Using Risers for Step Aerobics

"The basic step used in step programming is a four inch bench. Four inches. If we place it on top of risers, it will increase the intensity of the program. Each riser is two inches so this is a bench that is six inches high. I have the option to increase up to about twelve inches or where my knee would not go past a ninety degree angle. So in certain instances, the step is used in sculpting classes to do lunges on to, or squats off of the bench. In our program today we're just going to use this six inch bench. We also use music in step class as one of our motivating factors. You will have a great instructor with great choreography, but music really makes the program. The step tempo and safe range recommended by the fitness industry is about 128 beats per minute so it's not real fast, it's not real slow. It's very comfortable because the step does become an obstacle to step up and off of. You don't want to take your step music tempo too fast because people might trip over it. Safety is our number one factor and effectiveness of programming. Step is used for cardio-vascular programming and also used for props in many of our sculpting and strength training classes."