high step challenge

F

fitmomofone

Cathlete
Hi All....just wondering if any of you have done High Step Challenge, and if so, do you like it??? Also, I hear mixed reviews about KickMax. Before I place my order, I was just wondering. I'm definitely purchasing KP &C/LG and BC/ME. Thanks for any input. Janet
 
Hi Janet: It took me a while to warm up to this workout but now I love it. The pace is pretty fast as you go from one exercise to another but once you've done it a few times it flows well and keeps the heart rate up-up-up. There's some pretty cool (and challenging) compound exercises in it that make the workout feel fresh. I like the endurance and stamina required for HSC, gets those endorphins pumping!!! One thing I find is that this workout leaves me wanting more cardio which I usually tack on afterwards, try the HSTA cardio only premix after HSC, Woo Hoo, now that's a workout!

Take Care
Laurie :)
 
Thanks for the reply Laurie....what is HSTA? I keep seeing that and I'm trying to figure it out. I don't really like step aerobics because I can't figure out the footwork...and then I get frustrated and lose the cardio benefit of it. Also,years ago when I bought my step, my DH convinced me that it was crazy to spend $100 on the real step when we could spend half of that for a smaller one. It's 8 inches high, but not as long. I should probably get a real step with the risers if I'm going to do lots of step, but I need a barbell and weights right now first....have to prioritize. I have an elliptical trainer and a treadmill that I could use if I need an extra cardio blast, right? Janet
 
HSTA is 'High Step Training Advanced'. It has similarities to HSC but it is a different workout with some great pre-mixes (and more cardio). The step is used for cardio in both of these workouts but the moves are fairly basic with high intensity. I do these workouts with a standard Club Step and that works fine, it's more an issue of the step height than step length. I use 3 risers per side but wish I could find a few more risers to beef up the leg presses. That's awesome that you have an elliptical and a treadmill at home, I'd love one of those in my workout space but I'd have to take the furnace out to do it, like you said...have to prioritize:7 :+

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
Janet...for High Step Challenge and High Step Training...Cathe and crew use the High Step...not a regular step. The High Step is square as opposed to rectangular so the fact that your step is smaller won't be a problem. Just turn your step so you're using the short end of it...not the long side.

View the video clip of HSTA at this site and you'll see what I mean. You can order more riser's too if you need them.
 
Thanks Laurie. I'm wondering if I should spend the extra money and get CTX too. That one is pretty pricey!! What do you think? My head is beginning to spin with all of this, and the numbers are really adding up here between all of the cardio and weight training dvd's that I want (which doesn't even include the ones that for right now I'll just have to use from fittv, like Push/Pull, supersets, and the SH series, plus LoMax, C&W, and Imax 2 that I have taped. I can't believe this!!!!! People are saying that they also love the PowerHour/MIS/Body Max DVD too. What do you think???? Thanks.....I don't know what to do! janet
 
What I think is that in time you will have them all. I acquired my library over a couple of years and then started pre ordering. CTX may be pricey but it's amazingly versatile and never sits on the shelf for long. The PH/MIS/BMax DVD is great but just has one cardio section and isn't quite as versatile in my opinion. Sit back and enjoy the workout clips, you really can't go wrong with any of Cathe's DVD's, deciding which one to get next is a wonderful albeit frustrating dilemma. Have fun!

Take Care
Laurie :)
 
I'm like endorphinjunkie - it took me a few workouts to warm up to High Step Challenge but I like it now. I just did HSTA this morning and, as usual, it kicked my booty! I like this one better than HSC as I think it flows a little better, but I like the ab/core routine on HSC and usually add it on when I do HSTA. You'll love the KP&C/LG and BC/ME dvd's. I think KickMax is good, too. I usually do it the same week I do KPC as the blast challenge counts toward my weekly interval training goals. You might want to consider getting Low Max and/or Imax2/C&W right now instead of the CTX and then get CTX another time. Don't get me wrong, I really like CTX but the others would be great companion purchases alongside what you say you are definitely purchasing. Have fun deciding! It's tough...:)
 
I love the high step challenge My favorite is the band workout Cathe states "something about this band just gets right in there" And it is true the resistance is amazing. I love to change things up so for me it's a different kinda workout incorporating the band. Kick max is also GREAT The leg conditioning drill is AWESOME.

Keep in mind anything over $100.00 you get free shipping I found this worth my while every order I placed I always made sure it was $100.00 or more I have heard you can pay like 10.00 when I can put that towards another video. It is like an addiction once you have one you have to have them all Sick isn't it. We should call this catheanonymous. WITHDRAWLS we have them here to! Just ask anyone going on vacation or that has an injury.

Good Luck I am on my homestretch myself my birthday is next month I am hoping to get my last round of her dvd's.

beth6395
 
> It is like
>an addiction once you have one you have to have them all Sick
>isn't it. We should call this catheanonymous. WITHDRAWLS we
>have them here to! Just ask anyone going on vacation or that
>has an injury.

wow you are so right. why do i know? because it's saturday night and i am on cathe forums lol

i love both HSC and HSTA.. i switch off each week.. i'm loving circuit training righ know.. i'm a runner and both these workouts have really improved my running.. love them!! they are brilliant!
 
HSC is my favorite Cathe circuit workout. HSTA is tough, but the music slowing down and speeding up drives me nuts!

I love CTX and use this series a lot, but if I didn't own a club step I wouldn't purchase CTX until I got one. Most of the workouts in this series require the use of the entire step. I don't think a short step would cut it. A club step would be my next big fitness purchase.
 
I loved hsc from the first time and I did and I love it now. It is a fantastic cardio and muscle endurance workout. It hits every major muscle group and the cardio is plenty. The abs are great. I just love this workout. It is one of my favorites, if not my fav. I got the other one too, high step advanced because I love HSD so much. It is good, the production quality is different. It is a good workout, I like it but not as much as HSC. I'm not sure why.

Good luck.
 
Here are my unadulterated thoughts.

High Step Challenge is a joy. It isn't as "tough" as High Step Tranining Advanced - but you can either embrace that and use it on a day where you don't want to push yourself to the max - or - you can make it tougher. I try to go as heavy as I can and instead of the band, I substitute with dumbbells whenever I can. I sometimes do the workout just as is and feel pretty accomplished.

Kick Max is a gem. I know a lot of people don't see it as very "intense" - but I think it's as intense as you want it to be. In my opinion, the DVD is worth it for the "blast challenge" section alone. The first (4) kickboxing combos are not as tough as the combos in, say, KP&C - but I think it's planned that way. Kick Max as-is is okay, but I like to break it up. I add the "blast challenge" segment to the end of a short step workout sometimes, to "go out with a ban," as Cathe says. Also, I LOVE the leg drills at the end. For me, they've really improved my flexibility and my hip flexor endurance. Also, you can make the kickbox combos higher intensity/higher impact if you like. Simply do jacks when Cathe marches - do jump kicks when Cathe does regular kicks, etc. I do, however, think that Cathe did the beginning part lower impact a.) so you could really focus on balance and really add intensity to your punches and kicks (Kick Max makes me VERY sore in the lat and ab area), and b.) so you'd have a bit of energy saved up for the blast segment.

My only complaint is I WISH WISH WISH these two DVDs came with better chaptering and better premixes!!!
 
High step challenge is awesome. The first time I did it I found I was having to stop a lot to grab equipment but now that I understand the flow better I don't stop and the sweat flies. It's a really fun workout.
I really enjoy KickMax. My favorite premix is to do the bootcamp challenge. It puts the intensity challenge earlier in the workout so I can focus on my form and get higher. I have a love/hate relationship with the leg drills. The first 4 minutes of them kill me and then the remainder I really enjoy.
You will really enjoy the premixes in KPC/LG. The variety is amazing.
 
I kind of think all these ladies ^^^ who liked it from the start must be a little crazy!! :p I was completely overwhelmed when I first tried HSC. (Challenge, not circuit). I thought I might never get through it!!!

But now, I can make it through and really enjoy the workout. Don't be discouraged if you don't enjoy it from the beginning. You will progress and get stronger pretty quickly, and then you can start impressing yourself!!! :)
 
Amy...I think it is all mental. I far prefer a circuit/interval workout to a long step only workout. I get really excited when Cathe comes out with a new circuit dvd and practically rip it from the hands of my mailman when it arrives and I have it in the dvd player within minutes of tearing it out of it's wrapper.

The workouts like Rythmic Step...sit on the back porch and I'll collect it when I go out to feed the cats. Then it sits, wrapper still on, on the dvd shelf for a few days before I'll put it in...just not as thrilling for me. ;(
 
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