Equipment modifications

A

amanda_j

Member
Hi Cathe!

I previously used gym equipment but my schedule will not allow me to continue, so I'm looking for routines to do at home. I am very interested in your videos, but the equipment is a little bit of an issue. I have heavy dumbbells, a barbell, and resistance bands. There's not really any storage space for other items, and when attempting step, I found my knees were getting irritated. Which, if any, of your programs can be modified? I know that the challenge wouldn't be quite the same, but that's okay.

Thanks in advance!

Amanda J.
 
Hi Cathe!

I previously used gym equipment but my schedule will not allow me to continue, so I'm looking for routines to do at home. I am very interested in your videos, but the equipment is a little bit of an issue. I have heavy dumbbells, a barbell, and resistance bands. There's not really any storage space for other items, and when attempting step, I found my knees were getting irritated. Which, if any, of your programs can be modified? I know that the challenge wouldn't be quite the same, but that's okay.

Thanks in advance!

Amanda J.
 
Not Cathe, but I can tell you that I too hesitated getting her workouts because of the equipment lists accompanying each one. I had a few items, like dumbbells, a band, stability ball, and a step. I can tell you that I can't use a step at all because of my knees, so those moves get modified. I've never had a barbell and don't really plan to get one, since with heavy weights it seems like the extra weight goes straight to my joints instead of to my muscles- so those get modified. I'm not sure if you're looking for cardio or weights or both, but I've heard quite a few people say they do step aerobics on the floor, so you can try that. Sounds like you're all set on the barbell and dumbbells, though I would recommend a stability ball. They're cheap and you will really get a lot of use out of it.

In my experience, you can definitely modify most of her workouts. And you're not the only one doing it. They're all quite long and quite challenging, so even with modifications or even eliminating a few moves if need be, you're still likely going to get your butt kicked. Anyway, my advice would be to just grab a couple workouts, get started, and see for yourself. You can always put equipment on a shopping list for later if need be, but with the equipment you have, you can definitely get your money's worth. I could kick myself for waiting so long to switch from other dvd workouts to Cathe ("butt kicks" KPC style, that is :D )
 
Thanks for the imput! I really appreciate it.

I am definitely going to research more into these. Cardio, strength, any of them I would like to try. I am actually not quite as concerned about modifying step workouts because I am more into bodybuilding and choose lower intensity cardio anyway.

What I'm not so sure about is a stability ball. We have quite a few dogs and they would either love to pop it or leave objects on the floor that would! A ball would have to be deflated and inflated all the time--is that worth it?

Cheers!

Amanda
 
What kinds of dogs are these??:p

I have an 80 lb boxer/yellow lab perma-puppy and I've never had any fear of it popping. The material is very thick, and mine claims to hold 1000 lbs. You'd have to first hold one still and then apply an extreme amount of force to get it to pop. A dog's claws definitely wouldn't pop it. Honestly, you could probably poke one with a knife and it still wouldn't pop, though I wouldn't recommend testing that theory. But that's how tough they are. They are large (55 cm is average) so the space could be an issue for you, but they stash into corners pretty easily.

So in my opinion, it's definitely worth having- there's such a huge variety of moves you can do with it- but not having one isn't going to hold you back. For example I like doing abs on the ball because it's more challenging, but of course you can work your abs on the floor. There's a couple really great butt/hamstring moves that IMO are worth the purchase of a ball in themselves. Enjoy your Cathe workouts whichever you choose, and be sure to post back on how they go!
 
They are Pekingese. Yes, I know, they may look innocent enough, but I have scars to prove otherwise! And broken objects on the floors... No lie, a few porcelain collectibles have become victims. :)

So, maybe popping isn't an issue (but it could be, to someone as paranoid as myself). The space might be though. Believe it or not, the corners in my house are stuffed with weights, and I still need more! Strength training really is my love.

With that note, STS is really tempting me. Of course, the set hasn't been released so details on that will have to wait. I'll research everything else in the meantime and see what to do. Cathe's enormous collection doesn't make it easy for a collector/completist/obsessive-compulsive person!

A.
 
I'd recommend the Gym Styles. I don't think they use a stability ball, and they really only use the step as a weight bench. I'm not 100% sure on that one, though. Have you viewed the clips of the workouts in the DVDs category?

And I think it's fair to say we each *started* with one workout... ;)Enjoy!
 
My dogs have never caused a problem, but we had a cat that stretched up with his claws on my stability ball and all of a sudden I felt it going flat. I didn't even know he was behind it. I had to buy a new stabilty ball :-( . Darlene
 
Thank you for the suggestion.

I really need to check out the clips--but they do take forever on dial-up! I had mostly been reading the descriptions, and they're enough to tempt. :)

I don't mind modifying anything with step or raised platforms because my knees don't like high surfaces.
 
:eek:

Was that one anti-burst?

Thankfully I've never felt a cat's claws, so I don't know what they're like compared to dogs.
 
I guess it wasn't anti-burst because the air went out quickly and I couldn't repair the ball At least it didn't blow up on me :-( . House cats keep their little claws sharp by clawing on things in the house like your favorite furniture, stabilty balls, etc. :7. His were pretty sharp. Darlene
 
If your funds are limited (whose aren't, these days?) I suggest you first get the 3 weight training dvd's in Cathe's Gym Style 3-day split, and get your cardio and core work on your own. Gym style is:
- Dvd #1: GYM STYLE LEGS
- Dvd #2: GYM STYLE BACK, SHOULDERS & BICEPS
- Dvd #3: GYME STYLE CHEST & TRICEPS

If you can afford it, let me tell you what I'm doing (I didn't buy all these at once, by the way): I'm doing the GYM STYLE workouts but, because I work my lower body twice per week, I'm presently rotating in Cathe's BUTTS AND GUTTS. Between GYM STYLE LEGS and BUTTS AND GUTTS, every part of my lower body gets hammered. As you might guess, BUTTS AND GUTTS also has an ab routine (GUTTS!). I have back issues and work my core plenty. For the sake of variety, I also use CORE MAX, which features three core routines.

My absolute favorite cardio is LOW MAX because it's high intensity without the plyo jumps (my knees, pleeeze) Cathe's so famous for and for which I still weigh too much (I'm getting there). I also do cardio on my treadmill and I walk. If you quickly run through this site you'll see about a zillion recommendations for mp3/dvd audio cardio workouts called CARDIO COACH. I just ordered my first three because everybody here loves them. You might want to check them out, too. I also have a very physical job that keeps me hoofing. You know how they say you should get 10,000 steps per day? I bought a pedometer and found out I routinely have 10,000 steps in before my first break at work, two hours into my shift!

I also have the Slow and Heavy dvd for heavy weight training but haven't yet integrated it in.

Hope this helps.
 
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