Lower step height = lower impact? Yes or no?

[Candiceena]

Hi girls...

I'm taking it easy this month and will be taking a break from Cathe in preparation for a Body Blast rotation in July. I have been feeling like my knees/ankles were getting really ache-y from the step workouts.

I was wondering if I lower my step, will that lower the impact? At first I thought....well, duh. Then I thought, well no, it might just lower the level of cardio difficulty. Then I began to over-think and confuse myself.

Anyway, I'm hoping that the rotation I'm doing in June will help me strengthen my knees and ankles but I know Body Blast has step workouts and I really want to complete a 6-day a week Body Blast rotation in July but want to make sure I don't get burnt out joints.

 

[atompki1]

For me lowering the step height doesn't change the impact. I can remove impact out of most step workouts by not jumping as much. Lowering the step height does reduce the intensity for me though.

I think Body Blast has the Step Blast workout. There is some impact in the beginning portion of the workout, but most of the impact are in the blasts at the end. If you skipped those, you would still get a good workout.

 

[Justinef]

Hi Candice - great that you've committed to the workouts, and not using achy knees as an excuse I'd have thought stepping down from a greater height would put more pressure on the joints, and make it higher impact. I find that my knees ache if I twist on them too much (gave up on Jillian Michaels core workout level 2, cos it wrecked my knees!). I'd use a lower step and hand weights (or heavier weights) if you require a more strenusous workout.
HTH
Justine

 

[Candiceena]

Thanks for the tips girls

 

[exercise-lover]

If I work out on an 8 inch step -- I usually get ouchy knees. If I lower it to 6 inches, I'm OK. That's just me, but it doesn't affect the intensity all that much, so why risk it??? Some workouts, like Athletic Step, I can use the 8 inch step with no problems. I just note which ones hurt my knees and which ones don't. Listen to your body.