Define "advanced"....how do you know?

M

Muffin Top

Cathlete
Just curious here. How does one know when they have graduated to "advanced level?" Sometimes, I feel advanced, but I still have no desire to do a workout called "The Terminator"--and I'm a little scared of Drill Max and Cardio Fusion after reading some reviews. Yet, I do other Cathe advanced workouts. So, when am I officially "advanced"?
 
Collage video's catalog says that you're advanced if you're "very active in sports or consistently work out four or more times per week." It doesn't say how long though. I'd say if you workout hard for at least four times per week (I workout 5-6) for at least 6 months then you're advanced. By the way my weight scale has an athlete mode and the definition of "elite athlete" according to the manufacturers is a person who trains consistently 6-10 hours per week, at 2 hours each occurrence. Of course you can be advanced in cardio and not in weight training (and viceversa). Same goes for flexibility type exercises. I started yoga years ago when I was doing Cathe on a regular basis and I was a beginner in yoga. When I tried pilates it was the same thing. And it also happens to people that practice yoga or pilates exclusively and are advanced at those and then they want to start a cardio and weight training program; it is highly unlikely that they will start or can start at an advanced level. And there's also the shock factor. You can be advanced and start a new workout program and still feel wiped out when you're done with it.
 
RE: Define

You're advanced! I think at this stage of the game, it is more of a state of mind!!:7 When you are ready for more challenge, tackle Cardio Fusion or Terminator...your body may welcome the shock with positive results!!
 
RE: Define

Hmmmmm, I think I may remain an "intermediate" indefinitely.:) An hour for me still seems like a really long workout. I exercise to feel better and because it's fun, not because I'm in training for a triathalon.
 
RE: Define

Very interesting question.....hmmmm......I guess I started considering myself an advanced exerciser when I began putting together my own routines & mixing & matching here & there.

Maybe I'll follow up this question with another question--do you measure "advanced" by strength/cardio capacity, or by knowledge?
 
RE: Define

An interesting question. It's easy to know if someone is a beginner, but when does one become 'advanced," and are there different levels of 'advanced?'

I definitely think one can be advanced in several areas and not in others. And that there are different levels of "advanced." (Some workouts are 'very advanced' or 'super advanced' IMO!)

I don't go by labels, because it can vary from one type of workout to another and between different skills. If you can do a workout, you can do it. If you need to modify it to do it, then modify it.

Collage used to state that beginner/intermediate/advanced was based on how long you've been working out and how regularly, but someone could work out often, and have been working out for a long time, and still not do 'advanced' workouts.

I usually enjoy workouts labelled 'advanced'(unless that refers to the choreography: I'm no choreo hound!), or intermediate/advanced. Some 'advanced' workouts are too high impact for my body, but does that make me less advanced (or just wise in listening to my own limitations)? I may do them, but with modifications (maybe 'advanced' can also apply to knowledge, skilll and ability to adapt?) .

Compared to the majority of Americans, I'm sure you are 'advanced." Compared to some Catheites, maybe not so much (but they may be "super advanced"!).
 
RE: Define

I classified myself as Advanced after I noticed that workouts classified as Intermediate were too darn easy and I couldn't work up a sweat or they weren't challenging enough :7 So, in my case it is a self classification.
 
RE: Define

Candi took the words right out of my mouth, although I like Shelly's definition the best:).
Deanie:)
 
RE: Define

When your intermediate workouts just don't do it for you anymore. ...when you want to be pushed harder and challenged more....When the Firm is considered a light day... when you can complete your Cathe's workouts without dying...and what Shelley said.
 
RE: Define

Question...

What level you are when you can do the drop sets of push ups of Gym Style C&T on your toes? Probably uber advanced right?
 
RE: Define

Great thought provoking question! I guess cardio stamina wise I feel advanced.... but strength wise I am just a babe.... Push Ups... Pikes on ball etc... its a joke yet I can lift pretty heavy.
If Cathe workouts are the advanced standard I am Advanced w/ Cardio and Intermediate to Beginner in Strength
 
RE: Define

>Great thought provoking question! I guess cardio stamina wise
>I feel advanced.... but strength wise I am just a babe....
>Push Ups... Pikes on ball etc... its a joke yet I can lift
>pretty heavy.
>If Cathe workouts are the advanced standard I am Advanced w/
>Cardio and Intermediate to Beginner in Strength

Last week I ended my first GS rotation and when I started I couldn't do all the push-ups on C&T and that was on my knees. After 6 weeks I could do the first set and almost all the repetitions of the second on my toes and the rest on my knees. Before GS, I can't remember ever doing more than one push-up on my toes and that was with really bad form. With the weights on GS I can lift as heavy or more than Cathe except on GS: C&T. I don't know if that makes me advanced or not but I'm happy that I'm stronger and healthier compared to last year.
 
RE: Define

>Great thought provoking question! I guess cardio stamina wise
>I feel advanced.... but strength wise I am just a babe....
>Push Ups... Pikes on ball etc... its a joke yet I can lift
>pretty heavy.
>If Cathe workouts are the advanced standard I am Advanced w/
>Cardio and Intermediate to Beginner in Strength

Last week I ended my first GS rotation and when I started I couldn't do all the push-ups on C&T and that was on my knees. After 6 weeks I could do the first set and almost all the repetitions of the second on my toes and the rest on my knees. Before GS, I can't remember ever doing more than one push-up on my toes and that was with really bad form. With the weights on GS I can lift as heavy or more than Cathe except on GS: C&T. I don't know if that makes me advanced or not but I'm happy that I'm stronger and healthier compared to last year.
 
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