Can anyone do the Imax's all the way through without stopping?

twinkletoes129

twinkletoes129

Cathlete
I'm curious to know how many of you can do the Imax's all the way through without stopping? I still have to stop in almost every walking rest period where you walk side to side etc.:eek: I'm curious to know whether most people don't have to do this? And how you were able to build up your cardio capacity so that you don't have to stop during that time. Also, when Cathe and her amazing crew power up just before the blast I just do a step knee as I still have to conserve my energy for the actual blast. How do you gals do it?!:eek: I really want to build my cardio power and master the Imaxs!!:p Mind you I've built my cardio power up quite a bit from when I started but there's always room for improvement with Cathe!!:p:D
 
I can do IMAX 2 all the way without stopping (that's the easiest one for me). IMAX 1 I'm okay with until Blast 10 and my body just gives out. IMAX 3 is the toughest. Blasts 1, 4 and 7 always slay me. I've finally gotten all the way through Blast 4. Just keep doing them with consistency and you'll build up the endurance. You could also try doing the premixes, like Blasts 1-5 or Blast 6-10 so you're not doing the whole hour all at once. Once you're comfortable with them, try the blast only premixes. Then try going for the whole thing.

Marcy
 
I do them all the way through with 2 risers now. :eek: I sometimes burn as many calories doing these workouts as I do on a run. I did have to work up to it. The first time I tried Imax 3 I was all cocky thinking, this will be tough but far from impossible. Stupid me! Anyone who thinks step is for wimps needs to try one of the Imax workouts!!!!

You do have to have a lot of cardio endurance (and muscle too, legs legs and more legs). Just keep at it. You'll get there. Try just doing some of the premixes or just do as many of the routines and blasts as you can do. I still do that sometimes b/c there are some I like more than others and sometimes I only want to do maybe 40 mins, etc. So just do 1-5 then add on 6, then you'll eventually add on 7...and so on. Each time you do them you'll only get better!

Heather
 
I can do all of them all the way through. It took some time but after doing them at least once a week I finally made it. I still struggle, especially with IMAX 3 (did it today) but i just stay focus and push myself as hard as possible, Also it's ok to modify if necessary. you will get there.
 
Thanks for the replies! So you mean you can do it all the way through without having to take any breaks at all or modifications?! Wow!!:eek: I can complete Imax 2 and almost all of Imax 3 BUT I MUST take breaks and stop during the walking breaks to catch my breath. So you don't have to take any breaks at all? I need to figure out how to get to that stage. I think my legs are almost strong enough it's my cardio capacity that slows me down. Any more tips?
 
I don't take any breaks. Again, I think it's just building up to it. It's how I approached running too. I was NOT a runner. I was a dancer who started walking on the treadmill when I wasn't able to find advanced adult ballet classes. I got SO bored walking that I'd try running a minute, walking 5. Now I can run 4 miles straight through. I have managed to do a 5K in 24 minutes. It's all about baby steps and building yourself up to it. If you can do the whole workout already (even if you're taking breaks) you are 9/10 of the way there in my book!!! I don't know what other cardio you do. Running is definitely one surefire way to build up cardio endurance though. You do have to push yourself to move forward, but know your limits of course. Thumbs up to you!

Heather
 
Thanks so much for your answer Hriacobacci!! I really wanted to know the nitty gritty details as to how others came by their cardio power. I had suspected that running might be one of the keys to this. It's funny I used to be a dancer too many moons ago and the treadmill would have been ABSOLUTELY boring for me too!! I'm glad you found the running. That's why I LOVE Cathe so much because her workouts have great choreography (same with Amy, Christi Taylor) and the plyo's remind me of my ballet days and how I was able to jump HIGH with no huffing and puffing like I do now!:eek: (It's not that bad but still!;)). The only thing with adding running for me is the chronic repitition with the impact on my knees with the same linear impact repetitively. I'd love to try it but I'm a little concerned about that. I'm wondering if doing the Insanity series might be kind of like running and might help with cardio capacity. Thanks so much for your input Hriacobacci I'm glad the running really worked for you and I know it will for me if I can figure out how to incorporate it into my fitness schedule and do it safely. If others have any other suggestions and input on how they got their cardio power/capacity to do the Imaxes without taking breaks please share your stories and insight here. I'd love to hear more! Thanks.:)
 
I only own Imax 2 and Imax 3. I can do them both all the way through, but there are days I can't. ;) Ha!

I'm with Heather. I suggest running, as well, as a way to build up endurance. I, too, was not a runner (high school track dropout!), but last summer I started incorporating runs into my rotation. It was more as a way to prove to my aging self that, yes, "I" could run! I started out alternating walking and running and soon I could run a 5K. Same can be said for any workout, including the Imax DVDs. Just start small and you'll get there. It also helps to do them often. Another poster said once a week. I agree.

Whenever Cathe puts out a new workout, it takes all of us to get the hang of it. Some sooner than others. Sure, the Imax DVD's may be older, but they're still new to some people. So just look at it as your own personal challenge! Psych yourself up and prove to yourself that you can do it! :D :p
 
I've only done Imax 2 all the way through twice. Usually though, I just about die. :D

This may sound weird, but I like having room to improve. So if I can't get through the whole workout, I just tell myself to try again another day. When I manage to get past a new point, I celebrate. :eek:
 
I am another who can do all 3 all the way through, but it doesn't mean its easy. Once you can get them all the way thru, you push yourself a little harder, so they never get easier. Its eaither blast 9 or 10 in #2 that still about lays me out on the floor. The 4 hops straddling the step, the turning jacks and then the plie jacks. Feels like my lungs and heart are going to fall out. I was able to get thru them just by pushing thru and keep on going, over and over til I got it. When I felt like I had no more, I'd tell myself "one more" before a break. After a while you can get thru them all. I agree with the other ladies that running has increased my cardio endurance, however I was completing the IMAXes long before I was running. Running was harder than any IMAX when I 1st started, now it is comfortably hard, but it certainly has increased my endurance.

Nan
 
I can do Imax 1,2 and 3 all the way through without stopping. I think that it helped that I was until very recently a triathlete. You have to build up your cardio endurance and leg muscle endurance. Stick with it an one day it will you will be pleasantly surprised that you complete it.
 
I Max 2

I agree with the poster above . It's the second to the last segment that's the hardest for me to get through. When I first started the work out, I could only do a few of the segments, so I would do 1-5, ( 6-10 are the ones that are the hardest ). Then eventually I would add on one more, then one more ,and then I could after a while do the whole thing. I take advantage of the breaks only because I am a severe asthma sufferer and really need the time to catch my breath . Like cathe says: "Air is free,, so,,, suck it up" !. I have been working out for years, but continue to be challenged with Cathe and that's the idea. In my opinion, I'd go with IMax 2 !! I think you'll be really happy with this one . Actually, that's the one that I have scheduled to do tonight !
~Morgs~
 
well, i am impressed. you can do them w/2 risers???? wow!! that is tough. there are not very many cathe's i do w/2 risers. that is super. you must be really fit and strong.
 
Like many people I write down what workout I did each day and in my notes I wrote in caps "Did the whole thing!" the first time I made it thru Imax 2 completely. I used to do it on FitTv and when I mastered that then I bought myself the dvd as a treat to myself. I just got the original Imax last week and did the first half for the first time today. It was tough.
 
twinkletoes129 said:
I'm curious to know how many of you can do the Imax's all the way through without stopping? I still have to stop in almost every walking rest period where you walk side to side etc.:eek: I'm curious to know whether most people don't have to do this? And how you were able to build up your cardio capacity so that you don't have to stop during that time. Also, when Cathe and her amazing crew power up just before the blast I just do a step knee as I still have to conserve my energy for the actual blast. How do you gals do it?!:eek: I really want to build my cardio power and master the Imaxs!!:p Mind you I've built my cardio power up quite a bit from when I started but there's always room for improvement with Cathe!!:p:D
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I can do Imax 2 all the way and sometimes I'll do Cardio and Weights afterwards but it took a while to build up to that. What helps me is to strengthen my lower body. As long as my legs are strong I can make it through. Legs and Glutes help a lot.
 
Before I became pregnant with the twins I could do all 3- Imax's all the way through with no breaks/modifications with 2 sets of risers (I'm 5'8"). I've been working out to Cathe since 1998 & am a strong cardio junkie. It took a couple times before I could... but well worth the time/effort. I LOVE feeling wet/slippery after a workout. :D
 
I can do IMAX, IMAX2 all the way through, but IMAX3, some parts I have to stop and catch my breath. it's a doosie!!!:p:eek:
 
I have been able to do all the Imaxes all the way through without stopping for a while now. It was a matter of building up to it. Recently I completed the Beachbody's Insanity program and today I "breezed through" Imax 3!!! I did the last 3 blasts a second time because I felt I could go longer!!! Insanity was HARD- just like the Imaxes and the program has 5 really hard plyo cardio workouts each week. My cardio capacity has improved greatly in the last 2 months by doing the long, hard plyo workouts. I believe I may be ready for STS cardio when it comes out.
Brenda in Indiana
 
I just made it through IMAX 3 for the 1st time EVER this morning (I've had the DVD for 3 months now, haha)! So now I can complete all 3 IMAX videos all the way through. I'm only up to 1 riser though; for those of you who can power through 2, YOU GO GIRLS!!!!!!!

I agree with everyone else; it's all about building endurance. Have you tried maybe lowering your step height? Finally, play around with the time of day you workout. It sounds silly but for some reason if I workout later in the day, there is no way I can make it through any IMAX workout without stopping; if I do it before work though, I have a lot more strength and can get through them without a problem.
 
melanie, i just saw your signature. twins???? how fun. i'm sorry for your loss in july.
i have a dear friend who has 11 children and they are all J's. how many are you going for?:)
 
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