Step Up to Step Aerobics

Perhaps you have heard of the term “step aerobics”. It was popular some time back. To some people, step aerobics is a refined substitute for aerobic dancing. Are you still in for the groove of step aerobics? It may be quite some time since you have last done it. Step arobics is a great form of aerobic exercise, effective for the leg muscles, not to mention it's an awful lot of fun. In time to music, step aerobics is just a simple procedure of stepping up and down on a platform or a slightly elevated surface. Remember, you are doing aerobic exercise when your body works hard enough to increase the heart rate by more or less forty percent.

The first thing you need to do is to find a platform which measures around thirty (30) inches by fifteen (15) inches with the height of about four to twelve inches. It largely depends on how fit you are. Then alternately step up and down the platform. Let me explain the specifics of that. Landing at a particular point, step on the platform with one foot. Then take the other foot next to it. Then in a different place you step down with your feet taking turns. Be sure that you are raising your body up as you get on the step.

Get those creative juices flowing as well. Do other movements to go along with this procedure to make you it more interesting and to hype you up. You may think that step aerobics is simpler than aerobic dancing because it looks like it and there aren’t many movements to learn and do. But actually, step aerobics is more strenuous than aerobic dancing. Because rather than moving your body around, step aerobics would require you to carry your weight up. The instructor has the prerogative whether to increase or decrease the intensity of the procedure. Since step aerobics definitely is a form of aerobic activity, it is a tremendous boost to your health and fitness.

It will make you less likely suffer heart problems as it strengthens your heart. In fact, step aerobics is known to boost “good cholesterol” and reduces your overall cholesterol level as well, as suggested by some credible sources. Do not expect step aerobics alone to help you lose weight, though. As with any exercise, it has to be coupled with dieting. There has been an eight-week study on a number of women who did step aerobics and it proved that step aerobics has a lot of positive benefits but that excludes losing extra pounds. Is it all good? This form of exercise has its own detractors, just like jogging.

For one thing, you are straining your delicate knee joints while stepping up and down on a block. In fact, if you do it so strenuously, your joints may be damaged. There are many factors to consider whether you are fit and capable to do step aerobics. Step aerobics is allowed as long as you are young and healthy. But it is not a good exercise to consider if you are overweight and middle-aged. There are other better aerobic exercises. Old-fashioned ones like vigorous hill walking, cycling or roller skating and swimming are probably still the best ways of doing aerobic activities.