Opinions on Core Max

[SRP]

I'm really close to adding this one to my wish list. I'm just looking for opinions, plus a couple of questions:

1. what the heck are supermans? I'm just dying to know.
2. do you need a medicine ball, or can you substitute something like a 5 lb plate?
3. I'm thinking it looks like there's a good variety of Pilates-type exercises - is this right? I'm kind of interested in that.

Thanks!

 

[jillybean]

1. Do you have Cathe's Slow and Heavy or Muscle Max or CTX Power Circuit? If so, Cathe does 'supermans' in all of these. A super man is lying prone and lifting your arms and legs up them down to work the lower back.

2. Sometimes, Cathe has you put the med ball between your knees and I don't think you'd be able to grip the plate in that instance, but for other exercises, a plate as a substitute would work just fine.

3. I don't do pilates, so I can't answer this one. Core Max is a real treasure in my opinion in that it actually gets HARDER the more you do it. I'm not kidding on this one and can't explain it, but it's true.

 

[SRP]

Thanks a lot, Jillybean! You say it gets harder? Cool.

 

[saia11]

I don't have a medicine ball and I often substitute a plate or dumbbell. I've found that if I use the wider, newer, plastic covered plate I have no problem keeping them between my knees. Before I had these though I would wrap two ankle weights around each other and use those because they were a little softer and easily held in different positions.
It's definitely harder than any Pilates I've done and there are a few Pilates inspired moves, but mostly it's just whatever works your core gets in there. I think the mixture of yoga, pilates, athletics gives you a great all around work out. And with 3 different workouts and 3 premixes, plus the mix and match feature you'll have a lot to choose from.
HTH,
Mattea

 

[ldy_solana]

when i started with core max i didn't have a medicine ball either and just used a plate or dumbbel except when she put the ball betweeen the knees. i just worked without it. you can get a purple 8 pound ball by danskin from wal mart for about $17. its not a medicine ball per say but a soft 8 pound sand filled ball and it works really good. just a suggestion when you do want to get a ball.

i have heard some say they don't care for core max(they would much rather have ab hits) but i rather enjoy them. plus the premixes are great to mix it up def. worth the money in my eyes.

kassia


When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey

 

[JAFitMama]

Core Max is VERY worth the money.It is different form other Cathe ab workouts. I do not have a medicine ball; an 8# or 10# DB works fine as a substitute. I have no problem with the DB between my knees.
Judy
"Likes2bfit" since 1999

 

[TerryMia]

I love Core Max too! I'm especially fond of premixes #2 and #3...I'll tell ya, #2 makes my "core sore" like nothing else!! Seriously...every time I do this one I can really feel it for a couple of days afterward.

 

[Lunacat]

I have to agree that it gets harder the more you do it. The more you work your core, the more control you have over it, so you can contract your muscle more effectively over time. Also, the stronger your core, the less you rely on momentum (which can still creep in from time to time) and other supporting muscles. This is just my opinion, of course. I think CM is an awesome DVD and I'm starting to enjoy corkscrews. Ouch!

Becky