Of all the steps in your videos that I've seen, the only one with which I have difficulty is the A-Step. This only happens when I'm doing it quickly, but my tendency is to dig in my heels as I reach the point of the "A" and the motion becomes more vertical than horizontal and it's hard to balance. As a result, my form looks nothing like yours. Since I'm almost exactly your size (a fraction under 5'2"), my short legs don't offer me an excuse. Do you have any suggestions?
Doing a Correct A-Step
- Thread starter Joan_J
- Start date
I've got a problem with the A-step also!!!
Don't ask me why this happens, but I feel totally spastic when doing the A-step!!! It seems as though when doing it starting with my right leg, I can do it somewhat correctly. However, when starting it off with the left leg, my leg just won't seem to go "forward-like" on the step. And all I end up doing is like a normal cross-over on the step.
?????
Don't ask me why this happens, but I feel totally spastic when doing the A-step!!! It seems as though when doing it starting with my right leg, I can do it somewhat correctly. However, when starting it off with the left leg, my leg just won't seem to go "forward-like" on the step. And all I end up doing is like a normal cross-over on the step.
?????
DebbieH
Cathlete
Hi Tania & Joan!
That is so funny because I always feel like a klutz doing the "A" step also. I'm not sure why, but I know I do not look like Cathe either doing it. I think it might be because they are soo fast too. Now that I have done the tape several times and I know the "A" is coming, I'm starting to feel better about my form. I really concentrate on it though by thinking of stepping all the way to the front of the step (the top point of the A) and then steping WAY back near the edge of the back of the step. This has helped & it is definitely better then when I 1st. did them. I notice when Cathe does it she is a little bent over. This seemed to help also. Keep going with those "A's"!!!
That is so funny because I always feel like a klutz doing the "A" step also. I'm not sure why, but I know I do not look like Cathe either doing it. I think it might be because they are soo fast too. Now that I have done the tape several times and I know the "A" is coming, I'm starting to feel better about my form. I really concentrate on it though by thinking of stepping all the way to the front of the step (the top point of the A) and then steping WAY back near the edge of the back of the step. This has helped & it is definitely better then when I 1st. did them. I notice when Cathe does it she is a little bent over. This seemed to help also. Keep going with those "A's"!!!
Differences in Form on Various Tapes
First, I want to thank both Tania and Debbie for responding to my topic. I confess to being disappointed that I didn't hear from the expert herself, but any encouragement is fine. Yesterday I did Inteval Max for the first time and Cathe's form on the A-Steps in that tape is definitely not as stretched out as on Step Max. Her feet only reach to about the middle of the step, which is a heck of a lot easier than the top of the step, and the pace is slightly slower. Of course, that's because it's just one of the 10 intervals in which she does the A-step, and due to the high intensity of the tape it is acceptable to sacrifice perfect form just to get through all the moves.
I'll keep working at it, but it was great to hear from both of you.
First, I want to thank both Tania and Debbie for responding to my topic. I confess to being disappointed that I didn't hear from the expert herself, but any encouragement is fine. Yesterday I did Inteval Max for the first time and Cathe's form on the A-Steps in that tape is definitely not as stretched out as on Step Max. Her feet only reach to about the middle of the step, which is a heck of a lot easier than the top of the step, and the pace is slightly slower. Of course, that's because it's just one of the 10 intervals in which she does the A-step, and due to the high intensity of the tape it is acceptable to sacrifice perfect form just to get through all the moves.
I'll keep working at it, but it was great to hear from both of you.
Hi Debbie, Joan & Tania...
I have problems with A-steps, too, but only the horizontal kind -- I feel like I'm going to trip or something. Usually what I do with the vertical A-steps is start at the end of the step and step up in the middle, or just a little past the middle. (I'm short too, BTW -- 5'3".) When I step up with the trailing leg, I step behind the heel of my lead leg (not sure if that's what all of you were doing -- I think that's how Cathe does it, if I remember correctly). If I put my feet next to each other on top of the step, it just feels like an over-the-top.
Happy A-stepping!
Lynne
I have problems with A-steps, too, but only the horizontal kind -- I feel like I'm going to trip or something. Usually what I do with the vertical A-steps is start at the end of the step and step up in the middle, or just a little past the middle. (I'm short too, BTW -- 5'3".) When I step up with the trailing leg, I step behind the heel of my lead leg (not sure if that's what all of you were doing -- I think that's how Cathe does it, if I remember correctly). If I put my feet next to each other on top of the step, it just feels like an over-the-top.
Happy A-stepping!
Lynne