* *Cross-training question

[deirdre.gentile]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jun-18-02 AT 11:24AM (Est)[/font][p]Hello Cathe -

I have been using your tapes for the past 3 years and have been extremely happy with not only the workouts, but, more importantly, the results.

I know you are big on cross-training, and being that I use your tapes 5x/week, in addition to 1 day of a walk/run interval, I've purchased a Lifestepper and Lifecycle from Lifefitness for my home in order to start incorporating different forms of aerobic exercise into my routine. (breath)

I would like to know what your opinion is on the effectiveness of using the Lifestepper and Lifecyle is, as opposed to 'just' using your aerobic tapes (as I do now). I LOVE your tapes and am reluctant to cut-down to incorporate other activities, not only because I enjoy them so much, but because I'm afraid the results will not be as great.

I guess I am just looking for reassurance that using the Lifestepper and the Lifecycle on alternating days along with your tapes is a wise move and will be just as effective, and maintain the same results.

If you would, please respond ASAP. I value your opinion and appreciate it greatly. Oh, by the way, congrats on the 2nd addition to the family. I wish you all the best! Keep those challenging tapes coming Cathe! You are truly an inspiration.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi deirdre.gentile! Sure the cardio equipment is just as effective as long as you do a challenging workout with them. For instance, if you set your lifecycle on level one and just ride for 45 minutes at a moderate pace, it may not be as challenging as one of my advanced step tapes. But if you get on the Lifecycle for 45 minutes and do an interval workout (for ex: alternate doing 5 minutes on level 3 or 4 and one to two minutes on level 6 or 7 for 45 minutes)then it would be very challenging. And you don't always need to do interval workouts sometimes you can just set your level higher than ususal and ride for 20 minutes and then go to an easier level and ride at a faster cadence for 20 minutes.

In any case, variety is always best. Its good for the mind and the body. I like to change cardio activities even when I love the current one I am doing so that I love coming back to it. If you do something until you burn out of it, it is much harder to ever comeback to doing that workout again.

Good Luck!

 

[deirdre.gentile]

Thanks for the reply Cathe. I really appreciate it.