Those who've taken step(aerobics) since the 80s...

[ballroombelle]

...or whenever it began.

Do you still do it and if so is it very different, stylistically?

I've only recently started and I love it! But I notice some of the older steppers have a different "style"-something about the way they move their arms and upper body- while executing some of these standard moves. Wondering if it feels as if it's changed significantly over the years.

Not an earth-shattering question...just mildly curious.

 

[castleview]

Hmmm... I'm still stepping after all these years but can't remember those early years. I do think the choreography has gotten more complex depending on who the instructor is. I haven't been in the gym for a class since I became a mom six years ago. The Cathe Friedrich tapes are the closest I've done to "gym style" and her choreography is challenging.

Maybe when the step came out, there was such an emphasis on safely getting your full foot on the step without overbending your knee that the arm movements weren't such a concern. I don't know...I do recall in my first step class that the instructor would never dream of doing full jumps from the floor to the step and now that's standard.

Sorry to go roaming off track, hope there's some insight there...

 

[ballroombelle]

Maybe when the step came out, there was such an emphasis on safely getting your full foot on the step without overbending your knee that the arm movements weren't such a concern. I don't know...I do recall in my first step class that the instructor would never dream of doing full jumps from the floor to the step and now that's standard.

That's pretty interesting. I don't remember a word about that kind of safety issue when I first started or ever mentioned when newbies identify themselves in class. Interesting about full jumps too-now people do that sort of thing with 3 risers or even a double step!

Oh and the step classes on a bosu are a real blast...your step "bounces" back!

Thanks for the insight!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

From what I understand it has to do with heart rate. If you are trying to boost heart rate you move arms, legs, body differently than if you are trying to keep it down.

At least this was in my case. I had to not do arm movements & some leg movements because my heart rate was too high during exercise.
The instructor pointed out that your heart should not exceed a certain rate for a long period of time.
As a newbie I was VERY out of shape. I did go and get a stress test and the cardiologist said it didn't matter.
The instructors insisted that you should keep an eye on heart rate while exercising.

 

[castleview]

That's pretty interesting. I don't remember a word about that kind of safety issue when I first started or ever mentioned when newbies identify themselves in class. Interesting about full jumps too-now people do that sort of thing with 3 risers or even a double step!

Oh and the step classes on a bosu are a real blast...your step "bounces" back!

Thanks for the insight!

Yeah, I remember the instructor was really on everyone getting the entire foot on because "we'd have sore ankles in the morning" - which I don't remember having. Maybe it was an over-cautionness (is that a word?).

Wow - 3 risers! I can't wait to try the bosu - when I can get out of the house on my own Sorry that sounds so funny right now!

 

[ballroombelle]

I guess when I said arm movements it was more about style than intensity-the old hands at step have a kind of Olivia-Newton-John let's-get-physical 80s era kind of movement-if that even makes sense.

Lol, sore ankles! It's come a long way!

I'm actually really interested now in what step looked like early on-the choreogrpahy for my intermediate step class blows things like cardio kickbox right out of the water. I imagine things like Billy Blanks (is that name right?) and other new cardio types have really snazzed up step choreography.

You're going to LOVE step and bosu, castleview....I hope you are emancipated soon!