Fit Tower DVD Reviews ?
- Thread starter Linda1
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ReneePruitt
Cathlete
I ordered fit tower but I don't have it yet! 
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kathydaffy
Cathlete
I pre-ordered on July 14th but have received no follow-up information. Sort of regretting pre-ordering Cathe's new series but I'm hoping that it will be easier since she seems to be doing it through her production company. 
RetaJo
Member
I really appreciate them for what they are.
General Impression
As far as these three CDs go, Beginning-Intermediate-Advanced, I think they progress very nicely through the levels and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the series to someone who's either new to or getting back into exercising after being a couch potato for quite some time.
All three DVDs feature total body workouts with chapters so you can just do upper only, lower only, core only or stretching only. No premixes unless you count the chapters as such. All start out with some type of cardio warmup, move into lower body, then upper body, then core and finally stretch. All feature upbeat, happy made-for-a-fitness-video music. (Although in places, there's a bit too much repetitive synth percussion for my taste.) The DVDs also have the "vocals only" option if you'd rather play your own.
Brief Synopsis:
1. Slim & Trim/Beginning DVD
Beginning is very beginning. Moves are interesting but very, very, very low intensity. Sets are well-conceived but quite short. I'm going to show the Beginning Workout to my elderly mother and discuss with her if it would be right for her. Some moves I can see would work well for her but some might be too challenging. When I say "might work well" or "challenging", keep in mind my mom is 87 and her only exercise is walking a mile a day when she can manage it.
2. Long & Strong/Intermediate DVD
Intermediate kicks up the cardio intensity from hardly any to at least an energetic warmup. Again, the sets seem much shorter to me than her regular DVDs, but the intensity of the moves is increased compared to Beginning. In the Intermediate, the core work is more varied and longer compared to the Beginning. Really only hints at what a true Cathe workout is.
3. Lean & Mean/Advanced DVD
Finally starting to get the kind of variety within the moves that is signature Cathe. Still pretty light work compared to her other DVDs. Definitely a more blood-pumping workout compared to the first two DVDs but of moderate intensity compared to all of her other DVDs. (I believe even ICE works you harder.) While sets seem longer than Intermediate, I believe they're still shorter than many of her regular DVD's. Lots of arm work in this workout but only using bodyweight or stretch band. No weights.
It's pretty clear that even the Advanced Workout of this series is not Cathlete advanced, but likely might be good for a lighter total body workout on a day when you really don't feel like even getting out of bed (or do only I have those kind of days?
). If you are looking for a real heart pumping Cathlete Workout utilizing the FitTower, you might want to wait until Cathe makes other FitTower workouts available. (I'm hoping the new Strong & Sweaty might feature the FitTower because I really like this equipment and I'm definitely getting that series. Keeping fingers crossed!)Overall, I see a lot of potential for the FitTower and look forward to any Cathlete FitTower workouts that Cathe produces.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask questions if you have any. I'll answer the best I can.
I pre-ordered on July 14th but have received no follow-up information. Sort of regretting pre-ordering Cathe's new series but I'm hoping that it will be easier since she seems to be doing it through her production company.
No worries at all ordering directly from Cathe on preorders......I guess we are used to her excellent Customer Service.....She will
always keep us informed during presales as to when the filming begins, updates along the way, we'll know when the editing, etc
begins, when they go to the duplicator, and finally when they receive them back to ship to us......The hardest part is just the wait,
while all this gets done !
I just hope that any future tower dvds she does will be offered directlyfrom her......fingers crossed on that one !
I really appreciate them for what they are.
General Impression
As far as these three CDs go, Beginning-Intermediate-Advanced, I think they progress very nicely through the levels and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the series to someone who's either new to or getting back into exercising after being a couch potato for quite some time.
All three DVDs feature total body workouts with chapters so you can just do upper only, lower only, core only or stretching only. No premixes unless you count the chapters as such. All start out with some type of cardio warmup, move into lower body, then upper body, then core and finally stretch. All feature upbeat, happy made-for-a-fitness-video music. (Although in places, there's a bit too much repetitive synth percussion for my taste.) The DVDs also have the "vocals only" option if you'd rather play your own.
Brief Synopsis:
1. Slim & Trim/Beginning DVD
Beginning is very beginning. Moves are interesting but very, very, very low intensity. Sets are well-conceived but quite short. I'm going to show the Beginning Workout to my elderly mother and discuss with her if it would be right for her. Some moves I can see would work well for her but some might be too challenging. When I say "might work well" or "challenging", keep in mind my mom is 87 and her only exercise is walking a mile a day when she can manage it.
2. Long & Strong/Intermediate DVD
Intermediate kicks up the cardio intensity from hardly any to at least an energetic warmup. Again, the sets seem much shorter to me than her regular DVDs, but the intensity of the moves is increased compared to Beginning. In the Intermediate, the core work is more varied and longer compared to the Beginning. Really only hints at what a true Cathe workout is.
3. Lean & Mean/Advanced DVD
Finally starting to get the kind of variety within the moves that is signature Cathe. Still pretty light work compared to her other DVDs. Definitely a more blood-pumping workout compared to the first two DVDs but of moderate intensity compared to all of her other DVDs. (I believe even ICE works you harder.) While sets seem longer than Intermediate, I believe they're still shorter than many of her regular DVD's. Lots of arm work in this workout but only using bodyweight or stretch band. No weights.
It's pretty clear that even the Advanced Workout of this series is not Cathlete advanced, but likely might be good for a lighter total body workout on a day when you really don't feel like even getting out of bed (or do only I have those kind of days?
Overall, I see a lot of potential for the FitTower and look forward to any Cathlete FitTower workouts that Cathe produces.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask questions if you have any. I'll answer the best I can.
I have a question, if you wouldn't mind, can you measure the tower side to side ? It is 36 in wide or 32 in wide? Thanks.
kathydaffy
Cathlete
No worries at all ordering directly from Cathe on preorders......I guess we are used to her excellent Customer Service.....She will
always keep us informed during presales as to when the filming begins, updates along the way, we'll know when the editing, etc
begins, when they go to the duplicator, and finally when they receive them back to ship to us......The hardest part is just the wait,
while all this gets done !
from her......fingers crossed on that one !
Thank you aqua girl! I figured as much but with the Fit Tower fiasco I started to wonder!
And thank you Retajo for your excellent reviews! I've been slacking off a bit lately so these might be good to get me back on track!
RetaJo
Member
Hi, aqua girl! I hope the following makes sense:
When looking at the Tower face on, so to speak, the top portion width, from outer knob to outer knob is 36.5".
If you were asking about the outer tube only, excluding the protruding knobs & bar latches, that's 31.5" wide.
The interior padded tube that you move up and down for exercises is 28" wide.
The bottom base is roughly 31.5" x 36.25".
Please note that all measurements are approximate as it was just me and a sewing tape, although my kitten did try to help as much as he could.
Hi, aqua girl! I hope the following makes sense:
When looking at the Tower face on, so to speak, the top portion width, from outer knob to outer knob is 36.5".
If you were asking about the outer tube only, excluding the protruding knobs & bar latches, that's 31.5" wide.
The interior padded tube that you move up and down for exercises is 28" wide.
The bottom base is roughly 31.5" x 36.25".
Please note that all measurements are approximate as it was just me and a sewing tape, although my kitten did try to help as much as he could.
Thank you & your kitty so much for measuring. I understand it all now,
It sounds like it is about 32in wide and if you count the knobs sticking out
On the sides makes it about 36, which is probably how they measured it.
Thanks again, & enjoy your tower .
Cathe had announced on Facebook live chat that there would definitely be an advanced Fit tower DVD in this new series, but apparently that changed...I'm thinking thus the bonus cycle DVD...just my thoughts...if you watch that
Live chat, it was a definite.....I don't think Cathe changed her mind......just sayin'.
RetaJo
Member
I just noticed this in the Strong & Sweaty FAQs. Looks like you're right, aqua girl, no FitTower workout.
(Underlining & bold added for emphasis.)
"Q: What equipment is needed for the new workouts?
A: The equipment in the Strong and Sweaty Series will be that of the typical pieces of equipment I have always used in the past. Nobody needs to buy new equipment to enjoy this series. Since we are offering a variety of workouts I like to use various pieces of equipment to keep each workout fresh, exciting and effective. Therefore you can expect to see the popular fitness pieces such as a full sized step, a barbell, various weighted dumbbells, a fire walker loop, resistance band, paper plate or gliding product & a stability ball. Each workout will have its own signature feel by using a couple of pieces of equipment to get that sizzle just right! You will, of course, need a Spin or indoor cycle bike Cycle Sweat."
jodijodi
Cathlete
Yes, although Cathe had mentioned before that she was hoping to have a Fit Tower workout in the new series, that had to change. She talked about this at the Road Trip. Because the Fit Tower is in conjunction with another company, she has to abide by the agreement she has with that company. Apparently that includes not creating any independent workouts right now. I think she is still hoping to be able to create a true Cathlete "advanced" workout, but she can't do it just yet. It sounds like there may have been some other ideas she'd had that will have to wait as well, like using the tower for Cathe Live workouts.
That's just what I figured happened.....I guess an agreement is an agreement....but it doesn't seem fair to me......Goodness, I would think
any new workouts and/or ways that the tower could be used would help sales....I certainly hope that more workouts for it will be
forthcoming........
SarBear
Cathlete
I will heartbroken if they do not let her create more advanced workouts for the Fit Tower. :-( That was my #1 motivation for purchasing it as I didn't actually need it since I already have a system in place to be able to bench presses and what not. I agree with Aqua Girl--more DVDs would only help sales of the tower. Hopefully the agreement in place will eventually allow for independent DVDs to be produced. Keeping my fingers crossed!
labnick
Cathlete
SarBear...same here...I purchased with anticipation of new workouts comming. Really disappointed now knowing there will not be anytime soon.
kathydaffy
Cathlete
I bought it for the same reason as SarBear and labnick - hoping that more advanced workouts were on the way. That's how it sounded when the pre-sale started. I'm going to guess (just a guess!) that after Cathe finishes her Strong & Sweaty series and it's released she'll film some more DVDs for the Fit Tower. I can't imagine getting into an arrangement where she can't produce any videos on her own unless it's for a limited period of time but what do I know?
I bought it for the same reason as SarBear and labnick - hoping that more advanced workouts were on the way. That's how it sounded when the pre-sale started. I'm going to guess (just a guess!) that after Cathe finishes her Strong & Sweaty series and it's released she'll film some more DVDs for the Fit Tower. I can't imagine getting into an arrangement where she can't produce any videos on her own unless it's for a limited period of time but what do I know?
Same here,too.... Maybe after the first of the year, she will be able to move forward.....at least we know that she's
Got one planned, the one she had mentioned, so that's a hopeful thought....and oh, wouldn't it be neat if down
The road, if she could include the tower work in the live workouts, that would be awesome, I hadn't even
Thought of that until it was mentioned previously ...