Everybody has one exercise that the love, for me it's Step Aerobics. Step Aerobics became popular in the late 80's, early 90's when everyone at the gym looked like Olivia Newton John in the "Get Physical" video. Here is that video for your view pleasure, sorry about the ad. Does anyone else remember when the Internet was free? But that's another soapbox for another day
Step Aerobics is great because you can set your own level starting with no step at all and you can burn anywhere from 300-600 calories depending on your step level and impact approach, low impact (meaning no bouncing around) to high impact (jumping around the step like a rabbit on hot coals.)
Having a fun Step class depends on three things: A good instructor, fun music and a good handle on knowing your right from your left. I am, how would you say, "directionally challenged." My first Step class was embarrassing. I was all over the place, partially because I didn't know the moves, but mostly because I have a mental disability to be able to know my left from my "other left." When the class was over, everyone in the class gave me encouraging words, shared the stories from their first time, and urged me to keep coming back, which I did.
After a few weeks I could follow the routines, and after about 3 months I was able to complete the routines without stopping! Most of the Step Aerobics classes that were available at my gym have been replaced with Spinning or Zumba or some other "en vogue" workout, but Step is a great way to burn calories and build endurance. There are plenty of DVDs out there but it's really hard to follow a Step instructor on DVD because they are facing you, and if you're like me the whole "right/left" thing is blown totally out of the water making it impossible to follow.
If you are able to find a Step class here's how to prepare:
- Drill yourself on how to walk up and down a single step.
- Develop a taste for dance/party music, the kind where dude is hanging his head out the window because it's too loud in his car.
- Get good sneakers. Be it low or high impact, it's still Impact so wearing good sneakers will protect your knees and feet from getting injured, Plantar Fasciitis anyone?
- Know that it will take a few classes to get acclimated and learn the moves.
- Bring a water bottle and a towel, because there will be a lot of sweat involved with this workout.
That is pretty much it! Hopefully you get a chance to try a Step Aerobics class before it goes away with the leg warmers it came in with.
Next post: "Don't drink your meals."