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How do I Choose the Best Step Aerobic Equipment?
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
The most important piece of step aerobic equipment is the step bench. This is a low bench that is made out of a sturdy plastic material that is used to step on to and off of during step aerobic workouts. It is important that this piece of equipment has the right range of heights and is designed to accommodate the weight of the user.
Step aerobics benches often come with adjustable risers. These risers can be added or removed in order to alter the intensity of an exercise or target different sets of muscles. When choosing step aerobic equipment, it is important to choose a bench that has the right range of heights for the kinds of workouts for which it will be used. There are some benches, for example, that have quite a few risers and are intended for high steps. Others are not adjustable and only allow for one level of step workouts.
Once the right kind of risers on the step bench have been chosen, it is important to choose step aerobic equipment that will support the weight of the user. There are some step benches, for example, that are only guaranteed for use by people who are 200 pounds (between 90 and 91 kilograms) or less. For larger people, it is important to purchase step aerobic equipment that can support their weight. Using step aerobic equipment that cannot support one's weight can lead to serious injury.
Speaking of safety, it is best to choose step aerobic equipment that is designed so that it will not move or slide while it is being used, even during workouts that require rapid movements. Also, it is important to choose step aerobic equipment that has a surface that reduces the likelihood of the foot slipping or skidding during exercise. This is also an important safety feature.
In addition to benches, step aerobic equipment can include hand weights, which can be held during exercise routines. Hand weights are a good way to work the upper body while getting the heart rate up with aerobic exercises and targeting the legs with the standard step aerobic workouts. For people who are looking to invest in step aerobic equipment, it sometimes makes sense to choose packages of equipment that include the bench, hand weights, and videos or DVDs that teach the user how to use the equipment and offer workouts lead by trained step aerobics instructors.
Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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![Step benches should be appropriate for each individual's weight.]()
By: william87Step benches should be appropriate for each individual's weight. -
![Step benches often come with risers that allow the user to adjust the intensity level of a step routine by raising the height of the step bench.]()
By: .shockStep benches often come with risers that allow the user to adjust the intensity level of a step routine by raising the height of the step bench.
Discussion Comments
@talentryto- I have found that heavier step aerobic benches are less likely to slip than those that are lightweight. If you purchase one that is made of durable material that feels heavy when you lift it, you should be able to have a safe workout when you are using it.
@talentryto- When you are shopping for your new aerobic equipment, you should look for an aerobic step bench that has rubber grips on the bottoms of the legs. These safety features should be enough to keep the bench from moving while you are using it.
A well-made step bench should also have a surface that is covered with a non-slip coating. This could also be rubber, or may be textured plastic that will grip nicely when you step on it in your athletic or running shoes.
I'm thinking about getting some new aerobic equipment. I like the idea of doing step aerobics, but the risk of slipping or falling does concern me. How can you be sure that an aerobic step bench is the type that will stay put while you are using it?
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