Cathe and The Firm

S

sg4ever

Cathlete
I'm currently using the Firm and doing yoga. I wanted to add Cathe to change it up a bit and to challenge myself by doing more cardio. However, I think I may have bought too advanced workouts from Cathe to begin with. Do you think I should start over with Basic Step + Body Fusion? And Low Impact Step? I was thinking about buying the starter package kit Cathe offers on her website. (I use the Transfirmer and I'm starting to think I need the original step). I once thought I was an advanced stepper, but after these workouts, now I'm not so sure. May be I still am, but the Firm is just different from Cathe and I find that I can easily do the Firm cardio. Cathe, well... that's a different story. I'm not use to the intensity of her cardio, but this is what I felt I was missing from the Firm. I'm just wondering if I should just start a beginner/intermediate workout with her since I'm not use to her style/workouts and then gradually work my way up to her advanced workouts. May be get use to doing more intense workouts gradually instead of just jumping in. What have other people done that went from the Firm to Cathe?

I don't want to give up, however I just think I chose workouts that weren't the best choice for me to start with. What's a good starter workout?

Shon
 
Hi Shon,

I, too, came here from the FIRM workouts and I, too, found Cathe workouts to be challenging, but I also found that within a few weeks I was stepping and keeping up with Cathe, as well. You might, however, start with Basic Step and Body Fusion -- and if I were you, I'd get the full step rather than the step that comes with the starter package kit that one can get at Target.

You might be able to just modify the workouts you have, as well. At first, I did that -- I didn't jump as high -- if at all -- and just modified, modified -- used lower weights, etc. And before long, I was up there, doing the advanced workouts -- it really didn't take long.

But I bought the Basic Step and Body Fusion for one of my daughter's who really loves it -- and bought the packaged set from Target for my other daughter -- who doesn't have room for a full step in her very small apartment.

Anyway, that's my take on it. Have fun figuring it all out -- I did. And if I might, I also found the book, READY, SET, GO! by Phil Campbell helpful, as it gives one a really good firm understanding of why one should do some of these advanced exercises -- a good explanation of the different kinds of muscle and energy groups of the body, etc.

And welcome!:7
 
Karen,

Thanks for the suggestion and the welcome. The more I think about it, the more I think buying the package deal is the way for me to go. I think I have to work myself up to doing intense cardio. From doing the Firm, my strength has increased and I'm building muscle and am more defined and toned than I have been in years. But I miss cardio and their cardio just doesn't do it for me. So I'm very pleased with the definition, but I also need to push myself further with doing more cardio.

And I also think buying the starter kit will introduce me to Cathe at a slower pace and it would be good to have for the days that I want something lighter or just pressed for time. I don't think it would be a waste of money to buy these. I'm sure they will help with my frustration!!

As for the Target deal, I have the additional equipment that comes in the box. I really need to buy the original step. So, I figure all in all this is a good way to go for me. Hopefully by doing it this way, I can start again with my advanced workouts and not feel so frustrated. May be do the premixes first and gradually do the entire workout.


Shon
 
Since you have the additional equipment from the Target set you can get Basic Step DVD and the step at Wal-Mart for $27.

Becky
 
Continue with the Cathe workouts. I too started out doing the FIRM. My first Cathe was a weight DVD. Many of Cathe's current DVD have a pre-mix option. The TimeSaver was my first Cathe cardio and it helped me learn the moves and just get used to the intensity of Cathe workouts. I felt successful getting through the shorter workouts. Then I purchased Imax2 and now have Imax 3. Cathe cardio workouts are long and intensed....just modify to meet your needs.
 
If it's not too late...........
I have a small step and the full size step with risers. I never did really like doing Cathe step DVDs with the smaller step, and I finall broke down and got the full size. It has made all the difference in the world for me! Go for the big one! :)

P.S. Part of my problem is I am just not that graceful - so the bigger step just works better for me.
 
Hi! I am new to the forum, but I have discovered Cathe about 3 months ago after being a "firm" Firm believer. I've noticed huge differences using Cathe as the primary workout! To tell you the truth, with the new Firm I had (almost all from the Classics to the new Transfirmer), I thought I was working out, boy was I wrong. I started with the old Taebo Live Advanced, mixing with the Firm, thanks to my sister, then into Cathe. Now, I pretty much routinely do Cathe and maybe some Turbo Jam - adding my own intensity and what a difference. I've stated to sell my Firm tapes on ebay now. I also was using the Firm step (I have them all) for Cathe, but after reading here great news on the "step" Cathe uses, I bought one - boy, what a difference in the impact feel! Thanks for letting me chime in!
 
Thanks everyone for the responses. I've been viewing the video clips to help me decide what to purchase. I'm leaning towards the beginner step package only bcuz I'm not use to working out with a stability ball or resistance bands. I have the Core Secrets intro workout kit, but I didn't keep up with it. So I think may be starting here will help me to advance with other workouts that require the ball and bands. I'm also going to add Total Body Stretching bcuz I've been looking for a good stretch DVD to do either by itself or following a workout. I do yoga weekly, however sometimes I just want to do more athletic stretching.

Anyway as I was watching the clips, it hit me what is missing (IMO) with The Firm workouts. Watching Cathe is like taking an actual class. Doing the Firm is just working out at home; doesn't have the "in class" feel to it. I took step classes while I was in grad school and Cathe's style reminds me of my former instructor. She was INTENSE and did moves that had you all over the step. I liked that. I miss this factor with the FIRM. I think they still are good workouts, but it's not the same as working out in an actual class. Am I making any sense? I hope
so. :9 I no longer feel challenged and need to bump it up a notch.

Shon
 
I too came from the Firm and the first DVD I bought from Cathe was Cardio Hits. These were great because many of Cathe's steps carry over from video to video. Her earlier video's had alot more cueing and practice which helped me tremendously as my collection grew to include all her advanced videos.
 
I started with the more difficult Firms and still do them in rotation with heavier weights (IMHO the news Firms are cheesy and lack good cueing). I also do the advanced Cathe workouts. I found that her beginning step workouts helped me learn the moves before hitting advanced workouts like Rythmic Step. i also find that these beginner workouts are still great on days that I am a sore from weight training or just a bit tired and lacking the engery to swing IMAX....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top