IMAX -- OMG!

heidi36

Cathlete
Yesterday was my "rest" day from working out. So naturally I couldn't just sit out a day, I tried to learn IMAX. Well, what a shock. I could only make it through the first 25 minutes! Cathe says in the beginning of the tape that you'll have to "work-up" to this tape. "As you find you can go longer and longer, you'll get stronger and stronger." Well, I'll definately have to work up to this one. That's my goal for the month of October ... to compleme IMAX with no modifications! I considered myself to be a relatively seasoned exerciser, I run, use Cathe, Fitprime, CIA Bootcamp and the Firm -- but nothing compares to this as far as a cardio workout! I'm gonna try it again, but this time I'll lower my step height. Wish me luck!
 
Hi Heidi36,
I know this workout has been the result of many, many debates and discussions about its toughness! I think you did brilliantly to manage 25 mins the first time through! I've had this one for about 7 months now, and have only previewed it as yet, so you are definitely braver than me! Mind you, I am currently 51/2 months pregnant, so I don't think this would be the best time to introduce this one into the mix! Think I'll leave it until after the baby - if this one doesn't whip me back into shape, then nothing will!
Keep us posted on how you progess in October - it would be interesting to see how long it takes to get this one down completely.
Good luck!
Kaz.

Today Is The Tomorrow We Worried About Yesterday And All Is Well.
 
RE: IMAX -- Welcome to the club!

I-Max is one of the most deceptive workouts in terms of viewing versus performing; when I viewed it for the first time I thought "This'll be a snap" (primarily because of the simple step choreography) and when I DID it for the first time I thought I was going to explode. I got so mad at myself that I had to modify some of the meaner intervals that my inner drill sergeant took over, and I worked up to modification-free intervals within about 3 weeks or so.

Keep it up! Try to do it at least once a week, preferably twice while training up to it. It is the best training workout on the market!

Again, welcome to the I-Max club. Of course, now you have to get the impending I-Max-2 workout as well . . .

Annette Q. Aquajock
 
RE: IMAX -- Welcome to the club!

I know what you mean regarding the "preview". The moves look deceptively easy. I got to the mid-range of my target heart rate about 5minutes into it! I have my work cut out for me. As for IMAX 2 -- that's the one new Cathe DVD I did not order. But I preordered everything else -- didn't think I'd like IMAX 1 so much. Aquajock I have a quick ? for you. If you want to lose bodyfat but build more lean muscle mass is it correct to assume that you would increase cardio and eat a higher protein diet? I currently am eating clean, but I think by macronutrients are a little off. Even though I consume complex carbs (whole grains, fruit, sweet potatoes), I think my carb intake is way too high. Could that contribute to weight gain? I can't workout any more than I do. I'm at 106lbs right now (I'm 5 2.5") and muscular. In June when my bodyfat was taken it was at 13% but I think it may have gone up because I weighed a couple of lbs less then. I know it doesn't seem to be a big deal, but my weight seems to be slowly creeeping up. P.S. I weight train approximately 3-4x's per week and cardio 4-5 x's along with switching up my routine every 6 weeks. Thanks.
 
RE: IMAX -- Welcome to the club!

Hi, Heidi! Without knowing what your current intake percentages are re carbs, protein and fats it's difficult to offer even the most general suggestions. In fact, I think you would be well served to hook up with a registered dietician who is skilled at working with women athletes and consistent exercisers.

I'll gingerly offer an observation, however: 13% body fat is extremely low; current guidelines for healthy body fat percentage for women is around 19% - 26%. I know, I know, take these with a grain of salt, but again, body fat percentages UNDER a certain value can lead to health implications of their own. It could be that your "weight" is creeping up because your body needs the additional mass (again, not knowing what the "creep-up" is composed of).

Body fat is not a four-letter word, and the desire to keep it artificially low can lead to serious behavioral and physical health problems.

Please accept this in the spirit it was intended - one of concern.

Annette Q. Aquajock
 
RE: IMAX -- Welcome to the club!

Whoa Heidi!! I will also have to agree with Annette here. At 5'2" and 106 pounds, you seem very fit, no??


Oh, and Annette. I have a bone to pick with you!!! I did IMAX today, as I have been EVERY Monday since I don't know when. Well, guess what??????????? Those stupid scissor things and those @$!% plyos are NOT getting any easier. I mean, I really stood back in awe today and just started really wondering what planet ALL THOSE WOMEN are from!! I mean what does it take anyway?? I have been lifting heavy weights and everything, been in good shape for 10 years, can take the cardio part, but WHAT IS WITH that BURN!!!!AAARRRRGGHHHH!!!!!! It is just unreal. Seriously, I start screaming!! LOL, but I am not kidding!! So what gives Annette. Why did you LIE to me???:)

And to make it worse, I only did cardio once last week and I sure felt it today. Made me realize that somehow I gotta work extra cardio in even if I am lifting more. I just don't want to lose any cardio conditioning.

Yeah, IMAX is a toughie!!!

Janice
 
RE: Ah Janice, Janice . . .

I lied to you 'cause I love ya, kid.

The plyo stuff will never get easy - just less impossible. If you're finding it difficult to push thru your performance plateau, my suggestion is to do what I did when I first started doing I-Max:

DO IT TWICE A WEEK!

I promise you, that'll get you over the hump. Make sure to stay consistent with your barbell squats, plie squats and lunges as well. Also, throw in the CTX-Step/Intervals workout into your weekly mix as well - that'll keep the interval-type-thang going. One little mish-mosh I like to do is the MIC hi/lo section and then the Step-Intervals step section - 45 minutes of sheer heat!

Annette Q. Aquajock
Your Inner Drill Sergeant
 
You all have inspired me to try the IMAX tonight. I have had it for a month or so but have not tried it yet. I am looking forward to see how I can do. I have been working with a trainer for about a month and half. He is very big into squat jumps and lunge jumps. I regularly have to see how many squat jump I can do in 10 minutes. Believe me that is tough, but great for my legs and my tennis game. I am hoping this tape does the same. I need an intense cardio workout, so I am looking forward to trying it. I hope I can make 25 minutes! It should be a good challenge.
 
CTX Step/Intervals...

I love to add on the intervals from this workout to another workout. It's only 10 minutes for 3 tough intervals!
Erica
 
Annette..
How do you handle that impact?? I am only 26, but my body just CRIES after a few days of Cathe cardio ala CM, BM OR IMAX. Well, my shins atleast. Don't know what the deal is there. They seem to flare up now even after weight training. Can you get shin splints from weight training. I didn't think so. They are worse now (on weeks I do lots of Cathe cardio) than when I was running. Only towards the ankles though. The rest of my body is great. How do you suggest I get through that???

Janice
 
RE: Janice - impact

Hi, Miss J!

I think that the impact of my land workouts doesn't bother me too much for a couple of reasons: I've never been a runner or other sort of athlete that burned out my joints before their time so my joints are in pretty good shape; AND two of my 5 workouts per week are my aqua classes that I teach. In spite of the fact that shallow-water aqua aerobics is not zero-impact (and each of my classes has a 45-minute shallow-water segment), the impact forces on all of the lower body weight-bearing joints INCLUDING the ankles are greatly reduced. That's another reason why I like my current workout schedule so much - gives the joints a break.

For your schedule, I'd suggest a couple of things. If you are strictly land-based (i.e. no aqua in your program on a regular basis), I'd re-evaluate your weekly schedule and have at least two workouts that are lower impact but good tub-thumpers - Cathe's kickbox workouts including CTX-Kickbox and CardioKicks obviously. You might also want to bring power-walking into the mix.

For your shins, I'd suggest Seated Toe Pulls as an anterior calf-muscle strengthener. I just posted the exercise for another Cathe-ite a day or so ago, so I'll search for it and let you know on this thread where you can find it.

Catcha later -

A-jock
 
RE: Janice - Seated Toe Pulls

I wrote a description for Seated Toe Pulls on a thread titled "Protecting My Shins From Injury?" on the Open forum and just bumped it up a minute ago. Hope that helps -

A-jock
 
I hear ya, I did IMAX last night and WOW it amazes me every time how 'good' it is.....

I just love the step part of the intervals, they are SOOO fun!!

Happy day everyone!

Marcia
 
Thank you Annette.. I saw your other post. Will try those. Although I do think it has more to do with excessive impact rather than muscular weakness. However, everyone here seems to think CK is very low impact, but it even seems to give me problems. I find that with shin problems, and I guess with all "overuse" type problems, they come on gradually but once they are there, you are SOL. Very hard to kick. If I take the weekend off, I come back for IMAX feeling very good but already feel the shins on Tuesday.

Thanks for the info..

Janice
 
I finally got the time to do the IMAX workout. I have two words to say: "IT ROCKS" I absolutley loved it. It was very, very tough, but it was fun. I made it through the workout, but I admit I had to modify some in the later intervals. It will be a very good challenge to get through this workout without having to drop the intensity at the end. I am looking forward to trying!
 
I finally got the time to do the IMAX workout. I have two words to say: "IT ROCKS" I absolutley loved it. It was very, very tough, but it was fun. I made it through the workout, but I admit I had to modify some in the later intervals. It will be a very good challenge to get through this workout without having to drop the intensity at the end. I am looking forward to trying!
 

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