Step Aerobics

C

Coakieanos

Cathlete
Hi Cathe,

I enjoy running, sometimes 5ks, on a treadmill, sometimes springs also on a treadmill. About two months ago, I injured my hip flexor so I had to cut back on the running. I am afraid of losing all of my endurance, so i resumed step aerobics. I originally did step about 20 years ago, stop, got married, had a kid, (who is now 10 years old), resumed running to lose the "baby" fat, etc. I discovered Cathe and enjoy doing her step tapes, albeit challenging, to maintain my endurance. I had heard that doing step aerobics is equivalent to running at a 4 to 5 mph pace. Has anyone else heard this? Anyone is free to respond. Am I completely off base? or is there any truth to this? and once I am healthy, will this help my endurance or run at the pace.

Any answers from anyone is welcomed. Thanks for listening.
 
I can't help you here, but I wanted to suggest you post this over on the Open Discussion board. You're much more likely to get others to respond there...

Good luck!
Marie
 
I used to run every day up to a total of 50 miles a week until injuries sidelined me. Step is the only activitiy that I have found that even compares to running, and I think that it depends on how the individual does the step workout. For example, I highly doubt that doing step on a height of four inches will be like running. I normally work out on a step height of 8 inches to burn the amount of calories that I do when I am jogging.
 
thank you both for responding. I enjoy these forums and the feeback that i receive from other Cathe enthusiats like myself. I especially enjoyed the "Psalm of Cathe." Forgive me if the title is not correct.

take care!
 
I'll add it totally depends on the workout - I teach and take step, and based on my mindset and "listening to my body", I can take it up a knotch or lower the intensity. Plus, adding more risers will hike up the intensity, but I also find too many risers either A) decrease the "fun" b/c I can't do as many fancy turns and tricks, and B) sometimes my knees hurt with 2 risers.

So, I think it all depends on listening to your body. I'd much rather take a class over running -- Personally, I've gotta be in a meditative or Ticked off mood to run!

Just don't forget to listen to YOUR body!
 
By no means Cathe obviously...

My experience was I kept my endurance level when I left running, did 'step only' for a year, then went back to running. In fact I think my endurance was better although that could be attributed to the fact that I had done Cathe as opposed to another instructor.
 
This is a great question, so thanks for answering it. I like the responses so far.

I am by no means a seasoned runner, but I've been running now for 1 year. I just did my first marathon (in Disney) this past January (wow, a month ago already). I have to admit that by the end of my 24 week training schedule, I was pretty bored of just running for my cardio. BUT....I did keep Cathe step workouts in my cross training days (more in the first half of my training than in the end with all the increased mileage). ANYWAY, after the marathon, I took 2 full weeks off completely from any exercise, and when I began working out again, I did a full week of step ONLY! Although I was able to handle the workouts and stay with Cathe and crew the entire time, I couldn't help but think that my endurance level was GREAT, BUT DIFFERENT.

Sorry to ramble. Short story, I personally feel that the endurance needed for running is a bit different than step, but just as good.

For the last 2 weeks straight, all my cardio came from Cathe step workouts and 3 days a week of running. I ran a 10K road race yesterday and passed my personal goal. My stamina and my legs and hip flexors, glutes, etc, all held up during the whole 6+ miles AND the 3 tough hills were actually pretty easy for me.

Long story short (too late, lol?), Cathe step works for endurance just as running does.

WOW...wordy today for me! LOL

Gayle
 
Dear Gayle,

Thank you so much for responding. I like long stories, so yours was just fine. I am in awe of you for running a marathon within a year of starting a running program. I enjoy Cathe's step tapes, they are very challenging, but fun. After doing her Imax dvds, I'll probably be able to run a 5k in under 30 mins!

Take care,

Yvonne
 
Thank you, Yvonne. I was surprised TOO at how easily I was able to add running to my program. I am also convinced that all the Cathe work I was doing really played a role in it!

GOOD LUCK!

Gayle
 
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