Health Promotion Tips : Do You Step Aerobics . Step aerobics use

Step aerobics used to be very well-liked some time back. Are you still
doing it? If you are I don't suppose you have done it for many years.
to some it was a civilised alternative to straight aerobics dancing.

Step aerobics is based on stepping up and down on a platform, in time
to music of course. it can be good fun, and is good for the leg
muscles and to get some aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise is when
your body works hard enough to raise the heart beat by 40 per cent or
so.

You use a platform about 30 inches by 15 inches and four to twelve
inches high, according to your level of fitness. First, you step on to
the platform landing at a particular point, with one foot, then bring
the other foot up alongside. Then you step down to a different place
with your feet in turn. There are many different movements you can do
to make it more interesting, but you always have to lift your body up
to get on the step.

More vigorous exercise than aerobic dancing

Proponents of step aerobics point out that it is simpler than aerobic
dancing, and that you don't have to learn many movements. Step
aerobics is more vigorous than aerobic dancing, because you have to
lift your body weight up instead of just moving it around. How
vigorous it is depends on the instructor.

Step aerobics certainly provides aerobic exercise that improves your
fitness, strengthen your heart and make you less likely to suffer
heart disease. There is some evidence to suggest that step aerobics
increases your 'good' cholesterol while reducing overall cholesterol
levels. However, one eight-week study of a group of women who did step
aerobics showed many positive benefits, but did not affect their
weight. Don't expect step aerobics alone to reduce your weight - You
will need to eat less, better food.

Is step aerobics really good for you?

Like jogging, though, step aerobics has its detractors. Why? Well,
because in doing all that stepping up on a block you are straining
your knee joints which are very delicate. In fact if you work too hard
at you can damage your joints.

If you are young and healthy, step aerobics is probably OK. But if you
are overweight and middle aged, it is definitely not a good idea.

Indeed, the old fashioned aerobic exercises like swimming, vigorous
hill walking and cycling or skating are probably the best forms of
aerobic exercise. We could add a new one - power walking - but you
need to power along.