Firm and Cathe rotations?

[parothdsue]

I am an upper immediate/low advanced level exerciser and want to finally buy some Cathe videos. However, I don't want to completely give up my Firm videos completely. I was just wondering how you all rotate your videos. I mean, do you have "Firm weeks" and "Cathe weeks" or do you do a variety of Firm and Cathe during the week? I'd love to know your ideas for some variety. I'm trying to lose weight so any ideas to maximize this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

susan

 

[CinLou]

I, too, am trying to incorporate Cathe into my Firm workouts. I have her Pure Strength Series, MIS, and Interval Max. I am going to purchase some of her older step tapes as I find them enjoyable. Actually, a week of this and a week of that, is how I have created my rotation. Each week has a different emphasis. I need guidance, but I don't like to be locked in to a particular workout on a particular day. I do weights, aerobics, yoga, walking, classics, parts etc. I have grouped my videos according to their emphasis and mix and match them. So far, this has helped me to stick with a program. I have been doing Firms on and off for years--that is the problem--on and off. By adding Cathe workouts, I have energized my fitness program and will hopefully stick with it. Sorry this is so long.

 

[Debra]

One opinion

I think the Firm produces great aerobic weight training workouts but really don't like their cardio. If you're looking for cardio to alternate with your Firm AWT, then look into Cathe's cardio workouts. But it's a great leap from Firm cardio to Cathe's workouts so you'll really have to modify & be patient or use some transition workouts.

Cathe's weight training videos are also a major leap in intensity from the Firm. The slow, gym style tempo means you can lift much heavier weight. She also focuses on a muscle group & works it till you are ready to weep unlike the Firm which bounces around. Mixing these with Firm workouts is harder. You could do the PS workouts & 1 Firm AWT each week along with the cardio of your choice. I tend to use Cathe when I'm focusing on strength gains & the Firm for maintenance when I'm focusing on cardio.

IMO, Cathe's ab work is awesome. I often use her ab sections after other videos (including the Firm) or after outdoor cardio.

There are some Cathe/Firm rotations around that you might want to check out for specific ideas.

Debra

 

[Mary White]

RE: One opinion

I am not sure who created this, but I saved it from the Firm Forum (I think!). It may give you an idea for a Firm/Cathe rotation. Good Luck!

A few of you asked me to post the schedule I devised using the Firm rotation schedule as a guideline. I apologize for not posting it sooner but I've been without a computer for the last 2 1/2 days. Here is my schedule--please let me know if you have any questions. Also, I finished up the rotation with a rest/yoga week.

Week One

Saturday Total Body Super Sculpt
Sunday Cardio Hi Lo Heaven
Monday Classic Vol 3
Tuesday Total Body Tough Tape II
Wednesday Cardio Cardio Kicks
Thursday Classic Vol 4
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga

Week Two
Video
Saturday Slow & Heavy Better Body & Buns
Sunday Fast & Light Maximum Cardio
Monday Cardio Hi Lo Heaven
Tuesday Lower Body PS Strong Legs
Wednesday Slow & Heavy Maximum Body Sculpting
Thursday Fast & Light Power Cardio
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga

Week Three

Saturday Total Body Tough Tape I
Sunday Cardio Cardio Kicks
Monday Rest Yoga Zone
Tuesday Total Body Total Body Shaping Mix
Wednesday Cardio Cycling
Thursday Classic Vol 5
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga
CX Break

Saturday CX: Power Circuit
Sunday CX: All Step
Monday CX: Step & Intervals
Tuesday CX: 10/10/10
Wednesday CX: Kickbox
Thursday CX: Lean Legs
Friday Rest Yoga


Week Four

Saturday Slow & Heavy Firm Cardio
Sunday Fast & Light Cardio Burn
Monday Slow & Heavy Firm Strength
Tuesday Fast & Light Prime Power Fat Burning
Wednesday Slow & Heavy Tortoise
Thursday Cardio Cycling
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga

Week Five

Saturday Slow & Heavy Total Body Shaping Mix
Sunday Cardio Super Cardio
Monday Classic Vol 6
Tuesday Cardio Cardio Kicks
Wednesday Slow & Heavy Cardio Split #1
Thursday Cardio Cycling
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga


Week Six

Saturday Total Body Super Sculpt
Sunday Fast & Light Maximum Cardio
Monday Cardio; Lower Body Cycling; LDWO
Tuesday Fast & Light Power Cardio
Wednesday Total Body Tough Tape I
Thursday Cardio Cardio Step Mix
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga


CX Break

Saturday CX: Power Circuit
Sunday CX: All Step
Monday CX: Step & Intervals
Tuesday CX: 10/10/10
Wednesday CX: Kickbox
Thursday CX: Lean Legs
Friday Rest Yoga


Week Seven

Saturday Upper Body; Lower Body Maximum Intensity Strength
Sunday Classic Vol 1
Monday Rest
Tuesday Classic Vol 2
Wednesday Lower Body PS Strong Legs
Thursday Cardio; Lower Body Hi Lo Heaven; LDWO
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga


Week Eight

Saturday Slow & Heavy Better Body & Buns
Sunday Classic Vol 3
Monday Fast & Light Maximum Cardio
Tuesday Cardio Cardio Kicks
Wednesday Slow & Heavy Firm Strength
Thursday Cardio Cycling
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga


Week Nine

Saturday Classic Vol 4
Sunday Upper Body; Cardio Cardio fm Body Max; PS Chest
Monday Classic Vol 5
Tuesday Lower Body; Cardio Hi Lo Heaven; PS Strong Legs
Wednesday Upper Body; Cardio Cycling; PS Back
Thursday Classic Vol 1
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga


CX Break

Saturday CX: Power Circuit
Sunday CX: All Step
Monday CX: Step & Intervals
Tuesday CX: 10/10/10
Wednesday CX: Kickbox
Thursday CX: Lean Legs
Friday Rest Yoga


Week Ten

Saturday Total Body Super Sculpt
Sunday Lower Body; Cardio Cardio fm Body Max; PS Strong Legs
Monday Total Body; Cardio Cycling; Tough Tape II
Tuesday Upper Body; Cardio Hi Lo Heaven; PS Chest
Wednesday Total Body Tough Tape I
Thursday Cardio Cardio Step Mix
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga


Week Eleven

Saturday Cardio; Slow & Heavy Cycling; Better Body and Buns
Sunday Upper Body; Cardio Hi Lo Heaven; PS Back
Monday Rest
Tuesday Lower Body; Cardio Cycling; LDWO
Wednesday Upper Body; Cardio Hi Lo Heaven; PS Chest
Thursday Classic Vol 1
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga


Week Twelve

Saturday Fast & Light Maximum Cardio
Sunday Slow & Heavy Boot Camp #1
Monday Classic Vol 6
Tuesday Slow & Heavy Boot Camp #2
Wednesday Fast & Light Prime Power Fat Burning
Thursday Classic Vol 4
Friday Rest Rest - Yoga


CX Break

Saturday CX: Power Circuit
Sunday CX: All Step
Monday CX: Step & Intervals
Tuesday CX: 10/10/10
Wednesday CX: Kickbox
Thursday CX: Lean Legs
Friday Rest Yoga


Yoga Week

Saturday Yoga
Sunday Yoga
Monday Yoga
Tuesday Yoga
Wednesday Yoga
Thursday Yoga
Friday Rest Yoga

 

[Cyndie]

I have been doing both types of videos for years. I am also a personal trainer, ACE certified with a degree in Exercise Science. Cathe videos are definitely intense. A more moderate video is Step Heat which has a slightly shorter aerobic segment--32 minutes. This would be a good video to start with. For me personally I can always motivate myself to do the FIRM tapes but sometimes don't have the energy for Cathe. So I use Cathe when I really want the intensity and use the FIRM for a more moderate workout. I also like to use the FIRM as a cross trainer to step workouts because they offer variety in their cardio. A sample week might look like the following:
Day 1--Firm Cardio+Sculpt video like Cardio Split
Day 2--Cathe video like Step Max
Day 3--REST
Day 4--Firm Cardio like Core Cardio 1
Day 5--Pure Strength (Cathe) or Firm Bust & Butt
Day 6--Cathe video like Step Heat or Step Works
Day 7--REST
Hope this works for you. Good Luck!
Cyndie