Another step-up question

[kedg]

My first 2 workouts with step-ups I had no problems. I used pretty heavy weights and when at home I used the stairs from my basement, as others have mentioned.

Workout 3 was another matter entirely. I was back in the gym and down to 12 reps, which should mean I could increase the weight except I cannot hold onto the dumbbells that heavy through all 12 reps. I tried decreasing the weight and increasing the height of the step for the 2nd set, but by then my hands were so tired it still didn't work.

My question is really this: Is it ok to step up onto something that is so high that my knee is higher than my hips (i.e., my thigh is no past parallel with the floor)? Because clearly I'm going to have to increase height rather than weight that I'm holding to increase intensity with these. I toyed with trying the step-ups onto a weight bench (i.e. a bench one would lie on for bench-presses, etc.) but I got worried about that angle with my knee - also, with basically any weight I had major balance issues.

I know too that I can try a barbell in a max rack, but I really want to know what the issues are with respect to the height of the step and the angle of my knee.

Thanks.

[stingo]

Do you have grip issues with deadlifts too? If so you might want to look into strengthening your grip.

[kfisherx]

I do step ups on a weight bench and it kicks my butt big time even with 15lb db. I hate step ups. Of course that is why I need to do them more often than not.

[Aoife]

Often the recommendation is to pick a bench that is knee high. That means that even at that height you're often gonna find your knee higher than your hips. Nothing wrong with that, or higher. When you squat your knees are higher than your hips. if you have the hip flexibility to do it, I say go for it, high as you like.