Cathe has ruined me for other step instructors!

J

Jessie

Active Member
Cathe,
Just wanted to let you know...

Yesterday I went to a step class at my local YMCA here in Charlotte, NC. It was supposed to be a Level 2 class. I figured since I can tackle Step Max with no problem I should be okay.

Well, you would think we were auditioning for a Broadway musical! The cueing was non-existent, people were left standing on top of their steps like "Huh?" She asked "Does everyone get that?" Of course no one answered, but she just kept right on going. About 10 of us (me included, I'm proud to say!) just started doing their own thing, knee ups, over the top... so the hour would not be wasted.

Needless to say I will not be returning to that class, and since this is not the only instructor I have had this experience with, I am cancelling my membership.

I get a better workout with you and your tapes at home anyway!!

Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you showing what a real "group fitness instructor" should be like!

Thanks
Jessica Niles
Charlotte, NC
 
I know what you mean, Jessica!

While nothing can beat the energy of a GREAT live class, doing Cathe step videos at home does spoil you for other instructors! Isn't it great that we can get a fantastic fun, challenging workout in our own living rooms!
happy.gif


Kristin
 
To Jessica

Jessica,

Cathe is one great instructor live as well as on video. At the one roadtrip that I was fortunate enough to attend, Cathe broke down everything so well and used moves from her videos. She is the ultimate instructor. I am spoiled to Cathe and the Firm as well. Nothing even comes close, and I've just about ditched live workouts and other videos.
 
Me too

I wouldn't go back to my gym except I pay monthly and I'm in a year contract. I wish other instructors were at least creative or had the energy to teach great, challenging classes. At most of the gyms I've been to (except for 2) the instructors seem to gear things to more beginner level people, which is great for them but not for the more advanced. I never thought I would be working out at home, and I used to tell my husband I would never live out in the country (where he grew up) because there wouldn't be any gyms close enough, but now I've said that if he will let me buy endless tapes and build a home gym, I'll live anywhere. Why didn't i know about Cathe sooner is what I want to know?

Emily
 
Gym Workouts

I agree, Emily. Locally, the classes that I can attend are way too easy. They tend to cater to senior citizens..not that I'm knocking the need for these type of classes, but they are not what I need.

IMO, only Cathe and the Firm come close to what I need in a home workout. The Firm live workouts are very, very difficult--they are far harder than their videos, even.
 
Firm workouts

I'm from Columbia, SC, where I think the Firm originated. One of the gyms in town is called The Firm, and all my friends in high school went there. Heidi Tanner went to my high school a couple of grades ahead of me. I went to the other gym in town because I liked to do other stuff besides just the classes (at The Firm you had to pay extra for anything but classes). I don't know how it is now. I have not used any of their tapes yet, but I'm not sure I would like them. I'm kind of leery of the emphasis on the weight work and less cardio. I can't give it a fair judgment, though, because I have never tried. What do you think? I like very intense workouts like Cathe's, so if I were going to get any of the Firm workouts, what would you recommend? Also, they seem to use a lot of equipment that I don't have. Any suggestions?

Emily
 
The Firm

Hi Emily,

I was in Columbia, SC this week. I didn't get by the Firm studio, but I did visit Hand Picked, the silver store below the Firm. Heidi Tanner, I was told, moved to New York. She married about one year ago and until then had taught Phys Ed in Charleston's school system. Heidi is a great instructor and a very nice person as well.

I think the Firm workouts can be every bit as intense as Cathe's. The trick is to use heavier poundage. I really love the weight emphasis and think that the Firm's cardio is a little weak. The exception is the Firm's "Core Cardio 1" which is very intense with lots of high impact moves and plyos. For a very intense weight workout that has a little cardio in it as well, I would get the "Boot Camp" -- another good, intense choice would be "Super Sculpting" trust me, I regularly do Cathe and the Firm and these two weight workouts slay me! I do Cathe's workouts with little or no modification -- and often use an 8" step for them. I am saying this as a basis for comparison for you.

The hardest all leg workout ever made is "Standing Legs" -- nothing is as hard as that one IMO.

Hope this long post helps! I envy you for living so close to a Firm studio! My dream would be to live near enough to the Firm or Cathe to go to their classes now and again. I love them both and both have done great things for the fitness of females in this country. The Firm and Cathe are empowering
happy.gif
 
Hi Amy

I wish I still lived in Columbia because I might try going to the Firm. I haven't lived there for any time except summers since I graduated from high school. I'm now married and live in Buffalo, New York, so maybe I should try some of the Firm tapes. I do like weights, I just always did my own at the gym. Now I've started Cathe's, and PS SLA is harder than anything I have ever done!! Maybe I should try some Firm tapes and mix them up with Cathe's step. I don't know. I've just discovered this video world, and there's too much I want. Thanks for your suggestions on the Firm tapes :)

Emily
P.S. I love Handpicked. My good friend used to work there! How was Columbia?
 
Firm and Cathe Videos

<center><font size="1" color="#ff0000">LAST EDITED ON Mar-27-00 AT 06:47PM (EST)</font></center>

Hi again, Emily!

Columbia was great. I really like South Carolina anyway. Charleston is one of my favorite cities in the world. I used to travel to S.C . at least every month, but now that I have finished my class work and am working on my dissertation, I only get there twice per year. I live in Tennessee, BTW, about 4 hours from Columbia.

I highly recommend a combination of Cathe and the Firm. Their styles are quite complimentary. I use my Step Co. step at 8" for all the Firm "cardio" step parts; the videos only use a 4" box and that just doesn't elevate my heart rate. I think that you have to purchase all the videos that I recommended from Firm Direct. I don't recommend the Firm alone. My Cathe videos have a permanent place in my workout schedule and before discovering Cathe's workouts, I always needed more cardio than in the Firm's format. I am a slug and need all the fat-burning cardio that I can get. And the older I get, the more cardio I need to stay in shape.

I can't wait to see what Cathe has in store for use in her new releases. As a cross-training team for me, nothing beats the Firm and Cathe!
 
Firm workouts

Hi Amy,

I just tried to get Standing Legs off of the VF Exchange, so we'll see if I get it. I'm going to start trying some of the Firm tapes thanks to your advice. Happy exercising :)

Emily
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top