learning choreography?

A

alpha1aries

Member
Hi,

I'm new to Cathe but love stepping. I consider myself an intermediate exerciser: I run, I go to a boxing gym, and I do TheFIRM. I just did IMAX2 today and while I can do the jumps, what I'm not too good at is the choreography. I don't want to get her Basic Step DVD since it's only 30 minutes so I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to learn the steps. I really get confused if it's not a movement that goes from side to side.

;( alpha1aries
 
You might want to try her Classics dvd...the steps are more basic but the dvd is comprised of 3 different hour long work outs. The dvd is also chaptered so that you can take a section at a time and keep doing it until you learn it, then move on to the next. Cardio Hits is probably also not as intricate as Imax 2 (tho I don't have imax2 so I could be wrong) and is the same idea as the Classics only not as basic. I am a beginner stepper. Started Cathe and step just one month ago with the Basic Step dvd. I can now do one of the cardio hits work outs all the way thru with little trouble! Break it down into sections...that's the best way to learn it IMO.

Have a great work out!

~Wendy~
Due Date: 5/19/05

http://www.bullmarketer.com/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/Sports/exercise/thumb_exercise15.gif

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?WENDYMIN
 
Wendy's idea is a good one. Also, once you have learned some of Cathe's choreography, the learning curve to learn another routine goes down and you can pick it up faster. Just take it one step at a time (pun intended). LOL
 
taking your step down to 4 inches is helpful for the more intricate footwork. You will get it in no time!
 
Wow! The website is awesome! I was trying to look for something like that on google. Thanks for all the "step-by-step" advice. :) I'll definitely take advantage of the DVD chapters.
 
Hi,
I posted almost the exact same question about 2 weeks ago! I also do the Firm and purchased IMAX2 and C&W as I needed a challenge. IMAX is a challenge both for it's intensity and for the choreography. I was very frustrated at first but I previewed the DVD one more time and then after working out with it 4-5 times, I feel like I've really got it down. Trust me, it DOES get easier and you'll be glad for the 'fancy' choreography because it keeps it interesting. When you go back to the Firm you realize how limited the moves are (which is ok some days)!:)

P.S. Yesterday I ordered the 12 pack of Cathe DVD's, HSTA, and the tall club step. I'm hooked!!!
 
I just got some new Cathe tapes and one of them is Rhythmic Step, this one really throws me on the choreography. I'm trying to not get frustrated and just know that it will take some time to learn it all. It sure keeps it interesting:)
 
Actually there are 2 workouts on the DVD. The first one is 30 min the 2nd one is 50 min and a greak wourkout. There are also a 20 min each upper and lower weight workout.It is very helpful with the choreography
Don't ride faster than your guardian angel.
 
Hey Nanners!

I am naturally nosey :) so when I saw your name and it wasn't familiar I clicked on it to get your profile. You ride? That is sooo awesome! I love motorcylces..I prefer cruisers personally! I have toyed with taking the class to get my motorcycle license but I'm a big chicken! lol I think I'm destined to be a passenger. My DH eventually wants to get his license so that will be cool.

Have a great work out!

~Wendy~
Due Date: 5/19/05

http://www.bullmarketer.com/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/Sports/exercise/thumb_exercise15.gif

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?WENDYMIN
 
That is how I learned! I had my first ride as a passenger at 43 years old. Took the class and that was it I was hooked.I didnt pass the first time, I needed a small bike to practice on. Now I own a 2003 Honda Shadow 750. Cruisers are the best. My hubby works for Honda now so it really is a family thing for us. Take the class it is worth the money to help you decide if you really want to do it!
Don't ride faster than your guardian angel.
 
First, I just love Rhythmic Step because the choreography is so fun. I, too, was "scared" of it at first, but after going through it a couple of times, it just got easier and just flowed.

My story is that my first-ever Cathe workout was Step Blast. I mean to tell you, I started right off with the hard stuff, didn't I? But, you know what? While it took me several weeks to finally get the entire workout down, 1) I have benefitted because learning the steps to Cathe's other Cardio workouts has been a snap (I got IMAX2 down on the first try), and 2) Step Blast's complex choreography has kept that workout as my favorite Cathe cardio routine...even after 8 months! If the choreography is too easy, the workout just becomes boring after a while. The choreography still challenges me today, and I just love it!

So, my suggestion is to just keep working with it until you get it down, then learning all the other Cathe routines will be much easier because she seems to build on many of the same kinds of steps, but she just puts them together in new and creative ways. Once you get the core steps down, learning the rest isn't too bad.

(Oh, and I was what you'd consider beginner to intermediate when I started Step Blast, so if I can do it, anyone can!!! :7 )
 
When I first learned of Cathe I'd been doing the Firm for a long time - hence no real stepping or choreography. I thought I couldn't do step because I'm a klutz. The first tape I got, with everyone's advice here, was Step Heat and I learned it little by little. Once I conquered that I bought more of her workouts. I now have all of them and can do all of them. This is over a 3 year period.

Don't give up on Step. You CAN do it! The wedding video was also one of my first purchases and I still have it on VHS. It breaks things down really simple. If I had not gotten these earlier Cathe tapes I wouldn't be doing what I am now. I suggest the Classics, then the Crosstrain Express, because she uses alot of the same moves just mixed up differently.

Give yourself time, and don't get discouraged. Cathe makes it very do able, and you can laugh along with her.

Lynn
 
I just read the previous reply about you and motorcycling. Just wanted to say it's so good to see other female cylists out there. I had been a passenger for a long time and bought my own Harley this year when I turned 40 in June. I have a 1200 xl Sportster anniversary edition, but we also own 2 others bikes, a 2004 Custom Sportster, which I have begun riding, (and it's my favorite), also an Ultra Classis, which seems to big due to the flaring and bags that I'm afraid to try, yet....

When I first got my bike I remarked to my DH, "thank God I've been doing Cathe and all those squats and lunges because my legs are so strong when dealing with this bike..."

Anyways, I'm glad to meet some other female bike riders on this forum!
Riding is an awesome feeling....
Lynn
 
I recently bought the classics, and the choreography is definately easier. I did Step Max last night, and it is pretty challenging intensity wise but very basic in terms of choreography, though not boring (in my opinion). A few of the moves show up in Imax2 (t-steps, side lunges, richochet). While the Basic Step dvd has easy choreography, it doesn't have the intensity that Step Max has.
 
IMHO, I think you should just do it several times until you get it. And the only way you'll get it is by doing it several times. I've done step for many years in the mix with running & my... how things have changed. I remember such basic moves as a basic steo with upright rows, or knees corner to corner. My how we have progressed.

Look, I am not one to sit back & preview a tape. That is wasted time for me. The thing is, you can still move, maybe not as sharply or gracefully as Cathe is , BUT you're still moving & burning calories. If worse comes to worse, you can maintain a basic step while you watch what's going on.

When I first got Step Blast, I made myself do it as my only cardio that first week so I could learn the steps. Now, I adore it. But mind you, while you adapt to Cathe's choreography, you still have to be on your toes because if you haven't done a particular workout recently, you are bound to have a mis-step. But I think that's perfectly acceptable. :)
 
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