Step platform for home: how to choose a step platform for home, which one to buy

A step platform is a sports equipment that is a small bench with an adjustable height level. This platform is designed not only for step aerobics, but also for performing strength and cardio exercises. Most often, this sports equipment is made of special plastic and has a corrugated surface that prevents slipping during exercise.

The step platform is a truly versatile fitness equipment. You can do aerobics with it, perform strength and plyometric exercises, complicate and simplify classic exercises. In general, using this equipment will help you create an effective set of exercises for losing weight and strengthening the muscles of the whole body, especially the legs and buttocks.

Why do you need a step platform?

In order to make a complete and, most importantly, safe structure for humans, you need to know what it is and what qualities it has.

This simulator is designed for the comprehensive development of the muscles of the buttocks, legs and cardiovascular system. Exercises on this equipment represent an imitation of walking up steps with the inclusion of dance elements. The board can also be used as a sports bench.

Sports equipment and equipment intended for active activities must initially be durable and stable. The same applies to the platform. This simulator resembles a step or an ordinary box with a rectangular shape. Industrial platforms are made of high-quality plastic with a rubberized surface and are sold at any sporting goods store.

For safe practice when making a board yourself, it is important to comply with a number of requirements.

Requirements for classes and platform for step dance

Step aerobics is similar to sports dancing, with the only difference being that in step the movements are performed around a platform, with ascent and descent from it, which imposes certain requirements on the classes.

It is necessary to exercise in light sneakers with ventilation (mesh) and non-slip soles.
The space for performing exercises should be sufficient so that you do not have to touch nearby objects during the dance.
The platform must be installed on a flat surface to prevent it from loosening and shifting during movements.

A correctly calculated step design will make it possible to avoid sprains and injuries and allow you to enjoy your workout.

A do-it-yourself step platform must meet the following requirements.

Good strength characteristics. This is important, especially if a person is overweight. The board must not break or be damaged in any other way during class.
Non-slip surface. This requirement applies both to the upper surface, which is directly involved in performing the exercises (that is, the leg should not be able to slide off the board), and to the lower part (that is, the platform itself should not slide on the surface on which it is installed).
Excellent stability. This quality will not allow the board to turn over if the athlete steps on the edge of the simulator.

These requirements are met by the correct selection of the material from which the platform will be made, as well as by the choice of its design and weight.

Basic types of steps

There are two types of step platforms: adjustable and combined (multifunctional).

Adjustable step is the most common option for fitness. As a rule, this is a 3-level platform with height adjustment. The height of the step changes due to connecting/disconnecting sections of supports or their reconfiguration (sections are rearranged as in a constructor). The second option is more convenient in that the sections will not get lost anywhere, because they all participate in step configurations. The height set is usually standard - 15/20/25 centimeters.

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If you want to do regular step aerobics, feel free to choose the first option. If you want to complicate your classes and increase the load, you can try combined platforms. But at the same time you must be sufficiently prepared physically.

There are two types of step platforms: adjustable and combined (

step is the most common option for fitness. As a rule, this is a 3-level platform with height adjustment. The height of the step changes due to the connection/disconnection of support sections or their reconfiguration (

). The second option is more convenient in that the sections will not get lost anywhere, because they all participate in step configurations. The height set is usually standard - 15/20/25 centimeters.

Platforms, depending on the design, can be divided into four types: unregulated, adjustable, balancing platforms and combined - transforming platforms

1) Non-adjustable - is a low portable bench with a fixed height. Rarely found on sale, they cost from $10 to $20.

2) Height-adjustable step steps, due to their lower cost and their targeted functionality, are the most common sports equipment for stepping aerobics. Usually this is a flat flat platform with interchangeable stands, having two or three levels of standard height equal to 15, 20 and 25 cm.

3) Balancing platforms are an inflatable silicone hemisphere. The elasticity depends on the air pressure inside the hemisphere and is adjusted using a pump. Hemispheres are used on both the convex and flat sides. Cost from $40 to $70. Balancing step platforms and their use

4) Combined platforms, unlike conventional ones, are not static and can be modified into a variety of additional sports equipment, for example, a bench with a folding back and hooks for attaching power expanders or a folding hook for legs when training abdominal muscles. Cost from $110 to $170. Combined step platforms and their application

The platform of such a platform can be extended along its length, forming a bench for exercising with dumbbells. The two-level height of such platforms is 20.5 and 35.5 cm, which is quite high for beginners who have recently been involved in step aerobics. In addition, such an expensive platform for step aerobics - how much does three or four regular ones cost?

In addition to classic aerobics classes, a regular adjustable step platform can also be used to perform other physical exercises, such as push-ups with different heights of hand support, exercises with dumbbells while lying down and sitting, stretching and training the abdominal muscles.

The variety of possible physical exercises using the step significantly expands its functionality and allows you to work out all muscle groups. However, at the initial stage of training, you should not strive to cover all the exercises in one lesson, but entrust the program to an experienced instructor who will select loads that suit your level of training.

Before choosing a step platform, you need to know the basic requirements for its design and the materials from which it is made.

1) Stability - the first important requirement will be its stability, since tipping over and even simple swaying can lead to a fall and serious injury during exercise. In addition, the platform should not slide on the floor, even on linoleum, laminate and tiles.

2) Durability - the second important quality of this sports equipment is the strength of the structure. The platform must not only withstand the weight of a calmly standing person, but also be designed for jumping on its surface. At the same time, during jumps it should not sag or spring.

3) Good grip on shoes - the next test when choosing is determined by the quality of grip on shoes. The surface of the steppe can in no way be slippery. The best grip is provided by corrugated rubber with shallow grooves or a mesh. The use of certain types of plastics is permitted. But smooth surfaces or the use of slippery plastics pose a risk of possible injury from falling.

4) Reliability of the design - in some models, the height is changed by increasing the number of stands for the support platform. It is necessary to carefully check how well and securely these stands are connected to each other, so that during classes this entire structure does not fall apart.

5) Platform height - as already mentioned, the height of the platform for beginners is 15 or 20 cm; for more experienced athletes, the height can reach 35 cm in combined products. The width should be 5 cm greater than your foot, and the length 20 cm greater than your feet shoulder-width apart. The numbers given here are minimums and may make a larger difference, but wearing a platform that is too large is awkward and cumbersome.

The cost of the simplest non-height-adjustable platform of low quality starts from $17-20. Adjustable step shoes from well-known manufacturers such as Kettler, Reebok or FitnesSport will not cost less than $70-80. Although price fluctuations in different online stores for the same product are quite noticeable.

For example, the minimum cost of the simplest two-level step Torres AL1005 is $16.5, and the three-level Aerofit is $54.8. More serious and reliable platforms are more expensive.

For safe and comfortable step aerobics classes, in addition to the correct choice of platform, you also need to think about the issue of choosing shoes suitable for classes. The best option in this case is lightweight non-slip dance sneakers, the size of which should be chosen strictly according to your foot, because in tight shoes your feet will quickly get tired, and in too loose ones you risk twisting your foot.

Do not try to achieve maximum results in the first training sessions; loads should be increased gradually, in accordance with the recommendations of an experienced consultant. And the most important thing is your desire to play sports. As long as you have it, there will be results!

The design must be calculated correctly to avoid injury during training.

Here are the main criteria that help make really good equipment

Strength. This is the most important quality, especially if the athlete is overweight. A do-it-yourself step aerobics platform, the dimensions of which are selected individually, must withstand the load and not break during jumps.

Sustainability. This setting will hold the wooden support and will not allow it to tip over, even if the trainee steps on its edge.

No slipping. The simulator must be designed so that the foot does not slip off the surface and it does not move along the surface.

What is the difference

A do-it-yourself step platform still has a number of differences from industrial products that you need to know. She does not have the following qualities.

Cushioning of foot impacts on the surface. This applies to jumping and vigorous steps. Purchased boards are made from special springy plastics that are not available for sale. Therefore, it is dangerous to jump on a home board, as you can twist your joints. You should try to do exercises that do not involve jumping and skipping.
Height adjustment. This feature is designed to increase or decrease the load during exercise. This is especially important at the beginning, when the beginner must have a lower platform. There is no point in complicating the home structure for the sake of this. Moreover, you cannot pile parts of the simulator on top of each other. It's easier to make a taller board over time.

Additional functions

Additional functions of step platforms include all kinds of expanders, benches, drawers for storing accessories, etc. These functions significantly increase the cost of the step platform, and at the same time are not needed for classical step aerobics.

Therefore, I advise you to purchase a platform with additional gadgets only if you have a good idea of how exactly you will use them. If you are on a budget, you will most likely be tempted to purchase a step deck.

For example, such as Reebok-Deck. This is certainly a wonderful fitness equipment, but in most cases it is not suitable for step aerobics. The minimum height of this step deck is 20 cm. This is a fairly large load level.

Platform options

The size requirements for the manufacture of this simulator are as follows:

The width of the upper working surface must be such that the athlete’s foot can freely fit on it. At the same time, it should not be too wide so that one can easily step over it. The optimal width, depending on the size of the leg and height, will be from forty centimeters to half a meter.
The height of the step platform depends on the level of training of the athlete. For beginners, this size should be from ten to fifteen centimeters, over time it increases to thirty. It has been proven that increasing step height by five centimeters adds up to 12% strain on muscles.
The length of the board is one to one and a half meters. The parameter depends on the comfortable position of “legs slightly wider than shoulder width.” With this positioning of the body, the feet should not hang over the edges and should stand straight. This way you can choose the optimal length.

Materials for production

To meet all the requirements for this simulator, a step platform can be made with your own hands from wooden boards of appropriate sizes. You will also need small nails and PVA glue.

It would also be nice to have a rubberized canvas or drape fabric to cover the working surface and rubber lining for an improvised bottom or legs.

If a solid board of appropriate height is taken for production, then you only need to process all sides and glue the coating to the top of the board and rubber strips to the bottom.

In order to accurately measure dimensions, you will need a ruler, and to measure evenness, you will need a level. The platform must be made without distortions and not wobble.

How to make a step platform yourself

In order to make your own step platform, you need to take the following steps.

You need to prepare a board one meter long and forty centimeters wide for the working surface. If you want to make the simulator larger, then the sizes are selected individually.
Using a timber, knock together the four sides and the work board so that you get a box about twenty centimeters high.
Measure out a perfectly horizontal surface and, if necessary, process it so that the step board stands firmly and does not wobble.
Sand the outer parts of the machine.
Sports equipment and equipment for active sports must be stable and safe, so non-slip material is glued to the top surface and nailed along the edges with nails or a mounting gun.
The same material is similarly attached from below along the edges or along the entire length, as desired.

The platform is ready. On Internet resources you can find many interesting exercises for practicing on this simulator. If made independently and correctly, it will bring a lot of benefits and pleasure to the body.

Equipment for children

In order for the baby to always remain healthy, he must develop his physical abilities. A step platform for children can handle this. Aerobics on a support has a positive effect on the body, developing endurance and improving the child’s concentration. When making equipment yourself, it is worth considering its parameters: height - 10 cm, length - 40 cm and width - 20 cm. For small athletes, it is better to make the corners rounded so that the kids do not get hurt.

Aerobics is very beneficial for a person, like all other sports. To make a product with your own hands, drawings are not needed, because we have described each action in detail. The main thing is not to stop training after the first lesson, and then the result will be visible not only to you, but also to those around you.