Step Training History, Evolution & Guidelines

Step Training in organized group fitness has been in existence since the mid to late 80's in some form or fashion.

But the concept of lifting the body weight to elicit a cardio-respiratory response has actually been around for much longer. Athletic coaches long trained team members by having them run up and down stadium steps, since early in the century.

In the 1950's, the Harvard Step test was developed for cardio-respiratory fitness assessment and has been used for the last half of the century.

Many others toyed with the concept in various training modes and with different types of elevated equipment, but it was Gin Miller who successfully created, focused, pitched and ultimately sold people, and Reebok, on the idea of organized group "step training".

Following years of "schlepping" a box in and out of corporate offices, trying to convince people that this idea would be a great concept for group fitness, Gin finally convinced Reebok and ultimately joined them in 1989 to teach the world to "Step".

That is why she is known as the creator of Step Training.

In the early 80's, group fitness was still in its relative infancy. From 1951 to 1985, Jack LaLanne hosted his television exercise show, looking ever so handsome and svelte in his black jumpsuit. Judy Sheppard Missitt founded Jazzercise in 1969 and Jackie Sorensen began leading her dance based "aerobics" in 1971. In the 80's, Richard Simmons gave a boost to the fitness craze with his "Never Say Diet" exercise book and TV show. And Jane Fonda had her best selling book, "Jane Fonda's Workout Book", and starred in her top selling high impact exercise video, in bare feet no less.

However, the fairly new fitness industry was beginning to show concern with overuse injuries and impact. High impact aerobics were the standard but low impact options and classes gradually started to take hold.

This concern also led shoe companies to respond by focusing research and development on footwear that would help absorb shock and reduce the risk of injury. In 1982, Reebok released the "Freestyle" shoe, specifically for aerobic dance.

As aerobics became more popular, it concurrently evolved to provide interest and challenge. Tempo increased and choreography became more complex.

In retrospect, the time was right for step training to bring the world to its feet.

Next: Step History 2 - From milk crate to porch, bench to box, and finally... the step.

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