Why is 'Step' not so popular anymore?

2

Replies

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Fitness trends and fads are always changing....

    80s and 90s were all about aerobic step classes...wait another decade, and I'm sure they'll come back around. Right now, Yoga is in, as well as various "Boot Camp" workouts...circuit training (P90X, etc). These too will eventually fade into the sunset and then again be reborn in a couple of decades.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I downloaded a torrent for Denise Austin cardio vid one day when I couldn't make it to the gym. I could not coordinate myself to do all the dance moves. I suck! LOL. I was too busy trying to figure out which leg she was kicking with, which one she was punching with, that in the end I just felt like a loser. LOL! She was all "graaapevine!!!" and I was like "wtf??" I much prefer the elliptical for my cardio because it does not require me to be coordinated. :smile:
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    Exercise fads come and go. It will probably come back eventually.
    There are no step classes at my gym.
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    Because it's really hard on the knees?
  • funhouse77
    funhouse77 Posts: 179 Member
    I go to a Step class at the gym, I don't usually enjoy aerobic type classes, but the instructor is awesome and incorporates a lot of dumbbell work in with it, it's an hour long sweat-feast, a real workout! Saying that, I tend to only do it every other week, I think I would get bored of it if I did it too often.

    I agree of you don't have a good instructor it can be a bit dull, I have a step at home and do sometimes use it while watching TV but there are more effective workouts.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,030 Member
    From my observation at several gyms I've worked at since '90, the trend I see more is workouts for females that include more resistance training. Not to say that you can't get that from a step class, but INSTRUCTORS are focusing more on females these days with resistance, endurance, speed, and explosive training. That's why Beach Body and JM is pretty popular with videos right now.
    Zumba is probably the largest growing because in a class like that, most people can move just about any way they want, have fun and enjoy the music (which may I say does have a big impact on class attendance). Unlike step, Zumba doesn't require precise counting and choreography and members don't have to be exactly correct with foot/hand/arm movements.
    The fitness industry works like any other business when it comes to appealing to customers. Since classes are more attended by women than men, classes that offer more variety in it seem to last much longer than class that get monotonous. This is why I basically change up my choreography from class to class when it comes to cardio kickboxing.

    But going back in the day, remember Aerobicise (a Jane Fonda type workout), and all the ESPN shows on tv with Kianna Tom, Corey Everson, Greg Valente, etc.?

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I downloaded a torrent for Denise Austin cardio vid one day when I couldn't make it to the gym. I could not coordinate myself to do all the dance moves. I suck! LOL. I was too busy trying to figure out which leg she was kicking with, which one she was punching with, that in the end I just felt like a loser. LOL! She was all "graaapevine!!!" and I was like "wtf??" I much prefer the elliptical for my cardio because it does not require me to be coordinated. :smile:

    Awww! "grapevine" That just took me back to my old VHS workouts. :laugh:
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
    Can anyone recommend a decent step DVD? Most of them are pretty awful.

    In fact, most of the 80's videos were pretty awful too. :laugh:

    I like doing it though.

    edited for comprehension. :smile:
  • kimad
    kimad Posts: 3,010 Member
    Step is still offered at my gym! It is a butt kicker, holy crap it is not what it used to be many many years ago!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,030 Member
    Can anyone recommend a decent step DVD? Most of them are pretty awful.

    In fact, most of the 80's videos were pretty awful too. :laugh:

    I like doing it though.

    edited for comprehension. :smile:
    Cathe Frederich does have some pretty good step videos. Her IMAX step videos are pretty legendary.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Aurora1525
    Aurora1525 Posts: 62 Member
    I liked Step...until I discovered how bad it was for my knees. Definitely not low impact...
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
    Can anyone recommend a decent step DVD? Most of them are pretty awful.

    In fact, most of the 80's videos were pretty awful too. :laugh:

    I like doing it though.

    edited for comprehension. :smile:
    Cathe Frederich does have some pretty good step videos. Her IMAX step videos are pretty legendary.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Thank you!
  • perfekta
    perfekta Posts: 331 Member


    But going back in the day, remember Aerobicise (a Jane Fonda type workout), and all the ESPN shows on tv with Kianna Tom, Corey Everson, Greg Valente, etc.?



    images_zps4cff3bff.jpg
  • CLFrancois
    CLFrancois Posts: 472 Member
    And it's dull. I have five different DVDs and all of them bore me to tears. I've started just doing it while watching TV so I don't want to kill myself quite so much.
    I have done the same thing.
  • shayemimi
    shayemimi Posts: 203 Member
    LOL, I stil; remember my mom in the 80s... "up up down down" VHS going, she had this thing she would step up and down on.

    Also, my mom was a big fan of Charlene Prickett. Anyone remember her circa 1985?? Haha, Youtube it if not. Funny 80s aerobics.

    I LOVED Charlene Prickett. I moved to Canada in 1987 and watched her show faithfully (jumped around in front of the tv :D) and even taped the shows on VHS ! lol She was awesome!

    I also still have my step from those days...may have to bring it out! :D
  • mrsburghart
    mrsburghart Posts: 166 Member
    I personally love step, but my knees hate it! It's actually very difficult to get into a step class at my gym (we do Body Step) because they are all so full! There's 30 ladies in every class, and they have at least 2 classes a day. One of these days I will make it through a whole class without having to stop and catch my breath :)
  • krisiepoo
    krisiepoo Posts: 710 Member
    I don't know what you're talking about, the step classes at my gym are full to overfilling... maybe it's just you not seeing it anymore?
  • htimpaired
    htimpaired Posts: 1,404 Member
    And it's dull. I have five different DVDs and all of them bore me to tears. I've started just doing it while watching TV so I don't want to kill myself quite so much.
    If your step tapes are so dull that you can also watch TV while doing it, then your tapes aren't doing it right!

    I have been doing step for the past 14 years, both DVDs and live classes. The choreography is always changing, it's a great workout. But I have seen some tapes that are dull and repetative, so you gotta find the ones that are actually good workouts. I recommend Kelly Coffey-Meyer or Cathe Fredrich. Edited to add Christi Taylor.

    My gym has combos too ie. step/kickboxing classes or step/HIIT.

    I remember an old step tape by Gilad...he's so mean. He speaks with this thick accent..."and now...you get...ONE second of rest!"
  • MsMargie1116
    MsMargie1116 Posts: 323 Member
    My gym has step classes, and I did them a few times... I end up getting so lost because the instructo goes and goes and goes!!! I almost twisted my ankle on it the last time I did it, so decided to stop the class - for now... :smile: Not giving up on it, just putting it aside for now, till I lose more weight... :smile:
  • SJ46
    SJ46 Posts: 407 Member
    Les Mills' BodyStep is very popular at the gym I attend. I think one reason it is still popular is that it has evolved with the fitness trends. The newest releases are full of explosive plyometrics and interval training. It's not your mama's step class, forget about the grapevines. I love it.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    Just as with any other industry there are fads that come and go, and 90% of the gyms and equipment retailers out there would rather capitalize on fads (because it's just plain more lucrative) than cater specifically to the people who are smart enough to know that what worked years ago still works today (and those people are few and far in between).

    The current fads all revolve around very intense and extremely difficilt testosterone-driven workouts (even for the women, yes) that involve pushing yourself to your limits in a short amount of time. Does it work? Hell yes. But is it for everybody? If you find something you enjoy better that gets the results you want without making you feel dead on your feet, more power to you.
  • angelahammon
    angelahammon Posts: 114 Member
    My gym has body step classes, i attend one every week and really enjoy it,
  • leigh0416
    leigh0416 Posts: 29
    I love step. My gym as 2 classes per week. Les Mills BodyStep is lots of fun.

    They have a step DVD with the Les Mills Pump DVD program and I've done it a few times. I am dying at the end!!! It's tough!! But I love it!
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    Well. Looks like I'm talking rubbish. I've googled Bodystep and it looks like a number of gyms around me do it!!!!! Back to digging out my leg warmers and 'Going for the burn'...
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I use steps to exercise all the time, both at work and at home. I have never heard of a step DVD or anything. I'm trying to figure out what it would consist of, since stepping up and down stairs seems pretty self-explanatory.
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    I use steps to exercise all the time, both at work and at home. I have never heard of a step DVD or anything. I'm trying to figure out what it would consist of, since stepping up and down stairs seems pretty self-explanatory.

    Not at all, there can be some really complicated choreography.
  • LadyMustard
    LadyMustard Posts: 104 Member
    Since I work out at home, I picked up fitness and workout games for my wii. WiiFit an EA Sports Active: More Workouts both have step workouts. I bought an adjustable step platform to put the wii board on, and then you can adjust the tempo based on how fit/ how intense you want the workout. 30 - 40 minutes is enough to get me to burn 350-400 calories, and keeps my heart rate up, so I love it. Boring? Yes, but if you get the latter of the two games, it mixes it up with different steps that help you to keep focused. The latter game also gives you the option of stepping with out the balance board, so you can use whatever stepper you have on hand for the game.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Most people noticed the stairs lol
  • Ginnie_Fizz
    Ginnie_Fizz Posts: 15
    I did step when it was really popular 20 years ago but got totally bored with it. I also have zero coordination and was always tripping over my feet when the steps got tricky.
  • drefaw
    drefaw Posts: 739
    I do my "step" class while at work. I run the 8 flights of steps all the way up , and all the way down for 30 min straight, at a very fast pace .... that is one heck of a workout .......

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