IMAX or IMAX2

[cranberry]

Which video is a tougher cardio workout? I want something to replace my running outside when the weather is bad for a few days and to use as a cross-training supplement to the running. I also do separate weight training so I just want pure cardio. Thanks!

 

[scm]

I think IMAX is much tougher than IMAX2. I think it may be because Cathe will do the same power move, over and over and over in IMAX, where in IMAX2 there seem to be more variety in steps and jumps.

 

[RhiannonW]

I'll share my opinion. I'm sure you'll get a mix of answers to this question.
First let me say you cannot go wrong with either one. They're both great.

I find IMAX a wee bit harder than IMAX2. I also dread doing IMAX a wee bit more than IMAX2. I find IMAX2 goes by a little bit quicker - maybe it's the longer warmup of IMAX - don't know.

I hope this helped a little.

 

[lax lover2]

Traditionally, everyone seems to say from previous posts that IMAX is harder than IMAX2. I just got IMAX about a month ago and I have done it about once per week, and it is a killer. IMAX is 60 min long vs 54 min for IMAX2 and IMAX has a longer warmup step routine. Also everyone in the video is doing IMAX on a 8 in step vs IMAX 2, most everyone is using a 6 in step. I can get through about half of IMAX on the 8 in step and then drop the height and I never tried IMAX 2 on 8 in height and always used 6 in height.
Both great workouts either way.

 

[lorapresley]

You gotta have both! For variety mostly. As soon as I tried Cathe's workouts I had to have all of them, I just like her style workouts. There's just a few of the older ones that I don't have. I would agree that Imax is a little tougher than Imax2 but 2 is tough, I did it today in fact. I think I like the music in Imax2 better that may be why it seems easier. I'm hoping Cathe does an Imax3 soon!

 

[Aquajock]

IMHO I-Max is a tougher workout overall than I-Max 2. However, I-Max 2 has some absolutely killer training intervals (one-legged hops, straddle-taps on/off the bench that really build coordination as well as quad power, plie jacks combined with power hops, power uneven lunges on/off the bench with a turn, a 3-count over-the-top on a long bench with a squat at the bottom, plus the return of our beloved power-15's, plyo jacks, tuck jumps, side-to-side "slalom jumps" and airborne jacks) that you just can't live without.

Get 'em both. If you want to upkick the intensity of I-Max 2, just use the I-Max 1 warm-up, then start with the aerobic cycles of I-Max 2.

A-Jock

 

[tricia]

I personally like IMAX 2 better - there's more variety in the moves and the music rocks! I like them both, but look forward to IMAX 2 days more - it's tough but fun. And anyone who says those straddle hops into the plie squat jumps is easy, I salute them!!

Tricia

 

[mogambo]

Imax is tougher, but Imax2 is more fun.

 

[clareMc]

I agree with the poster who said the dread factor is higher with IMAX the original. Only Imax 2 is fun! The music is a blast.

Clare

 

[Soosan]

I agree that Imax is a little tougher than Imax2, but I also agree that Imax2 is MUCH more fun due to the variety, complexity and music. If I had to choose, I would choose Imax2 hands down. I can't see how doing Imax instead of Imax2 would increase or sustain your fitness level all that much more.

Both are great, though, of course!

 

[cranberry]

Thanks for all of the advice! Of course I got totally frenzied and ordered both. I told myself I need the variety