Newcomer and need HELP! Which video to start?

N

natalie

Member
I have been using Billy Blanks Taeboe and I realize the need for weight training. Let me tell you a little about myself to help narrow my search. I have a 2 year old and at this time my siter wiht her 3 children are staying with me so my time to steal away and exercise is limited. I need a total body program that I can do 3-5 times per week and preferably a combination of cardio/strenght that will bring results.....I need major toning and sculpting. I have about 5-7 lbs. to lose and the rest is flaaab!!! Also, one more thing my posture is a little slumped and I suffer with some low back pain. The doctor said that if I build my abs this will help to support the spine and allieviate the low back pain...WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!

I've read alot about rotation but I don't know if I have the time to incorporate a 6 day workout right now...maybe later. Also, I don't have the weight training knowledge to feel comfortable setting up my on system by body parts on different days. Will working the whole body on the same day slow done the definition??

Sorry for the overload of questions and Thanks in advance for your help!!

Natalie:-jumpy
 
Given your time constraints and your exercise goals/needs, I'll suggest the Cross-Train Express series (CTX). It's a six-part series, five of which have a cardio AND an upper-body strengthening component (focusing on one upper-body muscle group each workout) and at least three of these also have abdominal work. The sixth workout, "Leaner Legs", is exclusively for leg strengthening and shaping. The "Power Circuit" workout also includes weighted leg work as part of the cardio component, but you certainly get leg muscle conditioning with that as well. I think with this series you'd be able to design a rotation that takes two full weeks to complete, and would give you some good total body muscle conditioning within your timeframe.

I do realize six videos are a lot more than one video, but CTX is worth every penny and then some!

Hope this helps!

Annette
 
Thank you so much!!

One more ? If I didn't want to get into the 6 tape series right now, then what would you suggest?? Circuit Max or Bodymax, maybe????
 
Bodymax before Circuit Max.

Then Circuit Max . . .

Then Cross-Train Express . . .

Then Cardio Kicks . . .

Then the Slow and Heavy Series . . .

Then Interval Max . . .

Cathe can take over your life!

And what a way to go . . .

Annette
 
Thanks!!!!

Bodymax here I come.........

:-jumpy :D :D :D :D :D

Why bodymax over circuitmax?? I know, I promised no more questions. Sorry! I am one curious person....
 
Why BodyMax over Circuit Max?

At this point, I think a strengthening program would be more beneficial for you, and Body Max has a more focused upper body strengthening segment than does Circuit Max. Although Circuit Max incorporates weighted resistance segments, these segments are within the context of an overall cardio workout, and your strength gains especially for upper body would be minimal. The power circuit segment of Body Max includes weighted leg circuits, and then you go on to supine or seated strength work.

Anyway, as I mentioned, Body Max is good for a start. You'll want to plan on - and save your spondoolicks for - MORE Cathe workouts! In fact, it may be worth your while to check out the volume discounts Cathe offers when ordering several workouts at once - it may be worth it to cough up more dough in the first call than you'd planned, and get several all at once rather than one at a time!

Good luck!

Annette
'
 
OK.....I know I have pushed it today but will this bodymax upper body work take away what little chest I have???? I want to lift this area but can't afford to lose any!!! If you know what I mean.....I want o gain some muscle tone but not bulk or the boxy look. As you can see, I am a littel paranoid of the muscular look. I want to have long lean sculpted muscle toned look.... And improve my posture... Is bodymax the one to do this and not add bulk or boxy look??
 
Hi, Natalie!

IMHO, you don't have anything to worry about. People often mistakenly believe that strengthening the pectoral muscles will cause them to "flatten out", when in fact pec strengthening has nothing to do with breast size. It may positively affect apparent pec / breast SHAPE because increased musculature can fill in the area just underneath the collarbone, but breast size is dependent on the amount of storage fat you have, not underlying musculature.

I think with Body Max, because the upper body strengthening segment is relatively brief compared to Cathe's other strength training workouts, will NOT cause you to have a "bulky, boxy look", especially if you maintain and increase the intensity of your cardio. IMHO again, however, I've said it before and I'll say it again: I think it's more important for you to make strength training decisions for health rather than "skinny aesthetics"; don't be afraid of lifting heavy and heavier as you get stronger. You WON'T wind up looking like Chyna!

Annette
 
THANKS!!

I'm placing the order now...you're right...this is all new to me and I'll have to change my "imbred" perspective of what "in shape" really means....

Thanks a bunch!!

Natalie "-jumpy
 
RE: Power Hour

Hi, Natalie! Boy, we've been burnin' up the cyber-wires today, haven't we?

Power Hour is immensely popular; many skilled exercisers absolutely love it. I personally do not own it, although I did purchase is when it first came out. I learned last year that I vastly prefer to do my strength training by myself, without the aid or cueing from strength videos.

That being said, I think you might want to hold off on Power Hour until you've developed a base of skill with basic weight-lifting moves in programs that are somewhat less choreographed than Power Hour. That ALSO being said, I would solicit other opinions on Power Hour in a new post either here or on the Open Discussion forum, because mine is certainly not the only opinion out there!

Annette
 
RE: Power Hour

Thanks for all your input ans help. I have placed my order for Bodymax Friday and should receive soon. I'll start there and then move on to another Cathe tape as I progress.

Thanks again for all your wisdom!! :-jumpy
 
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