CTX Rotation

[Kristina36]

I'm pretty new to Cathe vids, but am LOVING them! I just did MIS for the first time today, and I couldn't even finish it (had to stop in the middle of the bicep section - I was toast!). I'm amazed at Cathe's strength - this is one I'll be working up to and looking forward to it.

Anyway, this may be a question that's obvious, and please forgive me if it's already been asked. How do you rotate the CTX series? Do one tape each day of the week? It's a silly question, eh? I just noticed that each tape contains a little bit of each part of the upper body, and this is different than I'm used to, but it sounds very intriguing. And then there's Meaner Legs, this would be done once per week (?) I guess I'm used to doing one total body tape 2-3 times a week and that's it, so I wanted to clarify for my own curiousity, since I'm going to get the series next week hopefully! TIA!

 

[willowe]

Hi Kristina and welcome to Cathe's World!

I have most of Cathe's workouts and also love them! I recently invested in the CTX series and think it's a really great, time-efficient series of workouts! I'm sure you're gonna love it! Initially, I did the following rotation:

Day One: Power Circuit + Chest & Back + Abs
Day Two: Kickbox + Biceps & Triceps + Abs
Day Three: Step & Intervals + Shoulders (no abs)
Day Four: All Step + Chest & Back + Abs
Day Five: 10-10-10 + Biceps & Triceps + Abs
Day Six: Leaner Legs + Shoulders + Abs
Day Seven: Rest

Doing the above allows you to work the upper body twice per week. Obviously, you could stick to doing one body part per day if you prefer. The only recommendation I would make is not to do Power Circuit the day before or after Leaner Legs, as it also works the lower body quite thoroughly (I talk from "painful" experience!). Also, I personally wouldn't do Leaner Legs in the middle of the week, as it can make the legs a bit tired - I was really grateful for the rest day after doing LL!! On a note of caution, I launched myself into the above rotation being quite new to Cathe workouts and not really having done a "formal" rotation or any "serious" weight/strength training before. After about 3 weeks I was feeling very tired. (I have exercised at home for years, but underestimated the intensity of this series!). I ended up taking 3 "unscheduled" rest days due to being so tired and, after some thought, I decided to split the cardio and weight/strength as follows:

Day One: Kickbox + Power Circuit
Day Two: Upper Body (all) + abs
Day Three: Step & Intervals + 10-10-10
Day Four: Rest
Day Five: Upper Body (all) + abs
Day Six: All Step + Leaner Legs
Day Seven: Rest

Doing cardio and weights in one session was too much for me personally and I have found the above rotation much better. Also, the extra rest day has made all the difference. This is only MY personal experience (don't want to put you off!) and I only mention it as you said that you are also quite new to Cathe.

As I say, CTX is a great series and I hope the above rotations are of help and that you enjoy mixing and matching!
Have fun!
Kaz.

 

[Kristina36]

Kaz, thanks so much for the suggestions! I have found that after doing Cathe's tapes that I'm MUCH more tired than I usually am - I know my muscles are being taxed, albeit in a good way, but I need to split the tapes up differently or allow for an added, scheduled rest day.

I've been doing the FIRM for 3.5 years, and I since Cathe is so different, I'm realizing I'm going to have to work my way up. I'm taking it as a good challenge.

I love your suggestions you gave me (printing them out now) - thanks again!

Kris