I heard Step Aerobics is for Grandmas!

Do you have a soulmate workout?  I do!  My soulmate workout is step aerobics.  I love so many forms of exercise, but nothing really compares to step aerobics for me.  What do you think of when you hear step aerobics?  Perhaps you're thinking back to 80's/90's style aerobics classes (below, left), or even the video that recent viral video of a man doing step aerobics in a speedo - he's missing the step, but boy is he having fun (below, right).

 

My class has often been described as "dancy" or a "workout for your mind AND body" - not only is my class fast-paced, but the choreography is more complicated than the average step class.  All of these things are exactly what I love about it!  So imagine my surprise when a new member introduced herself before class and said, "I heard Step Aerobics is for Grandmas!"  To set the record straight, I've had women who are grandmothers take my class, and they not only keep up with the younger people in my class, but they sometimes outshine them and have WAY more energy!  Check out Leeni in the photo below - an amazing stepper AND a grandma!  It just goes to show that age is just a number and if you 'keep up with your fitness', you'll never get 'old'.  But, that doesn't take away the impression people have about step aerobics.  Yes, step aerobics has been around for a LONG time, dating back to the Jazzercise and Richard Simmons years of fitness world (did you know Richard Simmons, at age 64, is STILL teaching group fitness in CA?), but it has evolved SO much!

In the beginning, a lot of my choreography came from a class that I took before I became an instructor, taught by my personal step aerobics guru, Deanna (in the picture to the right).  She is who got me hooked on step from day 1 - her choreography is FABULOUS (you can take her class at Club One in Pittsburgh)!  I was determined to be as amazing as she is!  I find choreography inspiration everywhere, but one of my favorite places is YouTube.  My favorite step aerobic YouTube-er is Tony Cicala, or "sunshine Tony" in Italy.  His choreography is so inspiring and I "borrow" his moves ALL the time!  Check him out:

 

Leeni, Deanna & I at Club One, Pittsburgh, May 2013

Can YOUR grandma do that?  If she can, she's pretty awesome!  I know step aerobics isn't for everyone, but I LOVE IT!


What's your soulmate workout?