Meet the New LES MILLS SMARTSTEP™

The new generation LES MILLS SMARTSTEP starts arriving in studios this month. This isn’t about reinventing the wheel – it’s about making the tool you already know work even better for you and your classes. Think quicker setup, smoother movement, and easier storage, all wrapped in a design that feels great underfoot.

Let’s dive into the features and the difference they’ll make for you.

‍Your feedback shaped its design

The original SMARTSTEP has been going strong since 2013. It’s reliable, tough, and well-loved. But even the best equipment can be improved when you listen to the people who use it every day.

Instructors didn’t want to carry extra risers around, and height changes sometimes meant members were still adjusting when the next set had already started. Clubs wanted equipment that took up less space, was easier to move, and still met the same high performance standards.

So the design team went back to the drawing board – keeping what worked, but finding ways to make it faster to set up, easier to move, and more comfortable to use.

What’s new (and why it matters)

Let’s break down the new features…

Built-in risers

No more digging around for separate risers or snapping them on and off between tracks! Gen 2 has them built in – just click them up or down to switch heights. It’s especially handy in high-energy formats like BODYSTEP™ or LES MILLS GRIT™ Athletic, where transitions are fast.

Three height settings

Choose from 150mm, 200mm, or 250mm. Most people will stick to the first two settings, but that extra height can be a game-changer for taller members or those who want an extra challenge.

Lighter and slimmer

It’s easier to carry from storage to stage. The reduced bulk also means less strain when setting up or clearing away.

Storage-friendly

You can still stack them on the floor, but there’s now a dedicated storage rack – single-sided (8 units) or double-sided (16 units), with optional wheels so you can roll it wherever you need. That means less clutter and more usable studio space.

More confidence underfoot

The stability and grip mean members can focus on their workout without worrying about the platform shifting. The extra give in the deck softens impact, especially in explosive or plyometric moves, helping reduce fatigue over time.

Tested by Science, Approved by Instructors

The new LES MILLS SMARTSTEP has been through intense lab-based testing overseen by biomechanics expert Dr. Jinger Gottschall.

16 members (split evenly between men and women) performed four common moves – plyometric lunges, over-the-top jumps, straddle jumps, and wide plyo jumps – on four different steps, including the new LES MILLS SMARTSTEP.

Here’s what they found:

• More Flex, Less Impact – The new LES MILLS SMARTSTEP flexed 15mm under load compared to about 9mm for competitors, which translates to better shock absorption and reduced joint strain.
• Higher Muscle Engagement – The design encourages greater activation in hamstrings, glutes, calves, and core, particularly in high-movement tracks.
• Better Feel – members described it as “bouncy,” “smooth,” “soft,” “quiet,” and “stable.”
• Clear Winner – Every single participant ranked the new LES MILLS SMARTSTEP as number one. 14 out of 16 put the original SMARTSTEP second – proof the Les Mills design already had strong foundations.

Will you need to change how you teach?

Not at all – and that’s intentional. You can keep your choreography, cues, and class structure exactly the same. But you may find:

• Transitions are smoother.
• Your setup is quicker.
• Movements feel better for both you and your members.

If you teach high-impact formats like BODYPUMP™, LES MILLS GRIT, or BODYSTEP, you might also notice less joint strain after a full day of classes. And if your studio is short on space, easier storage means less wrestling with piles of equipment.

The new LES MILLS SMARTSTEP isn’t about changing the way you teach – it’s about quietly making everything around it work better. It’s still the same reliable Step you know, but lighter, smarter, and kinder to bodies, storage cupboards, and the planet.