Happy
The
Birthday! to
Step
By Jean suffin
THis liTTle plaTforM openeD up
THe worlD of aeroBic accessories
next MontH MarKs tHe 20tH annIversary of a little item known as The Step,
the simple, stackable platform that revolutionized aerobics by facilitating endless
variations in choreography and making group-exercise accessible to nearly everyone.
Now, all these years later, The Step is ubiquitous, a staple in most clubs, reflects
Gin Miller, who created Reebok Step programming. “Every gym has it. It’s like the
stationary bicycle of group fitness,” she says. “Because it’s so versatile, it’s become
a tool that’s used in a lot of different ways.
“The Step has evolved into something much greater than anyone originally
envisioned.”
The Step, which subsequently, with innovations and
product proliferation, became the lowercase step cate-
gory, not only transformed and reinvigorated classes. It
also got trainers and equipment manufacturers thinking
about other aerobics accessories that might make workouts
more interesting, exciting, and effective.
Today, it would be hard to count the items, devices, and appara-
tuses that are being utilized, both inside and outside of clubs, to get the
blood flowing. We have pads, platforms, ramps, discs, beams, poles, balls,
hoops, fighting sticks, elastic bands, weighted bars, hand and ankle weights,
barbells and dumbbells, bikes, rowers, and suspension-training equipment.
Which leads one to wonder, Is there anything that, with a bit of creativity,
can’t be turned into an aerobics accessory?
accessorizing exercise
Gerstung, the Baltimore, Maryland-based supplier best known for its flooring
and children’s offerings, also provides a wide range of exercise platforms, includ-
ing a Running Square, Jog’n Shape, Action Platform, and Tap Flex Platform, all
of which are designed to cushion foot impact, making sessions safer.
Incorporating resistance into routines increases the challenge,
physical engagement, and strength-training benefits, and can be
accomplished easily in a number of ways. Les Mills International,
the Auckland, New Zealand-based developer of eight prechoreo-
graphed group-exercise classes that inspire six million people
worldwide each week, makes use of several approaches.>
www.ihrsa.org | DECEMBEr 2009 | Club Business International
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