aerobic DVD had a better pace for beginners. Cathe is much too fast for me to keep up with.

I have a few Leslie Sampson DVDs, but I am looking for the step aerobic workouts.

I really need advice to which ones might be appropriate for me.

Thank you so much for your input. :sun:

Can you still play VHS? I think I still have Leslie Sansone's step aerobics dvd. I'd be glad to send it to you (free) if I can find it.

You may like Gin Miller's "Everybody Steps" dvds. Also check Kathy Smith's old step workouts.

Take care,
Sherry

definitely the old vhs step workouts are the best! Back in the day- you didn't pivot, hop over, leap over, those moves were considered dangerous!
Richard Simmons Step
Cher step-led by Keli roberts, still a dear favorite of mine, I still do it
The old Step Reebok led by Gin Miller!also Best of Step Reebok,
If you look at the reviews searching for step you will find many
Of the current step workouts on dvd- I would suggest Katarina Hunters step workouts as easy to follow and not too advanced.
Some of the Firm Body Shaping BSS sets have quite a bit of step in them,regular step and high step. Fat Blaster has some good step portions.

This one is very basic and good for starting back. Her Simply Step, Classic Moves is a little step up in terms of choreography.

Gilad's step video is pretty good.

Debra Mazda has a step dvd that I found relatively easy to learn.

Thank you Sherry, I will PM you.

I didn't know Richard Simmons made an old step aerobics tape.

Long ago I had an ancient Susan Powder vhs that was a nice pace. I don't remember the name of it ??? It was pretty easy to use. Anyone know??? Maybe I could replace it.

I appreciate any and all information on the tapes or DVDS. I do have a vhs player that I can use. :sun:

Rosepetals,

Mary from Total Fitness carries the Susan Power DVDs. Although it is not mentioned in all of the descriptions, several do use a step (see the clips)
http://www.totalfitnessdvds.com/Sear...h=susan+powter

I used to love this workout!! I haven't done it in years... I may dig it out and do it soon. Thanks for the reminder of this great blast from the past!:)

What is the name of the Cher step DVD? Thank you.:D

The old Cher VHS is called Cher Fitness: A New Attitude.

I L-O-V-E this workout!

Aaron:)

As a choreo klutz, I second the recommendations for Gin Miller's "Everybody Steps" DVD and Richard Simmons' "Step and Sweat" VHS. These were two that I found manageable and enjoyable when I did step workouts (have since gotten rid of my step). BTW, Richard Simmons only leads parts of his step workout, two instructors from his studio lead the bulk of it.

Don't completely discount Cathe. Her Basic Step and Body Fusion should fit the bill. It was my first Cathe and I still do it with a higher step. She cues and I think it is actually basic. This is one that I can't imagine giving up.

Loved Reebox the Video with Gin Miller. I did it so much I gave it up last year.

Richard doesn't lead but talks all the way through the workout, lol when he cries out - I LOVE tap up /tap down I just fall over laughing, In the Cher step there are so many fabulous lines- perhaps my favorite is "We look like the drill team from hell"- the music is so rocking in this one-mostly sung by Cher.
love!

Some simpler step workouts that I like are Kathy Smith's Buns and Thighs workout (an oldie but goodie) and Gilad's Step workout (also old, but I like it). newer one that is also good is the Debra Mazda step workout.

Kathy Smith's Step Workout is a good basic step tape that is available on dvd.

Thank you !!! Those workout ideas sound great. I will look for them on Amazon. I feel like a clutz, lacking coordination when I do workouts, but those sound perfect. :sun:

Another vote for Gin Miller's Everybody Steps; this one is about as basic as any step workout and Gin breaks each move down.

Kari Anderson also has Go Step Workout for Beginners. This one is slightly more complex than Everybody Steps, but I think Kari cues this one well enough a beginner could pick it up easily.

I struggled with this one - took me a long time to figure out the "Around the World" move. Yes, I am that klutzy.

I will have to keep my eyes open for these. Thanks again for all the ideas. There are so many I have to try out. Keep the ideas coming !!!:D

What about Gilad's Step Aerobics it says it's intermediate/advanced but I find it very easy to follow because it has basic step moves and does them for quite sometime. The only thing is is that it isn't mirror cued. When Gilad says start with the right foot he starts with HIS right foot which would be your left but once you get use to that it's easy.

I am uncoordinated when it comes to step aerobics but after I mastered Cathe's Basic Step I moved on to this one and I love it.


...Cheryl

What about doing step with a Leslie? Modifying the moves to a step? *In my mind* that seems like it'd be a pretty easy transition...

I know some people have used the Powerfit dvds with a step (where Stephanie uses the band on the floor, just adding your step).

Shapely Girl workouts are very basic, and I believe she has a step video.

I agree that Gilad workouts would fit the bill.

Also check YouTube, put in "basic step workouts" and see what comes up.

Both Gilad Step Aerobics and Kathy Smith's Step Workout have very basic choreography and are easy to follow. I haven't done KS in a while but I do Gilad's pretty often and it isn't beginner level intensity. However it is broken into combos so you can easily do a shorter workout. IIRC the KS one is the same. I believe it is OOP now so it is a bit spendy IMO, about $20 on amazon.
I L:love:VE Cher's step workout!!! So much fun.

Rosepetals - I think the Susan Powter tape you might be thinking of is Lean Strong and Healthy, that is the one with the step aerobics. Burn Fat and Get Fit has step aerobics and strength training intervals. Lean Strong and Healthy is available used at Amazon, you can pick up another copy for about $5 including shipping.

Other suggestions already mentioned here are Kari Anderson's Go, Gilad Step Aerobics, Debra Mazda Let's Get Stepping. I also like Cathe Friedrich's Basic Step, though that one can be a little tricky.

Kathy Smith has a few step workouts on DVD that are good, but they are becoming harder to find. My favorite is Power Step, there are 2 girls who do all low impact, I just follow them.

I really like Jane Fonda's 2 step workouts but they are only available on VHS.

HTH...:)

I will check my library's book sale cart next time I go there. I know they had Susan's step tape for 50 cents the last time I was there. If no one bought it, I will pick it up for you, and mail it with the Richard/Leslie vhs tapes. I will probably go there on Monday. They don't always have the vhs cart out-they put it out sometimes during the week if a volunteer is there to collect the money from sales. I'll let you know.

Take care,
Sherry

Another vote for Cher Fitness: New Attitude. I L:love:VE this one!!! It has great music. I wish it would come out on DVD.

Another good one of Keli Roberts is The Ultimate Step. It's a VHS.

Buns of Steel 7- Step Workout with Tamilee Webb. I don't know if it's out on DVD yet.

I learned to step with Step Reebok The Video (available on DVD) and Jane Fonda's Step Aerobic (VHS only, to my knowledge). They're both great for beginners without getting too slow or boring.

Way back in the day, Cathe and Christi Taylor used to be tops at cueing. Christi's Humble Beginnings DVD set includes her CIA 5004 step segment which is only 30 minutes and easy to do - she breaks everything down very well. What's nice about the DVD is that once you get better at stepping, you can move on to her 7002 workout (intermediate) and 9801 (advanced) all in the same set.

Cathe's Classics Vol. 1 includes Step Max which is also easy to follow, thanks to her good cueing, as long as you can stand a little whooping.

I heard that Buns of Steel 7 is supposed to be on Classic Buns of Steel Volume 3, along with Thighs of Steel and Buns of Steel 4. I don't know when it's going to be released though. I have and like Buns of Steel 7 though.

I had the other 2 Volumes, but traded them into Amazon. Out of the 6 workouts, I only really liked Abs of Steel and Buns of Steel 5, both of which I was able to copy to a DVD, but it's not a pressed one. I guess I didn't think it made much sense to keep them.

Regarding Jane Fonda's step workouts, they are both VHS. I thought that Jane was supposed to be releasing more of her workouts onto DVD this year. So far, that hasn't happened. I am really hoping she does though. I really want both of her step workouts and Lower Body Solution.

LOL! A kindred spirit! I was so proud when I figured out "around the world" but that was the extent of what I was able to get!
One I would suggest that I haven't seen mentioned yet is Karen Voigt's Energy Sprint. The clothes are a bit dated but you can still get it on dvd at collage and it is one of my favorites when I feel like stepping.
I also agree about all Kathy Smith's old step workouts. I love Power Step and Great Buns and Thighs the most.

So many choices !!! I will have to make a shopping list. Thank you again for all the ideas.

Nekea Brown's- Absolute Beginners Step and Dance!
Cathe-Basic Step!
Mission Possible-Christi Taylor!

I agree. Mission Possible Step is such a fun workout, but easy to learn.

I used to have this when it first came out. I loved it! Now that I have a VCR again I'll have to keep a look out for it. I know my 7 year old would LOVE the clothes Cher is wearing in this!

Confession: I am a poor stepper and don't find it that much fun (;)). That said, my keeper collection of can-do step consists of:
DVD
Debra Mazda's Let's Get Stepping (fun, easy routine, good music)
Gilad's Step Aerobics
Gilad's Step & Tone
Kelly Coffey-Meyer Cardio Blast (so fun but I often do it on the floor, hehe)
Gin Miller's Step Reaction (you choose the BPM)
Cathe's Basic Step
Susan Powter Lifestyle Exchange Burn Fat
Susan Powter Lifestyle Exchange Circuit Training

VHS
Weight Watchers Step & Sculpt
Cher's A New Attitude
Keli Roberts' Real Fitness Total Body Circuit Training
Keli Roberts' Ultimate Step

If you - anyone - would like Jane Fonda's Step and Abdominals on VHS, I have it available on my donations pile!

I would go with Kari Anderson's Go Step and Christi Taylor's Mission Possible. Especially Go step--easy, fun and Kari is great. I still do this one occasionally.

I did the step portion of the Cher workout last night. Hadn't done it in years!! Sooo much fun. The clothes...the comments Cher makes throughout the workout...and the music...all fun. This is the only step workout that I've ever enjoyed. :) Can't stand any of the current step stuff, and I guess I like this one because it's pretty basic and that's right up my alley. Still worked up a sweat, though.

As a side note, I just realized that Dori Sanchez, the one in the video who doesn't use a step, is an occasional choreographer on "So You Think You Can Dance". She usually choreographs the disco dances.

Like Gina (Lucky Star), I don't find stepping that much fun. However, I only do low impact high intensity cardio, so, for indoor workouts, my choices are limited on pure cardio days. So it's a nice option. Also, I have to be very careful with step because years of intense running and high impact stepping in the 90's made me prone to recurrences of plantar fasciitis.

After 14 years of trying nearly every step workout out there, here are my favorite, easy-to-do follow workouts which can also provide a surprising cardio challenge, depending on the number of risers used:

1. Energy Sprint (Karen Voight)
2. Gin Millers' Reebok Step Circuit Challenge* (and Power Workout*);
3. Denise Austin's Ultimate Fat Burner*;
4. Charlene Prickett.

* Some light weight training is thrown in the intervals, so you'll need a pair of dumbbells.

(I also like Cathe's Low Impact Step and Low Max and Kathy Smith's Fat Burning Breakthrough, but that simply won't work for you.)

For some reason, I found Gilad and Kathy Smith's other step workouts too uninteresting. However, years ago, I encouraged DH to try Step & Tone, and he really liked it a lot. It's easy to follow but deceptively hard!

Anyway, thanks for bringing this topic up. I just ordered Debra Mazda's workout because I love the music on her clip, so it's nice to know she's been recommended here. :) And somehow Mission Possible slipped by me, probably because I associate Christi Taylor with too much choreography. She has great music, too!

Gilad is on youtube for free. It looks like a whole step workout broken up into parts.

Which Kathy workouts are step workouts? I haven't used any of her stuff in years.

Thanks. Does anyone do Petra step workouts. What are they like for a beginner?:sun: