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.