Sit and Stands, how high of a seat?

[Stargazer]

I'm wondering what step height everyone uses for sit and stands in leaner legs. Also how tall are you?

I'm about 5'6" and originally I was using a 14" height but I then switched to a dining room chair that is about 18". I'm not sure which is the better choice.

-joy

 

[ebh87]

Hi Joy,
I'm 5'7" and I usually use my aerobic step with risers and a rubbermaid stool on top - 17". However, recently I just used the step platform and stool for 13" and really felt the work a lot more. Like you, I'm not sure what is the better choice!
Erica

 

[Lynda]

On Leaner Legs, I counted the risers plus the top step, and I think it's 14"--5 risers plus the four" top. I'm 5'2". Three more inches I think would make them easier for me.

 

[mogambo]

I'm 5'8" and use a 17" weight bench, the end with no supports for the barbell. I think I'd be working harder with something lower, but don't have anything.

 

[kathryn]

I remember wondering how high the step was that Cathe was using (she's 5 '2", I think) and I stopped the tape to count. I think it was 16". When in doubt, I'd say start at a higher level (18"or 16", then as you get stronger in that range of motion, go a bit lower--I'm just a stickler for safety, and the idea of "bouncing" or "falling" onto the seat with a weight on one's back is not a pleasant prospect. Even if it doesn't hurt if you do it, the cumulative trauma would probably do bad things to your spine.

 

[Stargazer]

Oh I agree with everyone.

I definately felt it more with the 14" step and I wondered if I was (1) feeling it in the wrong place and (2) jeapordizing my knees (not to mention the potential spine thing.) It occured to me that I might be getting the benefits with the higher seat and not compromising form and risking injury. I'm thinking that when you hold the pose you should be primarily using your glutes, and I felt that when I was lower I was using my quad more.

If Cathe is using a 16" step, then 18" doesn't sound unreasonable for my height. I'm going to freeze that frame and count the risers (usually I just want to get those overwith!)
-joy

 

[hounddogs]

Dear Joy:

I would just make sure that your knees are not at a more acute angle than 90 degrees when you start to stand back up--same rule as for doing squats and lunges. That should save your knees as long as they are healthy.

--Ann

 

[Jul]

Funny I found this thread! Just this a.m. during my workout, I was using a 14" step (I'm 5'7") and I really felt it in my knee. I was afraid to keep going because I didn't want to permanently injure my knees. I'll be using something higher in the future!

 

[Stargazer]

Hey Jul, it is funny how that stuff happens, where you will see something you were just thinking about.

BTW, I just did PS Legs & Abs this morning for the first time in a while. I had forgotten about the sit and stands... Anyway, I counted the risers that Rhonda used and I calculated that her "seat" was 20" I think she is about 5'7" so I figure my chair is probably more appropriate than my 14" step. I used the chair this morning.
-joy