STEP HEIGHT...6 OR 8

L

lederr

Cathlete
I always used to do Cathe's workouts on an 8-inch step (I first started with Cathe in 1995). A couple of years ago, I started doing marathons, a lot of swimming, etc. and had put my step away. I started stepping again a couple of months ago (using all my old Cathe vids...what a blast from the past!) and spent A LOT of money getting most of her new ones. Anyway, once I started doing step again, I have found that often I have to take my step down to 6 inches. Also, my knees hurt a bit on 8 (it's my advancing age!). So...I am wondering if there is really a significant difference in intensity9 calories, etc. when you do 6 versus 8. I do all the low impact on 8, but have been doing a lot of the others on 6.

By the way, can I just say how much I LOVE Drill Max? I did the Ultra Cardio Mix and the Hi/Lo from SJP yesterday and it was so much fun! I also like doing regular DM as is. I just think it's such a fun workout.

Lorie
 
lorie,

when i first started out doing step years ago, i actually used 4 risers. i am 6 feet tall and i loved it. after a while, my knees started to bother me. for years i used 3. over time i found that i had to vary between 2 and 3. this depends on the type of workout and the pace. it also sounds like you took a break from step and arent used to it. i would stay at 6 inches, and work up to 8 down the road. maybe use 8 for a slower or interval workout.

i dont know about the calories. with some workouts, i dont get enough if the step isnt high enough. with others, it is too dangerous to try to move so quickly on such a high step. when i lower it, i actually can work harder. i guess you just have to listen to your body with each workout.

suri
 
I don't have knee issues (yet!) but I do suffer from hip pain. I always err on the side of caution and keep my step at 6 inches for higher impact. I'd rather be safe than have to take a few weeks off for injury! On a 6 or 8 you're doing good if it's a Cathe workout!

Sally
 
I think it depends on lots of things: your height, your leg length, cardio capacity, knee strength, flooring type, etc. Personally, I was experiencing some knee pain awhile ago. I bumped my step up from my usual 6 inches and the pain went away! Go figure. I do wear a HRM when I workout so there was (at least for me) some extra calorie burn going on with the higher step (maybe 10-15% more?). Anyway, I would say that even though 6 inches may be *a little* easier, you can easily work harder on 6 than you can on 8 in my opinion.

Carolyn
 
Well, I am 5'3 and fluctuate between 105 and 110 pounds. My cardio capacity is pretty good as I work out a lot (just hadn't done step in a while...a lot of running and swimming). I work out on carpet (it's sad because I have a workout room in my basement with an elliptical, a treadmill, free weights, TV/DVD/VCR, etc., but I do Cathe in my living room because of the carpet...the basement is flooring. So...I have workout equipment all over my living room not to mention all the furniture pushed out of the way!). Anyway, I think the carpet helps. I do agree that it's "easier" to work harder on a 6-inch step. Right now, I am taking Alieve before I work out and that seems to help but I would hate to do that all the time.

Lorie
 
If I'm doing low impact, I'll use the 8", but 6" for everything else. I'm only 5'0". My thought is that if your heartrate gets into your zones on the lower step (which mine does), use it. I think it's safer and definitely easier on the knees.
 
If I recall correctly Cathe was asked this question about HER step height being lower in new series... I believe she said that she has found that with fewer risers intensity is not compromised... Intensity comes more from how high you jump, your arms and how low you can dip on the moves vs just the step height. You may want to do an advanced search under Ask Cathe with step height as key words.
Personally I actually get a more intense workout w/ fewer riser- most of Ctahes workouts appear to me to be about alot more than just thru the roof heartrate- its also about working muscle groups effectively- I just find I can do more of that with lower height. JMO
Your body height also has to come into factor.
 
Gosh Lorie, your last post sounds exactly like me. :) Same height & same furniture issues.

I started using a 6" step about 5 years ago. Not for any particular health reasons, only b/c I found the workouts to be less intimidating & more fun. I was tired of dreading a workout b/c it's so darned hard, so I lowered my step & now it's fun fun fun!
 
I just keep thinking how crazy it is that I have an entire workout room and I still use my living room as a workout room! Still, it works for me right now. Eventually, I would like to get the puzzle flooring in the basement and then it won't be as much of an issue.

I think I am going to keep it to 6 on all but the low impact workouts.

L
 
I do practically all of Cathe's step workouts on 8" now and it definitely bumps up the intensity and calorie burn for me. The only one I do on 6" is IMAX 3. As for other workouts besides Cathe, if it's complex, I keep it at 6", otherwise I'd be tripping all over myself.

Marcy
 
Holy crap, Laura, I think we were separated at birth!
I dread, dread, dread many of Cathe's workouts because they're so hard, but I feel like a wimp if I bring my step down to six inches. The idea of doing it on 6 inches, though, makes me so happy and excited and the workout is so much more fun. I've been having a lot of knee issues lately and have HAD to lower my step to six inches and I've found that the workouts have become so fun and I've completely lost the dread factor. Every time you post something I feel like I could have written it!

I have no room either in my living room (I live in a third floor inner-city apartment) and I have to move the couch and coffee table out of the way in order to workout. It's funny too, because in order to avoid having the people below me banging on their ceiling in frustration because of my stepping, I have to workout on a rug with a yoga mat under the step to muffle the noise of my feet on the floor! It's such a hassle but it's so worth it!
Allison
 
I always use a 6 inch step. My knees don't talk to me after the workout when I keep it lower. That and the fact I have one of those cheap, hideous purple buns of steel steps that are near impossible to change.

Cheryl
 
It seems like the difference in intensity is not really that significant and I could always just take my jumps higher or up the intensity some other way. I do find, like Laura said, that I look forward to it more at 6 inches because it is easier to do the choreography. Also, at 36, I really need to start taking care of my knees. I used to run marathons, so my knees are not the best. I think I'll still do the low impact at 8.

Lorie
 
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