Maximum Intensity Strength

A

acrochris

Cathlete
Hi everyone,
Do any of you people complete this tape from start to finish? If you do, you are my hero. I have to break it up. I usually do chest and back or shoulder, triceps, biceps and abs. I sometimes do the legs by themselves or I combine with either chest or the shoulder work. I just can't lift heavy enough to do the whole tape. After the chest work, I couldn't lift as heavy for shoulders or triceps because they also become fatigued. Also those underhand rows for back also fatigue my biceps. Cardio has always been my strong point, but I do want to add more definition and muscle-minus the bulk. Any advice on how to progress would be helpful.
Take care!
Christine
 
I almost always do the whole tape but usually take a 2 minute break after the chest work. Some days I take a 1 to 2 minute break in between each body part. I really see good results with this tape. If you are wanting definition and not bulk you may not want to lift really heavy. I do not tend to bulk up easily (I'm 5'9" with long arms and long legs) so I lift as heavy as I can. You may need to lessen the weight and do more reps.

I am sure someone more qualified than I can advise you better! It's just my opinion! :-D

Kelly
 
I love this tape & I'm sure not one of the Amazons when it comes to poundage. Guess I have muscle endurance. But I don't go as heavy as I could during chest & back sections. If I do, I'm toast when I get to my biceps & triceps. So consider backing off in the earlier part of the tape so that you can make it through without putting a dent in your skull during the triceps work.

I'm so relieved when I get to abs, but it's really a false sense of achievement since the ab section will get you. At least I'm on the floor!

Debra
 
I "have" done the whole tape in its entirety, but I much prefer to do the legs as a separate workout from the UB&Abs, either later that day or whatever.

About those abs---that MIS ab section is a toughie. I've noticed that when Cathe does that "pec squeeze" move with the arms and those other moves with the arms NOT behind the head, my neck muscles scream with pain and my head is needing support. Does anyone else have trouble with their neck muscles giving out before their ab muscles on that type of ab work?

Deb
 
I too have done this tape "all at once"...but I definitely prefer breaking it up. Sometimes I do the leg work plus add some ab work and then do cardio work, sometimes I do chest, shoulders and back and then do cardio. There's a huge variety of ways to work it into your routine.

I agree with what you said about the underhand rows working biceps. I tend to like to work a few body parts each day and definitely CANNOT do back work and bicep work in the same day. UNLESS I do the bicep work first. Otherwise, I end up really sacrificing on poundage or form if I work biceps after back.

I think you just have to keep "playing around" and finding what works best for you. I tend to really like lifting heavy for chest work, but more endurance style for shoulder and back (not as strong and have hurt my back a few times so tend to "baby it" a bit). On the other hand, I love to BLAST out biceps and triceps with heavy poundage.

It's whatever works best for you and what you want to achieve.

Terri
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. Maybe I'll just try to use this as a muscular endurance tape and keep the PS series for building muscle. I just might take a longer break between the chest section because after the first tri-set I am toast and then you have to do it all over again. I guess I'll learn by trial and error, but I am extremely impressed that you do this tape in its entirety. I'll get there someday. Thanks again everyone!
Christine
 
neck strain & ab work

Deb, my Pilates instructor tells people to try & lift up a little higher to shift more of the effort from their neck to the abs. If that's not possible, she says to use at least 1 hand behind the head until ab strength increases. Hope this helps.
Debra
 
Neck muscles

Hi Deb,
I like to split the lower body from the upper body portion of this tape or else by the end I am just too pooped. Seems my muscles just run out of fuel, which is strange considering all the fat at their disposal. :)
As for your neck muscles, here's a hint I learned from somewhere that might help:
Keep the tip of your tongue pressed against the roof of your mouth just behind the ridge behind your front teeth. It doesn't help your neck muscles get stronger but it some how relieves some of the neck tension. With time your neck will get stronger & you won't need your hands as much to support your head. Try it, you might like it!
Kay
 
Hi!
I am looking for a new Cathe tape. I have had great success with both Body Max, PS series and Xpress series. I wonder though, how does MIS compare with the above? I would like to know if I am wasting my money and just buying more of what I already own. Also, does it have any cardio in it at all? Thanks , Deb D
 
Hi DebD!

Boy, there seems to be lots of "Deb's" popping up lately! :D No, No, No, you will not be wasting your $$ if you buy MIS. It is one of my very favorite strength tapes. Of course there is only so much you can do for say, BICEPS, but Cathe has a way of really shaking things up differently, either by the speed, the counts, pausing at certain points, using barbells or dumbells, well, anyways, you get my drift. She knows how to make it all seem new. I would be very surprised if you were disappointed. She hits every body part also, including ABS. When you do the entire tape straight thru, you will know you got your money's worth.:-tired Let us know what you decide. (Just to let you know, I really enjoy both the PS series and the X-Press series and do not feel like I have duplicated them with MIS) Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
 
Ooops!

Forgot to mention~There is no cardio in the tape. Cathe does a warm-up on the step and then right into strength work. If you had the time AND ENERGY you could always add one of your X-press tapes cardio since they are shorter in length. Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
 
RE: Ooops!

Hey Deb!!
Gee, thanks for your prompt response. I always feel as if there is a "secret sisterhood" through these fitness tapes. Ahhhh, if the world only knew about The Gran C-she. I will certainly take your advice. My husband is really into the PS series. He has done those tapes since they were released. He does every stinken rep in the PSlegs tape-completely rehabilitated his knees doing so. We can now run about 4-5 mi. together thanks to this tape. Running is my favorite Cardio and I would really like a tape that would hit all body parts in one fell swoop. I use the Cathe's cardio tapes for x-training and rainy days when I can't run. After a 60+lb weight loss NOTHING reshaped my body better than the PS series. I look forward to the next step Cathe takes. I would personally love to see a light weight/cardio tape alla circuit max--reminds me of the old FIRM 2 with Janet Jones Gretzkey...those were the pre-Cathe days. Well Debbie thanks again. We are having rain here is Central California--yuk. Think I'll do an x-press tape. Deb D
 
Hey Deb!

60 POUND WEIGHT LOSS!! :-wow That is so inspiring! How fun that your hubby works out with you. Hmmm, my hubby had knee surgery also. (some years ago & still has minor problems) Maybe, I can talk him into doing the PS series to regain some more strength in his knee?? I know you and your hubby will be real happy with MIS. It is an awesome tape. Have fun and STAY DRY!! It is supposed to be 68* here today in Ohio and a high of about mid 30's tomorrow!! That's Ohio weather for you! "See" you around. Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
 
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