Customer Reviews

The Step Original Health Club Step with DVD (Teal)

5 star:		(116)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

To the reviewer who said you can make something like this for $20 or less, well, clearly they don't do step aerobics. This step is designed to absorb a lot of the shock of the moves, making it safer on your joints than wood. There is a nonskid mat on top. It is also sturdy and rated for up to 300 pounds. The step can be used for cardio or double as a weight bench. Additional risers can be purchased to build it up higher. Yes, it is expensive, but so very much worth it for the design and technology that went into making this safe for any level exerciser. I have been using my step for 10 years, and it's still going strong. It's made to last!

I had searched high and low for this particular kind of step with absolutley no luck, despite the fact that step aerobics are not only hugely populer, but this particular step model is the most widely used in gyms, home exercise videos and on Fitness television. It was simply no where to be found at every major (and even minor) store I went to which sells fitness equipment. They all carried the smaller 12x25 inch step, and I needed this larger 14x40 inch step for a wider variety of exercises. These include not only step aerobics, but also chest presses, tricep dips and many other exercises. This in fact serves and as both a step-up and a weight bench, is easy to assemble, and adjusts to three seperate heights (additional height can be added on by purchasing additional raisers but I won't be needing those). This step is strong and sturdy and the surface effectively absorbs the shock of high impact exercises. I am able to stand on the very edge of it for doing calve raises without feeling like it's going to tip over with my body weight.

I was even further impressed that it arrived within slightly less than a week of ordering it - and during the week of Christmas at that. This step is so much fun to use and I am absolutely in love with it!

Rating: Excellent

This is the exact same size and type of original health club Step as used by Cathe and other instructors in the majority of thier home workout dvds! I had the home-size Step first and didn't like how unstable it was due to the smaller size, so I purchased this one from Amazon. It is more stable and safe to use if directions for use are followed correctly. Hard sturdy plastic with rubber traction, came with 4 risers. Besides stepping, its great to use for a weight bench. Amazon shipped it fast too!

This step is exactly like the ones at the gym. That is the reason I bought it. I also have the smaller home model. I don't like it at all. Don't waste your money on it. This one is great!
Good solid piece of equipment.

This step is a quality piece of equiptment. It is sturdy and strong and can manage a large amount of weight. Also, when you are doing aerobic moves on it, it does not topple over and come apart like other steps that I have used. It also stores easily under a bed or in a closet and thus, does not clutter up your space. In addition to all of this, it is easy on the eyes as it is black and grey in colour.

This step is well worth the investment-- I used to try and work out on a teeny home step and it just wasn't practical--- or safe! This huge, club size step makes your workouts more effective and more enjoyable. Its sturdy and much better for your workout.

I bought two of these in the last two months. They may LOOK just like the original, but trust me, the new manufacturer really cuts corners. Both of our steps were very cheaply put together regarding the glue adhering the black mat to the step. In both cases, the mat came off the step while I was in med-step. The result was I tripped on it landing on my face with the first one. I sent that one back, ordered another one. The mat come unglued on the second one, too. And on the first day of use. Rather than go through that for a third time, I just bought a new step by Gold's Gym. It doesn't have a mat at all, which surprising, is comfortable and trip-proof. The original Rebok Step we had for over 10 years. After all that time, we never had trouble with the glue or the mat. Wish we never gave it away. The F1005 is very unsafe in our opinion.

OK, so it's a trip down memory lane to begin with... this is the step that we first saw in use starting in the late '80s at the health and sports club that we taught aerobics at all over Southern California. Same step, same high quality. You can find a little cheaper step around, but this is the one that we all knew back when. This is the step that took all the abuse professional classes at high-end clubs could dish out and still look like new. Highly recommended, we love having this step: right height, right size, adjustable, strong as an ox and looks good too. The memory thing, that's just a bonus for us aerobic instructors out there.

The good:
It's lightweight, assembles easily.

The bad:
It shouldn't be used with weights if you're over 200lbs.
I'm around 210 and standing in the center, it sinks and flexes way too much.
Stand in the middle, towards the edge and you sink into it (I do).
It isn't as sturdy as the Reebok version. The base blocks make it easier for it to tip over while you're using it.

I truly like this platform. I owned a Rebok Step platform for years that I thought highly of but I gave it to a friend and bought The Firm Fanny Lifter (the blue and purple one) to save space. While the Fanny Lifter was great (and is - I still use it for leg presses, lunges and other strength building exercises), it was not stable enough for the step workouts I like to do. I have some Cathe Friedrich and Christi Taylor workouts that you need to be able to do some travelling to get the most out of the routines. Also, it is more stable on my less than level 100 year old wood floors than my Rebok platform was. I would recommend investing in this platform to anyone that will use it. If you are new to stepping, perhaps try a class a few times before spending the money or try the less expensive, shorter version. I have seen it for $20-$25 at discount chains. Personally, I have been step training for 20 years (I'm 41) at different impact levels and have no problems. For higher impact I train on the 6" level and lower impact on the 8". My 9 year old cocker spaniel also uses it to get on and off the bed.