I have brought a stepper to be able to do my cardio work out in the house rather than outdoors. I used it and i found during the first few minutes a strange pain in my knees and also my upper leg area felt as if it was getting a weight lifting style work out and so i had to take breaks due to legs not being able to continue rather than being out of breath or tired. I noticed John that you used a stepper at times for your HIIT work out and was hoping could you (or any others who have experiece with a stepper) give some tips on warming up and basic use of a stepper. Thank You.

Hmmm....I use a stepper at the gym I go to. I've never really experienced the pain you talk about. I'll describe what I believe is the proper way to "step".

Make sure to take long steps, not lots of short fast ones. Try and pretend your actaully walking up normal steps. For the "easy" steps the machine offers more resistence, so you sink down slower, and rest longer. The "harder" steps, the machine drops you fasters, so you have to step faster. I assume this is right. However, I see lots of people at my gym, taking lots of small fast steps. :confused:

Also, try not to hang off of the handles. I read somewhere that this can put stresses where there shouldn't be any, i forget where, back arms maybe? I try to not use the handles as much as possible, or just to help keep my balance.

Do you do any streching before using the stepper? I don't really do any, but I make sure to start slow. Also, I'm not doing HIIT, I think it would kill me right now. I don't feel I'm in shape enough for that.

I hope this helps. Also, I hope what I've said it correct, please correct me anyone, if it's not.

James

I do not usually stretch or start slow, but I have started to now and it seems to have made a difference, Thank You for your advice.

Are you still seeing an improvement? I hope it's gotten better.


I do not usually stretch or start slow, but I have started to now and it seems to have made a difference, Thank You for your advice.

Yes, It made a BIG difference stretching, warming up and gradually increasing the pace. I would prefer to do my cardio outside, but the weather in the UK is shit.

I'm glad to hear that is going much better. I really like the stepper, because I find it really gets my heart rate up.


Yes, It made a BIG difference stretching, warming up and gradually increasing the pace. I would prefer to do my cardio outside, but the weather in the UK is shit.