Low Max: tell me if I am a total moron!!

O

olexa17

Cathlete
:+

Ok, I feel like a clown!! Did anyone else have a hard time learning some of the choreography in Low Max and/or other step DVDS? Granted I've been out of the whole step aerobics thing for years. I originally did step back when Step Reebok etc. came out but the only videos I kept were those and Keli Roberts. I have like 4 left feet on the Low Max workout!!! LOL :D

Just curious, I finally put the DVD away and decided I would "learn" it on a separate day, perhaps on my one off day per week, when I don't have to count on that workout for my weights or cardio.

Just wondering if I am the only one that will take a few months (ha, I hope not!!) to learn the moves and get them down!!

:7
Kelly
 
Hi Kelly. Funny you should post this question. I just did the Low Max premix 4-7, which was my first time through segments 5-7. I just could not get that mambo step that goes off the front of your step then to the back of your step and then you do a shuffle down your step. I almost bit it. I think that once you get familar with the moves you should be fine. Keep truckin' ;) .

Karin
 
There are definitely some tricky moves that aren't cued well (the "pivot" move, and 2 or 3 others). I usually get 85% or so of Cathe's choreo after a preview,, and the rest while I'm doing the workout the first time (after the move is repeated 3 times or so). There were some moves I found frustrating because of the lack of cuing or what I'd consider misleading cuing ("knee smash repeater" that is actually a 'knee-kick-knee," for example).

I think it's easier to get Cathe's choreography if you have "grown up" with her workouts, since she tends to reuse moves, and when she introduces a new one, she cues it pretty clearly (or used to) and may use more of an abbreviated cuing for it in future workouts.

I suggest picking out specific areas of the workouts that are giving you a hard time, and working on them at the beginning of a workout session (doing another workout). First, just watch the moves and count out the 8-count, noting what foot does what on each count. Then go through the moves yourself a few times.
 
I have done it 4 or 5 times, mostly in sections, and I still have trouble with some parts. My problem is I just start to get things down and then I have some health problem and have to wait a couple of weeks to do it again. I would love to do lomax once a week so I could learn it faster. It's fun!
Paula
 
:)
Thanks ~
Do you all still do the old step workouts from Cathe? Would it be a good idea for me to order those? I've heard they are very dated but good. I guess I can deal with dated, after all I still have my original Step Reebok video with all the thongs!! LOL

;-)
 
I have personally taken a fall or two doing some of the step workouts and about knocked myself silly with LowMax(I just got it) when I missed the step!
IMO I just go and don't think when I do the workout, make sense?
If I try to "think" about it too much then I will get all messed up, if I just roll with it I get it.
You are so not a total moron, and if you are then I am one right there with you!
I hate the mambos! those darn mambos get me every time and I really hate doing them.
You will build the memory to it if you keep doing it and you might want to try to reverse the DVD and do the routine over. That's what I do, just go back and do the routine until it sticks.
Good luck, have fun and remember now you know you are not the only goof ball out there, I am here with you!!!!!!:p
 
I do some of the older ones, but I do have issues with some of the dated stuff.

Lowmax is meant to move through the choreography with no breakdown. This is intentionally done to keep the pace moving and the heartrate in a working zone. Learn it in sections or blocks, and don't fret about not getting it. This is a workout for the experienced Cathe exerciser, you will get it. We all struggled through our own first Cathe experiences, but once you get the moves, you are fine!

Keep at it and it will pay off for you!:)
 
>:)
>Thanks ~
>Do you all still do the old step workouts from Cathe? Would it
>be a good idea for me to order those? I've heard they are very
>dated but good. I guess I can deal with dated, after all I
>still have my original Step Reebok video with all the thongs!!
>LOL
>
>;-)

I think if you can deal with the original Step Reebok video, you can deal with Cathe older ones. More than the outfits and music (which I actually like) I found that what was most dated is Cathe's teaching style. She breaks down the moves more (which is good for learning, and I don't mind it, because I do the moves with her when she demos rather than waiting to do them when the rest of the gang joins in), and she tends to say things like "looks hot" quite often (which I DO find annoying, especially when I'm not feeling 'hot'!, but I try to not pay attention to it, or think of it as refering to the weather!).

I have the "Classics" DVD, which has three of Cathe's earlier workouts on ("Step Jam", "Step Heat" and "Step Max"). I haven't used it for a while (I haven't done step for a while), but I enjoy the workouts. They are good, solid, steady-state workouts that are bout an hour long.

There's also the other 3-workout compilation of step workouts from a bit more recently (can't remember what it's called off-hand). Both of these DVD's will help you learn some of the moves in a more progressive way. You can see previews of the workouts here: http://www.cathe.com/launch_video_clips.htm and see if they appeal to you.
 
How about if you use learning a section of low max as a warm up or/and cool down in addition to your other cardio? I love having DVDs instead of VHS, it makes it so much easier.
 
I have only done LowMax twice since I received it last year for that very reason. I don't like getting angry when I'm working out (plus, I'm one of those anti-cardio folks anyway). I also use the excuse that the step isn't so good for my knees (which is kind of true). However, when I did do it, I just gave up on some of the complex choreo and figured if she's not going to cue it so I can understand it, then to heck with it and I made up my own moves to fill in those sections. Instead of going all around the step, for example, I just stay in place and do similar steps. I'm sure not going to injure myself falling off the damn thing - that sure defeats the purpose. I say - just fake it!
 
Are all the Cathe Step workouts this complex? I guess I am wondering if I should stick with the weight workouts that I love from her, and I'm fine on KPC and Kick Max...are the high step workouts that complex? I hope not.
:)
 
>Are all the Cathe Step workouts this complex? I guess I am
>wondering if I should stick with the weight workouts that I
>love from her, and I'm fine on KPC and Kick Max...are the high
>step workouts that complex? I hope not.
>:)

I've never considered Cathe's step workouts 'complex" (at least not as complex as someone like Christi Taylor, whose one workout I tried made me so frustrated I couldn't even finish it!). I do think they have gotten a bit more complex through the years, but even more so, I think Cathe's cuing is not as good on more recent step workouts as on previous ones (and she assumes that you know the moves from previous workouts, which I fortunately do in most cases).

Some workouts are more straight-forward (like Interval Max and IMAX2), while some are a bit more complex (like Rythmic Step, but I find that one much easier to follow because Cathe cues it well).

The High Step workouts are less complex, IMO. For one thing, there are very few turning moves (something that showed up with more frequency after the workouts that are on the "Classics" DVD).
 
On the issue of complexity, I think personally it is far better to buy a workout that presents some challenges as opposed to something you can get the first time through (which will probably get boring fast). If you want to learn Cathe's moves more easily, try ordering Cardio Hits. The workouts are somewhat dated, yes, but the choreography is easier to follow because, as Kathryn pointed out, the moves are broken down more granularly. This is great when you are learning (but can get aggravating when you're past that stage). Cathe step is a blast, so I wouldn't give up on it quite so easily, personally.

BTW, Kathryn, I'm with you on the Christi Taylor thing. I bought one of her DVDs and even after several previews, I have only ever attempted it one time. It looks fun but the complexity level seems a bit out of hand...

Good luck,
Marie
 
:p
Here's the thing, I absolutely WANT to do the videos...its a nice change for me since I've been doing nothing but Taebo Advanced for years. (Granted I LOVE The old Taebo Advanced..you just cannot beat those)
Its just that yesterday there were two moves where (this is embarrassing) I had to pause and slow rewind like 20x and I was NOT getting it. The one step I did get (forget what she called it but it was just when she goes over the bench and turns around and comes back)after a bit of practice but the second one, I think it was backward Mambo or something....well I just gave up I literally could not do it right!! Augh!!! x(

Maybe on some of those I should just do another step if indeed I cannot learn it. I am going to try the Low Max thing on Sunday, my day off.

:+
 
When I try a new cardio workout...Cathe or anybody else for that matter...I always preview & practice several times. When I look back on my early days & remember what I found difficult & even almost impossible, I have to smile. I have learned SO much & consider myself advanced now, but I STILL have to preview & practice anything new. Usually by the 2nd or 3rd time it becomes doable, or even easy. Muscle memory! Also, I agree with counting the 8 counts out as you are learning a move, it really helps me a lot.
Ruth
:)
p.s. Sometimes I do a step workout on the floor first. Not very often anymore, but it helped when I needed to. Don't give up! You'll be so proud of yourself when you get it.
 
I agree, don't give up. I also agree with not wanting something so easy you get it the first time, gets way to boring real quick.
Just go back over and over it again, or do a work out that you know like TaeBo or KPC or KM(if you own them) and then pick 1 combo to learn every couple of days and do that 1 combo until you get it down. You will get it and it is so much fun once you get it!
 
Low Max was tricky for me, too, and I'm very used to Cathe step. Just keep at it, and you'll get it. You may want to put your step on 4" (with no risers) and practice the parts that are giving you trouble. Step Works was hard for me for a long time till I did this, as well as some parts of Rythmic Step. The good part of these workouts is that they don't get boring over time. I certainly don't agree that Cathe's cuing is not as good as it was - I NEVER have trouble following her, and as an instructor myself, I really appreciate her abilities. Cuing is not easy, believe me!

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain ;-)
 
I just tried LowMax yesterday for the first time. Although it was a bit confusing, imo no more complex then say IMAX2. Like with any new workout, it always takes me a few times to get it down. Even then, I screw up. But hey, so long as you keep your heartrate up and get most of it, screw ups don't matter (especially if you're alone in the room). LowMax is defintely worth sticking in there for. I loved the workout and my lower body definitely feels it today. Ouchy!!!
 
Buffy has a great point. Although it's frustrating to be struggling with getting the footwork down, what's most important is that you are moving around and getting your heartrate up. Who cares if you are zigging while Cathe is zagging? Some of my best calories burned workouts per my heartrate monitor is when I've been klutzing thru a new DVD. The steps will come eventually.

Regarding LoMax in general. Cathe's cuing is normally superb in her other videos, but there are several places in LowMax where I've noticed she gets a little lost - either she omits telling us the step or she cues a little late. Regardless, it's still a killer workout and I couldn't imagine not having it in my DVD collection. I use it a lot.
 
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