Reebok Step vs Les Mills SmartTech Step
Whether you're setting yourself up at home or kitting your gym out for a group session, choosing the right step is a crucial part of your Freestyle Step experience. If you don't get the step right, then your whole workout session could end up being much more uncomfortable.
With that in mind, what should you look for in a good step? Stackability (to leave your home or gym neat and tidy while you're taking a break), durability, the amount of grip for both your feet and the step against the floor, and the shape of the step itself are all important factors that you should consider when browsing the market. Furthermore, a well-known brand name is always a must. They say that you can always tell the quality of a brand by how popular it is, so choosing a well-known name is a good start.
Two of the best steps on the market at the moment are the Reebok Step and the Les Mills SmartTech Step (well-known names: check!). The Reebok Step has been around for a lot longer than the newer Les Mills step, but here we'll take a look at whether that means it's a sign of better resilience or outdated style.
Stackability
There are huge advantages to both of these steps when it comes to stackability.
With the Reebok Step, it's a classic design. Sometimes it's the most basic, original ideas which work the most effectively, and that's certainly true in this case. As you can see, the feet are squared off, which means that these steps couldn't be easier to stack. Even if you're in a hurry and don't have time to align them properly, they'll still settle snugly. No need for pushing, wrestling or brute force here.
Conversely, the Les Mills SmartTech Step has circular shaped feet. This means that you do have to take more care when stacking these steps, because they need to be properly aligned before they'll click in place.
However, they do have one major bonus feature: these steps take up 20% less space than most other brands. In reality this means that you can fit more steps into a smaller space, and consequently more members into your class!
Durability
It seems quite obvious that the Reebok Step can stand the test of time. This brand has been manufactured for what seems like a lifetime - production simply wouldn't continue if the steps couldn't stand up to the job.
However, that's not to say that they're perfect. As with everything, Reebok Steps are prone to everyday wear and tear. With all that continuous, repetitive stepping onto, around and over the step, it's hardly surprising that over time these steps can become slightly bowed in the middle. This sagging is a very slow process, so it's not like you'll have to keep replacing these steps regularly, but it is something to watch out for.
In addition, the rubber components don't last forever. Reebok Steps are fitted with a rubber lining on top which can start to perish and work loose after excessive wear. Although this doesn't affect the usability of the step in itself, loose edges can present a trip hazard, so be careful. The feet are also made of rubber; after many years of use these feet can work loose, fall off and become lost forever. It's not easy to replace these feet, but it's not a good idea to carry on using a step without them. With no rubber feet in place, there's no guarantee that your step won't start sliding all over the floor!
The rubber feet is also an issue for the Les Mills SmartTech Step. It seems like this is an area in which all the manufacturers need to pay more attention! Slippage is a huge safety risk for anyone having a go at Freestyle Step, so making sure that you choose a step with rubber feet which will last as long as possible is really important.
The Les Mills SmartTech Steps are relatively new to the market, so we don't really know enough about how they'll hold up in the long term. Chances are that with a reputable name like Les Mills they'll be pretty durable, but only you can decide whether that's a risk you're willing to take!
Floor grip
We've already mentioned that both of these steps have issues with the rubber feet which rest against the floor. In other words, whichever step you decide to go for, you'll be left slightly disappointed.
Both brands start out perfectly well: it's over time that problems begin to start creeping in.
With the Reebok Step, it's that the small, circular feet placed at each corner work loose and eventually fall off completely. No feet equals no grip! When this happens and the plastic rests directly against the floor, the steps can move when you step on them. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that this can be really dangerous.
With the Les Mills SmartTech Step, on the other hand, the problems aren't so much with the feet working loose (yet). Only time will tell on that front. Instead, they seem to be a magnet for dust and dirt, regardless of how clean you try to keep your gym floor! When this grime begins to build up, the feet become slippery - again, this causes movement against the floor.
As you can see, the feet aren't great on either of these models. It's up to you to weigh up which is the lesser of two evils.
Shoe grip
The way in which the step grips the floor is important, but the extent to which your shoes grip the top of the step is just as crucial. Knowing that you can step safely and securely without slipping and sliding about means that you can put more concentration, effort and energy into your workout.
This is one area in which the Les Mills SmartTech Step comes in miles ahead of the Reebok Step.
We've already mentioned that the Reebok Step comes with a rubber layer which is attached to the top surface of the step. With time this will start to peel and come adrift, which is dangerous for two reasons. Firstly, it provides a trip hazard if your shoes catch the edge of a loosening area of rubber; secondly, once the rubber comes off completely, there will be nothing left to help your shoes grip the step securely. That said, this is a problem which only develops after very long periods of use.
In comparison, the Les Mills step is just in a league of its own. The manufacturers came up with the genius idea of making the surface from the same type of plastic as the rest of the step, so you get all the grip you need without the risk of the two ever separating. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is a model which you can use safely and with confidence for many years to come!
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Step shape
Let's state the obvious. In general, most people's feet are roughly rectangular in shape; they're long and thin, with straight sides. Unsurprisingly, shoes are the same shape. Nobody's feet are rounded and circular.As a result, it's baffling why Les Mills decided to make a step that's round in shape - surely it would make more sense to design the step in roughly the same shape as people's feet.
Yes, the Les Mills SmartTech Step looks pretty stylish with its rounded design, but why is the shape such an issue?
Think about it: when you place your foot on the step, you want the surface to be able to support your whole foot (and consequently your entire body weight), especially in an exercise situation. If your foot misses the step in any way - even if it just lands along the edge - then you could end up losing your balance, toppling over and causing yourself a serious injury. Steps with rectangular shapes and squared off edges provide a larger surface area onto which you can step, with a much more sensible design for 'knee corner to corner' moves.
As a result, in terms of design, the Reebok Step has a shape which is far superior to the Les Mills step. The round edges of the Les Mills step are just too precarious - place your foot even a fraction out of place and you could lose your footing altogether. No amount of grip can save you from that! The straight design of the Reebok Step with its square corners is much safer, which is probably part of the reason why it's still used so widely today.
Which step is best?
It's pretty clear that there are advantages and disadvantages to both the Reebok Step and the Les Mills SmartTech Step. Both are reputable names, so either way you can be pretty sure you're getting a decent step for your money.
In terms of durability and floor grip they're pretty even; although their plus points lie in different areas, it's a tough one to call. However, the Les Mills step is miles ahead in the shoe grip stakes, while the Reebok Step really comes into its own with its shape and design.
Perhaps the ultimate decision comes down to how easily the steps can be stacked, in which case the Reebok Step is marginally better. However, is this more important than having a newer, more modern design with up-to-date features?
As stated at the beginning, choosing the right step is arguably the most important decision you'll ever make when starting out in the world of Freestyle Step. Think carefully and choose wisely, because this could shape the way you work out forever!
That was our article for July 2015. Remember to feel free to comment, or contact me via email to FreestyleStepXTRVGNZ@gmail.com, and comment on what you think of this article, or any article you have read, or just any improvements you may want to see happening.
Next month, we will looking at the subject of "Passing the Blame: Who is doing what to Kill Freestyle Step?" here we will looking at the different aspects that directly affect at the killing of this great class type.
Next month, we will looking at the subject of "Passing the Blame: Who is doing what to Kill Freestyle Step?" here we will looking at the different aspects that directly affect at the killing of this great class type.
In October 2015 article... I look a every one of the main players that impact the scheduling, or lack there of, and the popularity of the Freestyle Step class, that as a consequence is impacting directly, or indirectly, at the dying of this great class.
Bruno Jimenez
September 2015
September 2015
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