Looking for hard but time-conscious cardio

[avondale17]

Looking for hard by time-conscious cardio: Update from Original Poster

I originally posted the request for the hard but time-saving cardio, so I thought I'd update the post with what I'm doing now.

Shortly after the original post, I bought 4DS.

I really like the kickboxing cardio premix, even though it's really not that hard. I do it with 1lb weights on each wrist. It's so much fun that I joined a local cardio kickboxing class and now I do that for an hour twice a week. I was pleased that in general the form for the punches and kicks was pretty good compared to my class, except that the roundhouse kicks don't have the "real" pivoting. I still do this premix about once every 2 weeks.

The bootcamp cardio premix is harder, but not a killer for me, and it's short with a lot of breaks in it. I also do this with the wrist weights. I do this about once a week.

I tried the HIS cardio premix a couple times. It might be pretty tough in a cardio sense, but I really just couldn't get through the choreography. Too complicated for me - I've never been too coordinated in the dancy sense. I did not try LIS.

On my weight training days, I have added some of the upper body only premixes into my routine. I like the variety of push-ups. I don't like the segments with the ball - some of the exercises I don't feel like I get the hang of, and some just don't seem to do much for me.

For Christmas 2008, I got CTX. I have to say that the cardio premixes on this were disappointing. Overall I thought they were just a bit easier than 4DS. I thought Power Circuit was probably the hardest, but it's on the long end for me time-wise, and I didn't enjoy it that much. 10-10-10 was so-so, but took a lot of space on sides of the step where I don't have room, even adapting the routine. Step & Intervals was not as hard as I wanted, nor very interesting. Same with the Kickbox segment (since I did it after 4DS's version).

However, I really like CTX's upper body strength segments, and so I have added them to my routine.

I checked my DVD of MIC/Imax/RS. My Imax does not seem to have chapters for the interval segments, so I can't easily forward to each blast. The blasts in Imax are pretty uneven in intensity, in my opinion, so I'm not sure I'd like them all in a row, anyway.

So my quest for really hard cardio (my original goal was the level of Imax 3's blast-only premix) that wasn't too long has not been completely successful. I'm hoping now that STS is out, Cathe will be working on some new cardio workouts.

What's my morning routine?

Sunday: Pyramid Upper Body (I have more time on weekends)
Monday: 4DS Bootcamp cardio premix or Kickbox cardio premix with wrist weights
Tuesday: 45 min from 4DS upper body only premix (I can go a little longer on Tue/Thu)
Wednesday: MIC hi/lo floor with wrist weights
Thursday: 45 min from CTX upper body and abs premixes
Friday: 8 of 10 blasts (with warm-up/cool-down) from Imax 3 blast-only premix
Saturday: 1-hour cardio kickboxing class

I would welcome new suggestions, although I'm probably not going to lay out more money for awhile. My weekday cardio time limit is about 39 minutes. (Yes, I'm timed down to the minute... )

Melissa

 

[Amy Steppe]

Another vote for 4DS or CTX. Both have short, killer cardios.

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90

Another vote for CTX and 4 Day Split.

The Boot Camp in 4 Day Split gets me every time.

 

[jansherman]

Last week I combined the 4DS Boot Camp (34 min.) with the Kickmax Blast (20 min.) Awesome! I like both the Boot Camp and Kickboxing from 4DS, and there is a premix combining them. I'm not fond of the LI or HI step - too much choreography for my little brain, which takes away from the intensity (for me, anyway).

I've also combined the Drill Max cardio mix (shorter one) with the Kickmax Blast segment. Drill Max also has a scrambled cardio mix, which is about 46 minutes and repeats the tougher drills twice.

 

[janie1234]

Funny I do all the pre-mixes and workout that you listed on your post. Except sometimes I do Imax 2 and Imax 3 blasts only together. I was like you too though, . . . I wanted something different so a year ago I took up running, trail running, and more recently mountain biking. Have you considered taking your workouts outside? It sounds like you have the cardiovascular endurance for it.

 

[Snitker]

cardio

I just did Kick Punch & Crunch cardio premix. It is only 37 minutes and I have to say it is the best of KPC! You get all the calorie torching benefits without the abs and punching, kicking combo. I was a bucket of sweat! I never used to take advantage of the premixed 'cause I always felt like I was cheating myself by not doing the whole thing, but I'm thinking of familiarizing myself with more premixes. Tomorrow I am going to the the Butts & Guts premix #1 standing glutes and ab timesaver I believe it is called. I don't really have much over an hour a day so this will be good to try out more premixes.

 

[avondale17]

Funny I do all the pre-mixes and workout that you listed on your post. Except sometimes I do Imax 2 and Imax 3 blasts only together. I was like you too though, . . . I wanted something different so a year ago I took up running, trail running, and more recently mountain biking. Have you considered taking your workouts outside? It sounds like you have the cardiovascular endurance for it.

That is a good idea. What I had listed was my morning workouts before I go to work. I also kickbox 1 evening per week and play tennis 2 evenings/week. I usually do 1 hour on the treadmill (brisk walking on 12 degree incline) 2 evenings/week. When the weather permits, I enjoy hiking and biking, although I can usually only fit that in on the weekends.

I'm just looking to mix up my morning workouts, because as you know, if you get too used to the routines, then your body doesn't get the same benefit from them. That's definitely the good part about non-video sports and classes - they aren't always the same, so it keeps your body guessing.

Melissa