Step aerobics is a kind of aerobics which involves stepping onto and out of an ele-vated platform. It is usually performed in various gyms and health clubs. It can also be done at home with the help of an exercise video or just on one’s own. Step aero-bics was first introduced in the 1980s when aerobics began to be popular across the world.
The step/platform
The elevated platform is portable and may take a number of shapes including rec-tangular, circular and square. It may be made up of any suitable material but in most gyms and health clubs, it is mostly made from plastic. The kind of plastic used in this case is the nonslip type. This helps in ensuring the safety of those who are working out. The height of the platform can be modified to meet individual needs by placing objects which make it rise underneath it. The platform is often around 4 to 12 inches high.
Step aerobics session
A typical session of step aerobics involves choreographed movements up and down the elevated platform. Music is played during a step aerobics session in order to help with the movements and coordination.
What parts of the body does step aerobics focus on?
Step aerobics mainly focus on working out the cardiovascular system, the lower body and the upper body. Step aerobics combines cardiovascular exercises with strengthen training and for this reason, it may involve intense workouts. The workouts involved include squatting and movements such as V-step, hop turn, jumping jack and others.
Benefits of step aerobics
Step aerobics has a number of benefits to one’s health, physical fitness and general wellbeing. These benefits are as follows:
Cardio benefits
Step aerobics involves a workout of the cardiovascular system. This helps to keep the heart pumping and to strengthen the heart muscles. It also helps in lowering the cholesterol levels in the blood and thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis. In addition, the cardiovascular workout helps in lowering the blood pressure.
Weight loss and fitness
The movements involved in step aerobics helps one’s body to burn a lot of calories and thereby shed off excess weight. The up and down movements also help in coor-dination. On top of these, movements like squatting help in leg strength. The fitness achieved through step aerobics can help one in other activities which call for fitness such as sports and dance.
Muscle building
Step aerobics is a form of strength training exercise. Strength training exercises usu-ally aim at building muscles by overloading it with weight-bearing workouts and this is what step aerobics does. Weight-bearing increases every time one goes up the platform during a step aerobics session. Step aerobics therefore helps in toning muscles and this is especially true for the lower body parts and the butt. Aside from building muscles, step aerobics also helps in building physical endurance.
General wellbeing
Step aerobics is important for general wellbeing as it helps one to stay in good form psychologically. The music which is played during a session of step aerobics helps to keep one in a good mood. Endorphins are also released during step aerobics workouts and these hormones help one to feel good. They also help in relieving stress.
Things to consider about step aerobics
As a beginner in step aerobics, you should take care not to use a very high platform as it may result into injury or complications. You should at least start with a 4 inch-es long platform. Also, if you need to lose weight then you should choose high im-pact step aerobics.
