Low Max - full workout or premixes?

[phoenix130]

Just curious as to how others use Low Max. I love this workout but my endurance still needs a lot of work so the full workout is tough especially all those blasts. I did the Step Combos Only premix and that was a challenge (combo 7 really gets you at the end!) so I figured I would stick with this one and then work up to the other premixes and eventually the full workout.

To those who use Low Max, do you usually do the entire workout or use premixes most of the time?

 

[Pearlstrand]

I love LowMax! I do the entire workout... and if I'm feeling really energetic, I wear a 10-lb weight vest for the intervals (except for the last one). The low impact makes it possible to do so without risk of injury.

Keep working at it; you'll improve! It's a fun workout.

 

[jnka825]

suggestion

I also do the full workout, unless I am pressed for time. If I cannot devote the full 60+ minutes, then I will do the premix.

The Step Combos only premix is good, but may I suggest doing the Intervals 1-4, and then Intervals 4-7 premixes instead. This way you start to get a handle on the combos with the blasts, but not in its entirety. Once you build your endurance, then try the full version. That is what I did when I first started and it worked.

Kristin

 

[Lisa7691]

I also adore this workout! When I first started doing it I was completely wiped out after the 3rd combo and blast. I just started the workout at the beginning each time and pushed myself a little farther each time. I can now do the whole thing with a little energy to spare at the end You'll build up your endurance faster than you think...I was doing the whole workout after a few weeks. I definitely agree with the PP though - you should definitely do as many of the blasts as you can. You will have a hard time building your endurance if you don't ever do them. Have fun with it!

 

[workingToBeFit]

I definitely use the premixes. For me 70 minutes of only one thing is usually too long - because I like to mix things up and in particular have time for other things like a long stretch or a separate core workout. I can't "add on" to something that's 70 minutes because it's already so long, so I'll do a premix and then add on something different of another type of workout. E.g. a premix of this and then a section of Abs and then a section of a stretch workout. I prefer to do about 45 minutes of cardio so I can add on like this.

 

[betterallthetime]

I am transitioning to Intermediate level after completing the beginner rotation. I did Steps sections and blasts 1-4 twice, before attempting the whole tape. I did 1-6 without a glitch, but could only finish half of interval 7 before pooping out. I used the 4 inch step on this one, though I do 6 inches on the other low intensity/low impact workouts. I am going to attempt the "whole enchilada" again later this week. Wish me luck!

Nancy

 

[morgs]

Low Max

Saw this one and had to reply. Low Max is one of my all time favorites ( along with all of Cathe's Kickbox work outs ) When I started , I would only do the pre mixes, BUT now I do the whole DVD. I keep my step lower when I do the whole thing though. If I do the whole work out with my step on the highest level, my calves really get a beating. Not quite sure why. At first I though it may have been the shoes that I was wearing. Not sure if height has anything to do with it, but after a while I figured that since I am so short, it might be better that I keep my step at one level if I am doing the whole DVD.

Excellent DVD for Cardio purposes !!

 

[michefit]

I love the premix with only the 7 blasts all together for quick leg workout add on to other cardio.

 

[divagirl655]

Love, Love, Love Low Max!!!!

This is one of my favorites!!!! I started with this one after learning the basic step. I started off only able to do the first 2-3 intervals before pooping out. I just made it a goal to add on another interval each week and was eventually able to do the whole workout. Learning the foot work was also a feat for me as I am not the most coordinated. Low Max is great for building endurance, cardio and burning fat. I find it just as challenging as IMax 2. Once you have learned and are able to do the whole workout and feel you can do more just make the moves higher impact or add more intensity.
Keep working at it you will eventually do it and you will love it too.

 

[phoenix130]

thanks for all the fantastic suggestions!!

Thanks for all the great suggestions!! Nice to know that others also really enjoy Low Max too.

Kathryn (pearlstrand):
Wow on using a 10lb weighted vest on the intervals! I think it will be some time before I would be doing that. The intervals are hard enough with just body weight.

Kristin (jnka825):
Thanks for the suggestion - I think I may just try that. I will try the full workout but if I am pressed for time will definitely choose Intervals1-4 (or 4-7) instead of the step combos only one.

Lisa7691:
You've convinced me to keep trying the full workout (unless pressed for time)! I usually take that approach with the others I am currently doing - Kick Punch & Crunch - but I wasn't sure with Low Max with those intervals. But I will do the same - just keep trying and taking breaks when needed.

Ann (workingtobefit):
Great idea! I never thought of using the premixes in that way as add-ons. One of the things I like with Cathe's workouts - all kinds of different options for using them.

Nancy (betterallthetime):
I'm using 4" now for all step work - I want to be careful with one of my knees and get better at the workouts before moving up to 6". Good luck with attempting it this week - let me know how it goes!!

morgs:
Thanks! Interesting about the calves - I wonder if it would be the same for me but I figure it would be because my calves are so big and I'm short too. I definitely feel it in the calves even at 4"!

michefit:
Great idea on using the blasts only premix. I think it will be awhile before I attempt that premix.

divagirl655:
I'm going to do the same thing you suggested. The frustrating part is that I can pick up the choreography faster - my endurance always needs more work. I already love it and am sure it will only get better as my endurance improves.

 

[RapidBreath]

Phoenix130 The best thing I found for my knees was jogging off road on soft grass (watch for potholes/sticks/rocks.) I used to have really weak knees/ankles and after doing fairly easy intervals (the couch to 5k program) my knees and ankles improved. I don't know if you would benefit from that or if your knee issue is different.

As for Low Max, I love the low max! I highly recommend trying the premixes initially to prevent butt burnout I consider it a lower body workout!

 

[phoenix130]

RapidBreath - my knee issue is more as a result of my hips getting out of alignment so I'm uneven at times and the knee takes a bit more. It also cracks a lot. Not sure if jogging would help - I also get shin splints from walking (same issue) but I'll keep it in mind - thanks for the suggestion!

I'm definitely going to try the blasts in Low Max next time. I just finished Low Impact Circuit and those blasts I can get through but they are a little easier.

 

[exercise-lover]

I just did Low Max today. I love this workout. It's amazing how much intensity Cathe brought to this workout without so much jumping. That's my objection to Shock Cardio -- most of the intensity is from jumping and high, high, high impact. I sure wish Cathe would make more workouts like this one. Please . . .

 

[112toGuru]

Hi Nancy,

Just adding one thing I did learning longer routines, I would mix & match the order to learn the combos at the end until I had the endurance to do the whole routine, that way I wasn't doing exactly the same thing while learning and building up to it.

I haven't done all of Low Max with the blasts yet, I have focused on getting things pretty good at my level & looking into exercises for good alignment. I don't know if jogging is good, though. Still looking into this, alignment is an important concern no matter how good your endurance.

Linda

 

[phoenix130]

exercise-lover:
Low max is tough all on its own without all the impact and jumping. I haven't tried the Shock Cardio ones yet but I do hope she comes out with more low impact workouts.

Linda (112toGuru):
Sounds like a great plan for learning the longer routines! For my hip alignment, I've found using therapy balls helps (or maybe I just think it helps lol). I used to get chiropractic adjustments but I didn't think they were always working. I got these therapy balls and I just lie on them for a few minutes each night and it usually does the trick...until next time I get out of alignment again.

 

[Bobbi-B]

Low Max was my first Cathe workout, and I love it! I usually do the entire workout, but sometimes I do a shorter version, like today I was short on time so I did Combos 4-7 including the blasts, which was still a great 45 minute workout.

I need lower impact workouts because of joint issues, so Low Max and LIC are great Cathe cardio workouts for me. Cathe's my favorite instructor, but I've avoided her higher impact dvd's because I think it will involve too much modification. For strength training though she's the best.

 

[phoenix130]

Just completed the entire Low Max workout...wow! I was able to do all the step combos along with blasts 1 & 7. For all the other blasts, I had to take a break about halfway through them to catch my breath. I think it is better to do the whole thing unless time is a factor.

 

[ebonynicole]

I will be buying Low Max in the next couple of weeks and will definitely need to strt out with the premixes first and work my way up. I've working workingout to the editied version on FitTV and that was even a challenge, soI know I can't do the whole thing yet.

 

[phoenix130]

Thanks to all of you for the advice - it did help to keep trying the whole workout with the blasts. Today was the first time I was able to complete Low Max in its entirety - all step combos and all intensity blasts with no breaks!!