choreographically challenged

H

hockeymom

Member
hi all. i'm returning to exercising and cathe. my biggest problem is i just cannot do her step videos as they are just too complicated for me. (i love her weight work and kickboxing) does anyone have any suggestions of other step videos which are not as choreographically difficult but yet challenging.

thanks for any help
carol
 
Hi Carol-You can do it!! I promise! I know it's tough...but the feeling of accomplishment is so worth it. You will get some great suggestions from everyone here! The ones I have put to use are-(1) just learning one segment at a time and repeating it until you eventually learn the whole workout or (2) doing another workout for your "main" workout and try tacking on a few steps or the first segment of her workout until the whole workout clicks. How many times have you tried so far? It took me at least 5 times through to really get comfortable. I hope you stick with it and don't give up-your Cathe workouts are a great investment! I used to HATE step, but she totally turned me around. I love step now and I owe it to Cathe.

Jen
 
I am also very choreographically challenged!

These are the workouts by Cathe & others that I like:

Favs:
Drill Max
Butts & Guts
Kick, Punch, Crunch & Legs/Glutes
Kick Max
High Step Training Advanced
IMAX-the first one, the other 2 are too difficult to learn
Boot Camp and Muscle Endurance
Cardio Kicks & Circuit Max
Cross Train Express

Also like:
Low Impact Circuit-haven't done it much & a little learning curve but not too bad
Body Max 2- this has a bigger learning curve but I've been trying to learn it & adding on one or two parts after my weekend w/o & I think eventually I'll be able to do it.

My favorite non-Cathe workouts that are easy to learn are:

Powerstrike 1 & 2- by far my favorite aside from Cathe

Beach Body Slim Series-easier than Cathe but works well for my body type-it is lighter cardio, light weights, and high reps

Cindy Whitmarsh Ultimate Fat Burner-good quick workout when short on time.

Power 90 Master Series from Beach Body

Hope that helps!
 
Hi Carol,

I watch the DVD's the night before, hoping there are no surprises for me. This always helps. Also, when you are stepping with her and she is coming towards you, then you go towards her also. It would seem that you would collide. And be patient, you'll get it faster then you think.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible.

http://www.picturetrail.com/janiejoey
 
I always practice one move at a time once I am comfortable I will keep adding. Obviously this is spare time. I never ever ever would do step anywhere I have been doing Cathe for a little over a year and I just attempted my first step class last Sunday I did OK she had different lingo for some of the steps. I watch Cathe's feet all the time I do not pay any attention to the music until I am comfortable I also modify where I need it if I forget a move or have not done it in awhile I do what I know and just keep moving until my workout is complete and I will go back and do it as practice. My next favorite Cathe quote is "Happiness is knowing what is coming next" When you accomplish a workout not looking at her feet listening to the music and getting the moves it sure is. You will get it!

beth6395

"Another one that proves equipment is not necessary to get the job done" -Cathe Friedrich
 
I am soooo challenged! I screw up in step classes at the gym (before I found Cathe) and the teacher would get frustrated with me because I just did not "get it!" And would screw up everyone around me with my "antics":7
It is strange because I can actually dance pretty good (bellydance and hip hop) but the fancier step moves-aside from the very basic stuff is hard for me too.
I know that Gin Miller has a step tape that isn't hard to follow, is an hour long and you can get a pretty good workout, she just uses basic stuff. But alas, she is not Cathe, and it does get boring.
I will try some of the suggestions here too, maybe it will help me!
I usually just do the kickbox tapes for cardio, or PlyoX, the elliptical and my spin bike. Good luck!
 
Carol-

I think most of us have felt the same thing when we're new to Cathe!! I have noticed that she gives more introduction to the moves in her earlier workouts; I think by now, though, she assumes we've been with her long enough so that she doesn't need to explain a "power scissor" or some such move.

Low Max was my first Cathe workout, and I just took my time. I started out doing the premixes rather than attempt the entire workout. If I wanted a longer workout, I would simply repeat the premix I had just done (fast forwarding through the warmup and stretch). For me, repetition helps!

I think JenL13's list is a great start. HTH!
 
Hi Carol,

hang in there! I took me a long time to get Cathe's steps down:D
You will catch on!

Good luck!
Belinda
 
Hi Carol,

I'm choreographically challenged too and I have found that watching Cathe's workout clips online is a really good way for me to tell which ones are doable and which ones will leave me too frustrated. I wanted one of the new workouts and after watching all of the clips decided that Low Impact Circuit was the one for me. I did it for the first time on Friday and was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't tripping all over myself. I really only had problems with the third step routine. I've had Low Impact Step and Body Fusion for a while and I can do both of them just fine now. There was a learning curve in the beginning but they are certainly doable. Low Max, on the other hand, still throws me for a loop but I haven't given up on it yet. Don't be afraid to modify the moves that you can't get right away. I've become an expert at "knees corner to corner":D (my default move when I don't know what the heck she's doing). I know it can be frustrating but be patient with yourself. Shake it off and try again. :).
 
I love all these responses
I too am "choreographically challenged"! What a great description... And i am quite a good dancer but.... I am a best dancer when im just doing my thing rather than trying to follow a partner. so mayb thats the problem, its not that im choreographically challenged, but i just enjoy my own stuff and never took the time or care to learn anothers way of doing it.
 
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