Kathryn or Anyone- How to Modify Step Moves

[clothesminded]

Kathryn- I know that you've listed some of the ways you modify step moves which are bad for your knees. Do mind posting them again? I've used many of them, and it's helped me make a step workout somewhat doable. For me, any twisting/pivot move or quick change move hurts.

A new member, Martha, would love to know, (see recent post" Low Impact Dvd...") as I am sure that many others would (and always do!) benefit from your tips.

If anyone else has advice, please share.

Thanks so much.

 

[kathryn]

>Kathryn- I know that you've listed some of the ways you
>modify step moves which are bad for your knees. Do mind
>posting them again?

It's hard to answer that question without having specific moves in mind, but I'll do what I can for now.

I find that pivoty moves are more hazardous to the knees (at least mine!) than impact. I often will turn pivots into mambos.

Also, I watch for moves that go from the side of the step to the back. or vice versa. Cathe doesn't always cue to step wide or farther back (though she does it), and doing so is often necessary to avoid a tricky transition that could put some torque on the knee.

I hate ricochets with a passion, and will not do them (that goes 'double' for double ricochets). Instead, I do an over the top, tap down, return to beginning, jack. (on the 8=count, with right side near the step: count 1 = right foot up on step, 2= left foot on step, 3= tap right foot down on other side of step, 4 = right foot back up on step, 5= left foot step off to original side, 6= right foot step down, 7 = jack out, 8 = jack in).

If you have any specific moves in mind, let me know, and I'll come up with something!

 

[clothesminded]

Thanks so much, Kathryn, for your detailed explanation of your sub moves. I love your sub for ricochets. I'm going to try that one out!

What about that move in Low Max and in Step Blast where Cathe does the squat from each side w/one foot on the side of the step? I just do normal squats on the floor, stepping out from each side, but I would love to hear what you sub (or would) for that move.

I also find that I try to stay on the front side of the step. So, if Cathe moves around the board doing leg ext. on each of the four corners (like in Low Max) I will just do four on one side and four on the other. I just make sure to keep the numbers even. Doing one move and then going over the step quickly to do the same move on the other corner just kills my knees. Do you find moves such as this painful?

 

[kathryn]

>What about that move in Low Max and in Step Blast where Cathe
>does the squat from each side w/one foot on the side of the
>step? I just do normal squats on the floor, stepping out from
>each side, but I would love to hear what you sub (or would)
>for that move.

Are those 'slam-its' or slower versions of them?
You could do an angled squat off the back (what I call the part of the step that you are on, away from the TV) of the step. Instead of going off the side of the step and squatting outwards, turn at a 45-degree angle toward the end of the step, put the foot near the step on the step, and leave the other foot on the floor. Be sure to walk into place as to not torque the knee.


>Doing one move and then going over the step
>quickly to do the same move on the other corner just kills my
>knees. Do you find moves such as this painful?
No, I don't have problems with moves like this. Just the torquey ones.

 

[clothesminded]

Slam its- yes, that's what they are called. I couldn't remember!
The angled move would add a bit more than just doing a squat like I have been doing. Great suggestion.

Thanks again, Kathryn. You are so beneficial to this forum. I've enjoyed reading your tips and comments for over two years.