Does everyone use the step Cathe uses?

T

thirty11

Cathlete
I'm a recent Cathe convert and enthusiastically bought the Reebok step to use. Now, as I watch Cathe and crew, I notice that their steps seem to have a little "give" to them when they jump (my Reebok does NOT) and am wondering if, in the long run, my knees and shins and I are going to regret not going with her step. Is it my imagination? Anyone else use Reebok? Just wondering if I should consider adding Cathe's step to my Christmas list. :)

Anna
 
As Cathe is in New Jersey, it's tough for me to use the step she uses so I use a similar one located in the living room of my house in Minnesota.:)
 
But...Cathe uses OUR steps all the time as she is the ONLY person we know who can plyo jump that far! Tee-Hee!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Hi, Gina! Thanks for the pics. :) My Reebok step doesn't look like that second one which, judging from the design, also appears to have some "give" to it when you jump. I'm just afraid that when the high-impact nature of Cathe's tapes, I may need that little extra give -- if indeed I'm not imagining it when I watch the tapes. My Reebok step is most unforgiving. I'm wondering if anyone else has used a step that they found contributed to knee or shin trouble.

Thanks again for your response

Anna
 
just HILARIOUS!
"As Cathe is in New Jersey, I find it difficult to use her step"
etc., etc.

:) I'm really wondering if anyone has found that their step lacks the "spring" that "the Cathe sanctioned step" appears to have and if that could be a source of future pain for these 40something year old legs.

Anna
 
I do remember many many years ago having a bright pink Reebok step that was kind of scaly on top and felt like concrete!

Gina
 
I think she is talking about the gray and black Reebok step that is adjustable with a different version of the risers. Probably like they use in Reebok step workouts. I don't know the answer but am also interested since I currently have the small version of the club step and need something bigger. The Reebok I can purchase in town but the other one I would have to order.
 
I have "the Step Company" step. I don't feel any give when I use it. Ironically, I have always wished that I had gotten the Reebok step (I was debating between the two), because it's all one piece and you don't have to worry about moving, placing, and storing the risers. Plus, I had to borrow 2 additional risers from my sister so I could have a 10-inch step when I do my easier step workouts (not Cathe, of course--8" is plenty)! Also, I thought that it was the Reebok one that looked like it had some give. In Gin Miller's "Circuit Challenge" the Reebok step definitely has some give--especially when you watch Kari, the tall one in the back.

Maybe they both have give but you can't necessarily feel it. I don't have a mirror where I work out, so I can't see if it gives.

Carol F
 
As far as I know Cathe only uses the Step Company step. I don't recall seeing her in any workout without it. Even the new workouts use that brand. There is a shorter version, which she uses in Body Fusion, but it was also put out by the Step Company. I have the original long Step Company step with the teal risers and it doesn't have much give to it. What saves my knees is that I don't use more than a 6 inch step, and on the workouts that are very torquey (sp?) on the knees, I keep it at 4 inches.
 
Thanks for the comments, Carol.

My step is the black and gray adjustable one from Reebok -- about $100.

No mirror here either (I probably am better off not knowing how I look when I work out :) ) and I appreciate your comments on "the Step Company's" step. I very possibly have a bad case of "the grass is always greener". Someone said their Reebok step felt like concrete. That's how mine feels and Ithink it's a little narrower than cathe's version. BUT, it is all one piece and more easily stored, evidently, than the other. I hadn't thought about having to store the risers separately. And perhaps the give thing is all in my mind. If I don't work out on it more than 3 times a week, I don't notice pain, so maybe this will keep me from overdoing it.

Did you say you use 10" for your easier step workouts? I can't even FATHOM being able to do that! And do you use 8" for all of Cathe's workouts? I am absolutely WRUNG OUT after her step routines with 6" and can't imagine ever going up. Did you start at 6" and work up?
I'm an old Firmie but a new Cathe"ite". And to think I used to think those old Firm cardio tapes were challenging. Ha!

Anna
 
Hi Anna,
I've been using the Reebok club step for 11 years - sounds like the same as what you have. I've used the Step bench like what Cathe uses when I've worked out in gyms. In all honesty, I haven't noticed that much of a difference between the two. I do wear really good cushioned shoes and that helps no matter what you're working out on! Are you wearing good aerobic or cross-training shoes with good cushion? That will definitely make a difference.

Jo
 
Hi Anna....I have the same Reebok one as you. I have had it for about 10 years and done ALOT of step without any problems at all. I also run and on rare occasions when I do alot of distance my knees might hurt a bit on the step but as I am short 5'4" if I keep the height on the 6 inch one my knees don't hurt.....:)...Carole
 
Hello Anna,

Is your floor carpeted or wood or other softer material and not concrete? If it is, then it will provide a softer landing so is kinder to your joints.

I think a proper step bench is better because it's versatile - you can use it for weight training, change heights to vary the intensity, it's sturdy and last longer than Reebok.

I have a high step as well.

Yen
 
Hi Anna!

I have both. They seem to "give" the same but I try to wear good shoes all the time. I like the extra length on the club step Cathe uses, it did make a difference for me. Seems to work me more aerobically. I put velcro betweem the risers on the club step so that they stay on when I move it. I now use both steps as a "tall" step for glute raises, etc. Typically I turn the Reebok step upside down and put the longer club step on top. Works pretty good.

Since having gotten the club step for mothers days 4-5 years ago, I never use the Reebok for step aerobics anymore. I do like how the risers "snap" together better than the club step. Both steps still look brand new. Got the Reebok one new in about 1990 and the club step off e-bay about 1999/2000.

Sami
 
Anna,

I don't have that many Cathe workouts--yet. I'm sure I wouldn't be able to handle 8" on all of them! Like a truly silly person, I started on 8" because that was what I was using for my other workouts and I thought I was an "advanced" exerciser. HA! I know what you mean about thinking the Firm cardio was challenging. I only started using 10" for my other step workouts after working up to Cathe on 8". I have been truly humbled but also LOVE having so much fun while working so hard. It's funny, but I'm having an easier time with Cathe cardio than with her weight work. I guess I got too comfortable with the Firm.

Carol
 
I have both the gray and black Reebok step (adjustable) and the Club step Cathe uses. The only difference is that the Club step is a big longer length wise. But, otherwise, I really can't tell the difference while doing her workouts.
 
I had an old Reebok step that is now collecting dust in the back of a closet somewhere! I did buy the Club step that Cathe uses, and I'm MUCH happier with it. It does have a little "give" to it, and it's a bit longer than the Reebok step. I also like the risers much better than those gizmos on the bottom of my old step which you had to turn a certain way to make them six or eight inches tall. I would add it to the Christmas list for sure!

Carol
:)
 
Hi Gina:) Can you tell me what workout she uses the Reebok step in. I have the regular Step Co. step (which I love). But last year I also bought the Reebok step just because I thought it looked interesting. I haven't used it yet. I have all Cathe's DVDs so I was wondering if it was on one of the workouts I haven't done yet. Thanks, Helen
 
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