Portable Step Exercise

For aerobics enthusiasts, incorporating a portable step bench into the routine can take your exercise to the next level. A portable step bench stores easily in a closet, or can go with you to class or the gym. The basics of the exercise are simple, step up and down. As you exercise, you'll naturally develop your own rhythm and routine. Music can help.

  1. Step Exercises

    • Playing music will help you move with rhythm and keep you going. Your favorite aerobics songs work just as well when using a portable step bench as they do for your regular workout. While the basics are obvious, step up and step down, you can develop a few patterns to exercise your legs and keep your cardiovascular system pumping.

      The leg raising and lowering you does the work. So how you step up and down determines if one leg is receiving more of a workout than the other. You can vary your stepping according to your particular needs.

      One simple pattern is to step up with your right foot, and bringing your left foot to touch alongside. Then step back down using the left foot. This exercises the right leg on both the up and the down as the right leg does the lifting and the lowering. On the next step, reverse and step up with the left, touching with the right, then stepping down with the right to exercise the left leg.

      An alternative is to step up with the right. Bring up the left foot and step on it. Then step down with the right. Now the right leg lifted your body weight while the left did the work in lowering it. Lifting and lowering works different leg muscles, so be sure to switch the stepping order.

      In doing your workout, alter your pattern by how many repetitions you do on one leg before switching to the other. For instance, you might do five ups and downs using the right leg before switching to the left. You can alter your rhythm again by stepping up, and while on the bench, march in place a few steps before stepping back down.

      Develop your own routine to meet your particular exercise needs.