New and would like help picking a cathe video

[Fitness fanatic]

Hello all! Looks like a good place to get get feedback from cathe vets, eh? I got tired of buying videos that promise "advance" but weren't (to me), so I decided to come to cathe to see if she can cure my stepping blues! I also do loads of "advanced" step & tone classes at my local gym and I'm what you'd call the get-bored-easy-because-I've-done-it-all stepper. I guess what I'm looking for is a fun routine that will challenge the "advance" in "advanced stepping". I'd love to hear which of cathe's videos you think would be a good fit.

Also, please don't be offended if I ask, but is there an instructor out there that has a "dancey" routine that actually gets the cardio going? I was thinking of Christi Taylor because I heard she has a "dancey" video out somewhere. Any thoughts on her?

 

[murph]

I like Step Fit the best of the Cathe steps. Step Works will also challenge choreographically..and I like it, too. Those are my top two picks for what you're after. If fun and dancey is also on your wish list try "Dance Works"by Kari Anderson. I was frustrated with it at first and, in fact, posted that frustration on this forum--but now, I like it!!!

 

[wendyloo]

You've come to the right place!

Ok, where to start!!??!!
If you're looking for a pure step tape that will challenge you choreographically and cardiovascularly, I'd go for Stepworks or Powermax. They are both very challenging in both areas, although I'd say Stepworks is a bit more challenging in the choreography department.
If it's just challenge you want, and just PRETTY challenging choreography, I'd go for Bodymax or MIC. Bodymax has a step portion, a circuit portion, and an endurance upper body portion. It is incredibly challenging. MIC has a hi-lo segment followed by a step segment. Both are very tough on your lungs and heart, but not QUITE as choreographed.
If you want incredible challenge with KIND OF basic choreography, go for IntervalMax. Tough tough tough!

As for Christi Taylor, I've heard great things about her--Step Heaven and Stepping Zone, and Happy Hour Hi-Lo and Hi-Lo Heaven are supposed to be excellent. However, I have heard that although they are very challenging dance-wise, they may not REALLY challenge the advanced exerciser cardio-wise. I'm planning on getting them all though!

Hope I've helped a little!
Wendy

 

[Stacy]

RE: You've come to the right place!

I'd agree with the other posts. For a great workout I'd pick Step Works, Step Fit or Power Max in that order. Interval Max isnt as challenging as far as choreography goes but it'll kick your butt cardio-wise.

Enjoy,

Stacy

 

[farmgirl]

cathe and christi

I agree with all of the Cathe picks...but I'd disagree with the comment about Christi's step, her Step Heaven (which I just got done doing ) is quite intense at times, except for the first probably 5 minutes of cardio after the warmup-my heart rate is definitely in the target zone, sometimes around 160, and I would DEFINITELY consider myself an advanced exerciser (Imax is challenging but I do everything without being wiped out!). Cathe's style is more power and athleticism, explosive almost, while Christi's heavenly series is very dancy and requires intensity in precision. I would agree that her Happy Hour Hilo isn't as intense and 9801 is still a step below the heavenly series, but still good and will get your heartrate up. just my opinion!
julie

 

[wendyloo]

RE: cathe and christi

Hi, Julie--
Hope you didn't take my comment on Christi as negative--I'm definitely looking forward to getting her stuff, and I know it will challenge ME, I just remembered having heard that about her stuff. I'm glad to hear that it just isn't so--if you can do IMAX modification-free, and Cristi's tapes are a challenge to you, I'm sure I'll be humbled when I try her out!
Wendy

 

[Fitness fanatic]

Hi, my namesake (more)

Wendyloo...that must be a childhood/h.s. nickname <lol>. Actually, you're response was *just* what I needed to hear. I am looking for a tough step video from Cathe and also a dancy video chok full of tricky choreography from Christi Taylor. Christi's video doesn't have to be really hard cardio-wise, just fun and dancy! Stepworks and Powermax and Bodymax from Cathe- I'll have to decide between them Wendyloo, I went on collagevideo.com and many of Christi's reviews were of customers whining about the hard choreography. I wonder if I should still try it.

 

[Fitness fanatic]

thanks farmgirl /Julie (more)

Have you done Christi's tapes and which ones? I'd love to find out if her Stepping Zone is a good mix between dancy and cardio-pumping. I'm honestly just wanting to get a funky tape that will help me bust a move (ee-gads, I'm dating myself <lol>). At one time I had an OLD Donna Richardson tape that was titled something like funk aerobics or something. It was the best tape I had (that got eaten by the VCR).

 

[Marcia]

RE: thanks farmgirl /Julie (more)

Just including my thoughts on Christi...I am/was completely choreographically challeged. I got Stepping Zone because it seemed like a challenge and a change. It tooks me forever to get the spins and twirls. I literally sat down on my step and cried from the frustration. Then I got it and I'm glad I really took the time to learn it. It is great!!!

Marcia