A fitness step routine can be an excellent way to get a cardiovascular workout while toning and firming the lower body. The only problem with standard step workouts is you generally work out at the same intensity level throughout the entire session. For greater cardiovascular benefits and better metabolism boosting effects, an interval type fitness routine where you're varying the intensity of your workout can give you more benefits in a shorter period of time. Fortunately, there are step routines available on DVD that incorporate interval training with stepping to give you the ultimate cardiovascular, calorie burning exercise session.

Interval step routines aren't designed for beginners. Before doing an interval step routine, you should be comfortable with basic stepping and be in relatively good cardiovascular shape. Interval step routines will significantly boost your heart rate as well as your metabolism. Check with your doctor before attempting advanced step workouts such as these and do interval step routines only twice a week, alternating them with regular step DVD workouts and resistance training.

Two of the best interval training step routines on DVD are by Gin Miller, the founder of the step Reebok system. The first is called Reebok Intense Moves. In this fifty minute video, you'll go through a series of step cycles where you'll perform a variety of advanced step moves at high intensity for one minute followed by two minutes of lower intensity stepping to bring the heart rate back down. You'll complete ten such cycles for an incredibly efficient, heart thumping workout. When you finish you'll feel as if you've really accomplished something and will be rewarded with a higher metabolic rate for several hours after completing the workout. Gin Miller gives you the option of performing three different moves during the intervals ranging from easy to hard so you can control the intensity.

The second in the series of Gin Miller intense step routines is called Reebok Extreme Step. This fifty minute video uses interval circuit training to give you a fat blasting, calorie burning workout. This advanced step DVD combines standard step moves with intervals of resistance exercise including floor moves and push ups to maximize fat burning and muscle toning. When you're working this hard and performing such a variety of moves, fifty minutes goes by very quickly. You won't find yourself looking at the clock in boredom when you perform this step routine. Reebok calls this step DVD one of its most challenging workouts.

If you're tired of doing the same step routines, looking for a challenge, or trying to break through a weight loss plateau, these more intense step DVDs will accomplish the task. Keep in mind that you need to be in good shape before attempting them. At the beginning of the video, Gin Miller advises you to watch the entire DVD before starting the workout. You'll find if you perform these workouts regularly, you'll develop a renewed sense of confidence in your body's ability while getting into the very best shape of your life.