Equipment Suggestions

[jatbdp]

I am just getting started with Cathe after letting myself get away from exercise for the past several years. I purchased Basic Step & Body Fusion, Cardio Fusion and Cardio Hits to start out with. While I have the longer step and 2 1/2 pound hand weights, I have several questions about other equipment:

1. I want to help define my arm muscles and work on my upper body strength. I've had back surgery so I am limited on lifting heavy weights; however, I see on some of Cathe's video clips that she is using smaller hand weights--would it be sufficient to work up from 5 pounds to 8 and then 10 or 12 pounds as my strength increases?

2. I don't know whether I would be better off getting the resistance toning tubes with the handles or the figure 8 toning tubes--can both be used for the same exercises?

3. On the stability ball, once it is blown up, will it gradually loose air so that I need to measure it every time before I work out with it?

Thanks for the assitance and by the way I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the workout manager--I was so excited last night, I scheduled my calendar for the next six weeks!

Jennifer

 

[2121]

Hi Jennifer,

I am no expert, but from my own experience, my stability ball has not had to be reblown up since I have had it ( aprox. 2 years) However, I don't use it all the time. I think you will notice when it is time to add air because it will not feel the same when you sit on it. So, no you wouldn't need to measure it everyday.

Also, I started out with 2, 3, 5 and 8 pound dbs. Then, I added 10, 12, 15, 20 pounds as necessary. My heaviest now is 20 and sometimes I will wear my 2 pound wrist weights to make the increments smaller (7 pounds instead of 8).

I am not sure how the tubing works. So I can't say if they are the same exercises.

I have repeated shoulder/back strain so it seems like as soon as I get up into heavier weight, I end up back with 15 pounds as the heaviest I would go. As I recall, the endurance dvds don't use heavy weights. If you go to there descriptions in the sales part, there is a list of equipment needed, and as always, you can do the heavy dvds with lighter weights to suit your level.

Sorry this is rambling, and I hope it helps.
Melissa

 

[jatbdp]

Melissa,

Thanks for the reply. I am just trying to determine in what order I should purchase my equipment. Makes me sick to think I had all of this stuff several years ago and in my state of mind several years ago I just got rid of it!! Now, I have to slowly build it back up so I can try to get the most out of my workouts. I figure I would purchase the weights in increasing incriments as I find good prices on them. Like you, I think the 5,8,10, 12 & 15 will eventually work.

I'm going to hold off on the stability ball until I get a little more into Cathe's routines as I really don't have all that much space to store it and my two boxers would think it was a toy for them to play with . . . . It is nice to know that it holds it shape--what brand do you have?

With the tubing, I figure I may purchase the 6 ft tubing since I can adapt that for both upper and lower body work, plus it seems like I could do far more with that as opposed to the figure 8.

I fully understand having repeated should/back strain and getting side lined in weight lifting. In 2004, I had my lower back fused so that is where the 50 pound weight limit comes into play; however, I recently dislocated my clavicle and let me tell you, I DEFINITELY DO NOT want to re-injure it with too much weight. That is one thing I do like about Cathe's site, I can watch a 9 minute video of the workout dvd I am thinking about purchasing plus, it gives me a list of equipment needed--although, I wish the list would be a little more specific when describing "tubing" as I didn't realize there was such a difference in it.

I appreciate your response and wish you the best of luck in your recovery so you can continue to use your 20 pound weights. Right now, I am just in awe of you being able to do Cathe using 15 pounds . . . I hope to be there shortly!

Jennifer

 

[2121]

Hi Jennifer, I got my ball and reisitance band at fwonline.com. The ball is pro series. If you are looking to buy things slowly, I agree to hold off on the ball unless you think you will use it a lot. I bought my dbs as I progressed, not all at once.

Good luck with your recovery too! Melissa