Exercise Steps

Exercise steps, also called aerobic steps, will give you a fun, versatile, full-body workout. With an exercise step, you can strengthen your major muscle groups as well as achieve a great aerobic workout.

Exercise steps are extremely versatile in function, and you can perform a variety of exercises. Most exercise steps include risers that go underneath so you can lower or raise the step to suit your needs. A multitude of exercises and routines can be performed with the help of an exercise step. A good way to learn routines is to purchase a DVD to follow along with at home or join a step aerobic class.

An exercise step will help improve your overall health and wellness by improving your strength as well as your cardiovascular health.

Strength Training
Using an exercise step will strengthen and condition all the major muscles in the lower half of your body, including quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. Once you begin regularly using an exercise step, you will probably notice that your legs have become stronger and more toned. At first, your muscles will be very sore from the constant stepping action. After a while though, you will become stronger and you will get used the routine. You may want to increase the intensity of your workout or raise the height in order to continue improving.

By performing arm movements along with the leg movements, you will also strengthen and tone your upper body as well. Consider holding small dumbbells or putting on wrist weights to increase the intensity of your workout.

Cardiovascular Health
Your heart will get pumping in no time at all during an exercise stepping routine. Imagine how hard it is to quickly walk up several flights of stairs in a row. You will get in a terrific aerobic workout with an exercise step. If you add in arm actions with the leg movements, you'll get a better, more efficient aerobic workout.

There are several different brands of exercise steps available for purchase. Prices and models will vary between the different steps. Here are two recommended versions:

Step Home Trainer Aerobic Step
This exercise step is perfect for beginning and intermediate steppers. It has one set of risers and can adjust for two different heights: 4 inches and 6 inches. It is almost 2 ½ feet long and just over 1-foot wide. It is very durable but also lightweight and very portable, making it easy to pick up and move around and store away once you're done. No assembly is required; all you need to do is add the risers underneath the step when you feel you are a ready for a bigger challenge. The non-skid surface helps with stability. It comes with a lifetime warranty and includes an exercise DVD by premier step aerobic instructor Cathe Friedrich. Price will vary slightly depending on where you purchase it from, but the average price is $49.99. You can also buy this same quality step with extra risers for an even bigger challenge.

Reebok 5 Step Aerobic Step
The Reebok Step is great for steppers of all levels. It has five adjustable heights: 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 inches. A non-slip surface on top will provide a safe, sturdy platform during even the most vigorous stepping. The surface is also soft for low-impact stepping and to minimize tension on the knees. Non-skid feet at the base protect floors and help keep the step in place. The platform is just under 2-feet long and almost 1-foot wide. It can hold up to 250 pounds of weight. Average price for the Reebok step is $58.99, although price may vary depending on where it is purchased.