Fitness Videos - Curious about STEP aerobics!

Just HOW brutal are they, and what DVD's would you recommend?
:D

Your first few go's can be tiring so don't put any risers on the step for a few months at least. It's not "brutal" but there are tapes out there with VERY complex moves!

For a beginner at your weight I'd suggest something like "Go Step for Beginners - Kari Anderson" (my favorite) or Kathy Smith or if you want REALLY basic there is "Everybody steps" by Gin Miller... but to be honest I find the older ones (2nd two I metioned) a bit dated and boring.

I love Go step and it was my first tape and I was just slightly heavier then you when I started there is even a heavy girl on the DVD that shows a few modifications. Just don't get frustrated if you miss moves the first few times through. I still have trouble with that one "Around the World" move!

Anything by Cathe is going to be Really Advanced. I have her Basic Step DVD but I haven't tried it yet.

-muse

Thanks for the info...goodness, I just looked at Step Benches on collagevideo...$100?! :tied:

I got mine on Craigs List for $10! They aren't super easy to find though since Step isn't that "In" right now. I had to look around for a cheap used one for a few months before I found it. Its fairly fun and a really great workout though.

I got my step at Target for $25.00. It came with Cathe's Basic Step. It's pretty straight forward. It did take me a couple of times through to not mess up, and the first time I did it I felt like a total ******. However, now I can do the whole tape and not miss any moves. I love it!!! It makes me feel strong! I also have Gilad's Step Aerobics tape, but I haven't done it yet. I've heard it's really good though. If you want really basic, Leslie Sansone (from WATP) has a step tape. It's older, kind of cheesy, really basic, but kind of fun!

Have fun with it! It takes some time to get the moves down, but it's not that brutal, and can be lot's of fun!! Hope this helps!

I've gone through Cathes Basic step tape twice now. Definately more tricky then the oter beginnger tapes I have but not too far off from the Kari Anderson one. ALMOST getting that around the world thing down now! Heh.

Those Target steps are a great deal especially with the Cathe DVDs costing so much. $25 isn't the regular price for that step though. It's usually around 40 but it comes with other things in the package (don't remember off hand what) I was looking at buying it before I found my used one. Its a little smaller and not as sturdy as the normal gym sized step, but it'll do the job.

Oh, I'll have to look into Target then! We don't have one here, but there is one about 30 minutes away..suppose I could look online as well. Thanks, ladies!

It looks something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Step-Body-Fusion-Kit/dp/B000BBE4NM/ref=sr_1_5/002-6399759-7300817?ie=UTF8&m=AKGDUTTK8QMF&s=sporting-goods&qid=1189121695&sr=1-5

That is the version with all the extra do-dads. Sometimes they just have the step with the DVD. The Cathe Videos usually cost upwards of $20 dollars so it's a fairly good deal. It says holds upto 200lbs (But will hold more). I saw this at my local Target for $40 something but it was on clearance so you might want to call before visiting.

Hope that helps!

Hi there! You've gotten some good suggestions, but just to fill in any holes - I used to be an avid exerciser, and now I'm trying to get back into it.

The $100 steps are the club versions - you can get a smaller version at Target, Wal-mart or sporting goods stores. I used one of those for years until I chose to get a big one for my birthday.

There's a website - videofitness.com - where you can read reviews and get ideas for more instructors for variety. (Cathe, Christi Taylor, Turbo Jam...there's SO much out there that isn't sold in stores.) I started out with an old Susan Powter and Karen Voight. The beginner ones Muse mentioned are good to start, but with any workout, too much repetition can ruin your inspiration. Also, I about killed my knee doing step 3x/week when I started, so I'd recommend mixing in a little something else for the sake of your joints. I LOVE stepping, but too much of anything will cause an overuse injury, especially when your joints are already taxed by extra weight (I'm dealing with pains now that I never used to have at a smaller size).

I like to mix in some hi/lo, a little Turbo Jam, and also use weight workouts a couple days per week.

Good luck - it gets fun as you get better - and addictive!

Tracy - I'm on Videofitness too :)

-muse