Imax Interval Blast #8 -- I'm so discouraged!

D

debgore

Cathlete
Is this blast really hard, or is it me? (It's the blast where Cathe does alternating lunges in sets of four, two, singles, etc.) I have to start doing the modified (i.e., easier) version after about ten seconds! Did anyone else have a tough time with this interval? I guess I'll just keep trying, but at this rate, I won't be able to complete the blast for years! Thanks for listening.
 
Hi Deborah,

I'm doing IMAX for the first time shortly. I'll try to remember to get back to you on that #8 -- assuming I survive.

I do IMAX2 no problem, but we'll see about this one.:)
 
Whoa, #8 is NASTY! I pulled/strained my calf muscle lunging off the board (I rarely, if ever, get injured!). I refuse to do #8 off the board, instead doing explosive-like lunges on the floor.

That being said, Imax 3 is my fave!

X
 
This one is really tough! Some days I can't make it through them and get so frustrated I almost cry! Some days I can get through them, but my form is pathetic. The one I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT DO is the interval with the plie jacks! I can never finish that interval -I can't remember which interval it is, though. It sounds like you're not alone - just keep modifying and eventually you will do them all!
 
What I like in this workouts is that Hope is in the background, and she modifies some moves, like taking this move to a less intense version towards the end. Sometimes, Cathe and the current crew seem like they can do EVERYTHING without having to modify, and it's nice to have someone in the workout showing that it's tough!
 
Thanks for the encouraging words, everyone. Now I'm really determined to conquer that interval! (Even if it takes a while!)
Thanks again.
 
OK Deborah, #8's a tough one. I managed my way through everything in IMAX and on #8 (groaning and moaning and begging it to stop) I did those explosive lunges of #8 until the last set of 16 and I modified. Then I had to go do my 300 walking lunges.;(
 
Don't be discouraged! When I first did Imax, I could barely get through the warm-up! Now, I add 8-16 reps to each and every interval. Something I found to be really helpful with interval #8 is to do other Cathe workouts that contain 'power scissors' - Legs & Glutes, Supersets, Body Max, Step Fit, CTX Kickbox, Kickmax, and High Step Training Advance - all of these contain Power Scissors. Try to do some a few times a week - the body will get used to movement and it will become easier. Trust me!
 
"Don't be discouraged! When I first did Imax, I could barely get through the warm-up! Now, I add 8-16 reps to each and every interval. Something I found to be really helpful with interval #8 is to do other Cathe workouts that contain 'power scissors' - Legs & Glutes, Supersets, Body Max, Step Fit, CTX Kickbox, Kickmax, and High Step Training Advance - all of these contain Power Scissors. Try to do some a few times a week - the body will get used to movement and it will become easier. Trust me!"

What The Bean said.

Another really good trick is to "sprinkle" those "power scissors" (also more recently referred to as "explosive lunges") in your other workouts, maybe just 8 here and there in substitution for another move. I like to substitute the dreaded explosive lunges for mambo-cha-chas and other fancy-footwork things. The more you're accustomed to having explosive lunges / power scissors as a regular drill in all of your workouts (and obviously you can do them during hi/lo, kickbox and step workouts) the less of a shock to the system they will be when they are their own interval.

Just keep at it. Commit yourself to doing Interval Max at least once a week, and further commit yourself to doing just one more rep than you did the last time. I promise you, you will make it, and like The Bean and The Bald One, you will be extending that interval out beyond what Cathe & The Gang do before you know it.

HTH -

A-JOck
 
Thanks again for the encouragement and advice. I now plan on doing Imax once a week, and adding in some power scissors elsewhere, until I can do that darned interval. (Before I read your kind words, I was actually ready to shelve it for a while.) It is still hard to imagine actually extending an interval, as many of you experienced folks do, but I suppose I'll get there soon enough (with a lot of work!). Have a great night, all!
 
This is what I did to achieve finishing this interval. First of all, this is more of a leg burner than it is a cardio burner (for me, at least). I found that my legs were giving out before my endurance. So, I started to really work my legs more to get more endurance out of them to handle the endless number of lunges in this interval (yes, Hope was my hero as I used to modify right around the time she did). After working my legs extra hard, I attempted this interval again. After time, I was able to do the entire interval without any modifications.

Hope this helps.
Lorrayne
 
Hi!

I wanted to agree with what Jillybean mentioned. Do you have the CTX series? When I started Cathe (so many years ago!) IMAX was one of my first workouts and those intervals were so intimidating, especially 2, 4 and 8! I really thought they were for professionals only and just assumed I would never get there.

Each cardio workout in the CTX series has a blast section but since the cardio itself is shorter, the blasts are more do-able. Once I mastered the CTX cardios, I gained some confidence about blasts. Once I could do all of the Power Scissors in CTX Kick Box, they didn't seem so impossible in IMAX.

Sometimes a little mental confidence goes a long way!

have fun!
Mikie
 
I think this is the hardest interval too. I always finish it, but I look pretty pathetic the last 16 or so. Maybe they're not quite as deep by then ;-) ;-)

I know I've told this joke before, but I love it. When Hope starts to modify, I can't help but say to myself, "This is where we always lose hope." Because it's where I always feel like I'm going to die!
 
i do what i can than i modify. this is a tough interval for sure. i am not sure which gives out first, my lungs or my legs LOL. but hey even if it takes years to do this interval without modifying, at least you have a goal :).


kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"
 
I guess I am the only wimp here, because I ALWAYS modify this interval with power scissors, which for me are more of a cardio blast, anyway. I am on carpet and my knees just can't do the power lunging thing. I don't do it in any of the workouts. I bow humbly in the presence of those of you who do!!

:)

Marie
 
Another thought: if you could do all the moves with no problem, the workout wouldn't help you improve, it would just help you stay in the same place. Having a challenge to work up to--and doing the best you can along the way--is what makes workouts effective.
 
You guys are right. I don't know why I expected to just be able to do it right away. I tend to forget that Cathe's workouts are advanced, and I'll need to work up to many of them. I feel less discouraged!
 
Sometimes I'll do the Imax workouts out of order. For instance, Start with the warm up then do interval 8. Jump back and do 1, 2,3, then 10, 9, 5 , etc. Sometimes if you do the most difficult ones first, while you still have the energy, you can get through them and strengthen your legs in the proccess!

Good Luck!
 
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