http://AskTheTrainer.com/best-exercises-for-women.html Personal Trainer Michael Behnken, MS, NASM-CPT-PES, CSCS Dumbbell step-ups are not the most exciting exercise and not the most difficult. They are important because they are a functional exercise as they mimic ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). You can spice them up though and kill 2 birds with one stone by adding shoulder press. Since few women enjoy heavy shoulder work, this is a way to get some quality resistance training done with your lower and uppe body at the same time. Perform the step-up under total control. As you step up your knee should be inline with your toe and your weight should be concentrated on the back 2/3 of your foot and not your toes. It is a good idea to practice balance while you perform these but it is not necessary. Remember: To tone up you must lose body fat as well as maintain or gain lean muscle. http://AskTheTrainer.com/body-fat-percentage-in-women.html