4 Day Split or...

[UnstrungHarp]

I am looking for some advice on which workout(s) to buy next. I was very excited about the idea of the 4 Day Split but after watching the video preview I have some concerns that it might not be the right choice for me. Most importantly, I don't want to buy 4 workouts and only end up doing 2 or 3 of them because the step choreography is too hard for me to enjoy. That is why I only tried Rhythmic Step one time, and said "Forget it!" It looks like some of the step might be too complicated for me to get a good cardio workout (and I've read some other similar comments on this forum). Also, it looks like I would have to buy a longer resistance band to do some of the exercises. I have already had some problems in a few of Cathe's workouts because my resistance band is not super-long.

Lastly (and this is the least important), a 4 day split would require me to totally change my usual workout rotation that fits so well into my daily schedule:

Monday - All Upper Body & Cardio (1 hour);
Tuesday - All Lower Body (1 hour, sometimes including cardio);
Wednesday - High Intensity Interval Training on Elliptical & Abs (30 min.);
Thursday - Total Body Weights (1 hour, sometimes a circuit including cardio);
Friday - High Intensity Interval Training on Elliptical & Abs (30 min.);
Saturday - Make-Up Day if I missed one of the other workouts for whatever reason;
Sunday - OFF

I know it's good to change up one's rotation, so that last point isn't by itself enough reason to not get the 4 Day Split.

So...my question is, would it be better for me to buy the 4 Day Split, possibly only to get 2 or 3 workouts (plus the premixes), or should I spend the same money ($80, give or take a little) to get some different workouts? I am leaning towards High Step Training Advanced, Muscle Max, and one more that I haven't selected yet. I can use those kinds of workouts in my usual schedule by using premixes or manually skipping some exercises. What would be the best "bang for my buck?" Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[kathryn]

Personally, I'm not fond of the choreo in the two step workouts (and I didn't have problems with Rhythmic Step), and will probably never do them again after one try of HIS (I haven't tried "lower impact," but have previewed it, and while the impact is low, the torque factor isn't necessarily), BUT, I think the weight work is some of Cathe's best. IMO, the 4DS is worth the money (at least at the presale prices!) for the weight workouts and the other two cardios alone.

If you have other cardio you enjoy, you could combine that with the weight portions of 4DS, and/or use the other two cardio workouts on 4DS and forget about the step workouts.

 

[lioness]

I have the 4DS and I mainly purchased them for the weight workout, which I LOVE! I am not a stepper and can only handle the more athletic step moves (like Drill Max). I do the kickbox and bootcamp cardio back-to-back (there is a premix) for my cardio and I do the upper body premix for my weight work. It works for me and as I said before, I really love the weight workout. That alone was worth the money for me.

I do have the other workouts that you mentioned and I like those as well. I think this is a personal choice issue for you. All the workouts are great and I'm sure whatever you choose will be the right choice. Ok..what I'm really trying to say is get all of them.

 

[gogigi]

4DS has grown on me. I do enjoy the weight work and I like the kickboxing cardio paired with the leg work. You could also tack on the PLB stability ball section or the standing legs section from Kick Max for a real burn.

I actually enjoy the more complex step choreography and I hope to see more of this interesting type of choregoraphy from Cathe in future workouts. I find that the cardio, especially the step cardio, is not ultra intense, but I have the energy to life quite heavy afterwards, which I like. Once you learn the step choreography and you can really work it, the step workouts are intense enough.

I've used the series as is as well as paired up a couple of the cardio's for cardio days as well as using just the weight work. Even if you just use the weight work and a couple of the cardio's, it's a great investment, in my opinion. It might also be a great way to learn more complexs step choreography since the workouts are shorter and it's not a full hour worth of material to learn...if you are interested in learning it that is!

Edited to say that you may want to stick with HSTA, MM, and one other if you want to stick with your usual mode/schedule of working out. If that's working for you, you could wait until a later time to purchase 4DS.
Angela:7

 

[jonahnah]

Honestly, I wouldn't buy 4DS if I were in your shoes. You're right about the intensity/complexity of the cardio so that wouldn't be your cup of tea. So, JMO, but I don't think $80 for 2 hours of wt work is worth it and the LB workout isn't as good as Cathe's others. I'd pick MM or HSTA instead and maybe buy a mesocycle of STS down the road when you find that you need to change things up to continue your progress.

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.