Need a change . . .

[kotacam]

Help! I need a change with my workouts, and since everyone here has a lot of good insight, I thought I'd ask.

Here's the deal - I've been working out for about 8 years - mountain biking, cardio tapes, and within the last year Firm tapes too. I'm 5'1" and weigh about 110lbs. I've maintained this weight for about 5 years, of course weighing more with the 2 pregnancies. I knew I was missing something from my workouts because I could get very thin, but had no definition. I want to keep the weight lifting, but the Firm cardio tapes are getting too easy and I do them all with a 10" step, I can do SuperCardio with no problem. I'll sweat, but I never really feel very challenged (same with TAM and NSTA). I've stopped the cardio tapes this week and started biking again, but I feel I like I don't get a real good cardio workout there (although I do feel the quad burn!). My heartrate only goes up on the hardest hills (I live in NH, so there's plenty of hills!) and I recover very quickly. Now for the tricky part - dh does not want me running (scared something will happen to me), I have a 3yo and a 1yo, so if I ride I have to back in the house by 6:45a so dh can leave for work.

So, I've started to check out the more "advanced" cardio tapes and am looking for suggestions - sounds like Cathe might be my answer. Any suggestions on which tapes?

TIA

 

[JamminX3]

Do you have a long step? How about Interval Max? REALLY tough and fun. Also, if you don't have a step right now, Cardio Kicks is a good choice. That's my $.02.

HTH. Robin http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein_1/flower.gif

 

[Aquajock]

RE: You've come to the right place

Cathe Friedrich is intensity and effectiveness personified, both in terms of cardio and strength training.

Hi-intensity cardio:

Interval Max (step interval workout)

Body Max (Step, step circuit, and total body strength training workout)

Maximum Intensity Cardio (hi/lo and step routines for extended duration)

The CTX series (5 workouts incorporating step, step circuit, hi/lo and kickboxing with strength training for select muscle groups, and 1 complete leg conditioning/strengthening workout)

AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT STRENGTHENING!

The Slow and Heavy Series - a 3-workout split set strengthening routine for premium strength and mass gains

The Pure Strength Series - a 3-workout split set strengthening routine for fundamentals

The Maximum Intensity Strength workout - one complete total-body strength workout

This is not an exhaustive list.

From what you've described of your exercise history, Cathe is for you, and I'd strongly recommend investing in both her cardio and her strength stuff.

Welcome!

Annette

 

[kotacam]

RE: You've come to the right place

Thanks to you both - I think I will start investing in the Cathe tapes. The cardio sounds about right, although I'll need the long step - I only have the 10" and 14" Firm-style steps. Cathe's strength tapes sounds just about right, too - I've built up my upper body from skinny bird arms, but there's still a ways to go before it's as bulky/cut as I'd like.