Step aerobics is gaining popularity all around the world as it can help you to tone the muscles of your thighs, legs and hips. The step aerobic session helps you burn maximum calories to help you achieve a slim and trim body. For performing these exercises, an elevated platform known as the step is used (the height of the step is adjustable). These days various fitness centers and gyms are organizing step aerobic classes especially for women.
Why Aerobics Exercise
Aerobics exercise is the optimum way to raise your heart rate, burn fat, and tone your muscles. You can choose from a variety of options, from running and walking to aerobic machines and classes. You can dance, run, walk or hop your way to a fitter body. As your body becomes accustomed to the routine, you’ll want to find ways to add more intensity to the program. A good way to step up your routine is to add step aerobics moves. The great thing about step aerobics is you can find ways to intensify your workout with limited cost and space involved.
Step Aerobics
Step aerobics routines follow the same principle as other aerobic activities using continuous activity through a series of steps and arm movements that are set to music. A step aerobic routine is different because the workout goes vertically, by situating the entire routine around a small platform that you continuously step onto and off of. Not only does step aerobics increase the number of calories burned, you will also intensify the effects in your leg and buttock muscles.
Using a step or platform provides a little more boost to your cardio workout with a more intensive form of workout. Another great advantage of step aerobics is it’s a low impact activity and does not result in the joints stressing as do other activities, such as running or jogging. In fact, when it comes to stress on the joints of the leg, step aerobics are similar to walking.
Essential things to keep in mind about the Step Aerobics fitness program.
- Use of the platform
Step aerobic is really beneficial for all the parts of your body. In this fitness program usually a raised platform is used which can be four to ten inches in height according to your requirement. This structure is made from polyurethane or wood and you can increase its height by placing one step on top of the other. - Step aerobics and music
If you really want to enjoy the exercises to the fullest you must accompany the fitness program with some great music. The music tempo should be of at least 125 to 150 beats per minute to achieve a good workout. If you want you can also hire a trained professional trainer for performing the different exercises. - It is rhythmic and continuous in nature
Step aerobics would only benefit you if you are performing it in a rhythmic and continuous manner. The exercises that are performed in this session are very similar to the exercises that are used in floor aerobics. The exercises help in enriching your lungs, heart and cardiovascular system in an efficient manner. Your heart muscles are also strengthened with the help of step aerobics. - Good level of intensity
If you really want to tone your muscles with step aerobics it is important for you to perform the exercises with good intensity and stamina. One should work out frequently for at least one hour to achieve the maximum results. - It is suitable for the people of all ages
Step aerobics is suitable for the people of all ages. Each participant can perform the exercises at their own pace and skill level. In order to reduce weight with the help of this fitness session you must drink a lot of water and must also control your diet.
This is beneficial for your mind, body and soul and it also helps in toning your muscles and strengthening your heart.
Benefits of Step Aerobic Routine
The benefits received from step aerobic routine is an excellent cardiovascular workout and the strengthening of the lower body muscles. This raising and lowering of the body utilizes the large muscles of the lower legs.
A step aerobic exercise routine can be compared to jogging or running in cardio benefits, but without the associated stress placed upon the joints of the knees and ankles. In addition, step aerobics are often choreographed with upbeat music and can the accomplished either in the company of other enthusiasts, or in the privacy of your home.
The workout moves aren’t hard to master, and can be easily accomplished by the newest newcomer to aerobic exercise. A beginner can start by stepping up and down from the four-inch platform. You can add variety with different steps, music and the addition of arm movements. The level of intensity of the workout is completely variable, and can be set to the skill of the participant. For example, you can adjust the step platform in two-inch increments to be higher than the beginning four-inch mark. A higher step will mean a higher level of difficulty. You can adjust the music tempo to include more beats per minute which will result in an increase of aerobic moves in a session. You can also incorporate arm movements and even add free weights to give your upper body a more intense workout as well.
One important rule of thumb however, is to never increase the intensity of your workout until your current level becomes easy to complete. Trying to accomplish too much too soon will only result in sore muscles, and possibly the need to take some time off from to heal.
When performing your step moves be watchful of your posture. Keep your head up, shoulders back, and your back straight while stepping up and down from the platform. Place your entire foot solidly on the platform when stepping up. Place your foot directly behind the platform when stepping down. Always begin your routine with a warm-up and finish off with a cool down. These steps are extremely important in protecting your body from injury.
Step Platform: Buying Step Aerobic Equipment
There are a lot of different options to choose from when it comes to buying a step aerobic equipment to start doing your aerobic exercises.
Different types of Step Platforms are available, lots of different colors to choose from, and plenty of features and options to choose from.
Here are a few things to consider when buying this workout equipment.
Stair stepper exercise equipment: Sometimes people prefer this type of equipment. It is safer for certain exercises. You can stack on top of each other (several levels high) to increase the height and intensity of your workout. The star stepper (machine) will most likely give you a better workout than the platforms will.
The step platform comes in a variety of heights, starting with four inches. If you are a beginner, this is probably the height to start with. The size goes up from there in two-inch increments, and will be determined by your comfort level and experience. If you decide to try step aerobics in the privacy of your living room, you can buy the platforms for around fifty dollars. There is also a huge variety of video and DVDs to choose from. This type of workout is actually well suited to a home routine, since it does not take much space and it is easy to do in front of the television.
If you want to buy step aerobic equipment that will give you the best workout, do consider these factors.
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