Complete video newbie needs guidance

S

stp

Member
Hi everyone:

Have been reading through the forum for the last couple of hours and whew! There are a lot of very motivated and Cathe-knowledgeable people here.

I need some advice on which videos to purchase. My situation is this: I am 46 and have been working out pretty regularly for a couple of decades. I would like to lose about 15 to 20 pounds of fat and build some muscle. I don't know if it matters or not, but I am a pretty typical endomorph.

I don't really think I would use any of the videos that focus on cardio as I really prefer to run/hike in the summer and cross-country ski/snowshoe in the winter (I have a dog that would never forgive me if I started doing my cardio inside!). I was going to the gym really regularly for a couple of years, but several months ago, I had to have some abdominal surgery and for some reason, I just can't seem to get back into the habit.

That is why I thought getting a workout video or two for home might help. I have used some tapes several years ago--all step/cardio type videos. I like to work out hard and really believe in strength training as a major key to overall fitness and burning up the body fat, especially as you get older. I am interested in the Cathe videos because from everything that I have read, they are really tough and could reasonably replace gym workouts.

I have a step, 5-8-10-12-15-20# dumbbells, as well as a crappy old bench that will probably do the trick. What I would like to know from all of you is--which video would you recommend to start with? I was thinking about Max Intensity Strength (MIS, I guess). I thought seeing as it is a whole body workout, I would do it three days a week and cardio three days a week. Also, what about endurance-type strength videos as opposed to...well, whatever the other would be called--lower rep/higher weight, maybe? What results do you get from these differing types of workouts? Should you do both?

Would love to hear your comments on videos and routines, or anything else you care to comment on!

Thanks,
STP
 
Hi!

MIS is a good workout that can be broken up if need be(especially on DVD). If you want endurance, a good all-around video is Power Hour. A favorite all-around tape of mine is Body Max - you get a really intense step routine, leg drills and a really excellent upper body strength routine in one tape. People often suggest going with the Wedding Video to start - you get used to Cathe's style, and it's both a step and strength routine on one tape.

Someone with more knowledge hopefully will chime in on endurance v. strength, but a lot of times it's just experimentation as to what will work your body best. Many people go on rotations where they do exclusively strength and then switch to endurance, to mix things up.

Rose
 
Hello There! I might suggest getting both MIS and Power Hour if you only want weight training. MIS starts out with a step aerobic warm up however. I read somewhere she had suggested to do MIS 2 days and Power Hour one day a week for 4 weeks then switch and do Power Hour 2 days and MIS one day for 4 weeks. If you're looking to focus on lower body her Leaner Legs video is excellent as well and works abs at the end. Body Max is a complete video with cardio and weights. It's a bit lengthier(1.5hrs)but you can break it up and do lower one day and upper body conditioning the next.
I honestly only use her "endurance" weight videos. I've never tried her Slow and Heavy series. The problem is Cathe has so much to choose from! ;-)
Hope all this helps! Take care, Susan
 
If you already have some experience with weights, which it sounds like you do, since you have all those dumbbells, I have a recommendation for you. I think the Pure Strength series would be the perfect start.

3 different tapes, one for each weight day. Doesn't wipe you out like pure endurance or Slow and Heavy. You can then go in either direction : toward Power Hour, a faster paced whole body routine, or Slow and Heavy.

Not too long (less than an hour) (except the Legs one, it's 63 mins or so)and perfect for alternating with cardio.

The two new pyramid tapes sound like they'd fill the bill too. I'm actually talking myself into a Pure Strength week right here.
 
Okay, I DID it!!

I ordered the MIS tape and got it today! I was really happy because this was my day to do strength and I have been just kind of messing around at home on my own, with the dumbbells. It has been okay but I was definitely looking for some new ideas.

So I cracked it open and did it right there on the spot. And it was great! This is, indeed, a tough workout. I am feeling good right now but I won't be surprised if I am a little sore tomorrow. I lightened up the weights throughout (mostly due to the warnings on the board here!) and so managed to do all the reps, except for those damn tricep dips! Those things killed me. And of course, the abs. Will I EVER be able to do the entire ab workout, keeping right up?

This is the first time I have seen a Cathe tape. After reading the board here, I was really tempted to order a few but I wanted to see one first and make sure that I liked it well enough. She is great--just enthusiastic enough without being obnoxious and the music is fine too. I doubt that anyone ever gets EXACTLY the music that would be their first choice but I find it matters a little less in strength workouts than it does in step/cardio workouts.

So, I am very happy and plan to use this tape three times a week for the next four? or five or six weeks and then maybe try out Power Hour, and then the PS series, and then S&H and then.......

STP, as she joins the hordes of Cathe addicts!
 
Hey STP!

Watch out!!! MIS was my very first Cathe tape and now I have them ALL!!! You will not be disappointed by any of the 3 "next" tapes/series you plan to get. They are ALL great! Yes, you will eventually get thru all the AB work. Just keep at it. Welcome & you are definitely on your way to developing Catheitis.

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
RE: Okay, I DID it!!

Hi STP:

congrats on your purchase! MIS remains one of my fave muscle workouts.

I had no abs to speak of until I started training them with this video. Last january, I could not finish the lot, had to take about 6 breaks during this section, to scream in pain, and now? I can do the ab section in all her vids I have, straight through, no stops....

Keep at it, one day soon, it will suddenly be there and you'll feel great

Clare
 
STP-
Glad you are enjoying MIS, and I hope this suggestion doesn't come too late to be useful, but you are my age and Pure Strength has OUR music girlfriend. I guess it's the stuff that would now be regarded as old timer stuff, like the Rolling Stones "Brown Sugar". Keep that in mind for your next purchase. Also, read the reviews of Pure Strength on the Video Fitness website. I think 2 of them made the Hall of Fame. And for good reason!
-Nancy, the Pure Strength Enthusiast
 
Thanks for the tip, Nancy

I will keep that in mind! I am planning on purchasing some more, and the PS series is on the list. I think I will get a bunch and take advantage of the discount. So, thought I would get the PS series, PowerHour and the S&H series. That should keep me going for quite awhile! In the future, I will probably pick up the new Pyramid ones too....boy, it is so tempting to buy that whole series now because the prices are so much better if you do, but, realistically, I am pretty sure that I would only use the two Pyramid ones. I think!?!?!

And yes, I have read all the reviews on all the tapes I am interested in....and they are invariably great. I am really happy with the MIS and clearly, she keeps up this level of excellence in all her tapes.

I think this is going to work out really well for me. Now, if only I could find a whole room that I can dedicate to a gym.....hmm, we don't really use the kitchen all THAT much...I wonder if DH would mind if I got rid of those cupboards and applicances and hung up a plasma screen TV?.....(lol)

STP
 
RE: Thanks for the tip, Nancy

I know what you mean! Who needs a kitchen anyway? Just do take-out! LOL!!
-Nancy
 
RE: Thanks for the tip, Nancy

Enjoy MIS! It's great to do all at once or split.

You will also love those next tapes you get.
 
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