I want to try Cathe but am scared!

M

melsgirl

New Member
O.k., I am 39, close to my weight goal, I have been working out with the Firm tapes for several months and have heard alot about Cathe on the firm forum and the yayas. I keep hearing that this is for the very advanced but am not sure how advanced that needs to be? If any of you have done firm tapes how much harder is cathe than say firm super cardio mix? or the firm sculpt tapes? Will it hurt? The stepping segments in the firm tapes are very basic and I have seen the video clips for the stepping in cathe cardio tapes and it looks fun but will it kill my joints at my age or will my body adjust??
So do you think I should try stepping with Cathe or just try the strength tapes. Are there any others my age just starting with Cathe and doing step tapes?
Thanks!}(
 
I am 30, but I know lots of ladies who were around 40 when the entered the wonderful world of Cathe. I would suggest getting a strength workout, and a carido workout. If at all possible, get them on DVD, as they are so much more versatile than the videos. Cathe is intimidating, but addictive. I was a Firmie for years and finally bit the bullet and ordered CTX. Two months later, I owned every DVD she had released at that time. You will love the intensity, variety, and challenge of her workouts! Now all I 'do' is Cathe, and couldn't imagine my life without her!
 
DON'T BE AFRAID!!!!

I'm 39 years old, started using Cathe when I was 36. I had used the Firm for about 6 months prior. The tape descriptions say "advanced," but weighted workouts are EASILY modified--just reduce your weight or don't use weight at all until you "get it." If you lift with good form & start light, you will be sore, but it won't hurt. As for the step tapes, I'm choreographically challenged. I HATE stepping. Unfortunately, cardio is a necessary evil so I do it. I have found Cathe's tapes to be hard on my joints so I modify by not jumping & it turns out I have fun. Her personality is awesome. Th choreography is challenging but I just hit rewind until I get it. My VCR also allows for slow motion, so I go through it slowly without music. I have NEVER mastered Rhythmic Step--despite several challenges from others to do it with me.

I say GO FOR IT. Cathe will bring you to an all new level!
 
Hi!

I used to do Firm tapes exclusively and all the talk on the forums a couple of years ago peaked my interest in Cathe, too. Cathe's workouts are faster paced than the Firm's and are higher impact as far as cardio, but I think several of her earlier workouts are good for transitioning yourself to this different style (from the Firm). It takes practice to learn Cathe's choreography, but it is certainly not impossible. You can also modify the high impact moves in many instances. I have heard some people on this forum learn the new step workouts by doing it without the step! I think Cathe's cardio workouts are definitely worth trying. They are really fun!

As for strength, I like many of the Firm's older workouts, but I find that I currently prefer Cathe's endurance tapes, such as Power Hour and Muscle Endurance. To me they feel well-balanced and really hit every spot. I think they can be as easy or advanced as you want them to be, just start with lighter weights and work your way up over time.

So, I guess IMHO, I would recommend you try both Cathe's strength and cardio. I'm 35, BTW. I just did an age poll on this forum; if you find it you will see that many of us are in our 30's and 40's and give lots of credit to Cathe for our current fitness! :)
 
I'm a recent Firm to Cathe convert, I'm 46, and I've lost 40 pounds since the end of April. I've been using Cathe since the end of July, and I'm in size 6. I'm close to 4. I don't know what you mean by "will it hurt", since any new workout will most likely leave you sore until you get used to it, but if you aren't pushing yourself in your workouts, you won't keep getting results. She's more advanced than the Firm Super Sculpt and Super Cardio (have them both and they were two of my favorites!) The stepping in Cathe's tapes is not basic, at least not the newer ones. It's very intense. I started on a 4 inch step because I was not used to "true" step tapes from doing the Firm. I'm now up to a 6 inch. It won't kill your joints. I have arthritic changes in both knees, and on the contrary - my joints no longer hurt because I've strengthened the muscles around them. If you enjoy step, start with any one of them. If you enjoy strength training, start with any one of them. If you're like the rest of us, you'll soon buy them all anyway!!! Welcome!!

Carol
:)
 
Hi Melsgirl!

I am almost 46 and can say that yes Cathe is intense, but easily modified. I'm such a klutz and still don't get a lot of the complex choreography in the step workouts but I have fun trying. I do keep the high impact out of the moves. Never had joint problems and don't want to promote any, if you know what I mean. I had all of the Firms earlier tapes and just couldn't get into them so I can't say I converted from Firm to Cathe. I enjoy Cathe's style of workouts and modify as necessary. I also agree, go for the DVDs. You can get so much more out of the workouts on DVD especially the Mix and Match feature in the Intensity Series and the new DVDs will have even more options for workouts.

Welcome to the world of Cathe. Don't be afraid...you'll be glad you came on over! Not to mention the wealth of knowledge that is here on the forums!

Cheers,
 
I'm 48 and very close to my goal. I've been with the Firm for 15 months and still love it, but wanted to try something different, so last month decided to try Cathe. I have to say, Cathe's workouts got me all excited again. It was the same rush I had when I started the Firm. I started with the Pyramids which are really good but tough, and since have ordered and done Muscle Endurance. I own but haven't tried Slow & Heavy (think I'll start this series this week), Boot Camp, IMAX2, and Cardio & Weights. I've previewed them all and they look hard, but doable. The step routines do look complicated, but I figure I can do what I always do when I can't get the steps, march in place or do a basic step on the bench and each time I do the tape I'll catch on more. I had muscle soreness for several days after doing the pyramids the first time, but that was a good thing. I've had absolutely no joint soreness.
 
So I guess that means I get to go DVD shopping, Thank you all so much for you direction. It is really nice to know that there are people in my age group that are doing high intensity workouts. I still need to ponder over which dvd to get first but like mentioned above I will probably have them all soon! I have the fanny lifter and not a regular step can that be used in the beginning or is a traditonal step an absolute must? I also see that the high step is for sale on this site is that alot more sturdy than my fanny lifter?
 
Donna, do you feel you will get better results with Cathe? I am glad to hear of no joint pain at all!
Sherry
 
I don't know if I'd say better results, but definitely different. I had kind of hit a plateau where I wasn't seeing much change in muscle definition or in strength gain. I swear I'm seeing more now, but my measurements haven't changed, so maybe it's in my imagination. One of my problem areas seems to be biceps...I was still only able to lift 8 pound dumpbells with the Firm tapes and sometimes that was too heavy. Yesterday I did Super Body Sculpt and was able to do hammer curls with 10 pound dumbells...that is a definite improvement for me.
 
You should have no problem with Cathe's strength workouts (just use lighter weights if you need to). For cardio, Cathe's choreography is quite a bit more complicated than the Firm's (which is very basic). I would recommend starting with some of Cathe's earlier workouts, as she teaches more of the steps. In later workouts, she assumes that you know many of the steps. Many people recommend the "Wedding tape" as a starting tape.

As someone who avoids most of Cathe's later step tapes because of the speed (the music is faster than in earlier tapes) and the torque (more 180- and 360-degree turn moves than in earlier tapes, with some exceptions like Body Max) I would say start out with a lower step height than what you're used to and see how your body responds.
 
Welcome and don't be intimidated by Cathe.

Her workouts are in a class by themselves. As mentioned before, any of her strength workouts can be modified by reducing the amount of weight and, if need be, only doing every other rep or set. The only hard part is which one to choose first!:D

You will definitely need a full size step if you are interested in doing Cathe's step workouts. The FL is a) way to small and b) way to flimsy) to use for stepping. You will not regret buying a full size step bench because not only can you use it for step, but you can use it as a bench for Cathe's weight workouts. And the risers for the full size bench are the same ones for the High Step topper so you may not need to buy as many risers should you choose to get a High Step in the future (a FL will work fine for the step ups that Cathe does in some of her workouts).

As far as step workouts, the older ones seem to move a slower pace than some of her newer offerings. Don't get me wrong, they are intense, but it seems like there is some more breakdown and instruction and some of the moves are just not as complicated. I find Mega Step Blast to be very easy to learn (although it is not on DVD). Either of the other cardio DVD's with 3 earlier workouts would be a great place to start, although I admit being partial to Step Fit.

So great to have you here!
 
I'm 35 years old and fairly new to Cathe. I just started Firming September 29th and I, too, read all about Cathe on Yayas and other places. So I figured I had to try her out.

I got different opinions on what was a good "starting" Cathe DVD. In the end I chose Cardio Kicks and Circuit Max. I did this because Cardio Kicks requires no equipment, and I wanted a circuit workout.

I can honestly tell you she kicks my butt on both...but I just take a water break, or march in place, or whatever I need to do til I can pick it back up again.

Today was my 3rd or 4th time doing Cardio Kicks and something just clicked. It felt better, smoother, and easier. Not easy...easier. I was able to do more than ever before. And as I was stretching I realized...I can see it in my legs and arms.

Cathe is great...but if you are new you might want to rotate her in with your familiars for a while and use her on a day when you want to "take it up a notch". I know eventually Cathe will excite me as much as The Firm does...and in a way she already does. I just save her for once every other week or so.

BTW...while I think I'm getting Cardio Kicks o.k., Circuit Max is REALLY kicking my butt. But I love it (isn't that SICK???)
 
Don't be afraid. I'm 56 and have just entered the world of Cathe in the last couple of months. I'm also a Firm Believer but had to check out Cathe after hearing people talk about her workouts on the Firm Ya-Ya's boards. Her workouts are intense but you really know that you are getting a good workout. I feel that her tapes are of the highest quality and I really like her personality. I have previewed IMAX2 and felt pretty intimidated at first. I haven't tried it yet, although I did two of the sets after completing another exercise video and they really weren't that hard to catch on to. I try to do two of her weight tapes a week. I think it's good to shake up my routine on a regular basis and the work in Cathe's tapes has been well worth it.

So go ahead and give Cathe a try. Don't ever let your age stop you from trying new things. Actually, from my perspective, you're just a youngster!
 
I am 42 and tried Cathe after 5 months of the firm. Though I have always worked out, I never stepped before. I started with her first tape Step n Motion then moved to Mega Step Blast, Step Max and my favorite - Step Jam. I keep my step at 4 inches. As for strength, I love MIS and Pure Strength and I looking forward to trying the Pyramids. I think it's good to mix it up and I like taking it up a notch. I don't have weight to lose -(well, maybe 5 pounds) but my body composition have changed. I noticed my arms, abs and legs but My husband notice my back looking stronger and cut! Cool!!!!:9
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top