Step heights: do those 2" make a big difference?

[ChicagoJen]

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year! I'm hoping that someone who uses the high step can answer a question for me:

I currently use the 14" bollinger step for my leg presses with 12-15 lbs for most strength-oriented leg presses. I'm considering purchasing the high step. Do those 2" (I believe that the max height is 16") really make a difference regarding glute development???

I'm about 5'8" and I'll buy the high step if it will do the trick to break through another plateau.

Any feedback is much appreciated! Have a safe and Happy New Year and keep up the great work! : )

Jen

p.s. I love the BB Series so much... just when I was hitting a motivation slump... I'm now back in the swing of things! Cathe rocks!

 

[Carol_is_fit]

RE: Step heights: do those 2

Hi Jen, I believe Cathe herself and others have posted that it's important to have your leg bent at a 90 degree angle when it's flexed and resting on the step. (Hope I said that right!! :7 ) So, I guess at whatever height that happens for you, that's the height you should place your step. I'm only 5'2", and I use a 14 inch step for leg presses. I have the high step, so I use 5 risers and the top. I think in at least one of the workouts Cathe is using a 16 inch step, but I'm not sure. Maybe someone else counted the risers? Hope this helps!

Carol

 

[Michele S]

RE: Step heights: do those 2

In Muscle Endurance Cathe and crew are using a 16 inch step, and I know for me, it makes a huge difference in my leg fatigue at the end of the workout. I really have to push myself to get out that last set.

As for results from using the 16 inch, it's hard to say, as my hind end is my major trouble area. If it hurts the next day, whatever I did worked!

 

[hounddogs]

RE: Step heights: do those 2

I believe that the higher the step (as long as your knees can tolerate it and not be bent more than ninety degrees) the higher on your hamstring the work will be focused. I have funky knees, so when I want to step higher, I have to go really light but I can feel it much more in the upper hamstring/butt area.

Another way to achieve the angle without buying another riser is to lower yourself before each rep so that you're two inches lower than just standing flat, and push off from that lowered position. Good luck!

--Ann

 

[kathryn]

RE: Step heights: do those 2

>Another way to achieve the angle without buying another riser
>is to lower yourself before each rep so that you're two inches
>lower than just standing flat, and push off from that lowered
>position. Good luck!
>
>--Ann

I prefer doing this to raising the height of the step. I can really feel it in my glutes when I start in a slight croutch (sp? this looks weird!) at the bottom. I think if I were to raise the step, I would tend to push off with the back foot rather than pushing through the foot that is on the step.