I'm a newbie

A

Angel13062

Member
Hi everyone! TGIF!!

I am new here to Cathe's site and would like to get some info.
I am currently using Leslie Sansone's In Home Walking program but wanted to include some of Cathe's workouts also. I consider myself to be an intermediate exerciser. I am interested in burning fat and toning up lower and upper body. There are so many workouts to chose from and I thought that maybe you all could be me some suggestions!



Thank you!

Have a great day!

Angel
 
Hi Angel and Welcome! My first thought is to recommend you start with Cathe's Low Impact Step + Total Body Sculpting DVD as that would be a good introduction to Cathe. But maybe before I suggest that, what kind of equipment do you have? Are you interested in stepping for cardio or do you want to stay with your walk program and add weights?

I think the best way to burn fat and tone up is to do a good mixture of weights and cardio. Tell us more about you!

Jo
 
Welcome, Angel!

Going from Leslie Sansone to Cathe is quite a leap! Definitely stick with Cathe's beginner workouts for now (which are more intense than most beginner workouts...actually more like intermediate). High Step Circuit, Low Impact Step and Basic Step are three that fit the bill.

It's easier to get into the weight workouts, because you can always use a much lighter weight than Cathe does (and pause your DVD player as needed between sets). The Supersets/Push-Pull workouts are good circuit=type workouts, and are usually considered less intense than most of her other weight workouts (though there are some premixes---one great feature of Cathe's DVD's) that make them more intense.) You would need dumbells, a barbell (optional, as you can sub dumbbells) a step or other type of "bench" and a stability ball for these.

There is also a beginner weight workout (that comes on DVD with a step workout?) that usees only one pair of dumbbells, that might be more approachable if you don't already have equipment.
 
Thank you all for your responses!!!

I am not new to exercise just have not been as consistent in the past.
I have not been working regularly (4-5 days a week) since April. I have done all sorts of things but recently started doing Leslie's workouts. I am basically happy with my cardio workouts but wanted to add some of Cathe's weight training workouts. So in the case what weight training workouts would you recommend? What do you think about the Pyramid series? IMAX2? I am fishing here just going by some of the posts that I have read.

Thanks again and I am looking forward to purchasing some weight training dvd's. FYI - I have weight trained in the past but in the last few months I have concentrated more on cardio to help lose more fat, now I want to incorporate both, cardio and weight training.

Have a great day!

Angel
 
Hi Angel:

Welcome!... I am relatively new to Cathe's videos as well. I have also done Leslie's workouts as well. RE: Weight training and the Pyramid series. I think that these would be ok, because you can modify what is more advanced. For instance, when I first started using Pyramid for Lower body, I didn't put as many risers under my high step. Being 5"2', I used what was comfortable to me and still got results. With the barbell you can use as little or as much weight as you want to use, I also used body bars I used with other videos, to eliminate loading and unloading the barbell. I would start with a lower weight and work up.

For variety, and cross training, I purchased Cathes' High Step Circuit workout, this incorporates, weights/resistance tubing with aerobics,here is an explanation of the dvd:

1) one fun and easy step aerobic combination (that repeats itself 4 times) totaling one minute.
2) A leg exercise on the high step.
3) A compound exercise that consists of legs and upper body using 3 pound handweights.
4) An upper body exercise using resistance tubing (working the same body part that was used with the weights just before it)
5) A core exercise
6)A stretch completes this workout.
Total time = 48 min.

I love this video, and the time goes by so fast... it is fun and keeps your heart rate up... you can increase/decrease wts or tension/bands as needed. While Leslie's videos are good, you may want to add more variety and more of a challenge to your workout for steady results. With Leslie's workouts I found that I plateaued and needed to kick-it up a notch in order to continue seeing results.

Another one to try as mentioned before is the Basic Step + Body Fusion workout, here is a description of that one:

Body Fusion format: warm up 6 min, step combo one 8 min., weight segment one 4 min., step combo two 10 min., weight segment two 4 min., step combo three 9 min., weight segment three 6 min., Stretch 3 min., Total = 50 min.

I haven't seen the Body Fusion dvd sold alone, the Basic Step workut is included on the dvd, but I enjoy this workout as well and use this one when I need an easier workout...there is also a light weight workout on the basic step workout section, and they also use a stability ball on this one.

For abs, I recommend: Cathes'Core Max, she uses a stability ball and a medicine ball in some of her exercises and the exercises are challenging, but effective. There are 3 workouts on here and you can mix and match exercises also. Also, note that with Cathe's videos you can mix and match and use the premixes as you desire, customizing your workouts. You really get your money's worth with her videos.

One final thing, I recommend you check out the, VIDEO AND DVD ROTATION FORUM for more suggestions on what videos to use, depending on what you want to accomplish. I found this forum very helpful in creating my own rotation schedule. I hope this helps.. let me know what you think...:7 Dee
 
Dee, thank you so much for all of the info, that is very helpful.

Which of Cathe's workouts did you do when you first started? I see that you use the High Step Circuit. Do you use others too?
Are you still doing Leslie's workouts?

Thanks again and have a great day!

Angel
 
Hi Angel:

You are welcome! The first workouts I did was:

For the cardio I used:
Low Impact Step {basic step}, the Fusion workout, step only segment and the High step circuit workout, I did the whole workout for this one, i.e., aerobics and strength training, and the only thing I modified, was the step height, lower for me.

For the weight/resistance training I started out with:
Pyramid for lower and upper body and the Power Hour video - this is a strength training full body workout, using a barbell and dumbbells; lots of reps... you can use light weights or no weights to begin..

I have already done step workouts using Reebok, the firm and others and I was doing weight training using other videos, I also spin (using the Schwinn spinner bike) at home with videos; for abs: Core Max... I use Leslie's new video, The 5-Mile walk, on days when I want to take it easy, but get a decent workout in.

The workouts I have gradually worked my way up to, and still modify when needed are:

1. Low Max
2. Body Blast Series: Timesaver
3. Cross Train Xpress {I purchased the separate videos for these and I got: Power Circuit, 10-10-10, All Step and Step & Intervals - "I eventually want to get the dvd with all 6 of the workouts, but it cost $89.99, so I will have to save up for it."
4. Slow and Heavy - "Triceps and Biceps" {this one is tough even with light weights, but very effective}
5. Body Blast Series: Timesaver DVD 5 workouts that combine aerobics and strength training

I love all of these workouts and all of them have pre-mixes and mix and match features, you will never run out of variations.. you can create so many different exercise routines using these features.

I am glad that I could help. Don't forget to check out the VIDEO & DVD ROTATION forum for more ideas. If you need more information let me know. Keep me posted on your workouts and let me know if they work for you. Take Care, Dee:7
 
Hi Angel:

FYI: Here is a list of the workout abbreviations used in these forums:

BC - Bootcamp
BM - Body Max
C&W - Cardio & Weights
CTX - Cross Train Xpress
GS - Gym Style Workouts
HSC - High Step Challenge
HSTA - High Step Training Advanced
KM - Kick Max
KPC - Kick, Punch & Crunch
ME - Muscle Endurance
MIC - Maximum Intensity Cardio
MIS - Maximum Intensity Strength
MM - Muscle Max
PH - Power Hour
PLB - Pyramid Lower Body
PP - Push Pull
PS - Pure Strength
PUB - Pyramid Upper Body
SB - Step Blast
SJP - Step, Jump & Pump
SS - Supersets
S&H - Slow&Heavy

Other abbreviations used:

DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
IMO - In my opinion

Dee..... Haven't heard from you lately.... how are the exercises working out?:7
 
Thank you!!!!

I actually just started Cathe's beginner rotation last night. I did Basic Step and lower body workout from Total Body Sculpting. It was great and boy did I sweat!!!!!!

Do you think that Cathe's beginner rotation is a good place for me to start for now?

Angel
 
Hi Angel:

Yes, I think this is an excellent place to start. You can substitute Leslie's video for the day of walking. I really enjoy Cathe's workouts and so far I have never gotten bored using them. I am going to follow some of the rotations that are listed in the forum as well. Keep up the go work and please keep me posted on your exercise experience. Good Luck and have fun!:+ Dee
 
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