10-Minute Tuneups: Step Workout Video

Source: Best Health magazine, December 2012

For this workout, you can use either an aerobics step or simply a set of stairs in your house. Step work is important because you exercise lots of leg muscles’burning tons of calories along the way and adding muscle tone and definition to your thighs and glutes. As well, these moves are designed to really get your heart rate going.

To maximize this workout, do as many of each of these exercises as you can, as fast as you can. You can modify the workout to your own fitness level until you have built up your aerobic stamina (but try to do at least one 180-Degree Squat Thrust!).

How it works

Warm up: The first one-minute exercise segment will provide a brief warm-up to get your major muscles moving.
Gauge the intensity: Use a stopwatch, the timer on your phone or a clock with a second hand to keep track of the time for each exercise. Your working muscles should definitely feel ready to change to the next exercise by the time you reach the end of each segment.
Customize moves to your needs: Some of the exercises have easier options.
Cool down and stretch: Be sure to do the cool-down at the end to lower your heart rate. And for that final minute, stretch the major muscle groups you’ve just worked.

Erin Phelan is a fitness trainer and mom of two. She’s a regular contributor to Best Health.

Fitness model: Robyn Baldwin

About our 10-Minute Tuneups

Ideally, we should be getting 30 minutes of fitness a day. But when time is tight, doing 10-Minute Tuneups whenever you can fit them in still makes a difference. Have fun!

This article was originally titled "10-Minute Tuneups: Step It Up" in the December 2012 issue of Best Health. Subscribe today to get the full Best Health experience’and never miss an issue!