Please tell me about Rhythmic Step

[jewels5]

I have been wanting to purchase this DVD for quite some time but now that it's on sale I REALLY want it! I have read many times it's "dancy" and was wondering if it bothers any of you out there with knee issues? I often modify for lower impact but I'm wondering if there is a lot of twisting and turning?

Thanks in advance!

[lisa_la_machina]

Hi jewels5. I don't have knee issues so I cannot address your first question. But I can describe the workout to you somewhat, so hopefully that will help you (and you should definitely watch the video clip on Shop Cathe).

Rhythmic Step is definitely a more heavily choreographed workout. After the warm-up, there are 3 separate step sections and then a 9 min "challenge" where you put each of the 3 step sections together. If I remember correctly, the first step section has a move where you do something like a mambo on the step + cha-cha on the floor + pivot on the floor + cha-cha back the the step. (Lots of twisting on that move!) There is also an optional move where you jump/pivot around the step (but you can just follow the original version of the move she shows you, which requires no jumping/pivoting). The second section has triples around the step and another mambo + cha-cha move. I don't remember any twists or turns in the final step section. So, yes, there are quite a few times where you will be twisting/turning/pivoting. I've never tried to modify the workout to take those out but it seems like -- for the most part -- you could very easily do so.

There are also moves throughout the Rhythmic Step that involve jumping, but Cathe usually introduces the moves with a low impact modifier. Plus, it sounds like you are already used to modifying moves to low impact, so this aspect of the workout shouldn't be a problem for you.

I love this DVD because it also includes the original Imax and Maximum Intensity Cardio. While Rhythmic Step is fairly easy to modify for low impact, these 2 other workouts really are not, so I don't know how often you would want to use them --if ever-- given that you seem to prefer low impact. That might be something to consider as you make your decision.

[CommittedtoFitness]

I was hoping someone would ask about this DVD when I saw it on sale this week because I think it is a gem. I have a limited budget and small collection of Cathe videos, so I too waited eagerly for Rhythmic Step to go on sale and purchased it several months ago. I don't regret it. I think you get a lot for the money. I use several programs on the DVD often with minor modifications to minimize impact and avoid knee joint soreness. I don't have knee trouble from twists and turns (yet), but I do make modifications to eliminate the jump/pivots in Rhythmic Step (at around 2:45 and 3:15 on the video clip) that Lisa mentioned because of concerns about tripping (I do repeaters instead). The video clip of Rhythmic Step gives you a good idea of the moves to expect, and Cathe is particularly good about suggesting modifications for this program. Here are the URLs for YouTube clips of the other programs on the DVD (it's not obvious how to access them directly from the Rhythmic Step clip on the Cathe web site):

IMAX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDPjy...eature=related

Maximum Intensity Cardio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts0Er...eature=related

I agree with most of Lisa's comments, although I have managed to modify IMAX to reduce impact (I think IMAX is more readily modified than IMAX2, which is a great program that is tough on the joints). Lisa is correct that there is a lot of jumping in all of the programs on the Rhythmic Step DVD. I often eliminate jumps to reduce impact (e.g., during "around the world" at 6:00 in Maximum Intensity Cardio) and still find that I get a good cardiovascular workout (I use an 8" bench).

As for being "dancy", I think the choreography in Rhythmic Step is complex enough to be interesting but not excessively difficult to learn, which was the case for me (and some other people on this forum) with Step Moves. I like the up beat music in Rhythmic Step a lot. If you don't already have Low Max, that's a great low-impact program.

If you obtain the Rhythmic Step DVD, please let us know how you like it.

[jdimascio]

I LOVE this DVD...I highly recommend it. All three workouts are great and different in there own way. All provide you with a good sweat, and I believe advanced workouts.

[RapidBreath]

I don't think of it as having a lot of twisting. It did not bother my knees. There are a few moves that are higher impact and I do the repeater instead of the full move. Its still a lot of fun and there is a learning curve, but if you already have Step Moves then it should be relatively easy to learn. I love this one! Its a really good steady state kind of workout without the intervals. I wish she would do more like this. I know most people want a short workout, but I would really like to see a workout with 15 minute sections so that you could choose to go longer or shorter depending on time.

[jldx2in2000]

I have only done this once but can't wait for it to come up again in my next rotation. I am the ultimate non-dancing queen and did not find this too dancy. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to follow it; but, with Cathe's excellent cueing, you should have no problem. I have knee problems if I don't wear my knee strap and definitely don't jump as high as Cathe but I really don't remember this being too high impact.

[jewels5]

Thanks everyone for all of your responses, and in such detail!

I have decided to get this one! After watching them a second time the only one I'm questioning is IMAX, but think I can handle that with some modifications. I love IMAX 2 and seem to get through that one okay. It is only one knee that I sometimes have trouble with, but recently I had shin splints in the same leg as the knee so I've been trying to go easy so I don't get them again.

Thanks again!

Julie

[jewels5]

Originally Posted by jldx2in2000

I have knee problems if I don't wear my knee strap and definitely don't jump as high as Cathe but I really don't remember this being too high impact.

Would you mind telling me what kind of knee strap you have and/or where you purchased it? I should probably be wearing one for my knee but don't have a clue what type to wear.

Thanks!

Julie

[CommittedtoFitness]

So how do you like Rhythmic Step? I hope it met your expectations. I still go to it often. It has "staying power" for me.

[jewels5]

Originally Posted by CommittedtoFitness

So how do you like Rhythmic Step? I hope it met your expectations. I still go to it often. It has "staying power" for me.

Funny you should ask, since I just attempted this one on Saturday. I had done the warm up a few times when I was doing my 1RMs for STS but never got past that.

I really liked it, but for the life of me could not get down the second round! I don't know how many times I re-played it until I finally figured I had had enough cardio! So needless to say I never got to the third round, but I'll definitely be pulling it out again soon. It was a lot of fun, and yes, it met my expectations! Thanks for asking.