Step Aerobics Routines

Aerobics has always been proffered by many as a fast and effective method for losing weight. If you are looking to maximize the calorie burning in your aerobics workouts, then it is time to introduce step aerobics into your regular aerobics routine. Step aerobics are a newer version of the traditional technique of aerobics. Step aerobics routines are distinguished from other forms of aerobics exercises by its use of an elevated platform called the step and that the workout goes vertically by situating the entire routine around the step that you continuously step on to and off from.

Benefits of Step Aerobics Routines

Step aerobics follow the same standard as other aerobics activities, through a series of steps and arm movements that are set to music. But since step aerobics has the advantage of an elevated platform, it not only raises the number of calories burned but also intensifies the effects in your legs and buttock muscles. Besides these, the exercise form is also gaining popularity because of step aerobics and benefits which leads a person to a healthier and a fitter self. Though step aerobics are one of the easiest ways of exercises, they provide the same fat burning benefits a cardiovascular exercise would provide. Also, it has been found that the step aerobics helps in increasing the good cholesterol in the body and also reduces the bad cholesterol of the body. And the best part is that step aerobics have wide range of exercises that are suitable for all ages. Besides all these, it not only provides the body with strength, flexibility and endurance, it also helps in reducing the stress of a person.

Step Aerobics Workout

Step aerobics are something that you can do at home with the help of workout videos or there are lots of gyms where there are classes for all levels from beginners to advanced. It's important to always do a warm-up and cool down with a step aerobics exercise routine. This prepares your muscles and your heart for the more intense part of the routine. As you are stepping onto your platform during your workout, make sure you keep your head up and your shoulders back to avoid injury to your lower back. Step onto the platform solidly with your entire foot, and step down close behind the platform instead of lunging backwards. To add an upper body workout to your step aerobics routine, you can use free weights for your arms, This is also beneficial to tone your torso.

The basic step aerobics involves the A-step, Charleston and diagonal steps. Once you are thorough with these three beginner step aerobics routines then you can mix and match them to make your own exercise routines.

A-step: The A-step is the most basic step that you will need to learn for any simple step aerobics routine. Basically you have to place one foot and then the other on top of the step and then stepping the first foot and then the other back to the floor. The right-basic-A-step would involve stepping right foot up, then returning to the floor alternating right then left.

Charleston: The person stands at an angle to the step. The left foot is nearer to the step than the right foot. The right foot is placed on the step. The left foot is placed near to the corner of the step and the knee is raised or kicking or tapping is done. The left foot is moved to the initial position. The right foot is brought down from the step and lunged backwards.

Diagonal: The person stands along the length of the step at one corner such that the step is towards his left. The left foot is placed at the center right of the step. The right foot is placed at the top left of the step. The left foot is placed on the floor near the corner of the step that is diagonally opposite to the initial position. The right foot is placed adjacent to the left step. The above procedure can also be performed by replacing left by right and vice versa.

Other simple step aerobics routines include the following steps -

• Basic Step
• Corner knee
• Repeater knee
• T-Step
• Over-the-Top
• Lunges
• V-Step
• Straddle Down
• L-Step
• Split Step
• I-Step

While step aerobics are great for toning the lower body and burning calories, they are considered high impact workouts even though they are great for toning the lower body and burning calories. So, if you have problems with your knees or ankles, a step aerobics routine might not be suitable for you.