Barbell for Workouts

E

edie

Cathlete
Hi All!

I am very new to Cathe workouts, although not new to working out with weights, but fairly new to step aerobics. I was wondering what is the length of the bar (barbell) that is used in Cathe workouts? The standard bar is 6 feet - which is way too long for me. I've also seen a 5 foot bar and a 44 inch bar. Does anyone know how long the bar is that Cathe uses in her dvds?

I ordered a step from the Cathe website because I have not been able to find one like Cathe uses in Honolulu. So yesterday I did the Basic Step without the step just to see if I could get the steps. and I did after a couple of tries. - I also had read how some people do not like to use Cathe's step dvds because of the complex choreography and not being able to get an adequate cardio workout because they have to rewind and rewind to try to figure out the steps. Well - I remedied that by using some hand weights while doing the steps with large movements over and over again - so not only did I get to preview and practice the steps, I also got a great 1 hour cardio session - and had fun!

Now when my step arrives this week - I will actually be able to perform all the steps on Basic Step without much fuss. I'm so happy and excited!

I've been having fun visiting the forum over the past couple of weeks and have purchased a bunch of Cathe dvds - and I just can't wait to do more. Cathe's got a great crowd here!
Thanks for any help, advice and recommendations any one has to offer!

edie
 
Hi Edie, welcome to the Cathe boards! The barbell used is a 5 foot barbell. You can use dumbbells for many of her workouts instead if you have them heavy enough. I've been using dumbbells .. will probably graduate to a barbell this summer as my fitness improves with weights.

Which DVDs did you purchase after Basic Step? You seem to have a good idea on how to manage new choreography so just be patient and the steps will come to you. Hope you enjoy your workouts! Deb
 
Hi Edie, and welcome to Cathe's forums!

Cathe uses the Troy Lite BB system. I bought mine from here: http://www.fitness1st.com/Troy-Bars.html (scroll about half way down the page). I think you can find similar sets at places like Walmart. The barbell is actually about 4 1/2 feet long and weighs 5 pounds. It's a nice size for home workouts.

I don't know how advanced you are when it comes to step, but you might be interested in trying the rotations that Cathe put together for beginner and intermediate exercisers. They provide a great introduction to her style and choreography. Many of Cathe's step DVD's are athletic so the choreography isn't too bad, unless you're like me and a real klutz :p :7.

http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=7&topic_id=5117&mesg_id=5117&page=

http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?...opic_id=6852&mesg_id=6852&listing_type=search

I hope this helps. Have fun with your new step and DVD's! :)
 
aloha eddie. glad to hear that the complex coreography didn't scare you off. trust me, . . keep doing it and you will get so familiar with the steps that you'll be doing them without thinking. in my opinion that's the answer to learning step, . . don't over think it. just do it. let the beat of the music keep you in tune and most importantly have fun. you'll be "woo hooing" and cheering once it all clicks. as an ex gym gal you will find that working out at home with cathe is just as fun if not more so it also is more challenging, . .just keep increasing weight. these cathe video's will help you get stronger and stronger. i lived on guam for 10 years so i know how hard it is to work out with the tropical weather. i remember in the 1980's exercising to gilad everyday, . with the head bands and leotards anyways, . . welcome and good luck to you!:)
 
Thank you for responding to my post. I did go out and purchase a 44 inch bar with weights, then caved in and sent out for the Troylite set that Cathe uses.

That is me, I can't just stop at one. So besides Basic Step. I've purchased almost the whole collection! I can't help myself. this is so much more fun than going to the gym - I feel renewed and I really look forward to working out with Cathe.

I did power hour yesterday - it was fun and challenging.

edie
 
Edie, it's not unusual for a home exerciser to have 2 barbells -- I'm thinking about getting a second set myself. It makes it easier to do a workout when you don't have to stop and change plates all the time. I think most everybody here has gone broke buying DVD's and equipment :eek: :7
 
Hi Michele -

Thank you sooo much for your post!!! Before I got ready for work this morning I read your post and immediately clicked on the link you were so nice to provide me with and purchased the Troylite system. I tried earlier to find that weight set on the Troy link on Cathe's website but could not find it (I don't think I was very thorough with my search). But thank you so much - I know I will be happy with my set (you know the shipping charges to Hawaii cost over 1 and 1/2 times the barbell set itself!). I think it will be totally worth it! And you are right, having two barbells set up will make the workouts easier. When I did the Power Hour yesterday - I didn't want to bother with changing the weights on the barbell, so I just substituted with dumbbells.

I have been lifting weights for years, but I'm relatively new to step aerobics. I haven't done a lot of step aerobics in the past - I'm thinking over ten years ago. But doing Basic step without the step first and using handweights was very doable - I'm thinking I'm ready to hop on the real thing (step)!!

And thanks for the info on the beginner and intermediate rotations - I will check that out soon. edie
 
Thank you so much for the encouragement and support - and for the advice! I am looking forward to a long and healthy relationship with Cathe step aerobics and weight training. It is more fun than going to the gym - which is actually why I started to order dvds - I was starting to not feel like working out at the gym with my husband - because we often go to the gym at times when my energy level is low - like at the end of a full day. So now I can work out at home when my energy level is at its best and get a great workout without the inconvenience of having to drive to and from the gym! Cathe is so much fun and I am so inspired! p.s. - I used to workout with Gilad as well and his sister - she had a weight training fitness show.
 
Oh yeah, . . I remember that. It was that military style workout. I loved that. Wonder whatever happened to her. I totally agree with working out at home being better than at a gym. I used to go to the gym religiously, . . untill I couldn't find a gym that I liked. I noticed at the gym I was either just running on the treadmill all the time or taking classes that did not challenge me. With Cathe videos, . . the music is great the challenge is great and I have access to my very own personal trainer any time of the day. I hope that you decided to purchase all the equipment used in her DVD's because it will really make you feel like you have your very own gym in your home. Hey before you know it you'll be strong enough to run the Hawaii marathon, . . one of my goals, . . .maybe I'll see you there.
 
Hi there - I really enjoy working out with Cathe at home. I didn't think I could get a good weight workout at home, but with Cathe dvd's it's even better! Great music, great programs and I feel so much more motivated.

I did end up purchasing a lot of equipment. I've got pairs of dumbbells from 3 lbs. to 20 lbs., I purchased a 44 inch barbell with up to about 50 lbs. total weight, then Michele provided a link for the Troylite bar - so I bought that - still waiting for it to arrive in Honolulu. I purchased the Step and the High Step. Then saw that I needed 2 more risers for one of Cathe's weight training dvds - so I ordered 2 more risers. - Cathe also uses a Step Bench - (might be in the Pyramid dvd that I saw it). Do you or anyone else know where I can find a Step Bench? - or is it just the same original club bench with different types of risers? I thought it looked slightly different.

I hope you reach your goal and do the Honolulu marathon - for me, I'll pass - I'm not a great runner (I'd rather be stepping with Cathe!!). - but I have friends who have finished the marathon and felt so great and accomplished.
 
I just ordered the Troy lite set today also! I was wanting a second barbell set, I think it will make it a lot easier than constantly changing out weights on one bar. It sounds like you are really enjoying learning Cathe's step choregraphy! I am also in the process of learning her step routines. It does get easier and easier! I love her workouts! I did Cardio & Weights today. Fourth time I have done this workout, and I almost have it all down! I am also working on Low Impact Circuit, and Step Fit! I am also collecting all of her workouts! Cathe is the best!

Sherry:)
 
aloha eddie, . . .i know exactly what you mean. funny enough my husband would watch me huffing and puffing away and finally one day decided to give it a try. he isn't exactly the most rythmic person so the step work outs he doesn't really like but the weight workouts kick his butt. he lived on maui for 18 years surfing almost everyday so he's pretty fit so when i watch him struggling to get through i just know that working out with cathe is a true challenge. have you bought body max 2? if you haven't get it. if there was one video that i couldn't live without it would be body max 2. the step bench is pretty much the same as the regular step, . .only two risers are sorta stuck together, .. save the money for dvd's and stick with what you have. sounds like you've purchased yourself a full home gym and that you have everything you need. now just slowly add to your cathe library, . .it all adds up and gets expensive but well worth my health.

hey you'd be surprised. i never thought of myself as a runner, . . but once you get to that level of running where your not huffing and puffing and your just crusing along, . . . it is quite rewarding. running makes me feel like superwoman! trust me it's possible. well all the best of luck with your work out endevors, . .hope to hear more from you.
aloha!
 
Hi Sherry -

I agree having two barbell sets will definitely make those workouts easier where there are barbell weight changes.

I have lots of experience weight training, and hardly any step experience. I am finding it challenging. I have Basic Step down, but haven't yet moved on. I did a chest workout today and then put in Bodymax 2 for some cardio just to see what it was like. It was hilarious! I could barely get the steps so for the most part I just jumped around and did whatever steps I could! It was funny.

Either - I have to learn her choreography prior to working out with the dvd. Or go back to her earlier dvds and do those first just to get used to all the fancy stepwork.

If anyone has any suggestions of a better and quicker way to do this - I'd much appreciate it - if you would share your secrets!

thanks so much! edie
 
Hi Edie! I'm glad to see that you're enjoying all your new toys:7

>>Cathe also uses a Step Bench - (might be in the Pyramid dvd that I saw it). Do you or anyone else know where I can find a Step Bench? - or is it just the same original club bench with different types of risers? I thought it looked slightly different.

I don't think you really need the step Cathe uses in the Pyramids. It serves as a weight bench but the regular club step will suffice. I'd recommend a real weight bench instead of that step, which really isn't good for stepping. I bought an adjustable weight bench and I love it -- it's much better than using the step.

I can sympathize with you on the step workouts. Stepping is not my strong suit. I would still recommend the DVD's Cathe uses in her beginners rotation -- Basic Step, Body Fusion, and Low Impact Step. When you become proficient with these you'll be ready to tackle her more complex routines. IMHO LIS is pretty hard, but then, I'm a step weenie;) :7
 
Hi Michele -

I'm thinking I might want an adjustable bench also. I'll start pricing them out and see if I can get a good price for one. You know I have a club membership at 24 hour fitness. I go there with my husband twice a week to weight train. But now with all my cathe dvds and equipment, I'd really rather work out at home. I feel so much more motivated!

As for step - Hmm - I've got Basic step down. For Body Fusion, am I able to use my long step bench? I noticed that they use a smaller step. the other day just for fun, I put on Body Max 2 and was lost on the step. So I just jumped up and down the step and did whatever steps I could catch onto. It was hilarious. At least I know what I need to work up to! edie
 
Hi Edie!

Oh yeah, you can use the original club step for all of Cathe's workouts. I think the small step she uses in Body Fusion and Low Impact Step was part of a package that was sold in retail stores that came with the step and DVD's. If you have the original club step you're good to go!

I know exactly what you mean about hilarious attempts at stepping with Cathe:7 I'm a major klutz;) .

If you can squeeze an adjustable weight bench into your house, go for it! It's so much nicer than using a step. I love mine. I don't remember what I paid for it -- we bought it several years ago and it's a nice one. I'm really happy with it. It's especially nice when Cathe does incline work.
 
hello there! new to this forum and I was just wondering is it ok to use the danskin barbell? I just purchased butts and gutts so i'm excited to use this dvd.
thanks for all your help.
cgishops.com
XS ENERGY DRINKS! NO SUGAR NO CARBS!:) :)
 
Thanks catherine for the quick reply,I look foward to monday when I do B&G. wish me luck
cgishops.com
XS ENERGY DRINKS! NO SUGAR NO CARBS!:)
 
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