What type of aerobics was developed during the early days of group exercise to provide a high-intensity workout with low impact?

Step aerobics emerged as a popular form of group exercise designed to deliver a high-intensity workout while minimizing impact on the joints. It was developed in the 1980s and utilizes a raised platform—known as a step—where participants perform a variety of movements, including stepping up, stepping down, and lateral movements. This format allows for a cardiovascular workout that can be precisely tailored to individual fitness levels through the adjustment of the step height or the complexity of the steps.

The low-impact nature of step aerobics is achieved by allowing participants to control their movements in a manner that reduces the stress placed on their joints compared to high-impact activities such as running or jumping. This makes it an accessible option for a wide range of participants, including those who may be recovering from injury or seeking to improve their fitness level without excessive strain.

While other forms of aerobics, like circuit aerobics, aqua aerobics, and dance aerobics, offer their own benefits and appeal, step aerobics specifically focuses on combining intensity with a low-impact approach, making it particularly effective for enhancing cardiovascular fitness while being kinder to the joints.