This Low-Impact Stepping Workout is a fun way to enjoy cardio in when the weather prevents you from getting in the pool or taking a walk outside. With or without a step, you will enjoy busting a move with Jackie Lebeau in this throwback to the good ole days of step aerobics.
Poolfit continues to expand the in-home fitness video category so that you don’t have to miss a workout when you can’t get in the pool. Currently, there are several in-home workouts to choose from, including low impact aerobics, chair exercise, muscle conditioning, yoga and more. The goal over time is to build a vast library of in-home fitness options that will make Poolfit a year-round option to exercise along with.
Step aerobics became wildly popular in the early 90’s. My group fitness career started in the mid 90’s when I was bribed into teaching step classes in exchange for a personal trainer position at a fitness facility in Rochester, NY. Clueless about choreography, music and fitness instruction, I attended every workshop I could in order to hone my teaching skills. Much of what I learned during that time period continues to influence my teaching to this day, including my preference for the add-on, pyramid and layering styles of instruction, which is how instructors were trained to teach step aerobics.
Low-Impact Aerobic Workout
The most important thing I want subscribers to take away here is that you do not need a step platform in order to enjoy this workout. When Jackie pitched this content idea, I was reluctant to give it the green light until she said you could do it without a step. The vision for the Poolfit in-home workouts is that they should all be low-impact, so that they are a suitable substitute for a water workout. Obviously, stepping up and down on a bench would be higher impact.
Stepping Options
If you do not have, or do not want to use a step, it might still be helpful to mark a spot on the floor so that you have a visual in order to better follow along with the step choreography. This can be achieved on a carpeted floor by simply placing a towel down as your marker. On a non-carpeted floor, such as tile or concrete, consider using a non-skid yoga mat or bath mat. For the video, we purchased an inexpensive yoga mat online and then cut the yoga mat to the specs of the original step platform, which was 40 inches (length) x 14 inches (width). Step platforms sold for in-home use tend to be smaller and so it is okay to adjust the size. Feel free to skip using any kind of marker at all if you don’t think you need the visual of a step platform.
Shoes
Jackie recommends cross-trainer athletic shoes, as opposed to running shoes. Cross trainers tend to be less rigid and better suited for the multi-directional movement of an aerobics class. They also have shallower grooves on the bottom for more seamless movement, as well as a wider toe box for increased comfort. WATCH Jackie talk about the Low-Impact Stepping options.
Practice Makes Perfect
Low-Impact Stepping is instructed with layering, which means Jackie offers options for intricacy. As explained in the blog for Aquatic Layers, the layer technique was originally used in step aerobics classes to better blend new students in with seasoned participants. With layering, a move is taught first in a more simplified manner and then options are provided to make the move more challenging. Subscribers are encouraged to take full advantage of the layering options. In other words, if you are less experienced with step choreography, stick with the simpler options. Regardless of skill level, practice makes perfect. Don’t expect to perform this routine flawlessly the first time you do it. I sure didn’t! The more you do it the better you will become and the more fun it will be.
As stated above, Poolfit will continue to expand the in-home workout category. If you have any suggestions for in-home workouts, please let us know?
Stay tuned! Three new water workouts are slated to post in January 2022.
January 4: Hard, Harder, Hardest with Jackie
January 11: StretchFlex 2 with Eliza
January 18: Unilateral Training with Stephanie