New to Cathe and need help choosing tape/dvd

[rsh914]

I'm very interested in starting to use some of Cathe's workouts. I guess I would classify myself as an intermediate level exerciser. I have alot of cardio, interval & yoga tapes/dvds, and some strength training ones. I'm currently trying to lose 40-50 lbs; I'm an hourglass and would like to slim down my lower body as well as increase my lean body mass and decrease my body fat percentage; I'm also watching what I eat (I'm no saint, but I think I'm doing OK). I've decided to get Kick, Punch and Crunch because I really like kickboxing. I've read on the boards here that KPC is good if you don't have alot of room to workout (I live in an apartment). I'm a little confused as to what else to choose...should I go for Legs & Glutes or Leaner Legs? (or something else?) Please keep in mind that I carry quite a bit of my weight in my lower body and really want to tone up and slim down. I really don't want to get bulky. Any advice that you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

P.S. I don't have a barbell or a high step; can I get by with just dumbbells and a regular step for now? Thanks again.

 

[hippahips]

I would suggest the Pure Strength series and the Pyramid workouts for strength training the entire body. You can alternate one of these workouts with a cardio tape you already have. I'm suggesting these first because I think it's really important that you start building muscle right away. Don't wait until you lose half the weight you want to lose. The more muscle you have, the more fuel your body burns even at rest.

KPC is wonderful, and if you like kickboxing, you'll love this one. Legs & Glutes and Leaner Legs are also great workouts for the lower body. So is Pyramid Lower Body, as already mentioned. These will really tone the butt, thighs and calves.

I'd also suggest circuit-type workouts like Circuit Max, Cardio & Weights and Bootcamp. Cathe used these types of workouts to shed the last 10 lbs. she gained during her second pregnancy. I'm not particularly crazy about circuit-type workouts but they do work very well in blasting the flab. I used these workouts (except Bootcamp, which I substituted with workouts from the CTX series) last month to burn whatever I stored around my waist during the holidays and they did the job nicely.

When I was starting out with my Cathe workouts, all I had were some dumbbells, a step and a fanny lifter. They were fine for starters, but eventually I had to get a barbell as it hits places in your arms that dumbbells somehow can't. (I think it has something to do with the way your wrists are fixed and positioned when holding a barbell.) Most everyone here loves the Troy Lite barbell. It's great for working out in small places like mine. You can check it out at www.fitness1st.com. I got only the bar as I already have plates. But if you don't have a barbell set to begin with, it's worth getting the whole set.

Pinky

 

[emy]

As far as strength workouts that use only a step and dumbells: you might consider Pyramid Upper Body and Legs & Glutes. You can substitute a stool, chair, etc if you don't have a high step or step with extra risers for L&G. Leaner Legs is probably just a bit tougher than L&G, however, but Cathe uses a barbell in this workout.

You mentioned that you already have some interval workouts, but might I suggest Cathe's Interval Max and Imax 2 to really blast your fitness level and weightloss to another level!


PS - KP&C is a tough workout - I think you will love it!