Need opinions, recommendations from other Cathe users

L

lilchic1977

New Member
Help, please. I have been actively exercising for 2 years although I have exercised regularly all my life. Anyways, I have been using the Firm tapes, which I love and have seen remarkable results with, However, I am bored with these tapes and I am not seeing any more results from using them. After seeing cathe on the fitness channel I knew I wanted to try her videos. I love her style, energy, personality and I love the way she trains.

So after logging on to this site I am in a dilema as to which video to get. I really like the Boot Camp/Muscle endurance workout. I watched the online video. I'm just not sure if you would consider me an advanced exerciser and I don't want to injure myself or worse, have a heart attack, lol!

So what would you recommend. I still need cardio cause I still have stubborn fat to lose and I weight train. My arms and back look fantastic, but I still need work on my abs (more defination, and my hips buns and thighs still have much room to improve.

Any help you all could give me would be much appreciated. Thank you for your help.

Stacy:)
 
Hi Stacy!

Welcome to the forums. In addition to Boot Camp/Muscle Endurance (which have 2 great ab workouts as well), I would also recommend Kick, Punch & Crunch/Legs & Glutes. They are really fun great workouts. KPC is not at all difficult to pick up as far as choreography and also has a great stability ball ab routine. Legs & Glutes is an all-around great leg shaper and is very effective in only 51 minutes. It moves very quickly and almost has a bit of cardio feel to it. I think between these 2 DVDs, it should be enough to at least get you started.

Marcy
 
Thanks Marcy.

Do you think that I am "ready" for Cathe's advanced training DVD's? I was a bit nervous, but I am wondering if I take them slow at first and gradually build up to doing the whole routine if that would be the best route to take. I just don't want to over do it and hurt myself.

I do consider myself for the most part physically fit. I am 5'4, 125 pounds and like I said before I do exercise 5-6 times a week and have been doing so for 2 years.

Thanks again for the info. I will definately check out that workout as well.

Stacy:)
 
If I were you, and I could afford it, I would either get the Body Blast series or the Cross Train Express series. Boot Camp/Muscle Endurance are great workouts, but they'll definitely take some time to work up to, even though you've been exercising regularly (in my opinion).

Whenever Body Blast came out, I ordered the Intensity Series, but was sent the Body Blast series by mistake. I just kept it and it was just the right level for me at the time. After a while, I got the Intensity Series, too, but when I first starting working out with Cathe for weights, I wasn't ready for it.

And, CTX is what got me into great shape, fast! In only 4 weeks I really gained strength and cardio capacity. And, it's very easy to modify, whatever your level. The outfits/hairstyles are a little dated, though, so if that's important to you, I'd stick with her newer series.

Just my opinion. You really can't go wrong with anything Cathe produces, as long as you're smart about how you train and don't overdo it at first! It takes time to build up to her level of instruction. Best of luck!

anne
 
I'd suggest taking a look at the workouts Cathe put on her "intermediate" rotation: http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=7&topic_id=6852&mesg_id=6852&page=2 if you are nervous about jumping into her most advanced stuff, though probably you will do fine with anything if you are an experienced exerciser. You don't have to lift as heavy or jump as high with her when you're first starting her stuff.

I was doing Low Impact Circuit recently and thought it might be a good introduction to Cathe workout for people who liked The Firm workouts, because it reminded me of the little bit of Firm stuff I have tried (only I think much more fun). It's cardio and full body weights with great music. It's listed as intermediate level, though pretty tough for not being supposed to be advanced.


[font face="palatino linotype" font color=purple font size=+1]***Lainie***

http://web.mac.com/lainiefig/iWeb/Site/Exercise/Exercise.html

"The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself." -- Mark Twain[/font]
 
Hello Stacy,

If you have been working out regularly, 5-6 days for 2 years, then I think you can definitely do Cathe's workouts.

When I bought my first series I had been doing home fitness videos for sometime but not as regularly and I was using Cindy Crawford, Cher, Gin Miller step, Karen Voight, but they were not too challenging. I grew out of them quickly. I bought Rhythmic Step and MIS DVD and I threw myself into the workouts. It wasn't easy but not impossible and I found that I picked up the IMAX and MIC step routines quite quickly, although I had to work up to the intensity. Rhythmic Step was more tricky but I eventually learnt that as well. For the weight training I started out the same as Cathe but I did not do as many repetitions or I used lighter weights.

I prefer to buy the advanced workouts and work up to it rather than buy beginner/intermediate which don't get used after a while. After so many years, I still use the originals and they are still very effective: I never find them easy or grow out of them.

Yen
 
Stacy, here's my opinion on this...I'd say go for the videos that you would like to get. I took a few months off from regularly exercising (poor choice on my part!) and so I regressed in my fitness level and now I'm struggling to get back into things. However, I have no problems doing any of the Cathe videos. This does not mean I can complete each and every one that I do, but I can do what I can and build up to it. I modify where I have to (especially for high impact) and still get a great workout.

I would much rather spend my money on an excellent workout video that will challenge me continually than to buy one that will challenge me for about 2 weeks. I think you should get the Boot Camp/Muscle Endurance workout. I've done Muscle Endurance (it is currently part of my rotation) and I LOVE it! Go ahead and get it, do what you can, and enjoy it!
 
Hi Stacy,

I too discovered Cathe by watching FitTV. Have you tried to do any of the workouts off of the tv? You could do a trial run of the dvds you like off of FitTV to see how you feel about them before buying them.

My first Cathe workout was Imax2 and I was never a serious exerciser before Cathe so I started as beginner. I think you could try any of the videos and modify them where needed. You could even take breaks if needed. I still don't think of myself as an advanced exerciser but I am able to do Cathe's workout. I just do what I can do.

Some suggestions if you think you may not be ready for BootCamp/Muscle Endurance are Low Impact Circuit, the Body Blast series is great, LoMax is also another great one.

Good luck and Welecome to the world of Cathe!!:)

Jenn
 
RE: Need opinions, recommendations from other Cathe use...

Stacy I was in the same boat as you (ex-Firmie). When I started doing Cathe I had to modify a lot of the moves and use smaller weights but eventually I was able to keep up. So if you have been doing the firm and you have become bored....welcome to Cathe. This is the challenge that will help you improve your endurance and strength.

There are so many good workouts but I recommend
1.Low Max,
2.High Step Training,
3.Pyramid Upper Body and Lower Body,
4.Basic Step and Body Fusion(may be too easy for you but she review her moves on this DVD)

You do not have to be advanced to do Cathe workouts. Intermediate levels are challenged by doing advance workouts. I know I was and still am :D :D
 
RE: Need opinions, recommendations from other Cathe use...

I had the same experience with The Firm. After 6 months of Firm circuit I knew I had to use much heavier weights and really focus on each muscle group to see real definition so I got Cathe's Gyms Style dvds (one focuses on legs, the second on chest and triceps, and the third on Back, Shoulders, and Biceps). Lots of people here can better advise you on Cathe cardio (I do cardio because I HAVE to not because I love it...) but if you want sexy muscles go for the 3 Gym Style dvds. After The Firm, you'll be stunned at how quickly you progress with these and wonder why you didn't switch sooner. I don't know what I'm ever going to do with all those FIRM dvds because their all-circuit approach got me nowhere.
 
RE: Need opinions, recommendations from other Cathe use...

I absolutely love everything in the Body Blast series, as well as the Intensity series. CTX is a good starting point as well. I seem to reach for these DVDs the most:

1. Step, Jump/Pump (body blast series)
2. Imax2 (intensity series)
3. Power Hour....love this one
4. Muscle Endurance

Also, Ab Hits is an AWESOME DVD with a zillion different premixes, etc. I wish I would've bought that a long time ago! I prefer it even to Core Max, which is a good one as well.
 
If you are not already an advanced exerciser, you soon will be if you do Cathe tapes for a while. For that reason, suggest you buy advanced work outs. You can go easy if you can't already do them. That way, you won't outgrow them. If you spend money on the beginner intermediate tapes, once you can do them, they may just gather dust on your shelf and you will have less bang for your buck.

If you go to Cathe's store and click on each tape, there are previews to give you an idea of what's on the tape. That should help you find ones you like.

Finally, look at the thread just above yours on Ultimate Guide to Cathe work outs. You will find the most popular listed by type, then you can preview them at the store.

Good luck.
 
RE: Need opinions, recommendations from other Cathe use...

Hi Stacy,

I hear your concern about whether or not you are an advanced exerciser and whether you are ready for Cathe. I'd say YES! based on your exercise history. You also have enough experience now to modify moves that seem too much for you or to use lower weights or a slower tempo if needed. I think you'll enjoy the challenge Cathe may bring! As Cathe would say "Embrace the Challenge!"

Welcome to the boards! Deb
 
RE: Need opinions, recommendations from other Cathe use...

Hi Stacy,

Welcome!! I had been working out for 3 years doing mainly Taebo and walking when I discovered Cathe. Boot Camp and Muscle Endurance were the first 2 Cathe videos that I bought. I love them both! I wouldn't worry about them being too advanced. In my opinion, you don't want something too easy. It's nice to have something to work up to. Boot Camp nearly killed me the first couple of times I did it, but I love it now. It still challenges me but it doesn't kill me like it did in the beginning. Before Cathe, I never did any weight work so it was a challenge for me but I love it and have only gotten stronger. I don't think you can go wrong with anything that you choose.

Good Luck,

Jane
 
RE: Need opinions, recommendations from other Cathe use...

I want to thank each and every one of you for your opinions and recommendations. I think that I am going to purchase the boot camp/muscle endurance and the ab dvd's. I am really excited to get started on something new and I hope this is the answer that I was looking for in achieving my fitness goal.

Again, thank you all so very much.

Stacy
 
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