Looking for hard but time-conscious cardio

A

avondale

Member
Dear all,

I am calling on your collective expertise on Cathe videos. I am looking for suggestions for Cathe DVDs for hard cardio routines that fit into 39 minutes maximum. This would probably require premixes, which is OK. I will do floor, step, or combination of both. High impact is OK, too. I prefer not to mix weights with cardio, mostly for time issues.

Here's what I'm doing now:

1. Imax 3, the "interval blasts only" premix; I do 8 - 10 of the blasts depending on my time available. (Plus the warm-up and stretch.) This routine is really tough and does a good job working me out, but of course, it's boring to do the same routine all the time.

2. Drill Max, the "cardio blast" premix. These drills are fun, but I don't find them that hard any more, except Drill 5 (forward jumping and bounding), which really gets my heart pumping.

3. MIC, the low- and high-impact floor segments. I don't find this routine very hard, but since there's basically no rest during the whole high-impact segment, it's a bit different from the the intervals in Imax 3 and Drill Max. Plus, I can take it on vacation when I don't have equipment. I didn't find the step parts of MIC to be as challenging as I would like. Doing the floor and step together would probably be a challenge, but I don't have time for that.


I got Imax (along with MIC and RS DVD), but the normal routine alternating intervals and blasts just isn't hard enough for me. The DVD doesn't seem to have a premix that does only the blasts, so it's a bit of a pain to keep fastforwarding to the blasts (I realize this is because Imax was originally VHS).


I was considering buying 4DS, but before I drop $80 on it, I was wondering if anyone could compare the intensity of the various cardio premixes (LIS Cardio Only, HIS Cardio Only, Bootcamp Cardio Only, Kickbox Cardio Only) to one of the other routines I've mentioned.

Or, any other suggestions? I was also thinking about BC+ME, but is the BC cardio only premix really only 20 min?

Thank you all for any suggestions!

Melissa
 
I think the BootCamp Cardio Only premix is even less than that. I've only done it once and didn't carefully time it, but I remember logging around 10 minutes as my cardio for the day (I keep track with FitDay).

Cardio Fusion has a Mixed Cardio premix that is 41 minutes long. I haven't done the whole thing yet, so be aware it may have a lot of Drill Max in there, which wouldn't be new for you.

I believe I've read the cardio in 4DS is pretty tough. That might be just what you're looking for.
 
I copied this from another post- it gives premixes with times

Yes, BC cardio only premix is really only 20 minutes including the warmup and stretch. I love to do this when I'm short on time.


Here are a few:

Body Max 2:
Timesaver Cardio Only- 43 min.

Cardio & Weights:
Timesaver Step- 35 min.

Cardio Fusion:
Mixed Cardio- 42 min.

CTX:
All cardio portions are 35 min. or less

Drill Max:
Timesaver Cardio Blast- 39 min.

Imax 2:
Blast Mania- 41 min.
Intervals 1-5 or 6-10 33 min.

Imax 3:
Step Only, no blasts- 31 min.
Intervals 1-5 or 6-10- 36 min.

Kick Max:
Low Impact Timesaver- 48 min.

KP&C:
Cardio Conditioning- 37 min.
Kicking and Punching- 41 min.

Low Impact Step:
38 min.

Low Impact Circuit:
Cardio Blast Timesaver- 48 min.

Low Max:
Step Combos Only- 44 min.
Intervals 1-4 or 4-7 44 min.

Step Blast:
Combo 1,2 & 3- 41 min.
Combo 1,3 & Challenge- 44 min.

Step, Jump & Pump:
All Step- 26 min.
Step & Hi/Lo- 45 min.


Body Max:
Cardio Only 59 min

Body Max 2:
Timesaver Cardio Only 43 min

Bootcamp: 58 min
Cardio Only 20 min

Cardio & Weights: 60 min
Timesaver Step + w.u. & stretch 35 min

Cardio Fusion
All Step Cardio 48 min
Mixed Cardio 42 min

Cardio Kicks: 60 min
Warm Up, Kicks & Punches, Stretch 42 min
Warm Up, Power Drills, Stretch 35 min

CTX Cardio Only Time:
10-10-10 29 min
All Step 28 min
Kickbox 31 min
Step & Intervals 29 min
Power Circuit 33 min

Drill Max:
Timesaver Cardio Blast 39 min
Scrambled Cardio Blast 46 min
Cardio Leg Blast 57 min

4 Day Split
Bootcamp Cardio Only 34 min
Kickbox Cardio Only 37 min
Cardio Power 60 min
Lower Intensity Step Cardio Only 37 min
Higher Intensity Step Cardio Only 33 min


High Step Training: 60 min
All 5 Cardio Sections 12 min

Imax: 60 min
Intervals 1-5 w/w.u. & cool down 42 min
Intervals 6-10 w/ w.u. & cool down 41 min

Imax 2: 55 min
Blast Mania 41 min
Blasts Only 28 min
Intervals 1-5 + w.u. & stretch 33 min
Intervals 6-10 + w.u. & stretch 33 min

Imax 3: 60 min
All 10 Blasts Only 24 min
Step Only- no blasts + w.u & stretch 31 min
Intervals 1-5 + w.u. & stretch 35 min
Intervals 6-10 + w.u. & stretch 37 min

Kick Max:
Low Impact Kickbox 58 min
Low Impact Timesaver 48 min
Kickbox/Bootcamp Challenge 50 min
Cardio Leg Sculpt 52 min

Kick, Punch & Crunch:
Blocks and Kicks 51 min
Cardio Conditioning 37 min
Intermediate + Combo 1&2 + High 53 min
Intermediate + Combo 1 + High 53 min
Intermediate + Combo 2&3 + High 51 min
Intermediate Drills + Combo 1&2 42 min
Kicking and Punching 41 min

Low Impact Step: 38 min
Combos Only w/ w.u. & cool down 32 min

Low Impact Circuit:
Cardio Blast Timesaver 48 min

Low Max:
Intervals 1-4 + w.u & stretch 45 min
Intervals 4-7 + w.u. & stretch 44 min
Step Combos Only+ w.u & stretch 44 min
All 7 Blasts 23 min

Maximum Intensity Cardio:
Hi/Lo Only w/ w.u & cool down 42 min
Step Only w/w.u & cool down 45 min

Power Max: 60 min
Combo 1 & 2 w/w.u. & cool down 47 min
Combo 2 & 3 w/w.u & cool down 48 min
Combo 1 & 3 w/w.u & cool down 42 min

Rhythmic Step: 60 min
Combos 1 & 2 w/ w.u & cool down 39 min
Combos 1-3 w/ w.u. & cool down 51 min
Combos 2 & 3 + Step Challenge 49 min

Step Blast: 55 min
Step Blast Combo 1, 2, 3 41 min
Step Blast Combo 1,2 & Challenge 44 min
Step Blast Combo 2, 3 & Challenge 45 min
Step Blast Combo 1, 3 & Challenge 44 min

Step Fit:
Combo 1 & 3 w/w.u. & cool down 48 min
Combo 2 & 3 w/w.u. & cool down 51 min

Step, Jump and Pump:
All Step 26 min
Step & Hi/Lo 45 min
Step & Hi/Lo Circuit 44 min
All 4 Hi/Lo Segments (add on) 19 min

Step Works: 60 min
Combo 1 & 2 w/w.u. & cool down 52 min
Combo 2 & 3 w/w.u. & cool down 45 min
Combo 1 & 3 w/w.u. & cool down 46 min
 
I did the bootcamp one yesterday and talk about fitting in some high intense cardio in a short period of time. I was just as sweating as doing 30-40 minutes of regular intensity. You could also add the Kickboxing premix too that is short on BC.
 
I really like Kick Max's Blast Challenge, and the original Boot Camp's cardio-only premix. The cardio-only premix is actually even briefer than 20 minutes - more like 10-12 minutes.

Re Interval Max (the original), I goose that one up by extending out each interval by 8-16 reps and then immediately chapter-nexting to the next mid-range aerobic interval (you don't have to worry about fast-forwarding, the next button is fine).

Also, High Step Training Advanced (HSTA) step-blast-only premix is good.

Also I-Max 2, for its Blast-Only premix.

A-Jock
 
You might consider checking out the Cross Train Express series. It's $80 for 2 DVD's with 5 intense cardio sections, every one around 30 minutes long. They are all quite challenging, with a lot of high-impact moves.
 
4-Day Split is another good one with 4 30 minute cardio routines and 4 (roughly) 30 minute weight routines. Plus a ton of premixes.

April
 
>KPC
>
>It has a 37 minute cardio conditioning premix which will get
>the ticker going quite niecly!

I'll have to look into this, because the boxing and kicking sounds interesting. I'm not sure how I missed this premix while browsing videos.

Melissa
 
Thanks for your opinions!

From the comments here, it does sound like CTX or 4DS may be the way to go. The info on CTX doesn't mention premixes, which I think is why I hadn't really thought about it. Are there ready-made premixes?

Both DVDs are expensive, but they both seem like they have multiple routines I could do, which makes it more worthwhile. Any comments on differences that might help me decide which? All else being equal, I'd probably go for the newer DVD, but I'm curious about your opinions. Maybe I'll get one and put the other on my birthday list.

Melissa
 
If you have to choose between CTX and 4DS get 4DS. The premixes make it so that you have dozens of workouts. It's so versatile. You get short cardio, long cardio, step, kickbox, full body weights, splits, etc. It's like paying for two dvd's but getting 20!

Oh, plus CTX is a little dated--the hair, outfits, music, etc. can get to me! ;)

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
 
I'll be the devil's advocate and put in a plug for CTX here. Although there aren't cardio premixes as there are in 4DS-BC, there are instead 5 complete cardio routines (one traditional step, one traditional step and interval step, one traditional kickbox, one {10-10-10} kickbox, hi/lo AND step, and finally hi/lo and step + kickbox step leg power circuits); four of these cardio routines are on one disc (along with their upper body and at times core work) and another is on the other disc, along with its upper body and core. (This is the all-kickbox one, with Leaner Legs as well which is strictly leg resistance training and a traditional ab routine.) The cardio routines, it is true, are not chaptered as finely as Cathe's later productions and the only premix is an Upper Body Split. However, they are chaptered enough so that you can make your own mini-mish-moshes with the touch of a button, especially on the disc that has four cardios.

IMHO, as well, CTX has a slight edge over 4DS in the cardio intensity department, not much but some. It is also true that the music and hair are a tad dated (sooooooooooooo 2000, prehistoric times!), but it's still one of my most utilized series. es. (What's the plural of "series"?)

Avondale, you really can't go wrong with either of these picks at the outset. Get the one that appeals to you the most, and put the other one on your wish list for birthday or December holiday!

A-Jock
 
CTX rocks! I just reminded myself how much I enjoy it yesterday when I did the kickbox and 10-10-10. Perfect intensity for me, some high impact but not crazy...then its so easy to move into the ab and weight work, this is one of Cathe's best. In fact, if you never owned any of her other workouts, you could get and stay in shape just using this series. It was very well done.

LOL at the "pre-historic" outfits and hair!

And this is the series that offers you "Meaner Legs!"}(
 
Thanks for this thread. This is brilliant.
I'm copying and saving this for future reference.
Ajock. How's the driving going?
Colleen:7
 
I was a little disappointed in the 4DS cardio. They are quite short, especially without the warmup, and not that intense. I think the Kickbox and Bootcamp portions are more challenging intensity-wise, but still short...I usually do them together or play the same one over again. LIS and HIS have some fun moves, but I don't even break a sweat. I read somewhere that the 4DS cardio was purposely less intense because of the heavy weights.

I love IMAX 3, and keep waiting hopefully for an IMAX4! To make some of her other workouts more intense, I use a Bosu or use an 8" step. For Kickmax or KPC I use weighted gloves and that ramps up the difficulty!
 
"I read somewhere that the 4DS cardio was purposely less intense because of the heavy weights." ~ Momto5boys

I'm eyeing 4DS, and that aspect would work out nicely for me at the moment. I'm experimenting with less cardio/heavier weights.
 
Hi Melissa,
A few short intense cardio sessions I do are, 1- the cardio only from HSTA with the cardio drills in Kix Max and 2- the cardio from The Gauntlet, just skip through the weights. Love them both for a quick sweaty workout!

Susan
 
I think the CTX cardio's are more intense than the 4DS cardio's but I love the new step choreography in the 4DS series and it's a decent cardio workout if you use an 8 in. step.
Angela:7
 
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