I'm new to Cathe....please help me!!

[jennyb]

Hi everybody-

I know that a lot of people have come here asking for help in choosing their first Cathe tape...so please forgive me for asking again. Everyone here seems so friendly, helpful, and full of good advice, so I hope you don't mind my asking for help.

I would really appreciate it if anyone could give me some advice on choosing some Cathe tapes. Here's some info on me:

I'm an intermediate to advanced stepper (been at it on and off for 7 years now). I have almost all the Step Reebok tapes and can get through them all without passing out! LOL So, I guess, I can say I consider myself to be in pretty good aerobic condition.

I am particularly interested in circuit training videos or tapes that include strength training. I made strength training my new year's resolution...so far, so good. Wow!! I wish I had started it years ago - I can really tell the difference in terms of increased strength and muscle endurance!! I have lots of dumbbells, but no barbell at home.

I live in an old 1800's house that has been converted to apartments...therefore very squeaky floors and a 'whole house shaking' effect when I do any high impact step moves even though I live on the ground floor. So, please, info on the neighbor annoyance factor would be appreciated - especially since I'm up between 4:30 and 5 am to workout. Like I said, I've been stepping for a bit, so I know how to modify a workout to make it low impact and just raise the step....but still if there are some tapes out there that include less jumping, I'd love to know about them.

Thanks in advance for your help. Jen

 

[Nancy C]

Body Max

Hi Jen,

I'm going to recommend Body Max even though it's one tough Cathe to start with. I recommend it because you said you were interested in circuit stuff. It has a great Step section (one of my favorites) and then it moves into step/strength stuff.

As far as the neighbors being bothered by the early morning workouts...Cathe's workouts are all fairly similar in the high impact department so it would be tough to pick one that would be less noisy. The good news, if you are used to modifying already, you won't have too much trouble with Cathe's choreography and taking the power out and subbing extra height for intensity.

There is also the new Circuit Max from last year..and that's pretty good too...but everyone seems to have a warm spot for Body Max;-).

Don't forget about the Pure Stength series. It's all strength with no cardio..but it is an awesome routine..and if you are looking to add strength...that's the way to do it;-). Cathe does use a barbell, but you could modify using dumbbells if you had too..but trust me..once you get into Cathe's workouts and want more..you'll be buying a barbell before you know it and it will be one of you best investments.

Best of luck on your New Years Resolution..considering it's April..you're doing pretty darn good!

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[Debra]

I second Nancy's recommendations. BodyMax & MIS were my first Cathe acquisitions & boy is that a lot of bang for your buck. BodyMax is long, but can also be used in shorter segments. It is very easy for an experienced stepper to modify. While BodyMax does use a barbell for some movements, dumbbells can be used as substitutes.