Advice on DVD's VS Gym

meowracer

meowracer

Cathlete
I am so glad that I found this forum. I have worked out consistently at the gym for a number of years and in addition, enjoy a good bike ride/ long walk at a speed that keeps my heart racing. I stumbled upon a Cathe DVD online and now own a few. My question is this - it seems that I have grown completely bored with the gym workouts and am not seeing any growth these days. If I keep with the Cathe workouts (I also really enjoy Jari Love's Ripped workouts), should I see improvement over the gym? Already, I feel stronger and my legs feel much tighter. And while I seem to be in pretty good shape, the Cathe DVD's have shown me that there is a long way to go - I felt frustrated because I couldn't keep up in some spots, but it was a motivating frustration because it made me say to myself, "oh, a challenge - I'll get there one day soon!!" Since boredom has set in with the gym, I would really like to get into something new and different so that I can keep changing my body rather than avoiding the gym and losing what I've worked for! Thanks in advance, Shana
 
I am so glad that I found this forum. I have worked out consistently at the gym for a number of years and in addition, enjoy a good bike ride/ long walk at a speed that keeps my heart racing. I stumbled upon a Cathe DVD online and now own a few. My question is this - it seems that I have grown completely bored with the gym workouts and am not seeing any growth these days. If I keep with the Cathe workouts (I also really enjoy Jari Love's Ripped workouts), should I see improvement over the gym? Already, I feel stronger and my legs feel much tighter. And while I seem to be in pretty good shape, the Cathe DVD's have shown me that there is a long way to go - I felt frustrated because I couldn't keep up in some spots, but it was a motivating frustration because it made me say to myself, "oh, a challenge - I'll get there one day soon!!" Since boredom has set in with the gym, I would really like to get into something new and different so that I can keep changing my body rather than avoiding the gym and losing what I've worked for! Thanks in advance, Shana
 
Hi Shana! First off WELCOME! Nice to have you here! You are in for a treat. The education you learn here will be beyond your expectations. I think any time you skake up what you are doing is a good thing sooo using the DVD's will be an all-new experience for your heart/muscles. Plus, Cathe is getting ready to film STS which is a weight lifting series and will eventually include a gym workout also so you will have the best of two worlds! In the meantime, til this series is flimed, you can't go wrong with any of her workouts. Let us know what you are most interested in doing and there will be someone here to help. As far as frustration, we all have been there. The more you do the workouts, the easier they become and that is just like you said, a challenge! Hang in there...once you get the moves down, it feels sooo good! WELCOME!!!!


http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid8692709


Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance, I Hope You DANCE!
 
Hi Shana! First off WELCOME! Nice to have you here! You are in for a treat. The education you learn here will be beyond your expectations. I think any time you skake up what you are doing is a good thing sooo using the DVD's will be an all-new experience for your heart/muscles. Plus, Cathe is getting ready to film STS which is a weight lifting series and will eventually include a gym workout also so you will have the best of two worlds! In the meantime, til this series is flimed, you can't go wrong with any of her workouts. Let us know what you are most interested in doing and there will be someone here to help. As far as frustration, we all have been there. The more you do the workouts, the easier they become and that is just like you said, a challenge! Hang in there...once you get the moves down, it feels sooo good! WELCOME!!!!


http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid8692709


Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie") http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-066.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance, I Hope You DANCE!
 
I have seen better results as a home exerciser than I have when I was a gym member. Cathe's workouts leave me satisfied when I am finished, which is something I can't say about other fitness DVD's. There is simply no reason for me to even consider joining a gym ever again, Cathe challenges me more than I ever thought possible with at home exercising.
 
I have seen better results as a home exerciser than I have when I was a gym member. Cathe's workouts leave me satisfied when I am finished, which is something I can't say about other fitness DVD's. There is simply no reason for me to even consider joining a gym ever again, Cathe challenges me more than I ever thought possible with at home exercising.
 
Hi Shana,

Welcome to the forums! Like Debbie said, you'll find so much great advice and information here!

Like you, I was a gym exerciser for years, and had had a membership to one gym or another for about 15 years. About two years ago, though, my work schedule was making it hard for me to get to the gym, so I started using home DVD workouts a few times a week, while also taking a kickboxing class on Saturday mornings at the gym. I only discovered Cathe a year ago, but since I moved to using only her workouts, I lost about 14 pounds and am honestly in better shape now at 36 (more muscle and better cardiovascular condition) than I've ever been before. When it came time to renew my gym membership this past August, I decided to not renew it so I can just stick with Cathe -- she's like having my very own personal trainer!:)

For me, it's really about the consistency and ease of being able to work out at home when it's convenient for me. Plus, Cathe's workouts really are just amazing! Her weight workouts have given me definition that I've never had before (even when I've worked out with a trainer), and she's always so motivating and FUN!

Try not to be frustrated with yourself if you can't keep up; remember that Cathe's workouts are HARD, and they are meant to challenge us!

Which workouts do you have? Are you looking for some recommendations?

Hope this helps!:)
 
Hi Shana,

Welcome to the forums! Like Debbie said, you'll find so much great advice and information here!

Like you, I was a gym exerciser for years, and had had a membership to one gym or another for about 15 years. About two years ago, though, my work schedule was making it hard for me to get to the gym, so I started using home DVD workouts a few times a week, while also taking a kickboxing class on Saturday mornings at the gym. I only discovered Cathe a year ago, but since I moved to using only her workouts, I lost about 14 pounds and am honestly in better shape now at 36 (more muscle and better cardiovascular condition) than I've ever been before. When it came time to renew my gym membership this past August, I decided to not renew it so I can just stick with Cathe -- she's like having my very own personal trainer!:)

For me, it's really about the consistency and ease of being able to work out at home when it's convenient for me. Plus, Cathe's workouts really are just amazing! Her weight workouts have given me definition that I've never had before (even when I've worked out with a trainer), and she's always so motivating and FUN!

Try not to be frustrated with yourself if you can't keep up; remember that Cathe's workouts are HARD, and they are meant to challenge us!

Which workouts do you have? Are you looking for some recommendations?

Hope this helps!:)
 
Hi Guys- thanks so much for the replies! I feel better about going with the DVD's and continuing what I enjoy - biking, walking, etc. I have problem joints, especially knees so I am hoping that a different sort of lifting will help that as well. Also, I just bought a BOSU because core work is something that I really enjoy, and I try to work the BOSU in with some of the DVD's in place of a step, when the situation is appropriate. Right now, I have Cathe's Low Max, Drill Max, and Cardio Fusion. Next, I want the Timesaver, Core Max, Gym Style Series, maybe Low Impact Circuit and Muscle Max. I just can't do much high impact work, nor am I the least bit coordinated so anything too intricate will be useless for me as I stand around with a confused look on my face for the entire workout :) I appreciate any advice on DVD choices -I've reviewed clips of most of the newer DVD's and these seem the most fitting for me, but without seeing the entire thing, it is hard to know. Currently, I do not have weight plates or a bar, but those will be the next equipment I get. There is a good used store here and prices are quite reasonable. Thanks again! Shana
 
Hi Guys- thanks so much for the replies! I feel better about going with the DVD's and continuing what I enjoy - biking, walking, etc. I have problem joints, especially knees so I am hoping that a different sort of lifting will help that as well. Also, I just bought a BOSU because core work is something that I really enjoy, and I try to work the BOSU in with some of the DVD's in place of a step, when the situation is appropriate. Right now, I have Cathe's Low Max, Drill Max, and Cardio Fusion. Next, I want the Timesaver, Core Max, Gym Style Series, maybe Low Impact Circuit and Muscle Max. I just can't do much high impact work, nor am I the least bit coordinated so anything too intricate will be useless for me as I stand around with a confused look on my face for the entire workout :) I appreciate any advice on DVD choices -I've reviewed clips of most of the newer DVD's and these seem the most fitting for me, but without seeing the entire thing, it is hard to know. Currently, I do not have weight plates or a bar, but those will be the next equipment I get. There is a good used store here and prices are quite reasonable. Thanks again! Shana
 
Hi Shana,

If you're looking for a great weight-training series, then I'd recommend Gym Styles. It's pricey to buy all three of them, but the results that everyone seems to get with them are great! I love the GS series and use them a lot!

Also, if you want something with a little less intricacy, you might try Kick, Punch, Crunch (KPC) or Kick Max (KM), which are both super fun kickboxing workouts. KM might be a bit hard on your knees, though, since it does contain an interval portion with a lot of jumping. You could definitely modify it, though.

Imax 2 is also a great step interval workout, although it might be too hard on your knees; the step combos are a bit tricky at first, so your rewind button on your remote will definitely come in handy the first few times you do it!:)

If you're looking for something a bit easier on your knees, then LIC is a great one! It's really fun and you can even just do the cardio-only pre-mix if you don't want to do the weight circuits.

HTH!
 
Hi Shana,

If you're looking for a great weight-training series, then I'd recommend Gym Styles. It's pricey to buy all three of them, but the results that everyone seems to get with them are great! I love the GS series and use them a lot!

Also, if you want something with a little less intricacy, you might try Kick, Punch, Crunch (KPC) or Kick Max (KM), which are both super fun kickboxing workouts. KM might be a bit hard on your knees, though, since it does contain an interval portion with a lot of jumping. You could definitely modify it, though.

Imax 2 is also a great step interval workout, although it might be too hard on your knees; the step combos are a bit tricky at first, so your rewind button on your remote will definitely come in handy the first few times you do it!:)

If you're looking for something a bit easier on your knees, then LIC is a great one! It's really fun and you can even just do the cardio-only pre-mix if you don't want to do the weight circuits.

HTH!
 
I'd also look at the high step options for circuit workouts; I use my bosu for a lot of the cardio segments! The best one, IMO, is High Step Challenge, but I think that's because it's the one I do more than any of the other high step circuit! ;)
 
I'd also look at the high step options for circuit workouts; I use my bosu for a lot of the cardio segments! The best one, IMO, is High Step Challenge, but I think that's because it's the one I do more than any of the other high step circuit! ;)
 
Hi and Welcome!

I, too, work crazy hours (I start at 2pm and work until anywhere from 10:30pm to 2:30am, usually 6 days a week) and, even though I had a membership to a 24-hour gym, I'm STILL getting much better results with Cathe's Gym Style weight training dvds at home than I ever got from the gym. I think the one-on-one attention helps but the pre-determined rest time you get, because you're following Cathe's pacing, is key. In a gym, you often don't realize you're taking too much rest between sets and exercises or you end up chatting with people. Still, I often feel the machines at the gym offer a way of targeting the back muscles that's more effective because you can more safely lift greater weight (with a machine, etc.) at the gym than at home. Thus, while I'm REALLY excited about STS Home I think the STS Gym (for MP3) might just have me working out both at home and at the gym again.

As for frustration, we've all been there. I have to be really careful because I'm still dealing with a shoulder injury. I did GS Chest and Triceps tonight and, though I was finally able to up my weight, I STILL had to be SUPER careful on flyes and band work. Baby steps...
 
Hi and Welcome!

I, too, work crazy hours (I start at 2pm and work until anywhere from 10:30pm to 2:30am, usually 6 days a week) and, even though I had a membership to a 24-hour gym, I'm STILL getting much better results with Cathe's Gym Style weight training dvds at home than I ever got from the gym. I think the one-on-one attention helps but the pre-determined rest time you get, because you're following Cathe's pacing, is key. In a gym, you often don't realize you're taking too much rest between sets and exercises or you end up chatting with people. Still, I often feel the machines at the gym offer a way of targeting the back muscles that's more effective because you can more safely lift greater weight (with a machine, etc.) at the gym than at home. Thus, while I'm REALLY excited about STS Home I think the STS Gym (for MP3) might just have me working out both at home and at the gym again.

As for frustration, we've all been there. I have to be really careful because I'm still dealing with a shoulder injury. I did GS Chest and Triceps tonight and, though I was finally able to up my weight, I STILL had to be SUPER careful on flyes and band work. Baby steps...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top