Best step platforms according to redditors

Some bruising is normal but by the look, yours seem a bit excessive so I'm going give some form suggestions, if you dont want to read that's fine but I think there are things you could work on to minimize the bruising. Based on that lowest really bad bruise, it looks like the bar is really low on your shin...if you're below 135lbs then you might want to consider setting the plates on something like these https://www.amazon.com/Step-Additional-Risers-Original-Health/dp/B000BGNBUE/ref=lp_14329881_1_3?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1468427032&sr=1-3
to pick the bar up a little bc it should be starting more toward the middle of your shin. Also, if you lift with your legs a bit first before straightening your back it might not pull against your shins as much. You may be squatting a bit too (especially if the bar is low) and you may want to make sure you're not squatting your deadlift, might need to bend over a little more bc the bar should go straight up but with the way it's going into your shins you might be pulling it back more than necessary instead of up. Just things to consider. Shins also bruise very easily bc the lack of meat on them so thick socks would help ease the initial contact.

In my old gym I used to put the bar on my back like I was doing a squat and stand on the edge of an exercise step
I did not use the little feet, just the flat top piece.

The only issue was I felt like I was crushing the plastic after a certain total weight so it might be better to have the same thing made out of 2x4s and other wood instead.

Or how about stacking plates with a barbell

Do box jumps. Increase the height of the box (or whatever you use) as you get stronger and are able to jump higher. You can buy equipment for increasing the levels (example 1, example 2), or you can just try using things in your surroundings (stairs, curbs, ledges, etc.)

I got a plastic pyro step for about 50 and it has been plenty strong.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BO8AAC/

If you aren't handy, it is a good option.

Reebok Step.

https://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Original-Aerobic-Step/dp/B07P36V54R

This is the one that I bought: https://www.amazon.com/Step-Original-Aerobic-Platform-Fitness/dp/B0007OWSXQ

It’s the same kind that I used for STEP aerobics many years ago, and the same brand my local YMCA had.

Hello my friend, you want step raisers:


The Step Original Health Club Aerobic Step Risers in Black/Gray for Use with The Step Aerobic Platform - Health Club Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BGNBUE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ItHWDbP4TA8NA

I've been using Phrak's GSLP, just with adjustable dumbbells, plus a few sets of 1" weights at 1.25lb, 10lb, and 25lb, also from amazon.

Basically you can put this together just with amazon.

Here's the replacements I used:

• Upper body:
  
  • one-arm DB OHP
    
  • one-arm DB bench press, using a couple floor risers similar to this as a bench
    
  • one-arm DB rows
    
  • DB curls, or chinups (if have chinup bar)
    
• Lower body:
  
  • DB swings
    
  • DB clean and push-press
    
  • DB reverse lunges
    
    Increases:
    
    
• for upper body, since all lifts are one-armed, just increase the weight by 1.25lb plate each time (instead of 2.5lb on a bar, it's 1.25lb on a dumbbell). Yes, this means you'll have a slightly unbalanced DB, but 1.25 is very low; it's easy to balance by gripping close to that side
  
• for lower body, increase by 2.5lb per DB (instead of 5lb on a bar)
  
  

I would say yes, that would be a good match for the "stair stepper" workout. If you want my 2 cents, in my experience, it's hard to really get your heart-rate up on those types of stair steppers. They make your calves burn but not much else. Just my opinion. I haven't used this specific model and your results may vary.

This is what I often use http://amzn.com/B017NTH3D2

It's nice because I can go from a slow walk up and down to a full-on run. I can turn it 90 degrees and do side steps up and over it, increasing my speed until my heart is really going. It's super fun to work out on. I can get a killer workout while watching tv. I often alternate between the step and push-ups and sit-ups.

Edit: That's not the exact model of step that I use. Mine is a bit nicer, with a rubberized top and a 7" height. So I'm not endorsing this exact model, just step platforms in general.

There are different ways to teach contact obstacles. For a fast dog with a novice handler, "2 on/2 off" can be the most useful.

Basically you teach the dog to orient themselves with their front feet on the ground and their back feet on an object behind them (hence "2 on, 2 off"). This is because "touch the yellow part of the plank before you jump off" is a difficult and vague criteria for a dog to learn, but "run to the bottom of the plank and WAIT THERE until someone tells you to go" is pretty straightforward.

If you can build or buy one, a travel board is great to get. They're small enough they can fit in the trunk of a normal car. You can take it with you to new places and practice the 2o2o behavior in lots of different environments. It seems like a random skill, but it is hugely, enormously helpful to have a strong reinforcement history for the 2o2o behavior - it will give you a lot more control on course and will help ensure safe behavior from the dog on contact obstacles.

Here's a video about how to teach the 2o2o behavior... the video shows teaching it on a more expensive piece of equipment - you can teach it on anything that's raised! Aerobics steps are great for teaching this skill without sinking a lot of money into it.

Edit: here's my young dog when he was learning his contacts... we weren't running courses, we were just practicing being calm and controlled over one obstacle at a time. :) You can see the strong stopped contact behavior is the only thing that allows us to do that.

The Step. I think it’s the original brand that started it, but their latest version that everyone copied: https://www.amazon.com/Step-Adjustable-Platform-Strength-Training/dp/B07L1NL6SR?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_2602193011

Titan and pretty much everyone makes one that’s basically the same but goes to 8” instead of 6” max like the one I got. I prefer mine though because at 6” it has a max weight limit of 550lbs. Throw two under you and that’s 1100lbs max. 6” is a good sweet spot too and the height of the drop pads. Got one for my GF on a whim, used it as a platform for T bar rows and realized I could use it for a lot of things if I got two in order to distribute the weight more. Also use them as a platform for belt squats from a heavy low cable. Solid, stable, and they look slick.

My gym has these aerobic step thingies sitting out. Find how many in a stack make perfect depth for you, tap and go.

Question about Deadlifts with Hex Plates... My gym only has hex plates available. When I started 5x5 I tried using them and found that they rotate and generally fuck up when I hit the floor. My solutions was to use two of these to catch the plates. Am I going to mess up my form by using these? is there a better option? I'm 6'3" if that matters.

I felt the same way like last week. I would suggest thinking about your future or things that make you feel good. For some ideas, how about:

A) New clothes. Shirts, Pants, Shoes, Jacket? :)

B) Bathroom. a Body Brush, Shower Gel, Lotion, Shavers, Bath Salts/Gel.

C) Personal entertainment items. Video Games, Books, Movies, Microphone for your PC, MP3 Player. Could be anything that you've been thinking about.

D) Self-improvement. Barbells, Medicine Ball, Aerobic Stepper, Protein Powder, Running Shoes, Water Bottle.

Hope this gives you an idea :)

You can also get one of those step platforms and do step ups and step downs. There is as much down hill as uphill (well maybe a little more uphill but only about 4000' difference between Yosemite Valley at 4000' and Lone Pine trailhead at 8000'), so make sure to train your "going downhill muscles" as well with eccentric exercises. And, have an awesome trip!

I'd raise the back of the erg, try and find something like this
https://www.amazon.com/Step-Original-Aerobic-Platform-Circuit/dp/B017NTH3D2/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1486001641&sr=1-3&keywords=aerobic+step

Put the erg right in the center and do steady state, I build up to 90+ minutes on this for my athletes.

You do have to start slow as it's more load on the lower back. So I usually do our "bread and butter work" (8x10 min On, Sr 18-20, 3 Min Rest, Not trying to kill it but stay constant all the way through) and I'll have them raised on the last two or first one and last one and slowly build them to full.

Meters makes Champions but being smart and safe in training keeps you on top.