Cardio advice

[ruppie]

Hi everyone-
I am brand new to Cathe and have just received my first DVD. I tried Body Max for my first Cathe experience. As I'm kind of new to step, it took me a couple rewinds to figure some out - but in the end I think I did a pretty good job of it. My biggest problem is I think I am not sure which foot sometimes to start on, especially in the beginning when I was afraid to put my back to the TV. I think my left leg got the brute of the workout!

Anyway, originally I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get good cardio just using videos, as I for years have just been going to the gym for the treadmill or ellipical machine (now I've had to cancel my membership). I think it's good overall though because I think the cardio in Body Max at least is good (got me sweating) and changing it up should be good for me (probably ellipical does nothing for me now!)

So I'm wondering what other videos are like that are not so focused on the step. I can't decide whether I really like a lot of step or not. I'd like to try a tape that is challenging cardio but not completely long step routines.

Do you think Circuit Max would be a good one for me? Maybe breaks between stepping is what I need to build up motivation to go again. Or does anyone strongly recommend a kickboxing type of cardio instead?

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Aquajock]

Circuit Max is awesome, and/but 3 of the 6 cardio cycles (one step-kickbox, two pure step) are step oriented. I absolutely love C-Max, and think it would be a good addition to your collection.

Other non-step (or less-step) Cathe workouts:

Kick Punch Crunch (kickbox cardio and to-die-for abs on stability ball)

Cardio Kicks (kickbox and upper body drills)

Maximum Intensity Cardio (first 35 minutes is hi/lo cardio with no step needed; second 35 minutes IS step)

Cross-Train Express Kickbox workout (includes kickbox cardio, some upper body weight work and another to-die-for ab and core routine)

Cross Train Express 10-10-10: only 10 minutes of step at end of cardio cycle (also includes kickbox and hi/lo)

Boot Camp - a very different kind of workout, with basic but highly intense cardio drills, lower body resistance, upper body resistance and core work

I'm sure there are others, but this oughtta get you started.

Good luck!

a-Jock

 

[40something]

Hi Ruppie...I am fairly new to Cathe workouts myself and I have yet to do any of the step workouts without getting messed up so don't feel bad, you'll get it eventually...as will I.

What I do when I get off during a step segment is to just do basic stepping until I can jump back in...or march in place until you're back in sequence with the Cathe crew. There is one particular sequence in two of Cathe's workouts that throw me every time and it is so frustrating that I keep making the same mistake but I think what I'm doing is like you said...I'm getting the lead foot off and then I'm sunk because I'm out of sink with the workout. But, not to fear...Rome wasn't built in a day either. Just hang in there and before you know it you'll be stepping right along with the workouts!

The other Cathe cardio that I have are...Boot Camp, Kick Punch & Crunch, Body Max, Step Pump & Jump and Step Blast. I just ordered Imax2 today so can't wait to get that one!

 

[ruppie]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement-

40something - being new as well, what do you think of the Kick Punch & Crunch? I think I'm debating between that and circuit max--

 

[40something]

Goodmorning! I don't have Circuit Max but it gets rave reviews here so it must be good. KPC is a kickboxing type workout and I do like it. I like variety so that's why I bought the Body Blast series and will now have all of the Intensity series. Circuit Max w/Cardio Kicks on the same Dvd will be my next purchase. KPC and Cardio Kicks are both kickboxing type workouts.

As far as which workout you might like better...I can't help you there since like I said, I haven't done the CM workout yet. But maybe someone else will comment on the two.