Club Step

[jengollf]

I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to get a club step. I currently have the Firm's Transfirmer. It gives me a 6 inch, 8 inch and 14 inch step, and it also inclines. However, now that I have glommed every single Cathe workout that I want, I've noticed several workouts use a club step at heights that I can't do: 4 inches, 10 inches and 12 inches.

I love Cathe workouts because not only are they fun but they give me some of the most intense and effective workouts I've ever done--which to me, is a big deal. I have a lot of awesome and intense workouts by other trainers, but none of them give me the fun-factor that Cathe workouts do. So I want to know, how much intensity am I losing by using the step in the 8 inch position when she is using it at 10 inches (I think I've only done one workout where she used it in the 12 inch position). I know going from the 6 inch to the 8 inch position makes a big difference in intensity, so I can only assume the same would be true going up to the 10 inch position.

Anyway, it will be a $150 investment that I'm willing to make if it is worth it. (basic step + extra risers) Any thoughts? Opinions?

 

[ElleJay]

Go for club step

Hey jengolf - I have the Transfirmer box that you have, the previous one they called the death box with collapsible legs and the square purple/blue one from BSS1 and BSS2. After Transfirmer, I quit buying Firms and moved to Cathe and Low Max, tried to do it on the Transfirmer box and bought the club step about a year after that. Now my Firm boxes are used as leg rests under my computer desk, and as benches for my woodworking

I love the club step, the risers that are notched so they don't slip, and the slanted risers that you can buy allow you to still do Firm videos on the slant if you are still doing them (I pull one out every now and then ) I think that the club step is a little longer than the firm boxes, you get used to it. I also bought the grey/black high step lid.

That's my story, it was worth it to me to get the club step. Cathe offers coupons now and then, maybe you can wait for those to help with the cost

 

[atompki1]

I used to have a Reebok step, but when I started doing Cathe I bought the Club Step. I already had a High Step and the risers for both are the same. I spent approx $80(Walmart) for my Club Step. I LOVE it!! I've also bought additional risers. I have a total of 10 risers. Between my High Step and my Club step, these are the most used pieces of equipment I own. Don't see how you can go wrong with the Club Step.

 

[mini-natty]

Let's put it this way, if someone were to take my Club Step away, I would have a temper tantrum . Besides my Cathe workouts and weights, it is my most cherished piece of exercise equipment. Once you go Club Step, you don't go back!

Have you tried Amazon or ebay? I got mine for an awesome deal on ebay for $80 including 8 risers (12 inch total height) brand new, still in the box!!

Natasha

 

[mfv3]

LOVE my cardio club step! My most used piece of equipment. Trying to convince my mom to get one...hers is old skool for sure!

Check Craig's list too. I found one for $30 dollars....4 risers and a step....used but in great shape. I bought it just for the risers but am happy to have 2 steps now. One for use as a weight bench and the other for stepping.

 

[bonjonbart]

I agree, too. The club step is worth it. Check into ebay and Craig's list as others have mentioned. I bought my club step on sale at Dick's about 8 years ago and found a bunch of risers and the high step topper on ebay. I use the step a lot, often 4 or more times a week, and it's still hanging tough.

 

[jengollf]

Thanks for all the replies. I actually found an affordable "pair"--but I want to make sure they will work together the same way that atompki1's worked together. One is a club step, the other is a high step. They're both purple/pink and both come with Cathe workouts. The two together are as much as the club step with only 4 risers. This way I'd get the high step, the club step and 8 risers for under $100. What concerns me is the steps Cathe uses in the works I do are all black--not purple/pink. Are they still the same steps or should I get the black ones?

 

[atompki1]

I think you have to look at the measurements of the risers. I believe they should be 16 x 16. An I think the step should be 40" long. If you go on Cathe's site and check the measurements of her step and then compare that to what you are looking at buying you should be able to tell if they will match.

 

[jengollf]

I think you have to look at the measurements of the risers. I believe they should be 16 x 16. An I think the step should be 40" long. If you go on Cathe's site and check the measurements of her step and then compare that to what you are looking at buying you should be able to tell if they will match.

Thanks! I'm glad I asked here. The step was not 40 inches long. That surprises me because it is a "Cathe" step package. The high step, however, is the right size. I know a club step at 14 inches can substitute easily for the high step (that's how I use my transfirmer)--so I'll probably just get the club step with a bunch of risers. Though a part of me does want the high step too--just because Cathe uses it so often!

I did To the Max 30/20 HIIT premix this morning after doing Pure Strength and all I could think was--this would be so much more intense if my step was at 10 inches like Cathe's instead of 8 inches. I am sold! I must have one!

 

[jengollf]

Thanks

Thanks again everyone for all of your input. I did it! I bought the black/grey club step, the high step and 2 extra risers. I was just going to buy a bunch of risers, but it seemed pointless when it would cost just as much as the high step--plus, I get a Cathe workout with the high step. High Step Circuit. I adore High Step Challenge and High Step Training--so I might like this one, too. I have read it is easier than HSC and HST--so not sure I will like it. HSC and HST are exactly what I am looking for an a cardio + strength workout. They are two of my favorites.

Anyway! I am excited! I have always spent a lot of money on fitness--but the past 6 months since discovering Cathe... well, I have gone overboard. I have shown no restraint! I don't know if I should be ashamed or relieved to say that as of now I have almost everything Cathe-related that I want and I'll be getting the remainder for Christmas from my daughter and husband.

 

[loneswaneast]

Club step absolutely. I bought one in the early 1990's and it lasted until this year when I bought a new one. It did not sit unused, I'm an avid Cathe workout person (Cathlete I guess is the right term) so it was used almost daily. Good investment absolutely.

 

[nckfitheart2009]

Another High step challenge lover

Thanks again everyone for all of your input. I did it! I bought the black/grey club step, the high step and 2 extra risers. I was just going to buy a bunch of risers, but it seemed pointless when it would cost just as much as the high step--plus, I get a Cathe workout with the high step. High Step Circuit. I adore High Step Challenge and High Step Training--so I might like this one, too. I have read it is easier than HSC and HST--so not sure I will like it. HSC and HST are exactly what I am looking for an a cardio + strength workout. They are two of my favorites.

Anyway! I am excited! I have always spent a lot of money on fitness--but the past 6 months since discovering Cathe... well, I have gone overboard. I have shown no restraint! I don't know if I should be ashamed or relieved to say that as of now I have almost everything Cathe-related that I want and I'll be getting the remainder for Christmas from my daughter and husband.

Hi Jen,

I have just bought a cathe's high step with High step circuit for free too.. I am so excited...I did TTM with three risers and will be adding the fourth for more challenge soon. It does make such difference.
I reckon, just like you, I have been hoarding on cathe's workout recently.
I need to calm down till the end of the years for a last purchase. My list of try out workout is getting longer!

I love High step challenge very much. It is one of top favourite workout. I love crazy 8 biceps curl on my favourite toy BARBELL
The music played was not chosen randomly, it does really help! I love that track!

Please let me how you are getting on with your barbell.
Enjoy your purchases and most importantly your workouts

Nathalie

 

[jengollf]

Hi Jen,

I have just bought a cathe's high step with High step circuit for free too.. I am so excited...I did TTM with three risers and will be adding the fourth for more challenge soon. It does make such difference.
I reckon, just like you, I have been hoarding on cathe's workout recently.
I need to calm down till the end of the years for a last purchase. My list of try out workout is getting longer!

I love High step challenge very much. It is one of top favourite workout. I love crazy 8 biceps curl on my favourite toy BARBELL
The music played was not chosen randomly, it does really help! I love that track!

Please let me how you are getting on with your barbell.
Enjoy your purchases and most importantly your workouts

Nathalie

Mine, too! I create workout rotation calenders every month and it will take me until the first week of November to finishing doing all of my new Cathe workouts. I love doing new-to-me Cathe workouts all of the time, but there is also a big part of me that really wants to go back and do my favorites again. Not a problem with her straight cardio workouts that I own, because I've done all of those so I do my favorites again and again, but I'm still working my way through her strength and a few cardio + strength workouts.

I love the barbell! I am so impressed by the difference. I've been lifting free weights with dumbbells for 10+ years--but have never used a barbell until now. I noticed that one of my arms appears to be stronger than the other and if I have too much weight on the barbell, it will compensate (so I, of course, lower the weight--but it is an odd feeling). I also noticed that it definitely feels different--adds a new dimension to moves. I also can lift a lot heavier when doing squats and it is so much more comfortable to squat with a barbell than with dumbbells--the difference with that alone is worth the price of the set! My husband is getting me the valor BD-8 and a bench for Christmas. I am looking foward to how much I can bench and squat with the proper equipment! And, of course, that will set me up to be able to do STS. I have that slated for March 2013.

Btw--have you tried HST? HSC is my favorite, but wow! HST will burn your glutes out much worse than HSC. And the cardio is more intense in HST, too. I love them both, but HSC is more fun, I think. They're both awesome workouts.

And WOW! I can't imagine TTM with 4 risers! That sounds intense. I guess I'll soon be able to give a try, tho!

 

[BooBear]

Hi Jen,

I have just bought a cathe's high step with High step circuit for free too.. I am so excited...I did TTM with three risers and will be adding the fourth for more challenge soon. It does make such difference.
I reckon, just like you, I have been hoarding on cathe's workout recently.
I need to calm down till the end of the years for a last purchase. My list of try out workout is getting longer!

I love High step challenge very much. It is one of top favourite workout. I love crazy 8 biceps curl on my favourite toy BARBELL
The music played was not chosen randomly, it does really help! I love that track!

Please let me how you are getting on with your barbell.
Enjoy your purchases and most importantly your workouts

Nathalie

Ahhhhh!!!!! My wish list is getting huge too!!!! I have also been eyeing the high step because right now I am trying to make my firm two piece (blue/purple fanny lifter) step work for now, but I'm losing the battle. Somehow in the last couple of weeks I have gotten back into working out BIG TIME after too long of a hiatus, and it's all about Cathe's workouts! I have spent several hundred over two orders recently and I have only put a dent in my wishlist!!!!!!!! I think the high step will be my next purchase, and maybe I'll make it a reward for reaching a weight loss goal . *sigh* I am becoming an addict!

 

[tralaiven]

all I can say is that just about every investment in my Cathe dvd's and fitness equipment has been totally worth it and used very much and very well. It has been just that--an investment. But I use the dvd's over and over and use the step, weights, ball, etc...

The only thing that has not been the best investment for me that I absolutely had to have was the STS Tower thingy that they use in STS. I simply have not used that thing very much at all.

 

[jengollf]

all I can say is that just about every investment in my Cathe dvd's and fitness equipment has been totally worth it and used very much and very well. It has been just that--an investment. But I use the dvd's over and over and use the step, weights, ball, etc...

The only thing that has not been the best investment for me that I absolutely had to have was the STS Tower thingy that they use in STS. I simply have not used that thing very much at all.

That's how I look at (and justify) all of the money I spend on fitness--it is an invesment! And it really is--I don't really feel bad about it, though there are times (like recently...) when I feel guilty and as if I should be putting the money I am spending hoarding Cathe DVDs and equipment into other areas. Which is one of the reasons I am glad that the purchase of the steps puts an end to all of my fitness "wants" for a while (at least the ones I am paying for--the rest I am getting as gifts for Christmas).

I did Circuit Blast for the first time this morning and all I could think was--this workout will be incredible if my step was at 12 inches like Cathe's is. I enjoyed it, but I felt it wasn't as intense as a lot of her other workouts--however, if I had the same step I know I would have found it so much more intense! So I am very excited to do that workout again with a 12 inch step!

You mentioned the tower not being a good investment. Why is that? My husband is getting me the valor BD-8 as a substitute for the tower for Christmas. It is not cheap--I want to make sure it is money well spent.

 

[mini-natty]

You mentioned the tower not being a good investment. Why is that? My husband is getting me the valor BD-8 as a substitute for the tower for Christmas. It is not cheap--I want to make sure it is money well spent.

On the contrary I use my Turbo Tower A LOT. I find every excuse to add it to my exercise regime. Instead of chest presses with dumbbell`s, I use my barbell and tower so I can lift heavier if need be. I will also substitute 1 arm rows sometimes for pull and chin-ups with my tower. I use it for Barre work all the time. It`s my baby ...after my step of course .

Natasha

 

[tralaiven]

That's how I look at (and justify) all of the money I spend on fitness--it is an invesment! And it really is--I don't really feel bad about it, though there are times (like recently...) when I feel guilty and as if I should be putting the money I am spending hoarding Cathe DVDs and equipment into other areas. Which is one of the reasons I am glad that the purchase of the steps puts an end to all of my fitness "wants" for a while (at least the ones I am paying for--the rest I am getting as gifts for Christmas).

I did Circuit Blast for the first time this morning and all I could think was--this workout will be incredible if my step was at 12 inches like Cathe's is. I enjoyed it, but I felt it wasn't as intense as a lot of her other workouts--however, if I had the same step I know I would have found it so much more intense! So I am very excited to do that workout again with a 12 inch step!

You mentioned the tower not being a good investment. Why is that? My husband is getting me the valor BD-8 as a substitute for the tower for Christmas. It is not cheap--I want to make sure it is money well spent.

For me it really was not. I just do not use it all that much at all. And the times I have used it to do bench presses I could have just as well not used it. And as far as using it for the Turbo Barre from the Low Impact Series...I have only done that workout once....and I could have used a chair for that.

Now, if you are going heavily in STS...which I was at the time...I could see how it would definitely be a benefit. And while I still have my STS program...I don't foresee using it anytime soon..but that could always change.

 

[jengollf]

Thanks for the replies on the tower. I do plan to do STS, which is why I want the tower primarily. However, just doing Cathe's Pure Strength Legs and Abs this mornng I could see what a benefit having the Valor BD-8 would be as a squat rack. I could have squatted heavier than I did this morning if I'd had a way to get heavier weight onto my shoulders. I went as heavy as I could lift over my head, but at the end of the sets I was fatigued and strained my neck a bit getting the barbell off my shoulders. So that was a little frustrating. So I would use it for more than just STS. Actually, doing barbell chest presses in Pure Strength Chest, Triceps and Shoulders on Monday was a little awkward, too (getting into position, that is, with a heavy barbell--not the actual lifting). Would have been much easier if I had the barbell ready to go on a tower.

 

[Trixoo]

I think you'll love having your squat rack! I use my turbo tower for every weight workout (mmm, maybe not high reps), because its so much easier to load and unload my barbell while it's on the tt than when it's on the floor. Plus, once a barbell is loaded above a certain weight, it's just easier to lift from waist height versus from the floor. And, it's heaven using the tt for chest presses...especially if you're going to failure...no more hoping I don't drop the bar on myself! I don't think you'll ever regret that decision.