Need strength training DVD buying advice please !

[SusanMcL]

I'm 66 years old and just starting weight training. I've done cardio and stretching all my life and am healthy except for the extra pounds I'm carrying around.

I'm currently doing the Beginner Rotation using Basic Step/Body Fusion, Low Impact Step/Total Body Sculpting and Stretch Max.

I have purchased, but not tried:
Muscle Max
High Reps
Body Max 2

and some step and core DVDs, but I'm concerned about weight training so those don't count.

I'm starting from the beginning, so I need to develop strength and tone my muscles, but mostly gain strength at this point.

These are the DVDs I'm considering buying:

High Step Circuit (appears to be intermediate. I don't own a High Step though)

Pyramid - upper and lower body

Slow & Heavy

I also like the look of Push Pull, but you have to pay for Supersets which is not appealing to me, so I hate to pay for something I might not use.

I also have the Low Impact Series on order..

I do prefer a weight training DVD as opposed to circuit. I prefer to do cardio and weights on different days. I included High Step Circuit because it is billed as intermediate level.

I can't afford to buy all the ones I'm considering, hence the need for advice. As I said, I don't own a High Step and I haven't yet bought a barbell, but the barbell is on my "I need it" list..... but I need to spread my purchases out over time.

Any thoughts, advice, wisdom and/or opinions on which DVDs to purchase will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance !!!

Susan

[Peaceful Rainbow]

I don't have Slow and Heavy, but Pyramid Upper and Lower Body are very good workouts and the way it's structured it would work well for someone just starting out.

Don't let the fact that you don't like the sound of Supersets put you off from getting the DVD. Push Pull is a great workout, but the thing that is nice about that two disk set is that there are a LOT of premixes to choose from and you're sure to find some that meet your needs.

[Stacy]

I like Supersets/Push Pull, however I'd highly consider getting Cathe's older Pure Strength series. It's a great classic weight workout and it's one of Cathe's best in terms of good form pointers and just general straight forward weight training.

High Step Circuit was a bit too high impact for my joints. I like Slow & Heavy but dont reach for it often, I find the pace too slow for my short attention span!

Pyramid is good though I tend to use just the upper body portion, I dont like the constant changing of the weight plates on the barbell for the lower body portions, whereas the upper body workout uses only dumbells so the transitions are smoother.

The Gym Style workouts are also good but I think the Pure Strength series would be a better place to start.

[SusanMcL]

Cathy and Stacy - thank you for taking the time to reply.

I'll eliminate High Step Circuit - I don't want anything that is high impact (plus I don't own a high step)

I'll leave:

Pyramid
Slow and Heavy
Supersets/Push Pull

on the "maybe" list for the moment and go take a look at the clips for
Pure Strength. I must have missed that one...

Edited to add: Stacy - yes, I looked at the Gym Style clips and those looked too advanced for me right now. They would be something to consider down the road.

Susan

[Stacy]

Oops...forgot to add that I didnt have a barbell for a long time and simply substituted dumbells for the barbell. However, my barbell was my best fitness purchase ever and definitely adds some dimension to your workout! I think a good basic barbell should have a 2.5 lb, 5 lb and 10 lb set of plates. Plus take into account the weight of the actual barbell. Mine weighs 5 lbs some of the "olympic" barbells are much heavier and also much longer in length. I believe my barbell is about 5 ft long. Also make sure your barbell has the clasps (?) that are the spring loaded ones, it'll make changing out the plates MUCH quicker. My first barbell you had to screw them on, so I had to unscrew the ends to change the weights....got really annoying!

And with regard to the high step, Cathe uses it in a few exercises in various videos for "step up" exercises for legs, I've also just used my regular aerobic step and it was just fine. However, I'm a fairly short person, for someone much taller it might not be high enough.

[SusanMcL]

Thanks again Stacy.

After reading here in the forums, I have the Troy Lite barbell set bookmarked for a future purchase.

I was actually debating this morning whether I should buy these extra DVDs or buy the barbell first instead. It's one or the other at the moment....

That's good to know.. that I can use my regular step for the high step in some instances.

I have a regular step, stability ball, resistance band, good cushy mat and several sets of dumbbells. Hence the need to space out my other purchases What with the equipment that I've already bought and the existing Cathe DVDs and the pre-order of the new Low Impact Series, I'm feeling a little broke.... lol

As I said in my first post, I do own Muscle Max, High Reps and Body Max 2 (in which I like the looks of the Upper Body chapter).

So I'm torn... get a couple more DVDs and use my dumbbells or get the barbell and use the DVDs that I have..... hmmmmmm

I'd love to hear opinions !!!!

[Stacy]

I vote for the Barbell and use the dvd's you have. High Reps and Muscle Max are both great and Body Max 2 has a great "double upper body" premix!!

I'd suggest Pure Strength or Gym Style as your next purchase (depending on your strength gains by then) since they are both split routines whereas HR and MM are total body workouts!

Have fun!!

[shobbsie]

Susan, I have the Troy Lite barbell and love it. I agree with Stacey...

[SusanMcL]

okay... I'm going to smash the piggy bank and go for broke...

As I said, I already own:
Muscle Max
High Reps
Body Max 2 (for the upper body workout)

In my shopping cart, I currently have (but haven't pushed "buy" yet):

Pyramid (20% off)
Supersets/Push Pull (20% off)
Pure Strength (30 % off) (that brings it down to $20.. helluva good deal)
Ab Circuits

I threw Ab Circuits in there to get free shipping - plus it looks like a great collection of varied and interesting core workouts.

I'll leave Gym Styles and Slow and Heavy on my Wish List for next year...

AND... I'll go over to fitness1st.com and order the Troy Lite barbell set.

and that's it... I'm done !!!!! lol

I can see how one ends up with ALL of Cathe's DVDs... Yikes... this is addictive......

I'll sleep on it and push the "Buy Button" tomorrow......

[Faithnveggies]

Not helping, but...

What about the Power Hour +, a classic DVD (also on sale?) that includes Power Hour, MIS and BM original. I've used PH and MIS by chunking out a few body parts a day. You can do that with any of the ones you already own, too. Plus use Pause as needed to regroup.
I also have used BM 1 and 2 as upper body only for something sorta quick and dirty.

What exactly is it you need to get the ball rolling? Small bites? Moderate intensity? Premixes? Form support? Just asking, maybe that will help you narrow it down.

All Cathe's are are great and have fans.