Equipment needed? LMR2

MelanieC

MelanieC

Cathlete
Hi everyone,
Its been such a long time since I've been on the forums, and my last Cathe series that I purchased was STS 2, so I'm a little out of touch with Cathe's most recent workouts. Can anyone tell me the amount of equipment that was needed for the first LMR? And does anyone know how much equipment will be needed for the 2nd series? Honestly one of the reasons I drifted away from buying new workouts is because I didn't want to always buy new equipment for every new series. I saw some of the equipment in LMR that I would need to buy and it makes me hesitate to get into this series. So, how onerous is it to purchase all of the equipment needed for these two series, and is it worth it?
 
You don't have to buy new equipment to use LMR. You can do it without the mini ball or the balance discs. I started by just buying 1 balance disc to see if I would like it, then I ended up buying a second one. But you can still do the workouts without them. I also never use a barbell anymore, I only use dumbbells so I know I can still do the workouts no matter what. I like that Cathe takes into consideration that not everyone is going to have all the same equipment.
 
The equipment list for LMR2 hasn't been provided yet. I suspect the list will be similar to LMR1. It looks like she's promoting the weight belt for use in the bonus weight work, however for the weights being used it's entirely not necessary, unless you're one of those people who feels they have to match the crew. :)

The list for LMR1 can be found in the user guide. You probably have all the weights/bands you need since you've done STS2.0. You may have most of the rest like a 36 inch long foam roller, stability ball, Yoga blocks are used but not entirely necessary, & a yoga ball (you can sub in a play ball or yoga block or just not use it). 2 balance discs are used but depending on your balance you could get away without using them - I used only one for awhile and didn't notice much of a greater challenge when I went to two. BTW, the shipping costs on Cathe's disc is outrageous - I'd suggest getting them from your local Walmart, Dick's or even Amazon. Cathe's STS dip bars are used as a balance assist but a chair could be substituted, or the FitTower or TurboTower. or again similar ones purchased elsewhere to avoid shipping costs.
 
I honestly feel like LMR is pretty equipment-heavy. If you want allllll the things then it's quite an investment (especially if you're starting completely fresh with no equipment at all!)

While yes, you can do the balance workouts without the discs, they really do create a very specific challenge, and I don't see my joints and muscles getting the same challenge without them, and I'm honestly not sure what I could use to substitute them effectively... maybe some folded up towels?

I'm really hoping Cathe uses them more in the next LMR series - I was agitated that they only showed up in the three workouts Debinmi listed above. If I paid for something, I wanna use it, and much more frequently than how they showed up in the LMR rotations.

The only other piece of equipment that I feel like may be more helpful than substitutes are the yoga blocks - but that's only if you enjoy yoga, and really only if you really enjoy her Restorative Yoga bonus workout. I have yoga blocks I bought from Target years ago that I use. You may be able to pick some up used for cheap, too, instead of having to pay full price for something brand new.

Everything else I feel is pretty easily substituted, or, you'll still get a great workout even if you don't have it - like the bands. Can sub in weights for UB use of the bands, and just omit entirely for lower body work - you'll sill get a decent burn without them (or maybe put on some ankle weights for some of the LB banded exercises, instead.)
 
Kellyro77 said:
and I don't see my joints and muscles getting the same challenge without them, and I'm honestly not sure what I could use to substitute them effectively... maybe some folded up towels?
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In PT for my knee I started with balance challenges just using the floor. Then a foam mat, eventually adding in various movements or closing my eyes or adding to the time. There are other dvds with other instructors that I use the balance discs with too. Most of the instructors don't use a balance disc, but I'll sub it in. I considered using a small pillow or folded towels as an option before I purchased my disc off Amazon.
 
Kellyro77 said:
The only other piece of equipment that I feel like may be more helpful than substitutes are the yoga blocks - but that's only if you enjoy yoga, and really only if you really enjoy her Restorative Yoga bonus workout. I have yoga blocks I bought from Target years ago that I use. You may be able to pick some up used for cheap, too, instead of having to pay full price for something brand new.
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I'm not a very flexible person and have used yoga blocks for decades for various poses. However, I don't use them for the restorative yoga bonus in LMR1. I prefer using my foam roller for it. So that's an option too.
 
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Debinmi said:
I'm not a very flexible person and have used yoga blocks for decades for various poses. However, I don't use them for the restorative yoga bonus in LMR1. I prefer using my foam roller for it. So that's an option too.
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Debinmi, great idea using the foam roller! Hadn't thought of that. Thanks for sharing!
 
I think the foam roller would be a good sub for most of the poses with the yoga blocks - curious how you approach the reclined (supine) butterfly pose - do you just put the roller under both your legs like a bolster?

Also - it's totally possible to do all the poses in restorative yoga without the blocks at all - but expect a greater pull on your muscles while they stretch without any support.
 
Kellyro77 said:
how you approach the reclined (supine) butterfly pose - do you just put the roller under both your legs like a bolster?
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I don't really need support for that pose, but the roller could be used as a bolster like a rolled blanket is used in yoga classes. I love the roller for a full chest expansion instead of the 2 yoga blocks for "fish" pose - I'm really uncomfortable with the blocks on that pose.
 
I copied/pasted the equipment list from LMR as well as the workouts.

The main workouts in this series are:​

  1. Functional Upper Body - 48:16
  2. Functional Lower Body - 52:15
  3. Functional Total Body - 53:40
  4. Functional Core Fusion - 31:23
  5. Functional Barre Fusion - 47:59
  6. Functional Yoga Fusion - 40:55
  7. Functional Mobility Fusion - 41:54
  8. Functional Pilates Fusion - 33:19

Plus 8 additional bonus workouts:​

  1. Upper Body Balance Disc Bonus - 20:47
  2. Lower Body Balance Bonus - 19:56
  3. Anytime Mobility Bonus - 16:37
  4. Functional Core Bonus - 10:58
  5. Upper Body Foam Rolling Bonus - 15:09
  6. Restorative Yoga Bonus - 22:43
  7. Low Impact Cardio Bonus - 13:51
  8. Lower Body Foam Rolling Bonus - 17:56

Equipment list:​

  • Yoga Blocks
  • Balance Discs
  • Stability Ball
  • Mini yoga Ball
  • Fabric Boss Loop
  • Foam Roller
  • Firewalker Loops (light and/or medium tension)
  • Resistance Tube (light and/or medium tension
  • Fitness Mat
  • 6 Foot Round Yoga Mat (optional)
  • Mini Step Mat (for extra knee cushion on certain moves) (optional)
  • Lifting gloves (optional)
  • STS bars (optional)
  • Barbell (dumbbells can be substituted)
  • Dumbbell
  • High Step

I also did the same for the workouts in LMR2

MAIN WORKOUTS​

  1. Elevated Upper Body
  2. Elevated Lower Body
  3. Elevated Total Body
  4. Barre Bootcamp
  5. Elevated Mobility
  6. Core & Flexibility
  7. Balance Fusion
BONUS WORKOUTS
  1. HiiT Fusion
  2. Low Impact Cardio Fusion
  3. PHA Cardio Fusion
  4. Kickbox Fusion
Because the titles of the workouts are so similar (ex. barre, balance, etc.), I am guessing that the equipment will be the same.

I do have the equipment, but I didn't purchase it for LMR. I had yoga blocks, because I do yoga. I had the "balance disk", because my chiropractor calls them "wobble seats" and has me using it on a chair for 5 minutes a day and wobbling (side side, front/back, round and round) in order to keep my lower back in good condition. lol I have a foam roller - again... my chiro recommended. I do believe that what others said is true... that most items can be substituted (chair for a barre, rolled towels, etc.). I hadn't worked out for awhile and when I got back into it... my yoga ball was "sticky" - it had some kind of chemical reaction with the laminate/varnish on the wood shelf I'd stored it on - so gross. lol I substituted one of my sons teddy bears for many of the ball exercises until I got a new one. lol I like LMR, but it is drastically different than Cathe's other workouts, so honestly... I wouldn't invest in any new equipment until you've seen video previews, decided whether to purchase or not, done the workouts (if you purchase) at least once - then decide if you want to spend and store anything that you don't currently own. Oh, if you have a bosu (not really sure what that is, cuz I've never used one)... I remember a previous thread where some Catheletes mentioned using that instead of the discs. If you list what you don't own from the first LMR... others may be able to be more specific about ideas for substitutions. :)
 
Ok, after my really lengthy last post... (lol), I'd just like to 2nd that it would be nice to have a list of equipment for LMR2 or a verification that no new equipment will be needed. So... if Cathe or staff is reading this... could you let us know? Thank you! :)
 
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