Step ups are a great cardiovascular exercise, guaranteed to get your heart going and that’s going to boost not only your energy levels but your mentality too. It’s also great for leg strength and toning - bargain (and I love a good bargain)!
If you’re lucky to possess a fitness step, great! But you can easily perform this exercise if you have stairs or steps in and around the house, ensuring that is safe and stable.
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Exercise Dare 5: CV Focus - Step Ups
What to do: Very simply step up and down on the same leg for 30-60 seconds, leading with your right leg and then after your selected time, repeat on the left side. Make sure that the whole foot lands on the step (no heels over-hanging) and you step up like a mouse! Maintain an upright posture, trying to keep your eyes looking forward, with your core engaged.
Performing this exercise, as recommended, will last between 1-2 mins. You can choose what speed you want to go to.
You can choose to perform 1-3 sets, ensuring you take a 60 secs rest between subsequent sets.
Modification: If you don’t have steps or have musculoskeletal issues where step ups would exacerbate your symptoms, please keep to the floor and perform either alternate knee lifts or if you’re feeling more vigorous, speed up the knee lifts, so the exercise becomes a high knee jog. Again, keep your core engaged!