52 Year Old Body
- Thread starter dhanchey
- Start date
Well, that depends upon the body. 
Are you in shape now? What kind (if any) workouts do you do? What are your goals and what are you hoping to accomplish?
Give us a little info & you'll get lots of responses! We love nothing more than helping other people spend all of their cash on Cathe! ;-)
Good luck
Marie
Are you in shape now? What kind (if any) workouts do you do? What are your goals and what are you hoping to accomplish?Give us a little info & you'll get lots of responses! We love nothing more than helping other people spend all of their cash on Cathe! ;-)
Good luck
Marie
nanners1955
Member
I started doing Cathe videos with FutTv at 48 years old and about 240 lbs. I am now 50 and weigh 198. I also am doing WW. I have done the Low Max , the Gym Style, CTX upper ody PLB PUB and the Pure Strenth Series. I cannot get the handg of Kickboxing however. I admit I do have to do some adjusting to the weight size on some of the upper body exercises. However because I have some knee problems I do not use weights during lunges and tend to do all one side then the other if they are not feeling real stable that day. I have to go with how I feel. I hope that helps a little. Don't ride faster than your guardian angel.
Miss Lee
Cathlete
Well, your post certainly caught my eye. I'm right on your heels sister. I'm post menopausal and my doctor told me that a corpse in the grave has a higher metabolism than I do. (She's a friend and was kidding, and yes, I did think it was funny--alluding to another post).
I've had a herniated disc that required surgery and all of the problems that go along with it, and I have a lot of problems with balance. The long and short of it is, I am great with weight training--I can do advanced workouts, but I have a he!! of a time with cardio. I hate it so much. I trip all over the place trying to do step workouts. I have a hard time motivating myself to do the cardio, I'm sure because I don't like it and I'm not good at it. I guess the point of my post is just to say that the biggest obstacle at our age is just thinking that we can't do something.
I think the key is to start slow and gradually ratchet up the intensity. Don't automatically think that because you're 52 you can't do these workouts. We can do it!!!
Sorry--this is getting a little long winded. Hope it makes sense (another issue at our age)!
Michele
I've had a herniated disc that required surgery and all of the problems that go along with it, and I have a lot of problems with balance. The long and short of it is, I am great with weight training--I can do advanced workouts, but I have a he!! of a time with cardio. I hate it so much. I trip all over the place trying to do step workouts. I have a hard time motivating myself to do the cardio, I'm sure because I don't like it and I'm not good at it. I guess the point of my post is just to say that the biggest obstacle at our age is just thinking that we can't do something.
I think the key is to start slow and gradually ratchet up the intensity. Don't automatically think that because you're 52 you can't do these workouts. We can do it!!!
Sorry--this is getting a little long winded. Hope it makes sense (another issue at our age)!
Michele
cataddict
Cathlete
I agree that it would be helpful to have an idea of what kind of shape you are currently in and what you enjoy--circuit, step or floor aerobics, kickbox, weight training? That said, any and all workouts can be modified to suit your "issues" at any age, not just over 50. I'm pounding down the door to 50 and have to be mindful of my knees (which have been slightly arthritic since my 20s). I can't do hover squats with weights or my knees will punish me for days.
Leslie
Leslie
honeybunch1
Cathlete
I'm almost 56 (in 2 months and some days-----YIKES!!!!) and I do all the workouts. My tuck jumps aren't very pretty, but I do the best I can.
Just Do It!
Just Do It!
kathryn
Cathlete
> My tuck jumps aren't very pretty, but I
>do the best I can.
>Just Do It!
I have "tuckless" tuck jumps! My body is just NOT a fast-twitch machine!
As for what workouts suit your age, as others have said, it's not so much age as your physical condition and limitations.
I find that Cathe cardio workouts are much kinder to my 48-year-old body if I limit the number of turn moves. I've even started to eliminate pivots, which can add a risk of torque that I don't want on my knees, and do mambos instead. And ricochet moves? Forget about 'em! I just find my own substitution (for example, an "over the top, touch the outside foot down, return to first side, jack" move is my standard sub for the ricochet: takes the same number of counts and I end up in the same place Cathe and crew are at.) Most turn moves done over the step (like flying angels) can be done without a turn. If you do the same number of reps Cathe does, but facing forward, eventually, she and the crew will be in the same place you are (and vice-versa!).
Impact is another factor, though I personally find it less of a problem than torque (except for what I consider excessive and unnecessary impact for me in IMAX3--jumping from the step to the floor. For someone who can land that move lightly, it might not dn't be too much, but I can't).
Another factor to consider is choreography: will you be able to follow the moves? For that, I recommend workouts preceding the Body Blast series, when Cathe's cuing was easier to follow, IMO, and more on-spot, and the moves a bit less complex. I find that the step workouts in the HC series are sometimes not cued as well as some previous workouts. Like there is more shorthand used and assumption of familiarity with moves that have been used throughout her previous workouts.
For resistance workouts, they are pretty much adaptable to differnt levels by using lighter or heavier weights. You can also omit some sets as you first do the workouts. One concern is the relative risk/benefit ratio of some moves. And if you don't have some background in reading up on weight training, you might not be in a good position to decide which moves you want to modify or omit. In Bodymax, for example (a workout I did a few weeks ago), there are some back rows done from an exaggerated bent-over position, which I find to have less benefit than risk, so I don't do that position. Upright rows are another exercise that I don't do. nor would I do delt raises with the pinky up, as Cathe cues in one workout. I base my decisions on my readings of several dozen books on weight traniing, many by kinesiologists and PhD's or other specialists (Douglas Brooks is excellent), my own experience from working out for many years, and the past injuries I have to contend with (which have shown me the areas I have to be careful with, noteably left knee and right shoulder.
>do the best I can.
>Just Do It!
I have "tuckless" tuck jumps! My body is just NOT a fast-twitch machine!
As for what workouts suit your age, as others have said, it's not so much age as your physical condition and limitations.
I find that Cathe cardio workouts are much kinder to my 48-year-old body if I limit the number of turn moves. I've even started to eliminate pivots, which can add a risk of torque that I don't want on my knees, and do mambos instead. And ricochet moves? Forget about 'em! I just find my own substitution (for example, an "over the top, touch the outside foot down, return to first side, jack" move is my standard sub for the ricochet: takes the same number of counts and I end up in the same place Cathe and crew are at.) Most turn moves done over the step (like flying angels) can be done without a turn. If you do the same number of reps Cathe does, but facing forward, eventually, she and the crew will be in the same place you are (and vice-versa!).
Impact is another factor, though I personally find it less of a problem than torque (except for what I consider excessive and unnecessary impact for me in IMAX3--jumping from the step to the floor. For someone who can land that move lightly, it might not dn't be too much, but I can't).
Another factor to consider is choreography: will you be able to follow the moves? For that, I recommend workouts preceding the Body Blast series, when Cathe's cuing was easier to follow, IMO, and more on-spot, and the moves a bit less complex. I find that the step workouts in the HC series are sometimes not cued as well as some previous workouts. Like there is more shorthand used and assumption of familiarity with moves that have been used throughout her previous workouts.
For resistance workouts, they are pretty much adaptable to differnt levels by using lighter or heavier weights. You can also omit some sets as you first do the workouts. One concern is the relative risk/benefit ratio of some moves. And if you don't have some background in reading up on weight training, you might not be in a good position to decide which moves you want to modify or omit. In Bodymax, for example (a workout I did a few weeks ago), there are some back rows done from an exaggerated bent-over position, which I find to have less benefit than risk, so I don't do that position. Upright rows are another exercise that I don't do. nor would I do delt raises with the pinky up, as Cathe cues in one workout. I base my decisions on my readings of several dozen books on weight traniing, many by kinesiologists and PhD's or other specialists (Douglas Brooks is excellent), my own experience from working out for many years, and the past injuries I have to contend with (which have shown me the areas I have to be careful with, noteably left knee and right shoulder.
kathryn
Cathlete
>Kathryn--I love your posts. You are a veritable wealth of
>information and you have the ability to distill your thoughts
>down to a clear and concise explanation. I have learned so
>much from you. Thank you:+
>
>Michele
Thanks, Michele!
It's good to know I'm not just "babbling" to myself! (I sometimes feel like I give TMI!)
>information and you have the ability to distill your thoughts
>down to a clear and concise explanation. I have learned so
>much from you. Thank you:+
>
>Michele
Thanks, Michele!
It's good to know I'm not just "babbling" to myself! (I sometimes feel like I give TMI!)
sparks5478
Active Member
I can only go by my until recently very unfit, slug-like 51-YO self to make recommendations but so far, despite the fact that before this past March I never exercised AT ALL and I've only been Cathe-ing for a couple of months, I've been able to make it through Basic Step + Body Fusion, Low Max, Cardio & Weights, Rhythmic Step, Core Max, Slow & Heavy and 1/2 of Imax 2. Granted, I do have to make some modifications in terms of weights and step height (although I'm on 6" most of the time), and I sometimes have to break things up because of fatigue, but I'm improving every day. Thankfully, despite a lifetime of obesity (I've been maintaining a 120 lb. weight loss going on four years now), I have no physical, joint or age-related problems so I'll tackle just about anything. And even though I like a challenge, I'm not stupid enough to push myself past the point where I could cause harm to myself.
I'd say that if you're in good physical shape overall, go for whatever workout strikes your fancy. Even if you're not peak condition or you've never done much exercise before, just watch a workout at least once (and take notes, which can be very helpful), modify as needed, work up to things slowly and listen to your body. You might also want to check with your doctor if this is something new for you.
Discovering Cathe has been one of the best things I've done for myself. I can't believe that I actually look forward to working out.
I'd say that if you're in good physical shape overall, go for whatever workout strikes your fancy. Even if you're not peak condition or you've never done much exercise before, just watch a workout at least once (and take notes, which can be very helpful), modify as needed, work up to things slowly and listen to your body. You might also want to check with your doctor if this is something new for you.
Discovering Cathe has been one of the best things I've done for myself. I can't believe that I actually look forward to working out.
melodymkr1953
New Member
I'm also 52 with a partial knee replacement. I just started doing Cathe DVDs and so far only own Muscle Max which I like. I usually lift about half of what Cathe says she's doing.
Most of her DVDs that I have seen are pretty dancy which I don't enjoy so I just ordered her new beginner step and weight lifting which I think will be good for me. Plus the time is shorter than alot of her DVDs which is crucial for me during the school year (teacher).
Most of her DVDs that I have seen are pretty dancy which I don't enjoy so I just ordered her new beginner step and weight lifting which I think will be good for me. Plus the time is shorter than alot of her DVDs which is crucial for me during the school year (teacher).
karenc1
Cathlete
Hi
I'm 42 and do notice a difference, at least from my 20's w/ exercise. I have to watch my impact levels, for example, Step Jump & Pump and IMAX2 actually make my joints more sore than running 3 or 4 miles on my treadmill. (a pure step w.o. like StepBlast, doesn't do that to me) So I actually have a sort of mental conversation b/f I do them, b/c I know the next day I will only do a total weights workout after those high impact workouts, not a circuit or pure cardio/dvd workout. However, I have to say that after over a year of doing Cathe, I am able to do so many more things w/ ease that I swore I would never be able to do. (more high impact moves, like tuck jumps and flying jacks, etc) I think it's important that you pay attention to the signals your body is sending you, b/c if you get an injury, you won't be able to do anything, which kind of defeats your goals. And always, STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH at the end of your workouts. HTH /karen
I'm 42 and do notice a difference, at least from my 20's w/ exercise. I have to watch my impact levels, for example, Step Jump & Pump and IMAX2 actually make my joints more sore than running 3 or 4 miles on my treadmill. (a pure step w.o. like StepBlast, doesn't do that to me) So I actually have a sort of mental conversation b/f I do them, b/c I know the next day I will only do a total weights workout after those high impact workouts, not a circuit or pure cardio/dvd workout. However, I have to say that after over a year of doing Cathe, I am able to do so many more things w/ ease that I swore I would never be able to do. (more high impact moves, like tuck jumps and flying jacks, etc) I think it's important that you pay attention to the signals your body is sending you, b/c if you get an injury, you won't be able to do anything, which kind of defeats your goals. And always, STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH at the end of your workouts. HTH /karen
candi
Cathlete
I am almost 51 but have been working out since I was 38 so I was able to pick up Cathe pretty easily. But...I have noticed my feet do not like as much higher impact these days so I make sure I cross train between Kickboxing and Step as those are my favorite types of cardio. I will do High/Lo but only with the BootCamp workout.
I don't know if you have tried Low Max yet but I absolutely love this workout. It is lower impact but high intensity. Cathe recommends an 8 inch step for this but you could start with possibly a 4 inch step and work your way up. I'm choreography challenged but this workout was pretty easy to pick up. I think you would also benefit from Kick, Punch and Crunch. It's a challenging kickbox workout but not so challenging that you couldn't work to your level and then challenge yourself when you're ready.
IMHO, age is a state of mind.
I don't know if you have tried Low Max yet but I absolutely love this workout. It is lower impact but high intensity. Cathe recommends an 8 inch step for this but you could start with possibly a 4 inch step and work your way up. I'm choreography challenged but this workout was pretty easy to pick up. I think you would also benefit from Kick, Punch and Crunch. It's a challenging kickbox workout but not so challenging that you couldn't work to your level and then challenge yourself when you're ready.
IMHO, age is a state of mind.
I'm 57. I've been doing Cathe workouts for 2 years. My knees have been pretty achy since doing Imax 3 and KickMax several times when the Hardcore series first came out. For the past few months I have been cutting back on step and substituting more treadmill time. It's seems to be easier on the knees, but now I'm finding that it is harder to get my heart rate up with some of the Cathe cardios.x(
I'm almost 51, and I do what I can without beating myself up about it. I have LOADS of trouble with Cathe's more intense step routines, but that's more about klutzy-ness than fitness. I am a runner and prefer to put one step in front of the other (running style ) than dance around. Just ain't me. But for many---it's loads of fun! But her muscle work......wow! Love it.
It's tough at first, if you're coming out of a non-fit period. But if you cut yourself some slack and be patient, it comes to the point you're surprising yourself how much you can do. Let's remember----that Cathe and many of the people here are 10 yrs behind us and there IS a hormonal, physical, and endurance difference, I think, after 50 or so. I have energy filled days and NOT so energetic days. I go with that, I don't fight it.
) than dance around. Just ain't me. But for many---it's loads of fun! But her muscle work......wow! Love it. It's tough at first, if you're coming out of a non-fit period. But if you cut yourself some slack and be patient, it comes to the point you're surprising yourself how much you can do. Let's remember----that Cathe and many of the people here are 10 yrs behind us and there IS a hormonal, physical, and endurance difference, I think, after 50 or so. I have energy filled days and NOT so energetic days. I go with that, I don't fight it.
What about Cathe's new step workout? I don't have it yet but from what I've read about it, it may be right for you.
For the record, I'm 45 and consider myself high intermediate low advanced but I can't do a lot of the higher impact moves so I modify by doing them on a rebounder. It makes all the difference to me. I can actually get through an entire workout that way and when the moves are tricky or I'm still learning, I just jog on the rebounder.
For the record, I'm 45 and consider myself high intermediate low advanced but I can't do a lot of the higher impact moves so I modify by doing them on a rebounder. It makes all the difference to me. I can actually get through an entire workout that way and when the moves are tricky or I'm still learning, I just jog on the rebounder.