Step aerobics took the fitness industry by storm in the early 1990s. Fitness professional Gin Miller, along with Reebok, the sports apparel manufacturer, developed the program, inspired by knee-strengthening exercises prescribed by Miller's physical therapist and the Harvard step test used to determine a participant's basic aerobic fitness. Miller, with hopes of facilitating easy cuing for step instructors, created a universal terminology for all of the step aerobic moves. Some moves eventually received different names in different parts of the country, but others have kept their original name.
Single Lead Steps
In step aerobics, the lead leg is the first leg to step up on to the bench and the first leg to step down. The basic step is an example. Step up with your right foot and then bring your left foot up to meet it. Then, step down with the right foot, and bring the left foot down to meet it. It is an easy step with a significant problem. If you don't do something to change lead legs, your right leg will fatigue. Some instructors have students perform eight basic steps. On the last step, instead of flattening your left and putting weight on it, tap your toe to the floor. Your weight will be on the right foot, leaving your left foot free to move. The V-step is just like the basic step, but instead of stepping to the center of the platform, your feet form a wide "V."
Alternate Lead Steps
Alternate lead steps automatically transfer the weight from one leg to the other, eliminating the need to tap down to switch leads. These steps involve stepping up with one leg and performing a knee lift, a side kick or a leg curl with the opposite leg. These steps are respectively called knee lifts, side kicks and leg curls, but if you kick back with a straight leg, it is called an arabesque.
Repeaters
Add intensity to alternate lead steps by turning them into repeaters. Step up with one leg and remain on the step as you perform three knee-lifts, side-kicks or leg curls with the opposite leg. Advanced choreography sometimes uses five-count repeaters, but in order to stay on beat with the music, you need to perform a basic step before changing sides.
Turn Step
A turn step is an alternating V-step that changes direction. Step up with your right foot, aiming your foot toward the right corner of the step. Follow with your left foot. Begin facing right as you prepare to step down. Step off the step with your right foot tap down with the left foot and repeat the pattern, leading with your left leg.
Crossing the Board
Some step movements take you to the opposite side of the board. The over-the-top step is the easiest. Stand sideways, and step up with your right foot. Bring your left foot up to meet it. Step down with your right foot, and then tap down with your left foot. Repeat the sequence with a left foot lead. Corner-to-corner is similar to over-the-top, but it begins on one corner of the board and crosses diagonally to the opposite side. The across-the top move takes you across the entire length of the board and requires a propulsive movement. Stand at one end of the step and take a big step up with your right foot, aiming toward the center of the platform. Bring your left foot up to meet it and then shuffle across the board. Tap down with your left foot when you reach the opposite end and then repeat the sequence with a left lead.
Straddles
Straddles are either single or alternating lead step. To perform a single lead straddle, stand sideways, and step up with your right foot. Bring your left foot up to meet it. Then step down with your right foot in front of the board and straddle the board by stepping down with your left foot in back of the board. You will need to tap your right foot when you want to switch leads. Performing an alternate lead straddle eliminates the tap. Step up with your right foot and either perform a knee lift, side kick or leg curl with your left leg. Straddle the board as you step down. Your weight will be on your right leg, leaving your left foot free to take the lead. Instructors cue alternate lead straddles according to the leg movement and use terms such as knee lift straddle, side kick straddle and leg curl straddle.
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