Double stepping is an innovative choreography that utilizes benches in different formations. Double stepping can be described as an exciting and challenging workout, combining socialization with unique choreography and set up of benches. Movements that travel and cover space generally create a higher energy level. The participants will get involved and therefore will get a good workout. The double step class is always the most vocal class that I teach. Double step can be offered as a special class, or can be offered as a Friday night “special”.

Double step also allows the instructor to be more creative with the choreography. Anything taught on a single step can be adjusted for two steps. A simple step routine can be incorporated into a double step routine. Of course, there will be a few changes that will have to be made, just make sure at the end of the 32 counts, the participants are at the away bench leading with the left leg. Here is an example of a single 32 count pattern that can be used for a double step pattern:

A-step x2 (8)
over the top x2 (8)
knee repeaters (8)
over the top and tap up (8)

A-step x2 (home) (8)
over the top x2 (home and away) (8)
knee repeater x2 and walk around behind the bench to
the other side (away) (8)
over the top (away) (4)
tap up (away) (4)

A good way to get the participants familiar with double stepping is to use both steps in the warmup. This is an excellent time to explain terminology to the participants.

In double stepping, the participant needs to be familiar with the room layout and setup, the different bench formations, and the slightly different vocabulary.

Vocabulary: As you face the front of the room the bench you start on will be your “home” bench. The bench to your right will be the “neighbors” or “away” bench. You can be creative on this. You can choose to select names such as Bob and Sue, Ted and Alice, or East and West. Make sure that you tell them that the bench you travel to during the routine will be the “away” bench. In teaching double step vertically or horizontally (side to side) , the “away” bench will be to the right. If you are teaching horizontally (front and back) the “away” bench will be directly behind the “home” bench. A different variation for teaching double step would be a "7" where the "home" bench is in front and the "away" bench is to the right.

There are many different formations you can use in double stepping. The four most common are vertically, horizontally (side to side), horizontally (front and back) and the “7” formation which is one bench placed horizontally and one bench placed vertically.

Room layout: If you are teaching double step vertically, all steps are to be lined up vertically
about 4 feet apart. I usually tell them to check by doing a turnstep on a bench. Leave the last step on the right open on each row. Horizontal (side to side) will be set up the same way. If you are teaching horizontal (front and back), the rows are faced horizontally and the back row will be left open. Teaching the ”7” formation will be different. All home benches are aligned horizontally and the away benches are aligned vertically. All benches will be used in
this formation. All benches should be the same height. I would recommend one riser on each side.

Here are some fun routines to get you started. I will give you a combination for each formation.

Choreography for vertical double stepping:

#1
alternate hamstring curls to each corner (home) (8)
over the top x2 (home and away) (8)
shuffle left or grapevine (to home bench) (4)
diagonal corner (to away) (4)
hop turn (away) (4)
turnstep right (away) (4)

repeat left

#2
knee repeaters x2 and walk behind bench to the other
side (home) (8)
step kick (home and away) (8)
up and alternate lunges x2 and exit left (home) (8)
over the top (home and away) (8)

repeat left

#3
knee straddle x2 and exit right (home) (8)
inside loop (turnstep right on away, turnstep right on
home) (8)
T-step (away) (8)
walk up x4 (4)
jumping jacks back (4)
repeat left

Horizontal Double Stepping Combo’s

#1
basic right x2 (home) (8)
V-step right (home) (4)
L step to the left (home) (4)
across the top x2 (home and away) (8)
step knee back (away) (4)
mamba right with ball change OR step knee (4)

repeat left

#2
up and lunge x2 (home) (8)
chase’ or grapevine right (to away) (4)
mamba left with ball change (4)
knee repeaters (away) (8)
hamstring curls to each corner (away) (8)

repeat left

#3
turnstep right (home) (4)
diagonal corner (home to away) (4)
hop turn (away) (4)
T-step (away) (8)
diagonal corner (away) (4)
small U-turn (away) (4)
side kick (away) (4)

repeat left

Double stepping horizontally (front and back)

#1
V-step right (home) (4)
V-step away (away) you will have to turn to the back
after your first V-step. Remember
if you are leading right, turn over your right
shoulder (4)
turnstep right (home) (4)
walk up x4 (between both benches) (4)
2 jacks back (4)
diagonal corner (away) (4)
step knee back (away) (4)
over the top (away) (4)

repeat left on home bench

#2
hop turn straddle (home) (4)
step kick and exit right (home) (4)
A-step (home) (4)
diagonal corner (home to away) (4)
knee repeaters (around away) (8)
turnstep right (away) (4)
over the top (away) (4)

repeat left on home bench

#3
knee straddle x2 and exit right (home) (8)
over the top x2 (home and away) (8)
shuffle turnstep x2 or regular turnstep x2 (away) (8)
diagonal corner (away) (4)
2 jacks back (away) (4)

repeat left on home bench

#4
inside loop (turnstep on home, turnstep on away) (8)
step kick (home) (4)
step kick (away) (4)
lunge x2 an exit right (home) (8)
over the top (home) (4)
hop up (away) (4)

repeat left on home bench

Double Stepping “7”

#1
basic right x2 (home) (8)
L-step (home) (8)
V-step left (home) (4) exit and face right bench
V-step (away) (4)
alternate knees x2 (away) (8)

repeat left on away bench

#2
turnstep right (home) (4)
diagonal corner (home) (4)
over the top (home) (4)
over the top (away) leading left (4)
walk around x4 (away) (4)
turnstep right (away) (4)
knee repeaters (away) (8)

repeat left on away bench

#3
power kick (home) (4)
1/2 L-step to the left (home) (4)
across the top x2 (home and away) (8)
side kick (away) (4)
small U-turn off of end to face front (away) (4)
diagonal hop turn (away) (4)
over the top (away) (4)

repeat left on away bench

Keep your classes fun and exciting with double step choreography. Double stepping allows the instructor to be creative and also allows the benches to be moved in more directions than single stepping. Try it...you will be amazed just how much fun you, the instructor, and your participants will have.

Terri Kennedy is a group fitness instructor and Aerobics Director. Terri has been teaching for over 12 years. Terri shares her choreography with other instructors on several fitness sites.

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