4-Day Split vs. CTX Series
Gayle:
I love both of these, but the 4-Day Split is my uncontested favorite! Leaner Legs is one of my favorite lower body workouts of all time, but I am not wild about the upper body workouts in that series. They are endurance workouts with way more reps. I can handle the CTX Series as designed for a few weeks, but the upper body split is not fun for me at all. I stuck with a 4-Day Split rotation for 6 weeks and was not bored at all. My joints were not crying either. That is a key difference. The CTX Series has too much step (as much as I love step) and too much impact for my body. I love the intense cardio segments, but my knees cannot handle that series as a rotation for more than 2-3 weeks at a time (and that is pushing it). The 4-Day Split has a better balance of cardio workouts. No step on consecutive days, which is gentler on my joints. The 4-Day Split cardio is a little less intense so you have enough energy to give your all to the heavy weight training. The CTX Series cardio is higher impact and more intense.
I love the way Cathe sequenced the exercises in the 4-Day Split. I love alternating between chest and back in rounds instead of burning out one body part at a time. To my delight, the step choreography is moderately complex with less breakdown. Cathe’s step choreography in this new series is creative with fun and dancy moves too! There is some fancy footwork to master, but the choreography is not over the top in complexity. The cardio kickboxing is more fun in this series too. On a superficial note, I prefer the set and outfits as well as the NFL Films “up close and personal” camera angles in the 4-Day Split. I love the feeling of being in the room with Cathe and the girls!
These workouts will bring back warm memories of our time together during the Road Trip, and you will recognize some of the step choreography and kickboxing moves from the Road Trip. If you were able to keep up with Cathe during her live class (with no rewind button), you will do fine with these workouts.
Based on what works for you (according to your check-in updates), I believe you will love the 4-Day Split upper body work. You may prefer to substitute one of Cathe’s endurance workouts for lower body, but give this one a whirl first. I usually see better results with lower body endurance workouts, but my thighs were each an inch smaller after Cathe’s November rotation. With the 4-Day Split in my collection, I have no plans of doing a CTX Series rotation again. I still plan to use that series for Leaner Legs as well as individual cardio segments. I love All Step and Step and Intervals, and Leaner Legs is still one of the best lower body workouts around! I am looking forward to starting another 4-Day Split rotation in January, and I may add a lower body endurance workout to the mix every week.
I agree with Kathryn that Cathe is very enthusiastic and inspiring in both! I like the music in both, but I prefer the 4-Day Split music. I also like and use the “voice only” option during the upper body weight segments so I can focus on my form without the distraction of the music. That is not an option with the CTX Series. The 4-Day Split also has a weights first premix if that is your preference. I tried it both ways and decided that I enjoy the workouts as produced.
P.S. Did you intend to write Monday, December 31st?
Blessings,
Heather B.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
Sarah