just a beginner - stability ball or step

[momof4]

Just like everyone else, I'm trying to start the new year right. Any suggestions about a good step video and/or step platform to buy. Also, what about an exercise ball. What would give me a better workout. I guess they do two different things. The step is cardio and the ball is stretching. Is that right? Thanks! Happy New Year! Oh, also do you think if you follow CL menus you can lose weight ?

[MrsReber]

Hello! I love step. I take a step class once a week at the gym. At the end of the class, we do abs with the ball. We also do some weight training with the ball in another class.

So, you're correct that the step is mostly cardio. I just got a ball for Christmas and I love it. I also got some handweights (5, 8, 10, 12, and 15 lbs) to use with the ball for strength training.

If you can, I'd get both the step and the ball. You can find the balls reasonably priced at Marshalls, if you have one near you. The one I got came with a video of exercises you can do. The video gave me a few ideas and the instructors at the gym gave me even more ideas.

I don't know where to buy a good step. There may have been a thread on that a while ago. I like the big Reebok steps, like they have at the gym. I had a smaller one that I got along with a Jane Fonda video (this is at least 10 years ago) but the step pretty much fell apart.

As for losing weight with CL meals- if you follow the serving sizes accurately, you could probably lose weight. My problem is that I always go back for seconds! I had much better luck following WW after the birth of my second child. I did the points plan and lost 12 pounds in 10 weeks. Now I just need to lose this holiday weight!

[amiable_erin]

Hi momof4, happy new year to you too! Sounds like you have some goals set - yeah! My first bit of advice - take it slow! If you haven't been dieting or working out in the last year consistently, then build up slowly. The people who actually stick with programs the longest are the ones that don't shock their systems. I've read about this & seen it on CNN / Today Show a lot. If you are really serious - set some short & long term goals! :-)

As for a step - step is a more high impact aerobics and the ball is a bit more strength & stretching. I have worked out on both, but have found that neither fit my lifestyle at the moment. With that said, everyone on the DVD/Home Workout board loves THE FIRM. You can buy a firm step & DVD's/Videos at firmdirect.com, collagevideo.com, or on ebay.com as well as at Target (& some Walmarts). There is the firm 1, 2, or 3. Everyone loves all three so if I were you, I'd start with either #1 or #3 because #2 definitely requires the special stick as wekk as the step.

As for the ball, it might be a nice addition, but you might think about other possibilities: pilates, yoga, etc. are great places to get more stretching & strengthening. I've done ashtanga yoga (power yoga) and I can say from experience that it's a bit costly & doesn't really lead to weight loss unless you do it a lot (which may mean more trips to yoga classes & then more $$). So if it is weight loss you are after, maybe think about encorporating these in to the program eventually.

So, weight loss through working out & eating? I'm on that path myself. I started working out with DVD's about 1.5 years ago. Initially, I worked out 15 minutes a day, three days a week - and even that was a big committment for me back then. I just wasn't used to working out! There's great videos that offer "quick fixes" like 10 minute solutions, etc. and although there are no quick fixes in life (didn't lose weight really), it definitely got me to start working out on a regular basis. This past summer I stepped it up to 30 minutes, 2 to three times a week. Now I'm to an average 45 minutes a day, every day. Next for me is to work on diet. Building slowly with working out & then focusing on diet once the workouts were going well has seemed to be working for me. I bought a book on emotional eating & I think that has helped me more than any "light" recipe. You can make light recipes, but how much will you eat then? :eek:

I'd love to hear what you end up deciding to do, so keep us posted! :D

[funniegrrl]

Yes, the ball is primarily used for strengthening the core and I guess some stretching, whereas the step is used in high-impact aerobics. If you are REALLY out of shape, starting with a step may be too much -- you might want to start with some low-impact cardio activity first, then when you need more of a challenge, get a step.

I really like Kathy Smith videos. She is always up on the latest research and is a really good instructor who emphasizes form. She has numerous aerobic / step aerobic videos. If you are looking for something lower impact, she has one called March to Fitness. She does have a stability ball workout video but it may be out of print. Her latest strength training video, Lift Weights to Lose Weight 2, has a section on using the ball.

I also really like Susan Powter's Burn Fat & Get Fit. You can start out on the floor with no step, then add when you are ready. It also includes some light toning with hand weights. Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds series is also pretty good for low-impact "beginner" cardio. Finally, I believe Gaiam (www.gaiam.com) has some ball workouts.

P.S. I don't think that the typical aerobic step is high enough for The Firm -- it requires an extra-high step.

[amiable_erin]

funniegrrl is partly right when talking about firm 1 & 2 because the step they use is actually stackable, but the new firm has a lower step (but does use an incline feature not available w/ non-firm steps). either way, steps are so expensive, it's actually cheaper to buy the FIRM box set (step & videos) than to buy a standard step.

Good luck!

[Valerie226]

Do you have cable or satellite TV? check out the fitTV channel for examples of just about any kind of routine you'd want. It's on all day & not all programs are worthwhile but some are very good. I've taped a few shows that appealed to me, & for sure you'll get some ideas.