Bobbi
Cathlete
That's a great idea, Nancy! I love the Body Blast cardio and found the strength ok. Since I have so many awesome strength workouts, it's no big deal and as the saying goes: you can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time! I wonder what Cathe will come up with next and when she'll come up with it?
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
nancy324
Cathlete
I just posted my wish for another slow & heavy series. These days, that's all I'm interested in. I guess I must be a hard gainer, because nothing else has much affect on the look of my body. And I love focusing on a different muscle group each day and the mental focus involved. A-jock mentioned calling a series the "Focus Series" and I love the idea!
Bobbi
Cathlete
Slow & Heavy is amazing. It could be my favorite if it didn't make me cry so much!
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
mogambo
Cathlete
I want to work with SS/PP and SJP/SB a bit longer before I make my final opinion pronouncement, but I do think I will post it in Suggestions Forum. Overall, I just feel that I wanted more of a challenge, expected more of a challenge, and have had to work hard mentally to make some of these workouts useful to me at this point in my fitness level. I'm not used to having to go to these lengths with a Cathe tape to make it a challenge. I'm used to working up to it because it slays me for a long time before I get used to it! Oh well.
jillybean
Cathlete
I assume that Cathe made this series specifically to compliment the Intensity Series. The I-Series had lots of oblique work whereas the BB series has very minimal oblique work. The I-Series didn't have much cardio, but Boot Camp's cardio and Imax II were quite intense. The BB series has more cardio, but it isn't as intense. KP&C is a challenge (for me) but SJ&P and SB are lower imho. The I-Series had a fair amount of upper body work (Boot Camp, PUB, ME, and C&W) whereas the BB series has quite a bit of lower body work (SJ&P, L&G, SS, and PP). That is why, I really do believe the next series will be very intense. Wishful thinking, but there it is, nonetheless.
BulldogMomma
Cathlete
I'm learning to like the Push/Pull Premixes - mostly because I try and go very heavy with the weights. Still not crazy about Supersets. There seems to be a lot of buzz on the forum about heavy weights lately. Hopefully Cathe will respond with new workouts geared towards that.
Margie
Margie
Bobbi
Cathlete
Good points, Jilly. I like Body Blast better than Intensity, partly because I was injured when I got it but also because circuit training is not my favorite thing to do. Still ME and Imax 2 rock, so each series has its pros and cons. Overall, Cathe is incredible and we are all bound to favor one thing over another. When you look at what we have on the whole, it's an incredible compilation that makes for an amazing workout regimen.
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
jillybean
Cathlete
Just wanted to say that I completely agree Bobbi. There was a time when the only thing produced last year would have been Step Blast. Remember those days? But we got 6 stellar workouts and almost a hundred workouts when you consider the premixes. And for the record, I like Body Blast more than the Intensity Series also, and I LOVE the Intensity series! So that tells you how much I am enjoying myself! Today marks my second anniversary with Cathe. Jan. 19, 2002 I began working out with CTX. And I am so happy I found Cathe and all of you!
After doing MIS last night for the first time in a while, I thought I'd revive this thread with my own subjective observations. I take 90 minutes to do MIS, going heavy and lengthening the breaks to make it more strength oriented.
For the past month or so, the only strength work I've done is PP & SS as is, L&G, ME, some ball work and some yoga. Surprisingly, I found that I could go heavier on MIS last night than ever before. Not sure what to make of this exactly, but I think SS and PP deserve another chance as is, perhaps.
--Ann
For the past month or so, the only strength work I've done is PP & SS as is, L&G, ME, some ball work and some yoga. Surprisingly, I found that I could go heavier on MIS last night than ever before. Not sure what to make of this exactly, but I think SS and PP deserve another chance as is, perhaps.
--Ann
SteppingFool
Cathlete
I'm with Mogambo with SS/PP. I just could not get the 'worked out' feeling with these. I hate to work at it to make it harder... which is the opposite of what Cathe and me is. And I know I can make it 2 sets to make it harder, but then the workout is over 1 hr long. I tried to limit my workout to 1 hr. I know the only place these workouts will have will be at times when I am crunched for time. Not as a 'regular' rotation.
However, I love the cardio from BB. I find them challenging. I usually do the SB challenge (it's interval-like... and intense) -- do 2 of those and add on hi-lo from SJP. I don't think KPC is as intense as Cardio Kicks though.
I am not a big fan of circuit training. I don't find them challenging for strength, and my heart rate will go down during strength segment. Much prefer to separate my cardio and weights.
However, I love the cardio from BB. I find them challenging. I usually do the SB challenge (it's interval-like... and intense) -- do 2 of those and add on hi-lo from SJP. I don't think KPC is as intense as Cardio Kicks though.
I am not a big fan of circuit training. I don't find them challenging for strength, and my heart rate will go down during strength segment. Much prefer to separate my cardio and weights.
I am loving the SS and PP workouts right now. I did PP yesterday and found that I can go heavier too, and that made me feel great, especially with a cold, and being that I have been taking a break from cathe for about 2 months. It was short, but I liked that aspect of it too, because then I don't feel like I have to do an hour and a half of weights everytime I do them. Granted The pyramids are not an hour and a half. But if I want a total body toning session I have to do MIS or POwer Hour and both of those clock in at around an hour and a half for me by the time I'm done switching the weights on my barbell and resting every now and then. So, now I have a shorter time option wich I love. Plus I really like the ball work, it brings in a different way to work your muscles for a better variety.
Kathy
Kathy
naughtoj
Cathlete
I have not done SS or PP many times, but I must say that overall I feel not so much that they do not work me muscularly, but more so that they have no direction. It almost feels like you are haphazardly stumbling through a workout. I don't know what gives it that feel. Strange, maybe it is the fewer sets. I am going to try Jillybeans suggestions as well. Playing around with these is hard for me though since I have no more than one hour to work out at lunch. I am going to start messing around with these AFTER work though, so this should be FUN!!! Thanks Jillybean!
Janice
Janice
mogambo
Cathlete
I tried the Redemption Workout
Jillybean, I tried your workout today.I did upper body and abs. You suggest above that a workout can be created from the "accursed" SS/PP DVD and I agreed to try it. You have to go back to the Mix and Match menu after each exercise, which is kinda a pain, but I admit that by doing the exercises repeatedly, rather than in the alternating PushPull or Superset way that allow so much rest, I was able to get a good workout. I resent having to work so hard to make this DVD useful, but now that I have it I am sure I will use it, as I do get tired of PUB, ME, SH, etc.
Here it is for your information.
PP warmup
PP bench press 2 sets (30 lb dumbells 1st set, 25 2nd set)
PP chest flies 2 sets (20 lb dumbells both sets)
(I think this needs one more thing for the chest, maybe a set of slow and heavy pushups, or another set of flies with less weight.)
PP dead rows 2 sets (45 lb bar)
SS Pullovers 2 sets (20 lb dumbell)
PP one arm rows 2 sets (25 lb dumbell)
PP front delt raises 2 sets (16 lb dumbell, then 14)
PP rear delt flies 1 set (5 lb dumbells)
PP Fonz back flies 1 set (I hold one pound wrist weights in my hands)
PP Inverted shoulder press 1 set (this kills me)
SS Seated overhead press 2 sets (16 lb dumbells, then 14 lbs)
SS Lying triceps extensions 1 set (12 lb dumbells)
PP Dips, then kickbacks 2 sets (8 lb dumbells, this got real tough at the end of the second set of dips)
SS seesaw tricep pushups 1 set (had to modify)
PP hammer/traditional curls 2 sets (14 lb dumbells both sets)
SS concentration curls 1 set (12 lb dumbells)
PP abs, then all 4 SS abs
SS stretch
I guess in this same vein, many workouts could be created just doing the same exercise over and over until you're wasted. The upper body from SJP, any of the Superset things. So, ok, this will salvage the DVD from oblivion. I do appreciate it, and I am sure it's good for me, but I am still disappointed in the two workouts. I acknowledge that many people like them. Many say, "I don't always need to kill myself, I use them for easy days." Fine. I need easy workouts too, but what I am missing with the BodyBlast is a tough upper body workout.
Sigh. I'll be fine. Thank you, Jillybean.
Jillybean, I tried your workout today.I did upper body and abs. You suggest above that a workout can be created from the "accursed" SS/PP DVD and I agreed to try it. You have to go back to the Mix and Match menu after each exercise, which is kinda a pain, but I admit that by doing the exercises repeatedly, rather than in the alternating PushPull or Superset way that allow so much rest, I was able to get a good workout. I resent having to work so hard to make this DVD useful, but now that I have it I am sure I will use it, as I do get tired of PUB, ME, SH, etc.
Here it is for your information.
PP warmup
PP bench press 2 sets (30 lb dumbells 1st set, 25 2nd set)
PP chest flies 2 sets (20 lb dumbells both sets)
(I think this needs one more thing for the chest, maybe a set of slow and heavy pushups, or another set of flies with less weight.)
PP dead rows 2 sets (45 lb bar)
SS Pullovers 2 sets (20 lb dumbell)
PP one arm rows 2 sets (25 lb dumbell)
PP front delt raises 2 sets (16 lb dumbell, then 14)
PP rear delt flies 1 set (5 lb dumbells)
PP Fonz back flies 1 set (I hold one pound wrist weights in my hands)
PP Inverted shoulder press 1 set (this kills me)
SS Seated overhead press 2 sets (16 lb dumbells, then 14 lbs)
SS Lying triceps extensions 1 set (12 lb dumbells)
PP Dips, then kickbacks 2 sets (8 lb dumbells, this got real tough at the end of the second set of dips)
SS seesaw tricep pushups 1 set (had to modify)
PP hammer/traditional curls 2 sets (14 lb dumbells both sets)
SS concentration curls 1 set (12 lb dumbells)
PP abs, then all 4 SS abs
SS stretch
I guess in this same vein, many workouts could be created just doing the same exercise over and over until you're wasted. The upper body from SJP, any of the Superset things. So, ok, this will salvage the DVD from oblivion. I do appreciate it, and I am sure it's good for me, but I am still disappointed in the two workouts. I acknowledge that many people like them. Many say, "I don't always need to kill myself, I use them for easy days." Fine. I need easy workouts too, but what I am missing with the BodyBlast is a tough upper body workout.
Sigh. I'll be fine. Thank you, Jillybean.
SteppingFool
Cathlete
RE: I tried the Redemption Workout
I did the same rotation, and felt the same way like Mogambo... I don't really care moving around with the Mix-n-Match, and I guess you can always get your muscles fried when you do enough sets.
So I did the Upper/Lower Body PP 2 sets (premix)... I got a good burn doing 2 sets at the same weight as 1 (note: the 2nd set repeat right after a pr of push/pull is complete; you do NOT do the whole workout, then repeat). May be with the DVD technology, Cathe intended it to be this way... you just 'repeat' how ever many sets you wish to do, and she only has to film only one set? I have seen many other DVDs that does this -- yoga, pilates, Sharon Mann (yoga/pilates/cardio/strength) -- where you create your own workout (via workout blender) by selecting the section you want to do, however many you wish to do. The only drawback is you listen to same comments over and over (I almost could recite what Cathe would say next on the second set!).
Sometimes I do wish Cathe make a workout like Sharon Mann's. The DVD is not a 'full' workout DVD, but consists of little segments (for cardio -- various cardio options 10-15 mins, warm up, cool down, and we pick which cardio we want to do; for strength -- different exercises for different body parts; again, we choose which exercise/body part we want to do).
I did the same rotation, and felt the same way like Mogambo... I don't really care moving around with the Mix-n-Match, and I guess you can always get your muscles fried when you do enough sets.
So I did the Upper/Lower Body PP 2 sets (premix)... I got a good burn doing 2 sets at the same weight as 1 (note: the 2nd set repeat right after a pr of push/pull is complete; you do NOT do the whole workout, then repeat). May be with the DVD technology, Cathe intended it to be this way... you just 'repeat' how ever many sets you wish to do, and she only has to film only one set? I have seen many other DVDs that does this -- yoga, pilates, Sharon Mann (yoga/pilates/cardio/strength) -- where you create your own workout (via workout blender) by selecting the section you want to do, however many you wish to do. The only drawback is you listen to same comments over and over (I almost could recite what Cathe would say next on the second set!).
Sometimes I do wish Cathe make a workout like Sharon Mann's. The DVD is not a 'full' workout DVD, but consists of little segments (for cardio -- various cardio options 10-15 mins, warm up, cool down, and we pick which cardio we want to do; for strength -- different exercises for different body parts; again, we choose which exercise/body part we want to do).