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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
illicit 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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