CIA - What are they like?

jillybean

jillybean

Cathlete
Are they like the FBI? Just kidding. I typed CIA into my search engine and got connected to the actual CIA's website. But I want some info on Creative Instructors Aerobics. Do the videos have casts - or is it just an instructor? Are they of nice production quality? I was thinking of venturing into some hi/lo tapes, until Cathe makes one, I will have to settle for someone else's. Just kidding. Jennifer Mills, Mindy (last name alludes me), Frannie and Christi Taylor have been talked about. I don't have a ton of w/o room and I really like loud, great music (like Cathe's) while I exercise. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly apprecaited. Thanks!
 
Hi Jillybean -

The 1st home step video I ever tried was CIA 2104 with Gay Gasper. (The Greatest Step Workout Plus Perfect Body Conditioning). For starting out, I really liked it - the music was good, and I really liked her personality. There are background exercisers (4 or 5).

The only thing is, she did the workout in sections, and then put it all together at the end - but went through it 4 times (got very repetitive/boring). The strengthening is done with a tube, resistance ball, and dumbells - not too bad (Cathe is much tougher though). But it was professionally done, the quality is good, Gay's cuing was really good, etc. I know it's not what you're looking for (step), but just wanted to let you know my one & only experience with CIA

Maybe others will have some good hi-lo suggestions!

Susan
 
Hi Jillybean :)

CIA vids are wonderful .. they're an outstanding value for the workouts you get because alot of the tapes contain two complete workouts. It would be hard to recommend good vids based on your space restrictions, without knowing specifically how small your workout space is. I don't have a huge workout area either, but find that I'm able to modify all of the workouts I have to fit my living room. Anything Franny is a winner, I have all of her CIA workouts. CIA 2K05 (Cardio Parties) is outstanding, the step segment is one of the best ever, and the hi/lo is wonderful as well. 2K03 Kickbox Jam (Sherri Jacquelyn) is also one that doesn't require a tremendous amount of space. My suggestion? .. read some reviews on VF, and stay with the newer vids. 9700 series and higher. All vids have a 'cast', usually anywhere from 2-5 background exercisers.

Hope that helped :)
~ Nicole
 
Hmmm...I was just typing in my message and it disappeared so if it is up here twice then you'll know why.
As I was saying...I own about four (now that I think about it) CIA video's.ANd I have to say that I have not been impressed with the majority of them.I find them to hard to learn.I guess if I took the time to learn them, then maybe I would like them. But you know, when you are trying to learn a new video it doesn't seem like your really working out cause your standing there looking at the new video and trying to do what they are doing.
The only video that I do do, is invertal training with Mindy Miller(I think that';s her name).And I would say that the only reason I do this one is because it is intervals and they are easy to learn.
I think that maybe I am just addicted to Cathe tapes.I never find them to hard to learn.In a couple of times I have got it.I don't know why though.Maybe it cause I learn what I want to learn.I also found that with some of the tapes you need alot of room.One of them I think I would have had to open up the door and go on out into the street and come back in.Anyway hope i helped,
Lori
 
I've only ever previewed two of CIA's videos, and IMHO they were laughable. Lousy production values, and the more recent one I reviewed (taught by Shannon and Allison something-or-other, produced about a year ago) had outdated choreography, bad form (both by the instructors and the participants) and made me think I was looking at video fitness's answer to "The Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes".

However, I've only seen those two. Maybe they were just the dogs of an otherwise good collection.

Annette
 
Interesting Aquajock. Up until now, I only planned on doing Cathe videos forever, but I have been really worried about not cross training enough. If CIA vidoes have poor quality, I doubt I can make it through many workouts. Thanks for the input. Hopefully others will comment too!
 
Hey, Jillybean! To second a previous suggestion re finding reviews of CIA videos, you may also want to see if Collage Video's website (www.collagevideo.com) has any reviews of CIA videos in modes you'd be interested in. The people who contribute those reviews on that site tend not to spare the horses, so you'll get a candid view of what consumers think of them.

Re cross-training, I too have had to get in gear and pay more attention to that - I used to be the original Aqua and Step, Aqua and Step Kid. Although I rely exclusively on Cathe videos at home, I'm finding I'm really enjoying bringing in hi/lo and kickbox into the mix with CTX, Circuit Max and Cardio Kicks. I am starting to think about Powerstrike based on the comments I've read here, but that's further down the road.

Once this lousy Minnesota weather switches over to spring, I'm going to bring my power-walking up and down Musclebutt Mountain (a very short but steep ski slope in Clifton French Park in Plymouth) back into gear - it's the Interval Workout For The Braindead!

Good luck!

Annette
 
Workout quality really varies from video to video and from series to series. Some I've had I couldn't trade fast enough. Others are still on my shelf and you couldn't pry them out of my hands. :) Check into reviews at Collage and Vieo Fitness before you place an order. Just the name CIA does not guarantee a workout that you'll enjoy. But there are some real gems to be had, depending on what you're looking for. And what I like in a workout may drive you crazy, you know? For me, I love complex choreography. Bad cueing makes me want to throw things at the TV. Bad music will kill a mediocre workout, and good music can make a mediocre workout immeasurably beter. But that's me. That's why you really to read reviews and/or see clips before making your choices. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top