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The choreography in class also feels more contemporary.
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Its not just knee raises and box steps.
Youll get your heart pumping in a joint-friendly way.
One of the main reasons people head to step class is to amp up their heart rate.
Plus, classes are designed to keep you moving the entire time.
(Instructors might demo this themselves as part of the choreography or offer it as an option.)
Stepping strengthens your lower body and core.
Bonus: All those knee drives where youre bringing your knee toward your chest target your abs too.
Your balance and agility get a boost.
Staying upright and steady can become more of a challenge as we age, but stepping can help.
Balance doesn’t just stay with us like [when] we were 20, says Capers.
Being a stepper and moving in that fluid motion helps us with our coordination.
It helps us with our balance.
Just be sure to always put your entire foot from heel to toe on the platform.
Your bones will thank you.
As a weight-bearing exercise, stepping can be great for bone health.
Its like Sudoku for your feet.
Step class isnt the time to let your mind wander.
The moment you check out, youre missing whats coming next, says Peterson.
You might pick up a few pals.
We’re all moving together, like an ocean wave.
And it kind of creates some fun creativity amongst the members, Capers says.
That might explain why step friends can make for some of the best friends.
A good step class can be one of those workouts thats such a blast you forget its even exercise.
The majormood boostof moving together to that beat can stay with you even after class ends.
So how can you get started?
There are also options to step at home.
But there are some fitness studios that stream a more modern take.
Wherever youre stepping, just remember to give yourself a little grace while you get used to the movements.
Capers suggests trying at least three classes to get the hang of it.
I always give a shot to remind people its okay if you mess up, Robbins says.
Just have fun, breathe, and keep moving.
