How to Use a Step Platform to Enhance Your Strength Training

by Answer is Fitness on August 29, 2025      

Looking to upgrade your strength training routine without adding complicated equipment? One of the most underrated tools in the gym is the step platform — and at Answer is Fitness in Foxboro, we use it to take functional fitness and strength to the next level.

Originally designed for step aerobics, the step platform is now a go-to piece of equipment for full-body workouts. It’s incredibly versatile and can add challenge, intensity, and variety to your strength training sessions. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Add Elevation to Build Strength

Using a step allows you to increase range of motion in exercises like lunges and split squats. For example, placing your back foot on the step during a Bulgarian split squat helps engage your glutes, hamstrings, and quads more deeply than on flat ground. The elevation challenges your balance, forces your core to stabilize, and allows for deeper movement, which translates to better strength gains.

Step Up Your Push-Ups and Core Work

Adding a platform to bodyweight exercises like push-ups, planks, or mountain climbers can either increase or decrease intensity based on your level. Hands elevated on the step make push-ups more accessible for beginners. Feet elevated creates more core and upper body activation for advanced athletes. Step-assisted incline planks or step jumps are also great for targeting core and stabilizer muscles.

Use It for Weighted Circuits

Pair the step platform with dumbbells or a barbell for an effective circuit. Try step-ups holding weights for lower body power, or perform bicep curls and shoulder presses from a standing position on the step to test balance and coordination. The slight instability of the surface requires greater focus and muscle engagement, especially when working with free weights.

Increase Intensity With Plyometrics

Jumping on and off the step can add a cardio burst to your strength sets. Moves like box jumps, lateral step hops, or squat jumps onto the platform can boost your heart rate and develop explosive power. Adding just a few plyometric intervals into your strength routine can improve agility, coordination, and endurance.

Finish Strong with Elevated Burnouts

End your workout with a burnout round using the step platform. Try triceps dips, fast step taps, or high-knee runs on the step to fire up your arms, legs, and core one last time. It's a simple way to finish strong and add extra calorie burn at the end of your session.

Train Smarter at Answer is Fitness – Foxboro

The step platform is more than just a cardio tool. At Answer is Fitness in Foxboro, we incorporate it into our Step & Strength Plus classes and personal training sessions to help members build strength, improve balance, and challenge their limits.

Whether you're new to fitness or a regular on the weight floor, our certified trainers can show you how to safely and effectively integrate the step platform into your workouts.

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