Can I raise my step height to 12 inches

[dee]

Hi Cathy,

I want to know if it is safe for me to raise my step height to 12 inches.(I have extra blocks)I currently use it at 10 inches, but for some of the workouts I know I want a little more intensity. I am 5 5". I tried using it at that height for one workout and I felt fine, but I don't want to injure myself in the long run.Your input would be great.

I just want you to know I just discovered your workouts a month ago and I loovvve them. Your workouts give me the challenge I was looking for. I was ao frustrated buying tapes before. Thank You!!!!!

Sincerely,
Dee

[targetlover]

Hi Cathy,
I am not cathy, but I had to chime in on this one. Do you want to raise your step for step aerobics? If so, I heard the only reason you raise your step is not for more intensity it is for how tall you are. Obviously, longer legs need the step a little higher. I would love to see if Cathe would answer to see if this information I heard is right or not.

[dee]

Yes it is for step aerobics. When I raised it for that one workout I mentioned, it did raise my heart rate. Hopefully Cathe will give us the answer.

Thanks,
Dee

[ebbieday]

The question refering to raising the step interests me also. In Cathe's more recent videos she has only one riser. In the older ones she has 2. Only the taller girl in the more recent ones have 2 risers. I am only 5ft. 2in and wonder if the higher step puts more pressure on my knees. I have been stepping for about 10 years and have always used two on each side but sometimes my knees hurt. I do feel that I get a good work out with only one by jumping more. Hope to hear the answer too.
Debbie

[naughtoj]

Is it me, or does 12 inches seem ridiculously high, even at 5 foot 5 inches. I don't even get how you could keep up since your leg is traveling higher on each rep. It is almost comical to me when I think about it cuz I use a 14" step for sit and stands!! I would be jumping onto that thing at 5'1!! HA HA...

No, really though, I would like to see Cathe's reply. To me, it would seem like the injury risk would outweigh the minimal increase in intensity..

Janice

[wendyloo]

Yep. Rediculous, dangerous,and unneccesary.
No offense intended.
Wendy

[jillybean]

I have heard that actually 10" can be dangerous, regardless of your own height. Rhonda from Cathe's videos is 5'6" so I assume that is why she tends to use a higher step than the rest of the gang, who are 5'3" and under. Might I suggest other ways to increase intensity? I find 8" to be easy for some workouts, but instead of risking injury by upping my step height, I add power moves. A basic step becomes a run up, a horse shoe becomes a power horse, etc. I just jump whenever I get the chance. This will make any workout tougher! Have fun and be safe!

[susanz]

I use 10" and have for years and am 5'6 1/2". I wouldn't even dream of doing one of Cathe's step tapes on 12"! I think I'd pass out! I notice on some of the workouts I really have to watch my footing so I don't trip over myself. IMO I'd stay at only 10" if for anything but safety sake! Susan

[kathryn]

I use a 10"step at times, but ONLY for Firm step videos, which are slower paced than Cathe videos and have much simpler moves. Even for that, I would never consider going to 12". Your knees and probably lower back will thank you if you go to an 8"step maximum for Cathe videos, even if you don't feel any pain now.

[beemerjen]

Hi
Just wanted to add my 2 cents. I certainly wouldn't raise my step height to 12 for a Cathe tape. It would be too hard on your knees and back. I use to do 10 inches for firm videos and last summer hurt my knee. My physical therapist told me not to use a step past 4 inches because it was bad for my knees. Currently I use a 6 inch step with Cathe and just intensify some of the moves. I'll jump higher etc. I get a great workout using Cathe tapes with the 6 in step and do not have any knee problems.